Fortuna
A Little Lucky š
HISTORY
After Earth
In the late 21st century, political tensions drew high. Nations upon nations divided and fought over dominion. The result was much war and devastation. The Earthās atmosphere became toxic - the air barely able to sustain the chemicals that were once essential for life. Unsuitable for habitation, billionaires, scientists, and the government alike build interstellar arks for humans to retreat to while they found new planets to terraform.
Upon their travels, they encountered several planets and came across species that would come to be known as the Five Realms. As each new voyager took off to explore these new planets, it was natural for those who spent time studying to stay and turn ānativeā. As a result, less and less explorers, scientists, military personnel etc. came back to the arks. It was a time of mass exodus of the arks as humans embraced their new roles in each new realm theyāve inhabited.
With humans facilitating discussions and diversifying the connections between these planets via trade routes and other forms of protective alliances, the birth of the Interplanetary Council was formed. Their focus was to maintain peace and order amongst the realms and planets.
Upon their travels, they encountered several planets and came across species that would come to be known as the Five Realms. As each new voyager took off to explore these new planets, it was natural for those who spent time studying to stay and turn ānativeā. As a result, less and less explorers, scientists, military personnel etc. came back to the arks. It was a time of mass exodus of the arks as humans embraced their new roles in each new realm theyāve inhabited.
With humans facilitating discussions and diversifying the connections between these planets via trade routes and other forms of protective alliances, the birth of the Interplanetary Council was formed. Their focus was to maintain peace and order amongst the realms and planets.
Formation of Vanir
The formation of Vanir, Earthās sucessor, began with the exploration of a dwarf planet by the remaining scientists and citizens of the ark. The explorers found that this planet contained suitable atmosphere and water to support life. Little by little, humans came to the planet to terraform it into a bustling city and hub for man-made goods and technology.
Due to the low population of humans inhabiting the planet, the use of machinery for agriculture, building infrastructure, and overall everyday support became common practice in Vanir. People had dismantled parts of the ark to create their own devices for more suitable purposes. As a result, innovation came to be the main focus of this planet.
With mechanization and automation becoming commonplace, humans and other inhabitants were able to focus on studies to further their knowledge. Consequently, Vanir saw a rise in scholars and academic institutions with students from all over the realms.
Due to the low population of humans inhabiting the planet, the use of machinery for agriculture, building infrastructure, and overall everyday support became common practice in Vanir. People had dismantled parts of the ark to create their own devices for more suitable purposes. As a result, innovation came to be the main focus of this planet.
With mechanization and automation becoming commonplace, humans and other inhabitants were able to focus on studies to further their knowledge. Consequently, Vanir saw a rise in scholars and academic institutions with students from all over the realms.
The First Corruption
The First Corruption came at the hands of Empyrean student who ventured to each of the Five Realms to publish a research paper on the cultural religions and spiritual practices. Paetik Trahmo started his journey from the closest to the furthest realm - making his way from Ame, Orcus, Maat, Vanir, and finally Tenoch.
At the very end of his journey, he came across the story of a fabled sword with the power of life and death. While questioning an Elder of the Thlapza tribe, he found out the origins of the River of Odem.
Despite the warnings of the Elder, Paetik decided to try his luck and find the legendary sword of Odemali. If he were to come back with such a relic, his opportunities would be endless. Day after day, Paetik would swim under the river for a chance to see the sword. Night after night, he came back to town with nothing but the wrinkled skin on his palms and a growing bitterness from the swordās evasion. Yet, the thing that made Paetik different from the rest of the scholars was his sheer tenacity.
His bitterness turned into an obsession as he forgot all about his studies to focus all his time into finding this fabled sword. He put all that he had into this expedition. He turned over his possessions. He sold all his books. He even forgone living comfortably just so that he wouldnāt have to waste time with useless things like bathing or cooking.
Paetik searched and searched and at the end of his 50th year, his body was barely able to go underwater for less than ten minutes. Yet, one evening, in an area heās swam in a hundred times, something shiny glistened under the full moonlight. Just one more try, he thought.
When Paetik found the hilt buried in the sand, he knew it could be the one from the intricate groove and carvings that heās never seen before in his life. However, just as he was about to surface, his skin tingled. A warm, burning sensation seared through his face, the first part that surfaced from the river. Once he ducked under, he felt the sword call out to him. Still entranced by the sword, unable to bring his consciousness back to life, he began to slice himself with the sword. Blood turned the surrounding area red.
When he awoke, Paetik was no longer himself. He found his body covered in knives as if it were his second skin. A carapace of steel. In his mind only rang the sentiments of a grieving goddess, Messora, who ordered him to kill all the living beings he encountered. She wanted to bring them the same pain they had brought by killing her husband. And Paetik became the Avatar of Pain, the Messor.
At the very end of his journey, he came across the story of a fabled sword with the power of life and death. While questioning an Elder of the Thlapza tribe, he found out the origins of the River of Odem.
It was said to believe that a Odem was formed from the tears of a grieving goddess, Messora, whoās husband went to war for the ancient predecessors of Tenoch. Whilst winning a battle, Odemali, Messoraās husband, threw a feast and became quite popular with the commonfolk. Lavish gifts, temples, and subsequent offerings were made in his name.
Despite it all, one shaman from Old Tenoch grew incredibly jealous of the attention Odemali was getting from his family. His wife, his children, his tribeās chieftain couldnāt stop singing the god praises. No longer unable to contain his anger, he drew a plan to kill Odemali while he slept.
At the 30th day of the Odemaliās homecoming, the shaman executed his plan and stabbed Messora several times before turning to her husband to slit his throat. As a trophy for his deeds, he took Odemaliās legendary sword for himself to show to his family that he was just as worthy of their praises. Unfortunately for the shaman, on his way home, Messora woke from her injuries and chased after him with full force.
She took Odemaliās sword and beheaded the shaman leaving his corpse under the valley he tried to hide in. Yet, still unable to express her grief fully, she wept. Thunder stuck from the skies and rainfell for several days until the whole town flooded and submerged underwater. Messora stayed put and drowned along with the sword that commemorated her husband as even her tears couldnāt bring him back to life.
Despite the warnings of the Elder, Paetik decided to try his luck and find the legendary sword of Odemali. If he were to come back with such a relic, his opportunities would be endless. Day after day, Paetik would swim under the river for a chance to see the sword. Night after night, he came back to town with nothing but the wrinkled skin on his palms and a growing bitterness from the swordās evasion. Yet, the thing that made Paetik different from the rest of the scholars was his sheer tenacity.
His bitterness turned into an obsession as he forgot all about his studies to focus all his time into finding this fabled sword. He put all that he had into this expedition. He turned over his possessions. He sold all his books. He even forgone living comfortably just so that he wouldnāt have to waste time with useless things like bathing or cooking.
Paetik searched and searched and at the end of his 50th year, his body was barely able to go underwater for less than ten minutes. Yet, one evening, in an area heās swam in a hundred times, something shiny glistened under the full moonlight. Just one more try, he thought.
When Paetik found the hilt buried in the sand, he knew it could be the one from the intricate groove and carvings that heās never seen before in his life. However, just as he was about to surface, his skin tingled. A warm, burning sensation seared through his face, the first part that surfaced from the river. Once he ducked under, he felt the sword call out to him. Still entranced by the sword, unable to bring his consciousness back to life, he began to slice himself with the sword. Blood turned the surrounding area red.
When he awoke, Paetik was no longer himself. He found his body covered in knives as if it were his second skin. A carapace of steel. In his mind only rang the sentiments of a grieving goddess, Messora, who ordered him to kill all the living beings he encountered. She wanted to bring them the same pain they had brought by killing her husband. And Paetik became the Avatar of Pain, the Messor.
The Chosen Ones
The Messor hunted and killed at least a hundred tribe members in Old Tenoch before itās massacre was known to the Interplanetary Council. Despite the brutality within, warriors from all over the realms came to try and eradicate it. No one had ever come back.
In the weeks and months to follow, all eyes were turned to the Messor. It was beginning to run out of victims to slaughter and most feared that it would migrate and begin to attack the neighbouring realms. With so much life lost and a shrinking list of soldiers who wanted to get involved, the Council held a raffle. Names drawn for everyday citizens who were forced to join the fight and enlist, the Chosen Ones.
It was the 25th group of the Chosen Ones that were the first to draw a victory. Or at least, have one member come back from The River of Odem.
Auder Niran, without so much as a scar or bruise, travelled back to his home in Maat and told the Council of the Messorās tale. More importantly, the conditions of his victory. His explicitly prefaced his briefing by saying that he did not win by sheer force. If strength were the means of victory, one of his other teammates would have won. Niran won because the Messor simply let him live.
He stated that the Messor was watching the Chosen Ones from the moment they crossed its territory. It was collecting information about itās strengths and weaknesses. During their confrontation, it used and played upon all of the memberās weaknesses. It was in a moment of pure happenstance, when Niran was cornered, that the Messor looked into his eyes and stopped fighting.
When it dropped itās sword, Niran picked it up and the Messor started a high-pitched shriek. It lunged after Niran to reclaim the sword, but he evaded quickly as if the leg that heād just been injured during the fight was healed. Upon closer inspection, Niran found it to be the case. In fact, Niranās vitality seemed to return to his youth, if not, it had been even better.
During the whole expedition, Niran was worried that his ailments would slow down the team. He only wished that he would be stronger in order to protect everyone. And that the moment he touched the sword, perhaps, it heard his pure intentions and yielded.
The second the realization hit him, the sword disappeared. The Messor disappeared. He had no explanation as to the why and how. Only that he was extremely lucky to survive.
In the weeks and months to follow, all eyes were turned to the Messor. It was beginning to run out of victims to slaughter and most feared that it would migrate and begin to attack the neighbouring realms. With so much life lost and a shrinking list of soldiers who wanted to get involved, the Council held a raffle. Names drawn for everyday citizens who were forced to join the fight and enlist, the Chosen Ones.
It was the 25th group of the Chosen Ones that were the first to draw a victory. Or at least, have one member come back from The River of Odem.
Auder Niran, without so much as a scar or bruise, travelled back to his home in Maat and told the Council of the Messorās tale. More importantly, the conditions of his victory. His explicitly prefaced his briefing by saying that he did not win by sheer force. If strength were the means of victory, one of his other teammates would have won. Niran won because the Messor simply let him live.
He stated that the Messor was watching the Chosen Ones from the moment they crossed its territory. It was collecting information about itās strengths and weaknesses. During their confrontation, it used and played upon all of the memberās weaknesses. It was in a moment of pure happenstance, when Niran was cornered, that the Messor looked into his eyes and stopped fighting.
When it dropped itās sword, Niran picked it up and the Messor started a high-pitched shriek. It lunged after Niran to reclaim the sword, but he evaded quickly as if the leg that heād just been injured during the fight was healed. Upon closer inspection, Niran found it to be the case. In fact, Niranās vitality seemed to return to his youth, if not, it had been even better.
During the whole expedition, Niran was worried that his ailments would slow down the team. He only wished that he would be stronger in order to protect everyone. And that the moment he touched the sword, perhaps, it heard his pure intentions and yielded.
The second the realization hit him, the sword disappeared. The Messor disappeared. He had no explanation as to the why and how. Only that he was extremely lucky to survive.
The Avatarās Reincarnation
25 years had passed since Niran won his first victory and the trauma of the realm of Tenoch had began to heal. The only thing that refused to mend was the battlegrounds where the massacre took place. From the very end of the battle, it couldnāt get rid of the stain of death. While shrubbery and trees sprouted, itās very essence was toxic. The creatures that it bred were dangerous, killing their own for survival.
Unwilling to associate with the place, the citizens of Tenoch called it Odem, after the River it was closest too. While it was in the planet of Tenoch, Odem existed as itās own separate entity. A wall fortified by the strongest metals and energies acted as the blockade that separated the realms like night and day.
All seemed well until high-pitched shrieks and tearing metal came from the other end of the blockade. The citizens of the closest town to the barrier went missing. At least, all communications there stopped. Upon further investigation by the Council, they found the townspeople slaughtered, much like the Messorās first massacre.
Armed with the knowledge Niran bestowed upon them, they knew itās weakness was itās sword. Yet, what they didnāt anticipate was that the Messor came back stronger. It returned with abilities it didnāt have before. In fact, with each passing 25 year cycle, the battle drew longer and longer. The Messor learned and mimicked the attack patterns and its steely skin grew more invulnerable to technical weapons.
The only two patterns emerging were that the survivors came from the pool of the Chosen Ones. And upon their return, their lives - one aspect or another - was infinitely better than before they had left.
Unwilling to associate with the place, the citizens of Tenoch called it Odem, after the River it was closest too. While it was in the planet of Tenoch, Odem existed as itās own separate entity. A wall fortified by the strongest metals and energies acted as the blockade that separated the realms like night and day.
All seemed well until high-pitched shrieks and tearing metal came from the other end of the blockade. The citizens of the closest town to the barrier went missing. At least, all communications there stopped. Upon further investigation by the Council, they found the townspeople slaughtered, much like the Messorās first massacre.
Armed with the knowledge Niran bestowed upon them, they knew itās weakness was itās sword. Yet, what they didnāt anticipate was that the Messor came back stronger. It returned with abilities it didnāt have before. In fact, with each passing 25 year cycle, the battle drew longer and longer. The Messor learned and mimicked the attack patterns and its steely skin grew more invulnerable to technical weapons.
The only two patterns emerging were that the survivors came from the pool of the Chosen Ones. And upon their return, their lives - one aspect or another - was infinitely better than before they had left.
Boundless Pilgrimage
In order to prevent further massacres and protect the people of Tenoch, the Council had built a base in Tenoch to act as training grounds for the Chosen Ones. At the end of every 24th cycle, these individuals are trained for weeks before the Council open the gates to Odem.
While it seemed irresponsible to simply thrust these individuals to fight for their lives, the Messor had an ability to sense battle hardened individuals much sooner than regular individuals. It sensed their pain. The more burdens that a person carried, the easier it was for the Messor to track them down and kill them. Therefore, the more times these Chosen Ones were hurt, the more days they felt pain. Perhaps, itās why the Council held a weekās long festival after every summoning within each realm.
A small act of comfort before the Chosen Ones are subjected to the hardest challenge of their lifetime.
While it seemed irresponsible to simply thrust these individuals to fight for their lives, the Messor had an ability to sense battle hardened individuals much sooner than regular individuals. It sensed their pain. The more burdens that a person carried, the easier it was for the Messor to track them down and kill them. Therefore, the more times these Chosen Ones were hurt, the more days they felt pain. Perhaps, itās why the Council held a weekās long festival after every summoning within each realm.
A small act of comfort before the Chosen Ones are subjected to the hardest challenge of their lifetime.
Last edited:
