Eisenhorn

Fate/Illuminate Histoire

Kilian

---

Kilian had not been in the country nearly as long as he would have liked. Granted, a part of him would rather not have bothered with this entire song and dance but the call of the command seal was not lightly ignored. If it was a proper, old Grail War, the clamor would have been even more obvious, more driven, far more political maneuvering between those who wanted power and those who, by the seemingly fickle nature of the Grail, were selected to stand as Masters for the conflict. Master, a humble title in the face of it, but one that held a dangerous mixture of independent action and intense self concern. Coupled with the seemingly random nature of selecting a Master of the War in normal circumstances, well, it made predicting and planning dangerous. Of course, this was no ordinary Grail War, oh no, that would have made things too, well, easy wasn't the word. Predictable, maybe, but almost nothing about this could be considered predictable.

The man mused to himself as he prepared his safehouse, at least one would assume it was a safehouse. The exact location was not pertinent for now, rather it was a rather modest, utterly unassuming looking rental property, one that had no idea to what was about to be hosted in Sako City. Kilian was dutifully reinforcing the location's warding and magical defenses, runes being employed to apply far more permanent, far less immediately noticeable effects. Each Rune hidden out of physical sight, ready to spring alive at a moment's provocation. In reality, if one were to breach the defenses and reach the innermost sanctum, by virtue of escalating defenses, they would be surprised at what they would find no doubt. But that was for an eventual deliberation, as of right now Kilian had done all he could to the property to prepare. For now, it was the waiting game for the War itself to start proper.

Thus far everyone seemed to be playing by the old rules, something that suited Kilian fine for now. Play the game, follow the motions, watch and see if this contest was worth betting it all on. He had no promises, no certainty that this Faux Grail War would provide anything close to what he desired. His own Wish should this prove fruitful was, by many metrics, rather mundane and theoretically attainable without this whole contest. All the more reason to not play too risky, too desperate when this many pieces remained on the board, to use a boardgame analog. Of course, the Masters were only half the puzzle, as he was reminded of rather clearly when he happened to have summoned a most curious Archer indeed.

Archer, a man who, upon initial interactions, proved to be the kind of amicable Kilian was. Initial discussions had proven pleasant enough, by all accounts, and Kilian had agreed to give the Servant leave to learn the lay of the City, observe the other pairings of Master and Servants where possible, but do not engage yet if at all possible. It was too soon to strike, not when it was unclear whether or not alliances could be struck until the more powerful, more isolated duos could be removed from the board of play. He had no considerations that Archer, alone, could handle an entire Grail War on his own. But only a fool assumed that, even in a contest where there is only one victor, that the other players could not be useful in the moment, when greater threats abounded. As such, Kilian knew it was wise to depart for the Church, to formally announce his presence, and see which other Masters decided to play by the same rules. In the same bond that the other masters shared with their servants, Kilian would inform Archer of his plans.

<"Archer, I will be departing for the Church to speak with the Overseer, and get a measure of how the other Masters might play the game. Do let me know if anything interesting comes up before things begin proper.">

---

Assassin

---

"Fuck's sake, Jekyll, why are we tottering around this worthless foreign city like a homeless lacky?"

Assassin calmly walked the tourist centric parts of Sako City, humming gently to himself as he walked idly about, at least idly at first glances. He was getting a lay of this, despite his lesser half's complaints, lovely city of Sako. Knowing the layout, how things moved, how the city felt at its most basic level would show him how to maneuver safely out of sight, out of mind, even more so than he already did. It also, amusingly, distracted Hyde quite easily, too focused on complaining about being in some 'shitty foreign city', as he refused to repeat the more crass words of his lesser half. Intelligence gathering and sight seeing were easily mixed into one, and he was practically ignored even by the regular denizens of the city, flittering about on their daily lives, and even those of more import, of more consequence.

Of more consequence... Assassin found that being summoned to a contest of War, of conflict and violence, for the sake of the Holy Grail itself quite peculiar. Jekyll knew the Arthurian legends and mythos that, eventually, surrounded the Grail itself. Then, the Holy Grail, as more Christian influence bled into the Arthurian belief. Or, so his well read outlook had been prior to his eventual demise at the hands of increasingly involuntary transformations. Or so his memory was, at any rate, he had passed when he had no more control. What happened afterword, apparently, left him a candidate of being summoned as Heroic Spirit, though the idea of an Assassin being Heroic was amusingly odd indeed. He had an innate understanding of his capabilities, of...Hyde's capabilities. As much as he was loathe to admit it, and as much as Hyde was to gloat, they needed his lesser half. But Hyde alone could not accomplish this, as Jekyll was quick to remind. He was too impulsive, too eager to shed blood and engage in the base vulgarities that he had been created to satisfy to begin with, things that a gentleman like Jekyll could never submit to.

"Be silent Hyde, if you would for once. You will have your cruel pleasures before long, I fear, on foes more than your equal, and quite certainly your better. We are Servant first, we answer to our Master before anything else."

The Master that summoned them, a curious but well mannered woman of Far Eastern descent. On the surface of it, quite well mannered and reserved, qualities any woman could strive for. But Jekyll thought he recognized something behind the urbane, something that struck too close to home, but he spoke not on the matter. If it came up, he would council her to the best of his humble abilities. Especially given Hyde was going to be of no help what so ever in the regard. Fortunately, all the trappings of utterly calm, ordinary city life had left the lesser half so bored to tears that he couldn't be bothered to act up for now. A small relief, though the twinge of disdain at the thought reminded them both that, even in their thoughts, the out of power half still listened, and was around. The Master herself reached out, through an intrinsic link shared between the two during the duration of this Grail War, and answered in a tone both pleasant and kind, the natural way of Jekyll and a clear indication he retained a steady hand of control for the moment.

<"As you wish Master, you will be first to know if anything of note arises. A shame to depart such a lovely district so soon, but alas.">

Assassin would gently alter his path, diverting off the main path through Sako he had been wandering on, aiming towards the route to the Church. He would play the role of a sight seeing tourist, his innate properties as an Assassin and as Jekyll making that ever easier, keeping a careful, discreet eye on the path of the Church, seeming to meander back and forth, moving towards the Church in a measured manner. Hyde's displeasure was a near constant presence in the back of Jekyll's mind currently, but the presence of so much soothing, calming energy that such a place would bring, well, was a tonic against the madness, temporary as it was. Ensuring the route was safe for his Master, he would await her arrival and report anything unusual that might appear along the way at such a time.

Qlippoth Shift: A Supernatural Action RP About Combating Otherworldy Anomalies

Yūma accepted a trinket from the rather brusque healer Mae, though he didn't particularly begrudge the demeanor. Not everyone enjoyed their work, and given the visibly metallic arm, odds were she had not lived an easy life up until now. The former officer didn't bother mentioning or bringing up the good luck charm probably wouldn't do much for him in particular, given most things just sort of deflected when it came to anything unnatural or abnormal, but he wouldn't snub the woman either. He made a pleasant off hand comment as he accepted the trinket, tucking it into a spare pocket on his vest for safe keeping.

"Well when you put it like that, I'll do my best to keep my insides where they belong then, shall I? Thanks for the freebie though, can't complain about that."

Focused as the front team formed and walked onto the premises, Yūma was scanning the ruined front of the manor. The mission being announced to start got a brisk nod from the man, flashlight trained on the manor as they encroached on the property, service pistol at a low ready. They would have to be damn careful about moving about this place, the rotted through floors would no doubt prove hazardous to them if they didn't make sure the ground was relatively sound to traverse. Getting split up would be not ideal, assuming plunging into a basement didn't end up like Victim A from the brief. A glint in the flashlight's beam across the roof caught his eye, but before he could bark out a warning, an....arquebus opened up? The shot would have killed anyone else, but the general response of A-188 was not pleased. It sorted out the gunner on the roof, and then leaped into the ranks of the advancing, spear wielding soldier spirits. Ashigaru, if he remembered his history lessons, but that was not relevant right now.

Agent Murakami was next to engage, bringing that massive blade around like it was nothing, smashing into the ranks of the advancing yari wielding phantoms. They seemed to come apart as easily to trauma as anything else did, so Yūma was the next to engage. Rather than advance into melee, however, as much as he loved the idea of evading thrusting attacks to get in close and pummel the enemies to death, the presence of one firearm wielding phantom threatened more, which meant keeping overwatch. Shifting to the left to engage the flank of the ashigaru, hopefully held in place by the aggression of his fellow agents, Yūma took steady aim and opened fire.

Compared to the single, resounding crack of the old blackpowder weapon the ashigaru spirit above had wielded, the service pistol barked in a series of paced, back to back rapid shots. Putting shots into the ashigaru spirits that had yet to be destroyed, his pace ensuring he didn't risk hitting anyone who had moved into melee, he was keeping an eye out for more arquebus wielding spirits. Blackpowder, in this day and age? What a time to be alive! The question remained what animated and bound the spirits to this manor of all places, but that was for later. Purging the immediate threats was for now.

Qlippoth Shift: A Supernatural Action RP About Combating Otherworldy Anomalies

Yūma was about to reply and leave the decision up to Agent Murakami when, abruptly, AMATERASU made the call alongside his duty phone buzzing in his pocket. Well that was a relief, at least he wasn't going to be bored to tears today, and he fell in behind Murakami as the duo began heading to report for whatever operation had reared its head. Following along as he did, it didn't take long to reach the briefing room and find Director Murata and a projected AMATERASU. He always found some amusement in the naming of the branch AI. With all the supernatural and anomalous activity in the world, naming a branch AI as such felt a bit on the nose. But who was he to judge, given his occupation? Getting comfortable in one of the seats, with a good angle on both the main screen and personal terminal. The gathered agents were a varied bunch, certainly, keeping a loose eye on them as they trickled in before the briefing began in proper.

The story told was, as much as Yūma was loath to admit, not an uncommon one at first. Some ghost seeker looking to snag some pictures falling to their death in a dilapidated building. On its own, nothing suspicious, so it didn't surprise him that it had been ruled an accident despite the obvious that they wouldn't be briefing if it was just a mundane accident. What ruined that was the rather brutish deaths of Victims B and C. B had his head mulched, probably in one heavy blow. If it wasn't for C's clean, edged weapon injury, Yūma might have suspected some sort of brute force anomaly. Given the mixed damage, Yūma was thinking either a possessed victim, something akin to A-231 during a possession event, or some sort of anomalous weapon. After a few more moments of observation the image cut back to the overview of the ruined manor and marching orders were given.

Putting agents on perimeter duty seemed odd, at least to Yūma, was there no AERT assets available to perform that kind of first response? Perhaps they had already arrived and done the initial securing and calling in of Sefirot, and the Agents would take over. He knew Kawahara would be unhappy with being relegated to standing by and keeping anyone nosy from poking around. Hell, he knew that feeling all too well, reminded of many a day standing guard while agents moved in to secure or eliminate an anomaly. He could at least sympathize there, though her partner seemed to be far less concerned with the relegation to guard duty. Odd pairing, that, but who was he to judge? He was with Murakami and Yamamizu on the front door. Murakami was a better known quality, and Yamamizu less so, but no one made it to their level without being able to back it up. Made sense to him to be tasked to the front door, given his nature, so he had no complaints there.

Besides the question on why so many agents, Yūma had nothing to add. They would skip the trip there with some magic portals, and just like that it would be time to engage. Anomaly support would be with them as well, which would probably help. A-188, the shapeshifting sentient meat, useful since the lack of obvious organs would make a sudden, incapacitating blow ineffective. Still felt odd working with an anomaly, even now, but he wouldn't go complaining about the extra muscle. Once dismissed, Yūma would depart to suit up and get ready for an investigation and elimination of the anomaly.

---

The time spent getting A-188 ready was not wasted, not by Yūma at least. Suiting up in his patrol attire, the lack of information and need to investigate causing him to decide against the heavy duty AERT response gear he had brought with him to Sefirot, he had decided that there was no need to augment his usual equipment with any additions from the armory. Keep it light and familiar, and he wouldn't have to worry about juggling excess that might get him in a bind. He would still end up spending time waiting for everyone to be prepared, feeling that creeping, familiar sensation of impatience whenever he knew he was about to go into a dangerous situation and finally get to live a little. Soon enough though, they utilized Agent Yakumo's gates to arrive on the scene.

Night was falling, and Yūma produced a heavy, sturdy flashlight from his belt, double checking the batteries. It was a powerful light, and more importantly, heavy and well built enough to use as a bludgeon in a pinch. He drew his sidearm, chambering a round and ensuring the safety was on for the moment. Compared to all the spiritual, magical powers and anomalous properties, a service pistol was hardly the most awe inspiring sight. That being said, it was remarkable how many things didn't take well to being shot, even anomalies were rarely completely bullet proof. Bullet resistant, sure, but it would suffice for now. Kawahara's complaining and the rebuttal from both Otsuka and Murakami got a snort out of Yūma, holstering his pistol and giving her a friendly pat on the shoulder as he passed.

"We've all been on guard duty before, you'll be part of an entry team before you know it. Keep a sharp eye out for us, never know when someone is going to be too nosy for their own good, yeah?"

Yūma would give the two agents on guard duty a nod before positioning himself to provide support to the lead elements of the entry team. A-188 seemed determined to take point, and the former officer wouldn't argue with that. Odds are he would be supporting A-188 and Murakami as they took point, and he would be falling in the middle of the group, with Yamamizu bringing up the rear. He didn't need magic or anomalies to provide ranged support, after all, and that would make eventually swapping to his brass knuckles that much more fun when the time came. For now, he would be providing light with his flashlight, and once on the property he would draw his pistol once more, ready to act on a moment's notice, settling into a professional stance, keeping the pistol at a low ready.

"Right, heads on swivels, let's get this mess sorted out before anyone else gets gutted."

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

"Curiosity, sure. Got plenty to discover if you have your way."

Rolan crossed his arms, turning his attention fully on the Prince, leaving the oblivious Fionn and handsy Hundi to carry on as they saw fit. The nervous laugh from Florian was not lost on him, either, but he was not his brother's keeper, in a metaphorical sense. Far more interesting was the information being given to him, even indirectly, by Prince Erion as he commented on the situation. Prevent anyone from heading East, which meant the current Iron Roses. Great, more legend fighting, that is just what he wanted. He made a mental note to stock up on supplies that could be used for...less than honorable combat to even the playing field. He usually relied on paralyzing agents, because someone keeling over from a shoulder wound was obvious. Someone growing sluggish after injury? Not so much. In this situation, however, he wasn't exactly willing to be purely subtle, especially if things were dire enough to need this kind of condensed training.

Still, his train of thought was interrupted by the prince asking about them being brought in from the world. He nodded briefly, seeing little reason to conceal the obvious at this point.

"Correct as well, for however long it takes to escape. I imagine you will not make things easy for that endeavor, however."

@Raineh Daze@Crimson Paladin@The Otter

Qlippoth Shift: A Supernatural Action RP About Combating Otherworldy Anomalies

Yūma inclined his head in return to Amano, observing as she briefly pondered the question on a wonderful life. It was a fun curveball to throw, most people at least had to consider that or just give an empty answer. The eventual answer on taking her job seriously was text book, in a manner of speaking, and he kept a light, pleasant smile on his face as she spoke.

"Well said. With an outlook like that, I am sure everything will work out just fine."

When questioned on whether or not he had a specific assignment, or was simply on duty. Fortunately, he knew better than to stand around and run his mouth while on assignment, he would have gotten several ears worth of being told off if he was standing around while he was supposed to be doing something. Letting his hands rest in his jacket pockets, he shook his head now that he was actually being looked at.

"Oh no, just a duty day. I wouldn't be standing around if I was suppose to be actually doing something right now. I was considering where I could be useful today. Need a hand with anything?"

@VitaVitaAR

Qlippoth Shift: A Supernatural Action RP About Combating Otherworldy Anomalies

Yūma Amano

Approaching Branch-092

Yūma was speeding across the side roads, vaguely approaching Branch-092, as he usually did during his morning routine. He woke up earlier than necessary every morning so he could go out and enjoy himself on the road a bit, suit jacket whipping in the wind as he weaved and leaned into each turn, the roads he was tearing along almost as familiar to him as HQ was. It was why he had to drive as fast as he was, it was the only way to wring any enjoyment out of such a well tread route. He was expected to be in the office today, so he couldn't range out to further away roads he was less familiar with. Still, it was always a pleasant wake up call to feel the wind in his hair as he raced along, turning onto a more main road, reluctantly slowing down to a reasonable speed as he began travelling roads that actually saw some police presence. Last thing he needed was explaining to his superiors why he was late because he got pulled over doing triple digits on any of the surrounding roads.

Moving towards the front building, there was a nearby spot he parked that let him walk the rest of the way, and was one of several discreet parking locations for agents who had their own transport they took to and from the Branch. Securing his bike in the underground parking garage, he took a casual stroll towards the Branch front, stepping in just ahead of when he was supposed to be there, and right on schedule...

"Welcome, Agent Amano."

Grinning to himself, Yūma made his way to the elevator, happening to catch it as soon as it returned from the depths of the Branch proper. The angle of its descent always threw off new recruits and the like, most folks not used to elevators moving at an angle like that. You got used to it though, and the former officer hummed to himself, leaning on the wall of the elevator while he straightened his suit out, brushing out the mild untidiness from having ridden his bike in to the office. The elevator wasn't too terribly long, must be running smoothly today, and the agent stepped out of the elevator, continuing to hum to himself as he went through the final identity checkpoint, mostly a formality that. But an important one all the same, and he before he could consider what he would do to keep himself busy today, he spotted one Agent Murakami, and decided he could stall by at least being polite.

"Agent Murakami, good morning! Another wonderful day in the life, isn't it?"

Yūma had a casual, pleasant tone as he approached the agent, greeting her with the same generally pleasant demeanor he addressed everyone with when not on the job proper, as it were. He heard some of the scuttlebutt about the woman, not a lot of it pleasant, which he saw as kind of pathetic really, on the part of the detractors. Especially the ones who were glorified desk jockeys who sat around pushing papers all day, but that was consideration for another time.

Fate/Illuminate Histoire

Did an update to personality and the noble phantasm, below for review.

Updated Assassin

• Name: Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• Class: Assassin
• Appearance:
  
  Both States

  
• Personality:
  Jekyll and Hyde are two opposing sides of the same coin, at least that is how the good Doctor Jekyll would tell it, while Hyde would simply remark that Jekyll is a hypocrite and, more damningly, a coward. The two are regularly struggling and fighting each other for dominant control of the body they share. At any given time, either Jekyll or Hyde is in dominant control of the body. Both internal and external factors modifies who is holding control over the body. Jekyll thrives in calmer, more pleasant environments, which bore Hyde and reduce his influence. Meanwhile, combative, high stress, and otherwise negative environments force Jekyll to recede while Hyde thrives. When at the brink of changing who is dominant, one half will sometimes interrupt or make grabs for control, the edge of Jekyll and Hyde being an incredibly difficult point to maintain, plunging one way or the other in rather short order. His Master can also influence this state, either by direct order or, in dire circumstances, a Command Seal can forcibly grant full, uncontested control of the body to Jekyll or Hyde for a specified duration.
  
  As Jekyll, he is a gentle, kind hearted man who would quite genuinely rather spend time in contemplation and study. While generally servile in nature, he maintains an incredibly strong sense of good and evil, and of justice, a firm believer in doing good for its own sake first and foremost. As a servant he would greatly enjoy spending time simply conversing with his Master, learning of the world he had been summoned into. Of his fellow Heroic Spirits, enemies as they may be, he would engage them in dialogue before a combat need arise, or even during circumstances where neither side can afford to fight. He lacks confidence in himself, perhaps stemming from his failure to subdue and remove Hyde from his life, though once talking he proves to be quite the pleasant fellow. While Hyde is dominant, outbursts from Jekyll attempt to restrain or sedate Hyde, calming him and guiding him towards being bored enough for Jekyll to snatch back the reigns, trying to restrain the beast.
  
  Hyde, however, revels in the hedonistic and cruel pleasures of the world. Constantly straining to be turned loose of his bindings, he greedily abuses every moment he is free. Typically only coming to the forefront during high stress, or violent situations, Mr. Hyde fully enjoys every moment of it, reveling in driving any foe he is turned loose on into a corner, playing with his prey and basking in their failure and mounting panic. Nothing is sweeter than slaughter, and if left unchecked would quite gladly go on a killing spree of anyone he could get his hands on. While restrained as a Heroic Spirit, however, he begrudgingly follows orders, though constantly complains and urges his Master to "Live a little" and let him at least have a little collateral damage. While Jekyll is the dominant personality, Hyde chafes and rages, urging Jekyll to have outbursts, of anger, giving in to base emotion and indulging himself needlessly, just to get him to slip and let Hyde take over.
• Stats: (Note: Stats are listed as X/X, with the first being Jekyll's statistics, and the latter being Hyde's statistics. Whoever is the dominant personality reflects the statistics in play.)
  
  • Strength: C+/B+
  • Endurance: E/B+
  • Agility: A+/B+
  • Mana: E/D
  • Luck: C/D
  • Noble Phantasm: C/C
• Class Skills:
  
  
  
  • Presence Concealment: A. As Jekyll, the good doctor has gone to great lengths to conceal any of his misdoings or misdeeds as Hyde, and even more so now that he has to so readily rely on Hyde, it makes remaining unassuming far more important. For Hyde, concealing himself right up until the moment of strike lets him savor in the thrill of the hunt, of tracking down some dangerous game and jumping them, the upper hand making the game that much sweeter.
• Personal Skills:
  
  
  
  • Monstrous Strength: B. Non functional as Jekyll, as the good doctor is no fighter, let alone a monster. Hyde, however, has shattered sturdy, custom walking canes in fits of rage with enough force to strike men dead in a single blow. Not even accounting for longer fits of rage after extended confinement by Jekyll that have left others dead from, at the time, a normal human's bare hands, this skill allows Hyde to, for short durations, boost his Strength Parameter by one rank.
  • Voice of Panic: A. Non functional as Jekyll, given the mild mannered and well meaning doctor could barely raise his voice to a shout at the best of times, let alone induce panic. Hyde, however, has the fury and madness of a long caged hedonistic thrill seeker, capable and more than willing to voice his desires of slaughter and debauchery to the heavens, to make God himself quake. Performs a mental attack on his targets with a resounding voice that weakens the minds of people who hear it.
  • Self Modification: D. Does nothing as Jekyll, as he is simply a man hiding a monster. While functional as Hyde, due to the duo being summoned as an Assassin-class Heroic Spirit, the rank of the skill has been notably decreased. Hyde shows some small refinement of his body towards combat capabilities, though the changes are relatively minor, and easily missed by someone who isn't keenly aware of the changes that are occurring at all.
  • Powerless Shell: A. The skill that defines Jekyll, rather than Hyde. It is a representation of a lifetime of struggle with perceived inner demons, with a hedonistic and sadistic darker half that he could not, as a proper Gentleman, ever allow free, and the cause of him developing the serum that would become known as the Dangerous Game. This skill is what locks his other personal skills away, and combined with the Assassin class Presence Concealment goes a great ways in protecting and hiding Jekyll long enough for him to release Hyde onto the stage, should the need arise.
• Noble Phantasm(s):
  
  • Name: Dangerous Game
  • Rank: C
  • Type: Anti Unit
  • Appearance: An unassuming vial of regal purple fluid, with an old, turn of the century design syringe and plunger for injecting the contents, although no matter how many times the syringe is used, it always seems to be full. The syringe must be removed to refill, however, meaning the theoretical limit of exposure is one dosage. The taste is always tailored to be the most vile, repulsive, and thoroughly revolting taste imaginable, unique to the unfortunate recipient. The vial can removed from the syringe, allowing it to be consumed normally, although typically this is only something Jekyll or Hyde would willingly do.
  • Effects: Originally designed to allow Jekyll to become Hyde, and Hyde to become Jekyll. However, summoned as a Heroic Spirit, the lines between Jekyll and Hyde have been warped and blurred, losing its original purpose as a switch between Jekyll and Hyde. However, in this blurred state, the Dangerous Game acts as an incredibly potent booster shot for Jekyll and Hyde, amplifying their characteristics by one letter grade and having a unique effect depending on who is dominant. Jekyll temporarily suppresses the negative effects of Powerless Shell, temporarily allowing him to tap into the effects that Hyde has access to with the clarity of thought that Jekyll has. Hyde, however, undergoes a berserker esq state, suppressing Presence Concealment in total in exchange for amplifying Monstrous Strength and Self Modification by one letter grade, becoming a more literal monster in human form, although this is a short lived effect that should be reserved for dire straits.
    
    More concerning is its effects on others. Upon injection, the victim is subjected to the, albeit temporary, effects of the original Dangerous Game. They are forced to face their own darkest demons, lesser willed individuals having to fight for control with their darkest urges, having to face every darkness, every evil that lurks in the hearts of even the most noble of souls. The effects vary wildly between victims, Heroic Spirits especially proving very strange in reaction. Subjecting a Heroic Spirit to the darkness in their hearts, forcing them to face something that they were never intended to can have unforeseen consequences. Regardless, the intention remains the same, crippling and disabling the victim of the Noble Phantasm to create openings for Jekyll, Hyde, or allies of convenience.
• Alignment: Lawful Good (Jekyll)/Chaotic Evil (Hyde)

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

"Just like that, the perks of being a legend it seems."

Rolan's remark was to no one in particular, thinking out loud as they began moving again, this time right for the castle. No acknowledgement, not even a stated word, simply breezed through like they owned the place. Given the reputation and capabilities of the legendary knights, well, that may not necessarily be a far fetched statement to consider. There wouldn't have been much else to say if it wasn't for the fact that, it seemed, Randon had taken a very intensive interest in Fionn, of all people. For his initial credit, Fionn seemed to be making a pointed effort to ignore the intense focus, but then that all fell apart rather abruptly. Temper mildly frayed, he seemed to become incredibly interested in finding wherever this so called tear or hole was that held his attention. Rolan doubted it had anything to do with the state of the clothing, more a matter of who it was on. At least Fleuri was not making a fool of himself, making an agreeing statement and not promptly engaging in turning himself in circles like a dog looking for his own tail.

Of course at that point Florian decided to return with the Prince Erion, something that was given away by two key details. The obvious was the dragonscale cloak, something of a myth in and of itself by the time of the current Iron Roses. It was kind of hard for someone to forge anything out of dragon parts when sourcing them proved to be as...tricky as it did, let's just say. Second was the Talderian clasp that further identified the Prince. Sidestepping the currently distracted Fionn to address the Prince directly. Florian had already indicated that they were both new here, and members of the same order. He nodded in response, keeping Fionn at the corner of his peripheral vision just in case.

"Correct on both counts, Prince Erion. Though our purpose here is, ideally at least, to accomplish training in a condensed period of time. Perhaps training Sir Fionn how to use a mirror might be in order first, however, given the current circumstances."

@The Otter@Raineh Daze@Crimson Paladin

Qlippoth Shift: A Supernatural Action RP About Combating Otherworldy Anomalies

Yūma Amano

• Name: Yūma Amano
• Age: 34
• Gender: Male
• Appearance: Out of Uniform / Patrol
• Psychological Profile: Yūma Amano is a man of dualities. On one hand, he is a driven and determined protector of those who cannot defend themselves, having taken his job as officer, AERT member, and as a Sefirot agent incredibly seriously. He sees it as not only his life's calling, but his family's calling, a proud lineage of officers and enforcers that they claim to trace all the way back to the Meiji Restoration. How much of this is heartfelt and how much of it is indoctrination is up for debate, but it is sincere regardless. This is his general face, the one he wears at work and around peers, even when socializing, a polite, friendly, and well adjusted officer who sees it as his calling to protect and serve, even should it cost him his life.
  
  Underneath all of that is an adrenaline junky, a man who lives for the highs of life. Putting himself in harms way so often, whether it was as the first to respond to a crime, driving the AERT just a bit faster, a bit harder, to get to the response site, or leading the way into anomalous regions and situations as a pointman, Yūma lives for those highs that can only come from dangerous uncertainty. The higher the strain, the longer the odds, the more alive he feels, and is at his best when the adrenaline is at full blast. When the plan fails, when the odds are long, backs are to the wall and its do or die, he is at his happiest and most excited. He drives fast, rides faster, and fights like an immortal might, throwing all he is into everything, chasing that next adrenaline high, and struggles to hold back once he gets a taste of it. This all or nothing mentality bleeds into his private life, training and drilling himself constantly, even if its just snuck in before meeting his coworkers after work for a drink.
• Skills: Broadly speaking, Yūma is a highly skilled conventional combatant. Having grown up being prepared and trained by his grandfather, and combined it with training received both as a police cadet and further on after volunteering for, and being accepted into, an Anomalous Emergency Response Team (AERT for short), he has a broad basis for combating both anomalies and criminal elements interested in them, as well as a more broad skillset compared to more specialized agents.
  
  
  
  • CQC - Building on the boxing his grandfather focused on, the general self defense training as a police officer, and more advanced learned in the AERT, Yūma takes great pride in his capabilities in an unarmed fight. He spends several days a week training, including in CQC, and has blended the striking power of boxing with defensive grappling if caught off guard. He knows how to use a baton in close quarters as well, though prefers to resort to a pair of worn, inherited brass knuckles for when getting properly stuck in a melee.
  • Firearms - Yūma received standard firearms training as a police officer, with a broader spectrum of firearm platforms being familiarized after volunteering as an AERT member. He prefers pistols first and foremost, as they give him the most flexibility in day to day operations, and spends the majority of his time dedicated to firearm's training with pistols, having practiced with both semi-automatics and revolvers, and as a member of Sefirot he has taken to carrying a .45ACP, and drills with it regularly.
  • Combat Driving - Yūma took an interest in driving, beyond what was necessary for day to day living, and took additional courses on combative driving once he was part of the department AERT, learning to get into, and out of, dangerous locations in a timely manner and intact. Off duty, his driving habits are best described as 'needlessly aggressive', and he is the proud owner, and rider, of a frankly overtuned sports bike, something he rides whenever he gets the opportunity.
• Abilities: Besides Yūma's combat skills, the only noteworthy ability that has been documented as abnormal is his incredibly high resistance and tolerance towards supernatural effects, anomalous and otherwise. Being within the area of influence has less of an impact on him, and all effects from anomalous items or individuals are lessened, as are the effects of magic and the like. Worth noting that, not only is this only a resistance and not an immunity so lethal effects will still be lethal, but this also impacts beneficial anomalies, magics, and the like. Just as much as a anomalous assault on his psyche will be blunted, so too would a spell designed to mend his flesh to heal his wounds. Also worth noting is that mundane damage caused by supernatural or anomalous effects is not resisted. Only the direct effects of supernatural and anomalous, so while the damage caused by a purely spiritual attack would be resisted, debris hurled telekinetically would still be fully damaging, as an example.
• Equipment: Yūma's duty equipment is a bulletproof vest, with pouches for spare supplies, typically ammunition, as well as knee and elbow pads to go with his duty wear. He always has his service pistol, a .45 ACP semi-automatic with an under barrel laser module. He also has his brass knuckles on him should he need them, as well as a rather sturdy, heavy duty flashlight that he uses in his offhand when carrying the pistol. He will augment his equipment as appropriate for a mission, be it additional weapons or more specialized tools for a specific anomaly. He even managed to keep a set of heavy, fully body armor and ballistic shield from his time with his AERT, that he keeps in good condition for emergencies, or when investigation and subtly are not a concern.
  
  Off duty, he rents a small apartment where he keeps his mostly modest mundane belongings, his overtuned sports bike, as well as a small snub nosed .357 revolver that he keeps concealed on hand just in case. He still keeps his brass knuckles on him as well, one of the few things that he is never found willingly without, even preferring to surrender the revolver first before giving up the brass knuckles.
• Background: The Amano family prides itself on having supplied generations upon generations of law enforcement and other upholders of the law, and all that weight of expectation was put on Yūma as well. Raised with stories of his family exploits in policing, with the odd soldier and other outlier sprinkled in, Yūma was never unsure of what he was going to be doing his whole life. He participated in martial arts growing up, though most of what stuck was his grandfather's lessons. He had good grades, nothing stellar or standout, but good, and after he graduated from school he immediately moved on to the police academy, not even being given a last summer vacation before being bundled up and sent off, metaphorically speaking, to live his life in the footsteps of his ancestors.
  
  Yūma did well in the police academy he attended, once again, not standing out however, though he was running into increasing expectations that he excel and be a cut above his peers. He saw increasing pressure when communicating with family, who constantly expected better of him, that the Amano family had always been the best of the best, and that nearly constant expectation and the expectation of both instructors and peers wore on him. He eventually graduated the academy, barely top of his class, in no small part thanks to far too many sleepless nights. It didn't make his family happy, of course, far too close a margin to really keep them happy. But, top of his class regardless, and he was quickly picked up by the National Police Agency as a new member of one of the Anomalous Emergency Response Teams, a branch of the NPA that responded to anomalous emergencies, evacuated civilians and secured the area for Sefirot to arrive and either contain, or eliminate, the anomaly.
  
  Yūma spent most of his life operating as part of an AERT, rotating with his squadmates through roles so that they remained cross trained in each role. It was during this time that Yūma found himself identifying his eventual addiction to adrenaline, and high intensity situations. When he drove, he always seemed to end up being the first AERT on site when a call went out, and it would be that eagerness that would get him noticed by Sefirot. His team, predictably, responded first to an anomaly report, but rather than find injured and scared civilians they ran into an unusually well armed criminal gang, and the AERT ended up in a rather pitched firefight trying to secure the area, armored van rendered immobile. While most of the team was critically wounded, Yūma was able to rally them and keep the pressure on the criminals long enough for Sefirot agents to arrive and secure the area.
  
  Yūma was recommended to Sefirot service by his superiors, and his peers. By his superiors, as a mark of excellence and pride. By his peers, so that they could get him out of their lives. Regardless of the why, his conduct as part of AERT operations, as well as the well documented family history, lead to the offer to become a Sefirot agent. He had just turned 31 at that point, and would spend the next several years acclimating and coming up to the level of one of the Sefirot agents proper, augmenting experience and knowledge from the AERT with Sefirot experience and training. Yūma had cut all contact with his family at this point, not that there had been much to begin with. They spoke of pride and expectation still, last he had talked to them, but it rang hollow as far as he was concerned. He had his calling in life, and it certainly met his need for adrenaline when things really kicked off, that was enough for him by now, at least for now.

Qlippoth Shift: A Supernatural Action RP About Combating Otherworldy Anomalies

Alright, got him sorted out, finally.

Yūma Amano

• Name: Yūma Amano
• Age: 34
• Gender: Male
• Appearance: Out of Uniform / Patrol
• Psychological Profile: Yūma Amano is a man of dualities. On one hand, he is a driven and determined protector of those who cannot defend themselves, having taken his job as officer, AERT member, and as a Sefirot agent incredibly seriously. He sees it as not only his life's calling, but his family's calling, a proud lineage of officers and enforcers that they claim to trace all the way back to the Meiji Restoration. How much of this is heartfelt and how much of it is indoctrination is up for debate, but it is sincere regardless. This is his general face, the one he wears at work and around peers, even when socializing, a polite, friendly, and well adjusted officer who sees it as his calling to protect and serve, even should it cost him his life.
  
  Underneath all of that is an adrenaline junky, a man who lives for the highs of life. Putting himself in harms way so often, whether it was as the first to respond to a crime, driving the AERT just a bit faster, a bit harder, to get to the response site, or leading the way into anomalous regions and situations as a pointman, Yūma lives for those highs that can only come from dangerous uncertainty. The higher the strain, the longer the odds, the more alive he feels, and is at his best when the adrenaline is at full blast. When the plan fails, when the odds are long, backs are to the wall and its do or die, he is at his happiest and most excited. He drives fast, rides faster, and fights like an immortal might, throwing all he is into everything, chasing that next adrenaline high, and struggles to hold back once he gets a taste of it. This all or nothing mentality bleeds into his private life, training and drilling himself constantly, even if its just snuck in before meeting his coworkers after work for a drink.
• Skills: Broadly speaking, Yūma is a highly skilled conventional combatant. Having grown up being prepared and trained by his grandfather, and combined it with training received both as a police cadet and further on after volunteering for, and being accepted into, an Anomalous Emergency Response Team (AERT for short), he has a broad basis for combating both anomalies and criminal elements interested in them, as well as a more broad skillset compared to more specialized agents.
  
  
  
  • CQC - Building on the boxing his grandfather focused on, the general self defense training as a police officer, and more advanced learned in the AERT, Yūma takes great pride in his capabilities in an unarmed fight. He spends several days a week training, including in CQC, and has blended the striking power of boxing with defensive grappling if caught off guard. He knows how to use a baton in close quarters as well, though prefers to resort to a pair of worn, inherited brass knuckles for when getting properly stuck in a melee.
  • Firearms - Yūma received standard firearms training as a police officer, with a broader spectrum of firearm platforms being familiarized after volunteering as an AERT member. He prefers pistols first and foremost, as they give him the most flexibility in day to day operations, and spends the majority of his time dedicated to firearm's training with pistols, having practiced with both semi-automatics and revolvers, and as a member of Sefirot he has taken to carrying a .45ACP, and drills with it regularly.
  • Combat Driving - Yūma took an interest in driving, beyond what was necessary for day to day living, and took additional courses on combative driving once he was part of the department AERT, learning to get into, and out of, dangerous locations in a timely manner and intact. Off duty, his driving habits are best described as 'needlessly aggressive', and he is the proud owner, and rider, of a frankly overtuned sports bike, something he rides whenever he gets the opportunity.
• Abilities: Besides Yūma's combat skills, the only noteworthy ability that has been documented as abnormal is his incredibly high resistance and tolerance towards supernatural effects, anomalous and otherwise. Being within the area of influence has less of an impact on him, and all effects from anomalous items or individuals are lessened, as are the effects of magic and the like. Worth noting that, not only is this only a resistance and not an immunity so lethal effects will still be lethal, but this also impacts beneficial anomalies, magics, and the like. Just as much as a anomalous assault on his psyche will be blunted, so too would a spell designed to mend his flesh to heal his wounds. Also worth noting is that mundane damage caused by supernatural or anomalous effects is not resisted. Only the direct effects of supernatural and anomalous, so while the damage caused by a purely spiritual attack would be resisted, debris hurled telekinetically would still be fully damaging, as an example.
• Equipment: Yūma's duty equipment is a bulletproof vest, with pouches for spare supplies, typically ammunition, as well as knee and elbow pads to go with his duty wear. He always has his service pistol, a .45 ACP semi-automatic with an under barrel laser module. He also has his brass knuckles on him should he need them, as well as a rather sturdy, heavy duty flashlight that he uses in his offhand when carrying the pistol. He will augment his equipment as appropriate for a mission, be it additional weapons or more specialized tools for a specific anomaly. He even managed to keep a set of heavy, fully body armor and ballistic shield from his time with his AERT, that he keeps in good condition for emergencies, or when investigation and subtly are not a concern.
  
  Off duty, he rents a small apartment where he keeps his mostly modest mundane belongings, his overtuned sports bike, as well as a small snub nosed .357 revolver that he keeps concealed on hand just in case. He still keeps his brass knuckles on him as well, one of the few things that he is never found willingly without, even preferring to surrender the revolver first before giving up the brass knuckles.
• Background: The Amano family prides itself on having supplied generations upon generations of law enforcement and other upholders of the law, and all that weight of expectation was put on Yūma as well. Raised with stories of his family exploits in policing, with the odd soldier and other outlier sprinkled in, Yūma was never unsure of what he was going to be doing his whole life. He participated in martial arts growing up, though most of what stuck was his grandfather's lessons. He had good grades, nothing stellar or standout, but good, and after he graduated from school he immediately moved on to the police academy, not even being given a last summer vacation before being bundled up and sent off, metaphorically speaking, to live his life in the footsteps of his ancestors.
  
  Yūma did well in the police academy he attended, once again, not standing out however, though he was running into increasing expectations that he excel and be a cut above his peers. He saw increasing pressure when communicating with family, who constantly expected better of him, that the Amano family had always been the best of the best, and that nearly constant expectation and the expectation of both instructors and peers wore on him. He eventually graduated the academy, barely top of his class, in no small part thanks to far too many sleepless nights. It didn't make his family happy, of course, far too close a margin to really keep them happy. But, top of his class regardless, and he was quickly picked up by the National Police Agency as a new member of one of the Anomalous Emergency Response Teams, a branch of the NPA that responded to anomalous emergencies, evacuated civilians and secured the area for Sefirot to arrive and either contain, or eliminate, the anomaly.
  
  Yūma spent most of his life operating as part of an AERT, rotating with his squadmates through roles so that they remained cross trained in each role. It was during this time that Yūma found himself identifying his eventual addiction to adrenaline, and high intensity situations. When he drove, he always seemed to end up being the first AERT on site when a call went out, and it would be that eagerness that would get him noticed by Sefirot. His team, predictably, responded first to an anomaly report, but rather than find injured and scared civilians they ran into an unusually well armed criminal gang, and the AERT ended up in a rather pitched firefight trying to secure the area, armored van rendered immobile. While most of the team was critically wounded, Yūma was able to rally them and keep the pressure on the criminals long enough for Sefirot agents to arrive and secure the area.
  
  Yūma was recommended to Sefirot service by his superiors, and his peers. By his superiors, as a mark of excellence and pride. By his peers, so that they could get him out of their lives. Regardless of the why, his conduct as part of AERT operations, as well as the well documented family history, lead to the offer to become a Sefirot agent. He had just turned 31 at that point, and would spend the next several years acclimating and coming up to the level of one of the Sefirot agents proper, augmenting experience and knowledge from the AERT with Sefirot experience and training. Yūma had cut all contact with his family at this point, not that there had been much to begin with. They spoke of pride and expectation still, last he had talked to them, but it rang hollow as far as he was concerned. He had his calling in life, and it certainly met his need for adrenaline when things really kicked off, that was enough for him by now, at least for now.