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.
The spirit waits, fluctuating between its several forms with an almost patient darkness. It has no eyes, but seems to watch the four standing before it -- waiting for their decision. The wind continues to blow its icy gales at the group, and the tower gives an unsettling sway against it. The crystal shines with anticipation.
As the light fades from the teleporter, Crowe looks around desperately from person to person until her eyes catch on the target of her search. "Yeul!" She charges off the teleportation pad towards the girl, but before she can reach Yeul, the dark spirit spirit stirs again. "Only the pure of heart..." it rumbles again before lashing out at her. There's another crack like lightning and Crowe lets out a cry of surprise, grabbing for her blades before she disappears in a flash of magic. The wind howls an ominous reprieve.
"There will be no distractions." The voice pulses in and out of focus as though underwater. "Make your choice as one -- will you act for harmony or chaos? Purify your hearts and ours."
The shadowy mass watches as the others argue. With every hostile syllable from the emperor's mouth, it grows more irate. The edges become sharper. For her part, the cat girl is too distraught from her visions to react, and the turmoil inside of her enrages the spirit. With a flash of light, it lashes out with an ethereal, shadowy hand. The hand erupts into a violet light as it strikes her, and the force reverberates in the air and the crumbling, weather-worn tower. When the light dissipates, Sherlotta is gone.
"We know what dwells within mortal hearts. We who are conflicted will not be swayed by those of impure spirit." Once again, the guardian's voice comes low and faded like an echo beneath water. "Silence dissent if you wish to claim the crystal. More of your kind approach."
As the last of the spirit's words fade into the howling wind, the portal behind them lights itself in ethereal blue once more. The light overtakes the landing pad and three faded silhouettes step forward to join them.
The wind cuts like a razor, sharp and and cool. From the top of the tower, the mountains span out in every direction from here to the horizon lit in an eerie blue light. The light strikes the center of the tower with laserbeam focus stemming from a crystal that hovers over a carved marble sarcophagus. Power pulses from the crystal in waves, humming in the altar that contains it. For a moment, the scene is eerily quiet except for the howl of the wind. As the party approaches it, the light flashes first in white and then in a deep, smoky purple. The lights intertwine into a dissonant and formless cloud that slowly begins to take shape. The figure within is hazy, but seems to change between something human and something almost draconian. A set of clear green eyes stare out from the smoke.
"I have been asleep for too long." The voice snakes from the cloud in raspy breaths almost overtaken by wind. "For too long, I have protected that which lies dormant. The crystal may only be claimed by a force of great harmony or that of pure chaos. Your ranks are dissenting. Silence your conflict so that we might be purified and our dual struggle might end. Silence dissent or leave as you came."
The dragon blinks impassively at the three people approaching it. It doesn't move at first, preferring instead to watch. It doesn't shift or even react until it spots the glittering amulet in Crowe's hand. Then it raises its head and leans forward in interest. Its snout nearly touches her hand as it sniffs the amulet and lets out a long, hot huff of air. It nuzzles the back of her arm before lowering itself before her. Even flattened, its shoulders come to nearly shoulder height, but its wings lower beside it to create a kind of fleshy ramp. It eyes the other treasure in Ace's hand and lulls its head to the side. It pays Ardyn no attention whatsoever.
Once they have all found their ways onto the dragon's back, the dragon stands again, walks over to the collapsed staircase, and spreads its wings. It's a tight fit, but the dragon manages to jump in the air, flap its wings for balance, and then grab the side of the tower with its claws. Its claws easily pierce the stone, sending out dust and debris in storm clouds as it proceeds upwards, climbing vertically like a gecko up the inside of the tower. Its wings fold behind it as it climbs, creating a barrier between its back and the deadly drop into darkness below it.
The ride is a rough one, but the dragon seems to know where its going. It bypasses several other ledges and bypasses, bee lining straight up for what could be anywhere from ten minutes to half an hour. Eventually, it pulls up onto the topmost ledge, heaving itself onto flat stone with a short grunt nearly overcome by an alarmed screech of "Kupo!" along the opposite wall.
The room is lit in the same blue from outside. It's dimly lit and circular with windows showing off the view of the entire mountain range from nearly the top of the tower. A wind blows through the open windows, bringing with it snow and ice. On one side of the room, there's a portal -- deactivated and without light. Farther away, there's a small door sealed by magic that repels at the touch. From this side, the tower they climbed up appears nothing more than a pitch-black hole into darkness with a few jagged stones sticking out like teeth.
On the far end of the room is another portal though this one pulses with blue magic. At its side is a tent already set up with an open trunk beside it. Inside the trunk is a single bottle of magical potion and the remains of an orange feather that oozes magic. The tent rustles and fearful eyes peek out from behind it below a red pom-pom.
"K-kupo!" it tries again, its voice shakier this time. "What is that?" It points at the dragon which eyes the kupo hungrily before huffing again and slithering back down the hole. The moogle shivers with fear before poking its head out further. "Is...Is it gone?" it asks again, waiting to make certain it won't reappear before giving a short hop. "Kupo! That was scary!" it cries before flouncing over to the three strangers. "You're the second group I've seen! Are you here for your friends?" It drags an over-large book with moldering pages before it, leaving it open before them.
"Care to save your progress?" it asks. "You can add on right under there!" It points to some barely dried quill ink which reads: '"I, Mateus, Emperor of Palamecia, have arrived at tower's summit accompanied by the Seeress Yeul, and the troublesome cat-woman Sherlotta. We aim to claim the Wind Crystal..."
The moogle nods as Yeul asks to comb through its treasures. "Of course, kupo! I don't know what I'd do with it!" The moogle flaps its wings and watches cheerfully as Yeul takes the potions and feathers alike before turning to watch Mateus sign the book. It tilts its head at the text written there. "An emperor, a Seeress, and a cat-woman..." It jumps in the air with an excited "Kupopo!" before settling back down to face them again. "I've never seen a more important group!"
The platforms glows brighter as Mateus steps upon it, but seems to wait almost as his command. Once Yeul has gathered her supplies and followed, the platform brightens once more, brightening again as Sherlotta finally joined them, tail sweeping low and eyes lowered in thought. With all of them properly arranged, the portal finally activates, enveloping them all in a blinding light. As they're whisked away, they can hear distant wing beats over one final shout of "Good luck!"
SCENARIO CLEARED. TO BE CONTINUED IN A NEW THREAD COMING SOON.
The dragon watches the proceedings before it, eyes calm, breathing even. It doesn't budge when the first man turns and flees from it nor when it catches sight of two more approaching far more cautiously. Instead, it remains on its perch. Motionless. As though waiting for something. Its eyes connect momentarily with the woman, before it turns its attention forward again.
The hall is silent but for the distant whistle of wind.
Down the hall, an ancient magic is awoken as Ardyn's footsteps break the seal. Several torches burst to life on his entrance in quivering blue flames. The room has an almost sacred air to it mixed with the musty smell of stale air and dust. The walls are carved with arcane symbols, text in an old language, and murals which depict several scenes -- most of which involving dragons.
In one, four knights gather together to awaken some kind of prominent stone. In another, they fight back an array of horned beasts that are enveloped in darkness. A great series of them tell the tale of a man with a spear and elaborate armor gaining favor with dragons and using their blessing to ascend a tall tower. He appears to have had a friendship with one particular wind drake, and upon offering it some manner of treasure, rode it into battle against the monstrous forces of darkness.
The room is crowded with miscellaneous artifacts. Gold-plated urns. Silver plates embellished with draconian symbols. Mysterious sealed jars that might have anything inside. But all of it is scattered and lacks significance compared to the altar at the room's center. Sitting upon the altar are two artifacts which exude magic. The first is an ornate amulet inscribed with a pair of wings. The other is a glowing gem stone with a swirling pattern etched into the side. Upon touching it, the amulet will give a sense of weightlessness (float) and the stone will grant the user three uses of a wind spell (aero).
The old woman watches them closely each in turn. Yeul looks startled. Shaken. But she admits her own weakness and the mirror deactivates in kind. With her trial over, she sets the mirror down and returns to her place before. Though her eyes are passive, a tear runs down her cheek and the woman frowns at her. "That took a great deal of strength, child," she says. "Everyone has darkness inside them." Much to her surprise, the cat girl moves to comfort her. The woman smiles at that.
Her expression hardens as the self-claimed emperor takes the mirror. She watches him much closer and catches a far greater range of emotions. Disgust. Pain. Resolve. And horror. His breath quickens as he touches his face, and the woman eyes him closely as he does so. After a time, he tears himself away from his own vision and thrusts the mirror back on to the desk with a single word: No. Then he steps away to wait in the corner. The woman starts to speak, but can't find the words before the third steps forward and takes the mirror for herself.
There's pain in the girl's eyes before she looks upon the glass. Her jaw is set, her expression one almost of anger. Then horror. Sadness. And finally resolution. She whispers something to herself that the woman doesn't catch before the mirror deactivates and she sets it down. As their eyes meet, the girl's expression carries nothing. She steps back to await judgment.
The woman lets out a low humming noise, tapping at the desk before shaking her head. "No one is unconflicted," she says, "But those of a harmonious disposition have come to terms with their darkness. What drives you forward? What holds you back? Leaving these unacknowledged will only tear you apart in the end." She takes the mirror in her hand and carefully replaces it in her cabinet. Her hand pauses on the glass before she reaches further inside and pulls out an elaborate silver helm that shines even in the low light. It's carved into the likeness of a dragon with bejeweled eyes and a snout the curves over the face. She approaches Yeul and offers the helm to her.
"You've shown an incredible harmony within you and a compassion that can't be broken. I've seen a lot of wannabe heroes in my day, but you're the genuine deal." She smiles at the girl before glancing at the helm. "This once belonged to the ancient warrior entombed here. He was inspired by the dragons to fight for the good of the world. This helm is made of some of the strongest metals on earth, and to those who are worthy of it, it's said to sharpen their wit and give them the insight of the most ancient of dragons. You have a pure heart, Paddra Nsu-Yeul, but even the purest of hearts need strength behind it. I hope you find the strength to make your own future."
With that done, the woman straightens and turns to the cat girl. "Whatever you saw, it looks like you found resolve with it. I guess I should apologize for doubting you, but this is an important job." Her eyes cool as they flick to the so-called emperor. "But you. You didn't come into peace with your darkness, but it didn't destroy you either. I've never seen that before." She turns and paces thoughtfully to the window, humming to herself before craning her neck to watch the moon. "In the hands of the truly chaotic, the magic of that mirror should have overtaken the user completely. But you only saw visions within the glass, not outside it..." She touches the window and lets her finger slide to the sill. "The Wind Crystal will judge you itself. If you're willing to risk your life in pursuit of it then so be it. I trust the other two will keep you in line, and there must be something within you that kept the mirror at bay. But I warn you now. The conflicted at heart will not be rewarded by what awaits you."
She steps back and turns to them once more. "If your resolve is unshaken, then I will light your way." She steps past them towards the fireplace. She touches the mantle and mutters a few words in an old language. Runes glow blue along the mantle then spread to the bricks, the grate, and finally the fire. There's a low hissing noise and the fire disappears, and beyond the hearth, the wall phases into nothing. Left behind is an ashy, three foot hole.
"Follow the staircase beyond here." The woman isn't looking at them anymore. "It will take you to your goal. But be careful. That which you seek will not be easily taken." With that, she returns to the window -- quiet and contemplative. Her task is done.
True to her word, the hole leads to a staircase without light. It spirals upwards in pure darkness for what feels like ages but might be something like twenty floors. Eventually, a light filters through the darkness. Blue. The staircase opens into a dimly lit, circular room with windows showing off the view of the entire mountain range from nearly the top of the tower. A wind blows through the open windows, bringing with it snow and ice. On one side of the room, there's a portal -- deactivated and without light. Farther away, there's another staircase, though it seems broken past the last few steps and plummets into a seemingly endless hole.
On the far end of the room is another portal though this one pulses with blue magic. At its side is a tent already set up with an open trunk beside it. Inside the trunk are a few bottles of magical potion and a bundle of orange feathers that oozes magic. As the travelers approach, there's a high-pitched squeak and the tent rattles as something inside it flails about. One word escapes the fabric of the tent, "K-Kupo!" before a rather distressed looking moogle tumbles out of it. It stares, wide-eyed, at the group before flitting towards them. "You're here!" it exclaims. "I've been waiting so long!" It drags a rather large tome behind before dropping it at the party's feet. "Would you like to save your progress, Kupo?"
The worm is enraged. It senses a woman close. Very close. It sucks at the air, flailing, chomping, and slobbering at where it knows she must be, but it can't quite get a grip on her. It feels her losing balance. It feels warmth against its gums and then suddenly pain. It looses its grip, undulating wildly at the blow, and then she's gone.
It charges towards the sounds of movement. Its prey is moving fast, but the worm is faster. It knows it's close. So close. And there's only a solid wall ahead of it. They'll be trapped. Trapped and then-
The worm collides headlong with the stone wall, shaking every cavern around it. Somehow -- SOMEHOW its prey have escaped. The worm gives a horrible cry as the tunnels crumple around it. It can't understand what happened. One moment, its prey was there and the next...
The ladder collapses as the last of its users vaults onto stable ground. With the tunnels caved in and the ladder gone, there will be no one else behind them. Though Nero managed to teleport out of harm's way, there's no way for him to catch up now.
Only three remain with no way back and one way forward.
The trap door opens into a dusty room lit by a few flickering candles. The walls are hidden behind old bookshelves weighted down by scrolls, tomes, and weathered manuscripts. On a rickety table, one of the scrolls lays carelessly open in cursive text which speaks of a hero's seal protecting the world from disaster on the wing's of a dragon. There is only one door out and it's currently closed and locked though the wood seems frail.
Beyond it, there are low breathing noises. The hall outside is decrepit and long forgotten. There are a few candles here inset into the walls, but the cobwebs nearly cover them. there used to be several doors leading from the hall, but most have caved in. There's only one still accessible, and the cracked door lets out an eerie blue light beneath it.
On the other side of the hall lies the remains of a spiral staircase. Now it's only a mound of rubble beneath a shaft so tall that the top is lost to darkness. There are platforms of stairs here or there leading up, but they don't connect any more and they're completely unusable. From the shadows, there are heavy wing beats. Roused by the movements of the newcomers, a vast green dragon glides to a stop at the mound of rubble that used to be stairs. It eyes the door coolly. Waiting. Patient. It remains quiet and motionless.
The woman's eyes close in thought as Yeul speaks. She nods along, humming quietly to herself without interrupting. Only when she finishes her tale does the mage open her eyes again to look back at her with an expression of equal parts sadness and understanding. "I sense great compassion from you," she says, nodding again as though agreeing with herself. "Your light shines strong." As she finishes, the man clears his throat and she glances at him with a sternly. That sharp edge doesn't leave her, and in fact, grows colder the more he speaks.
The man is an Emperor. He seeks to strike down chaos with order -- to unite the world under a more lawful rule. The woman's eyes are skeptical as he finishes. "You were promised power...?" she says slowly. "The crystal isn't about power, but about protection! It's not to be used that way. But your intentions do appear noble..." She trails off, apparently in thought, before being snapped from it suddenly by a sarcastic quip, a flash of movement, and a swiping hand. The woman stiffens and slaps her palms on her desk as the feline girl dashes into the corner, prize in hand. The mage's eyes narrow.
"The crystal belongs to no one." Her eyes dart between the self-claimed emperor before locking on the cat girl again. "It was spawned from the planet itself and was once used by the Dragoon of Light, one of four great warriors who brought the world from the brink of ruin hundreds of years ago. It's a sacred artifact and it belongs to no one. But if it's awoken now then it means the world's in danger, and should its power fall into the wrong hands..." She lets out a long breath before shaking her head.
"We need someone of pure heart to claim it. It could be a dangerous and grueling task so I'd rather not send someone alone, but..." She points at the young Seer. "You. I'm more than convinced that you can be trusted with the task, but the ones you came with." She eyes them sharply. "I'm not about to let you through without another test. If you want that crystal, then you'll have to prove your strength of heart. Hold on a second." She waddles over to a glass-covered curio cabinet, opens it with a wave of her hand, and rifles through the contents. On every shelf, there's a new dusty curiosity, but after a moment, she pulls out a hand mirror set into tarnished brass. She touches three points along the top until the glass set inside glows the same blue as the stolen shard. Then she sets it on the desk between her and the would-be warriors.
"If you're serious about claiming that crystal, then you'll need to face yourself. That glass is taken from a sacred mountain cave where knights once went to reflect and purify their own hearts. Look within it, and you will be faced with your own darkness. What you've done. What you've intended. Your claims for the future. In that cave, the magic is so strong that it's said that a man's darkness can become manifest and attack, but you won't have to worry about that now. Instead, it will merely reflect your darkness to you and you alone. If any of you can face that darkness without faltering, then I will let you pass."
Her eyes sharpen on them again. "But you must be willing to take that risk. If your heart falters, the weight of it all might be enough to cripple you."
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