Welcome to Adventu, your final fantasy rp haven. adventu focuses on both canon and original characters from different worlds and timelines that have all been pulled to the world of zephon: a familiar final fantasy-styled land where all adventurers will fight, explore, and make new personal connections.
at adventu, we believe that colorful story and plots far outweigh the need for a battle system. rp should be about the writing, the fun, and the creativity. you will see that the only system on our site is the encouragement to create amazing adventures with other members. welcome to adventu... how will you arrive?
year 5, quarter 3
Welcome one and all to our beautiful new skin! This marks the visual era of Adventu 4.0, our 4th and by far best design we've had. 3.0 suited our needs for a very long time, but as things are evolving around the site (and all for the better thanks to all of you), it was time for a new, sleek change. The Resource Site celebrity Pharaoh Leep was the amazing mastermind behind this with minor collaborations from your resident moogle. It's one-of-a-kind and suited specifically for Adventu. Click the image for a super easy new skin guide for a visual tour!
Final Fantasy Adventu is a roleplaying forum inspired by the Final Fantasy series. Images on the site are edited by KUPO of FF:A with all source material belonging to their respective artists (i.e. Square Enix, Pixiv Fantasia, etc). The board lyrics are from the Final Fantasy song "Otherworld" composed by Nobuo Uematsu and arranged by The Black Mages II.
The current skin was made by Pharaoh Leap of Pixel Perfect. Outside of that, individual posts and characters belong to their creators, and we claim no ownership to what which is not ours. Thank you for stopping by.
[attr="class","ayab-text"] This was not potentially one of the better ideas she had had since arriving in Zephon. It had been the turn of two seasons since she had crossed paths with Hades, but she could admit to herself that she was concerned. The man could certainly take care of himself without any input from her, nor did she think he cared overmuch for her presence. There had always been an underlying current between the two of them she could not begin to understand or fathom. And she highly doubted that Hades would offer up any explanations should she ask. Or perhaps he would? He did not lie outright, but she knew he would misdirect if he felt the need to do so. [break][break]
The young woman sighed to herself as she soon found herself outside of the building listed upon the business card he had given her. A matchmaking business? Cassandra still found it a little difficult to swallow, but some part of her also felt that it felt quite well. What were these unknown parts of her that quaked and rejoiced in his presence? What did it mean? Why did she feel like this? It was not herself who was the shard of anyone important that she could recall. Alex had been the one that had been called a 'new-old friend by Hythlodaeus. As for herself? Well, she had been someone 'loved-and-mourned' in equal measure. Yet she was here and she was not one to often back away from a decision once she had made it. [break][break]
A soft sigh as she raised her hand before knocking her knuckles against the door in greeting. It was a shop, so she assumed she was free to enter and wait for him to appear. Knowing Hades, he had already sensed her presence the moment she approached his doorstep. But she was still polite enough to knock before she opened the door and entered the quaint shop. Cassandra wondered if she should actually purchase his services in matching her up with some poor man or woman. Would he match her with Alex as the event in Torensten had? It really did not surprise her, since she doubted anyone would match with her but her mentor. [break][break]
Love was not something that was held in the cards for her. Cassandra had given up on that romantic, girlhood dream of hers in favor of duty and realism. "Solus?" she called out hesitantly. Yes, she did recall that he preferred not to be called by his true name or the role of his Amaurotian days. The name still felt quite wrong upon her tongue, but Cassandra was respectful when she could be. Perhaps he would even be surprised by her presence. If nothing else, that gave her some amusement.
Post by Emet-Selch on Apr 16, 2021 15:30:55 GMT -6
all our splendour
BATHED BLACK IN SILENCE, OUR SURRENDER A SOMBRE REVERIE
He'd felt it. The moment her presence even entered the city, it hadn't escaped his notice. There were a select few whose presence he could recognize immediately, and in Cassandra's case, it'd brought up a sense of drive, determination, resignation. Equal parts loved-and-mourned. His love for his people unquestioned, and in truth his mourning for them never ended. A constant anguish that yet burned in his breast, even after the passing of eons. But those closer to him, those he held closest to his heart. One by one, they had been claimed by the light, or simply scattered entirely. For all Her preaching about the light, for all Her pontificating about her counterpart and His minions of darkness, Hydaelyn could be at times a spiteful cretin. It was almost heart to believe that at one time, the being that made her core was Venat, one of their finest, and one whom he'd respected.
How was Elidibus faring, now that he no longer lived?
You carry all of the world upon your shoulders without complaint.
It was a rare occasion where rather than lounging like a disinterested cat, he simply prepared himself. He knew full well what she was here for, well, probably, anyway. Emet-Selch was ready to do business, feeling her aether approach ever closer to his abode. Something else had happened, and he doubted that it was entirely her suddenly becoming a lovestruck maiden. It'd been half a year. Well, nearly. But in the entire time she had entered this world, not once had she even entered the city of Sonora. He supposed that he was fortunate that Alexander was nowhere to be found. As much as part of him yearned to say hello to the Shepherd of the Stars, well, he and Azem were not on the best of terms in this lifetime, and it would be best to let it lie.
Just add some marshmallows...
When the knock came, he was ready, opening the door and offering the mug of freshly brewed hot chocolate. He took in her face before letting out a mild snort. So, that's who the Oracle of Light learned it from. Of course she would. He looked around, already knowing the answer as to where Alexander was; namely not here, but he'd still keep up the appearance at least. "Well, seeing as our dear friend is not here to vanquish me once more, I can only assume that not only have you not told him, but he's gotten himself into a situation he cannot fix, and so here you are." His hand spun the mug around until its handle was pointing towards Cassandra. He could feel the heat sinking into his flesh. "Take it. It's starting to burn my hand. I haven't fiddled with it, I promise." Because really, it was starting to get hot. Hotter than he liked.
[attr="class","ayab-text"] Cassandra could not help but blink owlishly as the door was opened and a mug of hot chocolate offered to her immediately. Some part of her mind staggered for a moment as a barely-there memory shifted outside of her reach. Familiarity and a sense of deja-vu as a warm laugh escaped her lips before she could help herself. "You remembered, I see," she said softly. In an instant, the strands of memory broke and the words she uttered were soon thought over as her brow furrowed. What would he remember? Whenever she had sported a drink in front of Hades it had often been a glass of wine or water when she had been traveling. [break][break]
Instead, she focused on his greeting to shake away her confusion for the time being. Her lips parted to defend Alex in some manner before the man before her, but she really could not think of anything any words to defend him with. "He truly does have the worst luck in all the worlds. It has followed him here and the shop he did have was ruined in some sort of skirmish between a 'blonde homewrecker' and a 'silver-haired man'." Her mentor really did have trouble following him wherever he went, and she wished for a little peace in the meanwhile. Hopefully, the gil she sent back would aid him in paying for the repairs. She had event sent strict instructions that the gil was meant solely for repairs or food--not for his ridiculous clothing addiction. [break][break]
The mug was soon spun towards her, and she was even somewhat touched by his reassurance that it had not been tampered with. Cassandra wondered when she would be able to look at food without that familiar sense of paranoia creeping up on her. Perhaps one day? She took the offered drink as it instantly warmed her hands. A pleased sigh escaped her lips as she raised the mug to her lips. Before she sipped, she let her aether twist to blow out an icy breath to cool the steaming beverage somewhat. Warmth and chocolate blazed across her tongue before it slid smoothly down her throat. Closing her eyes, she let out a contented sigh before peering up at Hades once more. "Is it presumptuous of me to ask for entrance?"
BATHED BLACK IN SILENCE, OUR SURRENDER A SOMBRE REVERIE
One had to admit, for two people who were supposed to be arch enemies, well, kind of, this was going surprisingly well. His lips curled upward in a smirk. "Are you sure he did not simply break it himself? 'Twould seem he fits the blonde homewrecker part." Alexander was a bit too quick to rush to violence, as much as he said he didn't want violence to be the only answer. Then again, it was the only thing he was really good at. But Emet-Selch could see the man getting into a squabble, it turning violent, and Alex destroying his own place in a moment of red hot rage. The incarnations throughout the ages generally had quirks that followed them, but each incarnation would ultimately have a different personality, and would thus be a different person.
No matter how much Emet-Selch yearned for it, Alexander was not Azem.
But where were his manners? Stepping back inside, he held the door open and ushered her in. "But yes, of course, come in." Once she stepped inside, she would notice that his office was... rather extravagant. Fine pottery, plush rugs, antiques littering the room as well. He was obviously doing extremely well for himself. Well, mostly. His success was rather moderate, and while enough to live on, it wasn't enough for this. Of course, when you could literally magic money into existence and commit massive amounts of fraud, what you could and could not afford became a non issue.
But, Alexander, right. "It's something that's always followed him, I'm afraid." Or, rather, the soul. Alex was not Azem, and it wasn't fair to say they were one in the same. But talking about it this way made it less esoteric and thus easier for Cassandra to digest, he was sure. Sitting down at his desk, he neatly folded his hands together and continued. "It's just he's always had a support group to catch him. He doesn't have that here. So it's far more apparent." In some cases, it worked out well. His friends would always catch him and his atrocious fortunes would reverse sooner or later. Other times, it killed him, and the soul would reincarnate anew.
"Now, I believe you had need of me for something?"
[attr="class","ayab-text"] Cassandra nearly snorted into her mug at Hades' smug comment in regards to her mentor. No, it really would not be that much of a stretch to assume that Alexander had been the one to ruin his own shop. There were times when his temper could get them both into trouble, and it had been up to her to ease the tension with soothing words. Her mentor could be one of the most empathetic people in the world, but he had very little in the way of words and tact. "I did wonder at that myself, I admit. But he does not often lie to me, and he was quite angry when he raged on about how the homewrecker demolished his shop. As far as I know, he is now on a quest to right these grievous wrongs against him." Her eyes darted down as she peered pensively into her hot chocolate. Should she have gone with him? [break][break]
As she stepped inside, she could not help but smile in amusement at the extravagance of it. A flash of something pierced through her mind and she suddenly wished to ask why his abode was not bedecked with hanging vines and an array of colorful flowers. Cassandra found herself stopping as a bemused expression crossed her features briefly. Again, what did these brief flashes mean? Humming to herself in contemplation, she busied herself with taking another sip of her hot chocolate. Her brow quirked at the mention of such luck always following Alexander. From one life to the next? [break][break]
"I suppose some things really are ingrained upon the soul even through countless lifetimes," she mused with a slight shake of her head. Certain predispositions in personality or preferences that one could not quite explain. These were circular thoughts that would not get her anywhere at present, though. As Hades sat down at his deck, she took the chance to sit in the seat opposite of him. "It is far more apparent in this world. The niche we attempted to carve for ourselves has quite literally been knocked down." Again, she looked down at her mug as both guilt and weariness settled upon her shoulders. [break][break]
"I do, if it is not too troublesome to you." Her fingers curled a little more tightly around the delicate porcelain. "I wish to break away from such cycles and begin anew. Or as close as I am able to in this world. I adore Alexander with all of my heart, but these past years of my life have been spent chasing after him and whatever new crisis befell Eorzea at Hydaelyn's wishes. I aim to help him however much I can, but I need to walk my own path this time." It was now that her pensive expression changed as she looked to Hades with a sheepish smile in place. "And with a stable roof over my head to do so. You are the only other person I know here from our world and someone that I do trust in an odd way. I would even be more than happy to welcome you back with a home-cooked meal every evening I am here." [break][break]
Cassandra would not be surprised if Hades started laughing outright at her for this immense favor.
Post by Emet-Selch on Aug 30, 2021 20:45:05 GMT -6
all our splendour
BATHED BLACK IN SILENCE, OUR SURRENDER A SOMBRE REVERIE
There was good news there, at least. Namely, Cassandra wouldn't be laughed at, so that was a plus. Rather, instead, she would get something slightly better. Maybe. Considering just how annoying it could have been to see. He lowered his hands, resting them against the black leather that covered the wood of his desk. A single edge of his lips curled upwards in a smirk as he gave her what was probably best described as a patronizing gaze. Then again, patronizing was how he looked at everyone, so at least it was nothing personal. "Goodness, you are walking your own path if that is your desire." Stay with him? She must have been quite desperate to be resorting to that, regardless of how much she apparently trusted him.
Still, he had no reason to deny her. Not like there was anything on this world, that he knew of, that could put him down for good, so even if she did turn on him, there was nothing she could really do to kill him. So, rather than give her more grief than he already had, he raised a gloved hand to his chest, the tips of his fingers ghosting the fabric of his shirt. "I'm touched, truly." He meant it, though there was that glib snark lacing it. "Very well, I see no reason you can't stay here. Just don't tell our mutual friend of the arrangement." Alexander learning that Emet-Selch was alive and well would have been bad enough, to find out that she had left to go stay with him would have likely pushed him over the edge.
Though that would have been funny to see.
Leaning to the side, he laid his head against a balled up fist. "To be honest, it's surprising you've stayed with him for as long as you have." Perhaps it was circumstance. Not that she would have any issues finding employment; she was talented in her own right. Perhaps it was out of loyalty or nostalgia that she stayed behind. "Now, while I won't push on things like rent, I do hope you've a plan other than lounging about under my roof all day?" It was more the principle of the matter than anything. While money was of no issue to the Architect, he didn't really like the idea of having a pretty freeloader doing nothing under his roof. If she was going to stay there, she had to do something, at least.
[attr="class","ayab-text"] The patronizing look she was given was not all that unexpected. Honestly, Cassandra was quite sure it was one of his more permanent expressions to utilize with anyone he conversed with. It was certainly better than the laughter she had been expecting with her request. It took her by surprise as she noticed the tension within her shoulders beginning to ease away when he did not outright dismiss her. Staying with Hades was not her only option, but it was the one she felt most comfortable with. She had yet to meet anyone more powerful than he was and she did not worry he would poison her food if he were to make a meal. One day her paranoia was truly going to get the better of her. [break][break]
"Tis my desire, yes," she replied simply. There was no reason for her to fight him now outside of the Source. And it was not as if she truly even wanted to before then. He had been a desperate man trying to bring back the people and home he had once known. A paradise and haven to a world that had never been influenced by Zodiark and Hydaelyn before their ruin. And then their ruin had come and their worlds have been broken into ten and three reflections. Pale imitations to what they had once known. Cassandra did not condone the methods he had gone through to achieve his goal, but she could understand his desperation and desires. Would she not wish to do the same? In the darker parts of her mind, she was sure that she would, but the loss of so much life was not worth the price. [break][break]
Her lips curled into a vibrant smile as he agreed to her request even with the snark in his town. Cassandra could feel the relief sink into her weary body and mind, but she managed to keep herself from slouching in her seat. "I do not have the intention of doing so. I know Alex would only set his mind onto he imagines you would be scheming now," she languishes with a soft sigh. The man was intelligent and brilliant, but he was far too stubborn and narrow-minded for his own good. Circumstances changed and people could change over time. Or was she being too forgiving for her own good? A result of the affection and sorrow she felt in regards to Hades? Cassandra did not really know the answers and she did not wish to ask. [break][break]
"He is my friend and mentor. I owe him more than I convey, but I am weary of following in his shadow and keeping him in line." Was it selfish of her to admit such a thing? Cassandra had been by his side for almost a decade, and she believed she had earned her due in going her own way. She would send him gil to aid in rebuilding his shop, but she did not wish to get caught within his vendetta for whoever had destroyed it. "I had no intention of staying here without paying my due. It would be remiss of me to even expect such a thing. I have recently been welcomed into the ranks of the Dragonblades to sustain myself with gil that way. And, well, if that does not work, then I can always turn to the culinary arts. If you have chores you wish done, then I am happy to aid in that or if you simply wish for a decent meal. I believe you know me well enough to realize that I am not one to be idle for long."
Post by Emet-Selch on Sept 29, 2021 20:13:08 GMT -6
all our splendour
BATHED BLACK IN SILENCE, OUR SURRENDER A SOMBRE REVERIE
He was so pleased that she at least understood the need to keep things quiet from Alexander. However, there was a part of him that simply couldn't resist. That incessant need to provoke and sometimes play the Devil's Advocate. It was one of the few things he was good at. Well, no, he was quite good at a lot of things, but still. "Trading one master for another, then? One shaddow for another?" That's all it was to him, really. She claimed to walk her own path but then immediately cast herself into another's shadow. "The Dragonblades. Well, I suppose that makes sense. I believe you'll come to regret that, though. If obscurity is what you're yearning for, you'll not find it there. Their leader's made himself so well known that they may as well be an official arm of Torensten. And with such a pretty little thing like you, well, you'll stand out." Was it simply a desire to get away from Alexander that spurred her forward? He didn't see how this worked out in the long run.
Still, she made a valid offer of what to do around the place, and, well, his lips didn't move. The simple reality was that for someone like him, he really didn't need food. It was a simple pleasure he could indulge, but he simply needed aether to survive, and even then could go long periods without it. His eyes narrowed in contemplation, golden eyes staring hard at her in consideration. "A good meal does sound lovely. In truth if need be I can go out for food or even conjure it myself, but... there's no real substitute for a home cooked meal." Did Alexander know how to cook? The original incarnation could to an extent, something for survival. It was a skill that tended to carry over, but most of the incarnations didn't have a famous chef like Cassandra on hand.
Of course, going back to the idea of Alexander, he wasn't sure if it was just him he needed to keep an eye out for. Just because they knew how the Warrior of Light would react, didn't mean that others weren't accounted for. How many from their world had been brought here? Was there a chance he could see the others? He'd seen Venat, perhaps he'd have similar luck and run into Elidibus. "Are there other necessities I should be aware of? Others with the potential of showing up at my doorstep?" Or did he have to keep a look out for others who might simply leave Alexander to his own fate and designs and leave for greener pastures?
[attr="class","ayab-text"] One master for another? Is that how he truly viewed it, then? Cassandra bit the inside of her cheek as she considered his words and she wondered at her own motives as well. Perhaps she had spent too long beneath the light of 'savior' that she was not truly ready to cast it aside entirely. Her lips curled into a somber smile as she shrugged her shoulders a little. "Perhaps, but at least this is a choice I can make for myself without the will of Hydaelyn being pressed upon me." That was what it truly boiled down to, no? The Echo had been a blessing granted to her by Hydaelyn and it had bound her to the Source's will ever since. Of course, she had no wish to see countless Rejoinings being brought about and such a loss of life. The idea of it twisted her heart and made her feel somewhat ill--no matter how much she could empathize with the motives behind such wishes. [break][break]
"A pretty thing like myself? Why, Solus, I did not know you viewed me in such a light. Shall I say the same for you? You stand out quite well with a face as lovely as yours," she spoke, mimicking a thousands-year-old smile and playful words. Words that had been spoken by a larger part of a soul now mitigated to being only a little more than half complete. Her blue eyes glittered with a brief spell of mischief before it dispersed into light-hearted laughter. "I may not obtain the obscurity I wish for, but it is not my face that is the center of their organization. Caius is very much the driving force behind the free company along with his co-founder. I will simply be a new member until fate sees fit to push me forward. 'Tis not a path I am unfamiliar with, and at least here whatever reputation I earn will not be from the will of a primal." [break][break]
Cassandra tilted her head to the side as Hades regarded her with that rapt consideration of his. Physical food was not a necessity for him, but it was a pleasurable experience all the same. Conjuring a meal did not have the same appeal as one created with effort and desire. "I know very well that food is merely an enjoyable experience for you, but why not enjoy it however much you are able to? It would be quite lovely to be able to display the skills I acquired in my need to remain unpoisoned a third time." She truly could go her entire life without experiencing such a situation again. No one truly knew her here, so she did not expect it to happen in the near future. Hopefully. Life had a vindictive way of wishing to prove her wrong. [break][break]
Other necessities to be aware of? A thoughtful hum escaped her as she considered the question. "I did have a brief encounter with G'raha in this world, but he was not the one of my timeline. Or, well, I was not the Warrior of his, but I would rather not consider the ever-winding paths of multiple timelines. Other than him, I have no encountered anyone else from the Source or First." All she could hope for was that if more of the Unsundered Ancients appeared, then they would no longer try to commit to the Rejoinings. Zodiark's influence should no longer reach them here, but that meant little. All it took was a single desire after all. "Hopefully, I am the only one you need to worry about showing up on your doorstep."
BATHED BLACK IN SILENCE, OUR SURRENDER A SOMBRE REVERIE
He paused for a moment, taking in the response and the smile. Hades could almost hear the soft keys of the piano in his head, playing that ever familiar tune. He shook his head a moment later. What was, can no longer be. He returned to the present, only in that he gave a sardonic laugh at her compliment. "If you find the face of Solus zos Galvus lovely, well, I shan't say the remainder." Solus had, by all accounts, been a perfectly average individual who just so happened to be utterly brilliant in some aspects. And, aside from some minor things like an assassination attempt from a reaper, he'd made it a point to never break the mold. Still, his actual appearance was, by all accounts, much prettier. At least he felt so. Though he'd always been told his lines had doubled by Hythlodaeus every time the two met up.
Still, the offer of food was indeed a tempting one, he would admit. Her cooking, had, well, he supposed it was passable, if Alexander and his nagging, demanding ways could be satisfied, well she couldn't be so bad at it. Nevertheless, "My palate is rather... picky, Cassandra. One would not think so, given how long I have played the part of mortal, but well," Thoughts of Allag and Garlemald came to him, and even his time in the Convocation. "Always have I played the role of royalty or villain. It's been a rather long time since I've eaten something simple." Even evil overlords that were meant to be struck down by the up and coming warriors of light often tended to splurge on their own appetites. Thoughts of his time with Azem and Hythlodaeus and Persephone bubbled to the surface, and he couldn't help but snort a little.
Hades! You have got to try these berries I found!
Those are poisonous, Atlas.
Ah. Oh, dear.
Perhaps the poisoning was just something that also followed them throughout the ages. Still, knowing that Cassandra had run into the Exarch was something worth tucking away in his mind. In case the Exarch decided to take matters into his own hand. "The Exarch? Yes, I am aware he's here. I met him at a dinner party. The host was murdered and his mansion burned to the ground. He seems to think I had some hand in it." He sighed, shrugging. "Simply killing the problem was more the domain of Nabriales--and Venat and Azem before him." When he had learned that Nabriales had been fool enough to directly attack the Scions and perished for it, he wasn't surprised, much less despondent over the loss.
