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","character-spring-1c"]“Masquerade: Dance of the Phalanx”
[attr="class","character-spring-1d"] The masquerade was a beautiful one and one held every year around the same date. The story behind it was a cute little fable started with the building of the Palace, aptly named the Palace of Birdsong. The royalty decided to build a palace of such beauty that when the engineers finally laid the last stone the tanagers came just before dawn to see its splendor. And as the rays of the morning light first laid the completed palace bare to the world, the tanagers - in their beautiful feathers of red, gold, and raven - sang its praises.
Ever since that day, the Birdsong Gala has always been the event to come to every year. The event lasts several days and includes many events, including the avian-themed masquerade. The ballroom is crowded with plenty of bird-themed attire, but only servants are dressed as tanagers. The ballroom itself is extravagantly decorated with beautiful colors, chiffon fabrics, and stained glass windows that let all colors in.
It is here that the sound of laughter and chattering filled the room. It rose even above the classical music and dancers that performed on stage. There was dancing that took to the floor with young people pairing off.
Then suddenly Viscount Lotheed boom across the room from his dais at the end of the room from which he watched the festivities. Surely, he had to use a spell to let his voice carry so loudly across the ballroom. He was dressed in regal blue and gold magus robes, his mask that of a lazuli bunting. Illusions of such birds flitted about his person as he stood, then vanished into thin air. He raised his rapier high. “TO ARMS!” He called out and all those knowing of the noble court seemed to clap their hands in glee. They knew this popular game well. And those who knew the songs to follow had quite the edge. “We have been invaded!” Servant Tanagers rushed out with a separate floor they quickly put together in the center of the ballroom. It now looks like a chess board, though there are obstacles such as brush and trees in the way. “The Dance of the Phalanx! Our defense!”
He takes a seat as one of his tanager footmen take to explaining the rules. Each person must pair with another person for this game. It is a strategy game mixed with formal waltzing. The goal is to strategically end each dance in a spot on the floor, while driving other dance partners off the floor. The last pair standing are the ‘commanders of the battlefield’ - otherwise the winner. The Dance of the Phalanx is simply the first song.
Hilda turned to see the others pairing off. She knew which song would play and in what order. In this case, the perfect pairs would be one person with tactical skills in navigating the floor based on the song, as well as someone dexterous enough to move them to that spot. Hilda was confident she could fill either roll.
The question now was who did she pair with. With all the masks, it was hard for her to know who was behind each. It seemed a matter of random chance on whether she would find a suitable pair. But she was determined to participate. She turned to place her glass on a tray of one of the servants. She then folded her hands infront of her white ball gown in front of her gold beading details. Then she moved forward, trying to peer beneath masks and determine who hadn’t a partner yet.
[attr="class","sixShpost"]Ace had no idea how or why he had somehow wound up with an invitation to such a prestigious event, but nevertheless here he was rubbing shoulders with the rich and elite of Torensten. Sure, he had training in diplomacy and was no stranger to formal events, but he couldn't help but feel as though something like this was maybe out of his league. It wasn't as though he had truly made a name for himself, not had he been 'adopted' by any of the people who usually frequented these circles, so his attendance was mostly out of curiosity. [break][break] He had also found himself coming across some suitable formal attire, that closely resembling Akademeia's formal attire but with a yellow/gold cape and accents, as well as a mask that rather resembled a chocobo. He needed to know who had wanted him here, even if most of the attendees were likely much older. At least it would give him the opportunity to get to know the political climate of Torensten on a more personal level. It was always good to know where things stood, should he find himself even more involved in this place's affairs. [break][break] The room in which he found himself in upon his arrival rather reminded him of the Queen's palace in Concordia, but somehow even more grande. Granted, he had not seen the place in any context more formal than that of the peace talks that should have happened, but after Queen Andoria was assassinated... [break][break] Okay, perhaps now was not the time to dwell on such things. He had another reason to be here, though he chose to observe rather than to mingle. Perhaps then a clue might emerge as to why he had found himself invited in the first place, but for now he tried not to look to conspicuous. [break][break] Already on guard, when the call to arms was announced, he summoned a card to his hand, eyes darting around for the invasion that had been declared. Except there was none, just some kind of 'game', and he felt a little foolish as he dismissed his weapon. It wasn't as obvious as a blade, so no harm done, right? [break][break] More to the point, it seemed as though people were keen to get started on what looked like to be some sort or strategy based game. He needed to keep his mind sharp, but he wasn't entirely sure about partaking himself. Especially seeing as they had to pair with someone and for all intents and purposes 'dance'.
[attr="class","sixShly"]
so walk on and become the light that guides the way
[attr="class","character-spring-1c"]“Masquerade: Dance of the Phalanx”
[attr="class","character-spring-1d"]A sudden movement and a flash of magic caught the corner of her vision. She turned to see the card flash and disappear as he recomposed himself. Was he a victim of war? It broke her heart to think someone so young was forced to see such atrocities. Then again, most of her world had been forced to endure and rebuild such brutality. She was sure children there had to endure too.
Regardless, this was not a time to think of such a thing and spoil the mood of the event. It was meant to be fun and challenging. Besides, perhaps he was just overly excited with her worrying for naught. With a few taps of her heels, she crossed the room and moved through the dance pairs. Instead, she turned her eyes to one of the ballroom aides and gently talked to a servant dressed as a tanager. “Dear sir, may I humbly request you introduce me to that young gentleman?” The servant gave her a courteous bow in response, before leading her the rest of the way to Ace.
The Tanager spoke up and introduced them. “Sir, this is Lady Hildagarde Fabool, Regentess of Lindblum. We have had the pleasure of her joining us today at the Gala.”
With a soft rustle of her white gown, elegantly decorated with golden beading and soft feathers, she curtseyed, her eyes flashing up from her golden swan mask as she rose. She clasped her hands in front of her. In the courts, it was improper for a lady to ask a gentleman to dance. Though she was known to break such conventions, after all, she already broke all conventions of entering such a ballroom unaccompanied.
Then again, Torensten did not seem to have such a heavy hand in all their etiquette. Or at least, they seemed a little more forgiving of those not of this world.
The Tanager spoke up about Ace, “This is Ace from the Dominion of Rubrum and is a cadet of Akademeia.” With that, he bowed and left the two to finish their introductions.
“Lord Ace, are you interested in playing?” She made a gesture to the commotion in the center of the room. The newly placed dance floor for this game was almost in its completion and they were making sure dancers had to wait so everyone got a fair chance.
“I could share the rules with you if you prefer?” Not an official offer to dance, but most certainly an ice breaker. It would be up to him to make the offer.
[attr="class","sixShpost"]Having established that there was no actual threat to his safety or anyone else's, Ace allowed himself to try and relax again as he observed the set up for this 'game'. The misunderstanding had been brief, and as far as he could tell he had gotten away without embarrassing himself. This was of course his first time in this court (and even then he didn't know why he had been invited), so now was the time to watch as those who were clearly more familiar with proceedings paired up in order to tackle the so called 'invasion force'. [break][break] As he did so, he saw one of the curiously dressed aides (or servants or whatever the case may be) begin to approach with a finely dressed lady in tow. He stood up just that little bit straighter as the pair came to a stop before him, wondering if perhaps his slight overreaction had been witnessed after all. Other than that, he didn't believe he stood out any more than the other guests in their formal attire and feathered masks. [break][break] The lady was introduced with quite the grand title, Lady Hildegarde Fabool, Regentess of Lindblum. H'd never heard of the place, but he nonetheless responded to her curtsy with a bow of his own, feeling that would be sufficient as opposed to going down on one knee as he had for Andoria. [break][break] "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady", he greeted her with a formality that he supposed even Trey would have been proud of! Why were they being introduced, exactly? Compared to her, he was no one, but the bigger curiosity was that the tanager seemed to know exactly who he was. He doubted the invitation had come from them, but they were somehow aware of his identity. [break][break] Lord Ace? Where he came from, only l'cie were titled lord or lady, but clearly this world (and others from which people who had been taken) had entirely different customs and conventions. Though still curious as to the older woman's interest in him, he glanced over toward the board and the assembling dancers as she asked if he would be interesting in playing. [break][break] "Sure, why not?", he spoke, before realising that maybe hadn't been quite the correct way to voice his answer. "I mean, I'm more of a strategist than a dancer, but sure, we can go over the rules", he then added.
[attr="class","sixShly"]
so walk on and become the light that guides the way
[attr="class","character-spring-1c"]“Masquerade: Dance of the Phalanx”
[attr="class","character-spring-1d"]He had manners, despite his age. He must have been well trained by this mentioned ‘academy’. She gave him a warm, welcoming smile. She straightened up gracefully and noted the way his eyes looked askance to the tanager servant, then to the dance board itself. Had she said something inappropriate to cause him to look away? “I am unfamiliar with Akademia. I beg your pardon if I misspoke your title. However, I would love to learn more about yourself.” She tried again as she turned to also eye the completion of the dance board.
“It’s simple really. There is a series of songs that will play, each one similar to a waltz. You must strategically use each move as swiftly and elegant as possible to push other dancers off the board, or land in a spot they would end on. Once there is only one left standing, you are the commander of the battlefield.” She hummed thoughtfully at the idea of winning. She probably would not, but it would certainly be fun to try. “There is a small prize at the end too.” She further enticed.
She turned her eyes back to him. “It takes someone with proper knowledge of the dance steps - and another with the strategy and dexterity to get them to the proper spot on the dance floor - to win. I can show you the steps between each round and you can decide which direction we need to go to push dancers from the floor or end on their spot.”
The other tanager butlers were slowly allowing the dancers onto the floor now. Also, most of the attendees were already paired off. “What do you say?” She asked, curious if he was still interested in the game. “I might stand a chance with you as a partner.” She gave another warm smile. “We best be quick before the good squares are taken.”
[attr="class","sixShpost"]It was only when it was a little too late, did Ace realise that he had perhaps been a little bad mannered in looking away from the older lady. He didn't deal with those of higher birth often, but he really did know better than that. Perhaps he really was a little out of his depth, and now Lady Hildagarde had picked up on what she thought to be a slight on her end. Time to pull it together, Ace, he mentally chastised himself as he returned his attention to regentess.
[break][break] "It's not a problem, my lady", he assured her, hoping that he had managed to get her title right at least. Was 'my lady' correct or was it regentess, ma'am or something? "If you forgive my ignorance, I can't say I've heard if Lindblum either. Guess that means we're both learning.", he then added. There was no Lindblum in Orience (or at least not that any of his campaigns had made him familiar with), but it was no secret that many worlds were somehow connected to this place. He wondered about her own world, what it was like there and if unlike his, her world was at peace. Compared to Orience, this place was like a paradise! At least, by all appearances. He knew better than to judge a book by it's cover.
[break][break] The lady then began explaining just what was meant to be involved in this dane thing. Similar to a waltz, huh? He was no dancer, but he was a keen strategist. So the idea was to push fellow dancers from the board in order to become 'commander of the battlefield'. It seemed as though she was keen to give it a try, inviting him to partake with her. Eyes that were uncharacteristically sharp for one so young once again scanned the scene before him. It couldn't hurt, and maybe it would be a good chance to see how things worked at the top. That, and he still wouldn't mind knowing who had invited him in the first place (and how they knew who he was).
[break][break] "Alright, let's give it a try!", he nodded, wondering if it was really such a good idea. "If you know the moves, I can try and follow. Not sure I'm the best strategist in the room, but it would be a good opportunity to try it out.", he then added, placing a hand to his chin thoughtfully. He was keenly aware that he was much younger than the woman, and he wondered just why she had taken an interest in him particularly.
[attr="class","sixShly"]
so walk on and become the light that guides the way
[attr="class","character-spring-1c"]“Masquerade: Dance of the Phalanx”
[attr="class","character-spring-1d"]Her lashes closed over her blue-hazel eyes. A soft shake of her head followed. Delicate palms, face up, gestured that she was not bothered by titles. Her eyes looked upon him again. “Lady Hilda will do.” She figured he would feel more comfortable, if he had the proper title to call her. She was no longer in her Lindblum castle, thus she needed to put up no airs here. Not until she started gaining some new footing. “Lindblum is quite far from here. A world away even. Of course, you haven’t heard of it.” She took a breath and gave a gentle smile. “It was a place ruled by inventors. We prided ourselves on our technological advancement and the comforts it brought to our people.” That was until it was trampled by an eidolon.
“Very well.” She gave him a gentle nod, but it seemed he wasn’t going to be the first on the dance floor. Was he a little shy? This time she opted for reassurance. “I am sure your performance will be superb.” She didn’t care about winning or losing. She simply wanted to enjoy herself. She crossed the room and those not participating retreated to the sidelines to watch. The room was filled with the buzz of excited conversation. Hilda selected a square near the middle of the dance floor. There was an obstacle - a faux rock with moss - to the south of them. Dancers were on all other sides of them.
“Is this a good spot?” She asked, seeing if he was already eyeing the field here. “Which direction should we go? Offensive or defensive maneuvers?” Would he choose to be aggressive in pushing others off the board or taking their final resting spot? Or would he opt to simply avoid being pushed off the board. She then held out with the grace of a trained dancer waiting for the other to receive her for the dance. One arm up and waiting for his hand, the other held slightly out to rest across his arm. She tried to recognize some of the dancers, but with all the masks, it was too difficult to figure out who she needed to one up. “Or scouting this round?”
[attr="class","sixShpost"]Just Lady Hilda then, he would keep that in mind, but for his mind was occupied by the upcoming dance. He was no dancer, but he was something of a strategist. Lady Hilda seemed to think that would be of some use, or she was humouring him as he was by all accounts a child. Woe betide anyone who referred to him as such, as he had seen and experienced more than any adult would hope never to. [break][break] So Lindblum was a land of inventors, a people who seemed to thrive in technological innovation and comfort. He wondered just how advanced they were, and if they had technology equivalent to the magitek of Milites. Of course, their crystal had given them their mastery over technology, in opposition to the Vermillion Bird Crystal of his home that granted them control over magic. [break][break] "Sounds like a pretty nice place to live", he commented, although he not missed the past tense in her statement. Did that mean something greater than her being pulled into Zephon had occurred to change that? He recalled his own home of Rubrum, and that how he scarcely knew it outside of his training and subsequent enrolment to Akademeia. He wished that they'd had chance to cool off and actually explore a little, rather than just visiting locations as part of their campaigns. [break][break] At least there had been something of an uneasy respite in Ingram before realising that they had walked into a trap, but for now in position to begin, Lady Hilda enquired as to his beginning strategy. Though his thoughts had almost turned to the apparent betrayal of his superiors, he now furrowed a brow behind his mask as he considered just that. [break][break] "I think we should scout the other dancers while defending our position.", he spoke confidently, thinking of this whole thing as an exercise in strategising. It wasn't that far off, at least, but there were classmates, such as Trey, whom he suspected would have handled the whole dancing thing a little better.
[attr="class","sixShly"]
so walk on and become the light that guides the way
[attr="class","character-spring-1c"]“Masquerade: Dance of the Phalanx”
[attr="class","character-spring-1d"]It was clear his mind was far away. His eyes seemed to hold a distance to them as she spoke. Had she sparked him to think of some part of his past? Or had he already been thinking about it, prior their meeting? If so, she wondered what he could be thinking about. It was not her place to ask, however. His thoughts shifted back to the game and what to do next. Perhaps all that Hilda could offer was a reprieve to his thoughts.
“Very well.” She said gently, “It shall give us the overall tactics of the other dancers.” She then continued to hold herself waiting for him to receive her to dance. Then, she wondered for a moment if perhaps he did not know how to. It was the fact he stared out at the floor and didn’t join with his partner, that it made her wonder. “Shall I instruct you of the proper dance positions?” She did not want to insult him in case he did know. It was better to ask his permission than to start explaining unprompted. “The first dance shall be a waltz.”
“I shall lead to the right.” Defending would be easy. The waltz made it easy to stay within short, tight box formats. It was an easy beginner dance as well. The live orchestra in the corner were finishing their final tuning to the lead violin - a B flat. The notes hummed through the air as an indicator for the dancers to be ready. Then, it slowly began playing the music. The other dancers began their first steps. “If there is a maneuver you prefer I take instead, let me know.” She had the foot work, he would be the tactics. She simply waited for him to get into position to dance.
[attr="class","character-spring-1e"] @ace Ready or not, the dance begins.
