[hider=Cyrene] [centre][h3][i]Lionslaying Shepherdess[/i][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/imXnn0r.png[/img] [b]Class[/b]: Lancer [b]True Name[/b]: Cyrene [b]Sex[/b]: Female [b]Alignment[/b]: Neutral Good [b]Attribute[/b]: Earth [b]History[/b] A princess of Thessaly, who spent her youth disregarding womanly pursuits to roam the wilds around Mount Pelion. She accompanied Artemis on many hunts, and even spent some time under the tutelage of Chiron. At the funeral games of Pelias, she was able to win a great prize. But mostly, she worked as a shepherd, driving off any wild beasts that dared approach the sheep under her care, with spear, bow and even her fists alone. It was while she was doing such - wrestling a great lion without a weapon on her - that Apollo took notice of her, and whisked her away as his bride. Perhaps Apollo has a thing for Shepards? Or maybe it was just a common job at the time. After a brief honeymoon, Apollo decided to impress his wife by giving her an entire city - taking her to Libya, she killed a beast that was roaming the area at the time, and promptly took over as queen. Apollo named the city she founded after her, and granted her long life at the same time. She eventually had two children by him, one who was taken to Olympus to become a god, and the other who ended up as an Argonaut. It seems she ruled the city named for her well, and took plenty of time to return to Thesally at various points - but is mostly notable in that her story carried very little tragedy. She lived a long and happy life as the bride of a god - and even if he spent a lot of their marriage simply chasing after young men, well, she had her own city to run, so it’s not as if she’s resentful. The city Cyrene, under her rule, became a cradle of civilization in what was largely a land of savage amazons and monsters. It flourished under her watchful protection. [b]Personality[/b] A seemingly calm and gentle woman with the bearing of a queen. However, beneath that gentleness is an incredible toughness. Rather than ‘silk hiding steel’, it’s more akin to ‘wool hiding bronze’, but the principle is similar. She has no problem throwing down with anyone who challenges her, even without a weapon, and will viciously defend those weaker than herself. She carries no significant wish, but simply wants an arena in which to gloriously run wild and have some fun. It can be considered similar to an overworked office lady wanting to relive her old sporting days… or something of that sort. When it comes to Apollo, though she’ll smile sweetly and say that their marriage is a perfectly happy one, it seems there’s some tension under the surface. Incidentally, her Archer version would be more akin to her early self as a savage huntress of Artemis, and her Rider version would be like a sickeningly saccharine newlywed who can’t be apart from her love for a minute. [b]Parameters[/b] STR: B ||| AGI: A ||| END: A ||| MAN: A ||| LCK: A[/centre] [b]Class Skills[/b] Magic Resistance: C Cancel spells with a chant below two verses. Cannot defend against magecraft on the level of High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals. [b]Personal Skills[/b] Divinity: D A measure of one’s aptitude as a Divine Spirit. Derived from Cyrene’s descendance from a river god, and that some referred to her as a nymph rather than a mortal woman. In some interpretations, it’s said that Apollo turned her into a nymph to give her longer life. In either case, her status as the mother of a god is also a factor. Bravery: B+ The ability to negate various mental interference effects such as fascination, pressure and confusion, among others. Has the bonus effect of increasing melee damage. A skill that allowed Cyrene to casually wrestle various beasts. In Cyrene’s case, also included are the various martial skills of the art of Pankration, taught to her by both Chiron and her husband Apollo himself. Affections of the God: A+ A skill denoting that one carries the love of a god. In this case, it’s naturally Apollo, who loved her enough to wish to marry her essentially at first sight. All skills are ranked up as a result of his blessings, showered upon her and her city. In addition, it seems Apollo was summoned alongside his wife, though with the limitations of taking a completely powerless form. All he can offer is his own advice, and while that’s a powerful boon in its own right, Cyrene and he are in something of a marital spat right now. Protection of the Shepherdess: A The ability of a shepherd to watch over one’s flock. Not simply livestock, but also the civilians under one’s protection as a queen. It manifests as a type of danger-sense, centered not around oneself but those under her protection. A kind of supernatural sixth sense that offers no protection for oneself, but for Cyrene’s master it can be considered a powerful defensive tool. A type of skill that allows one to maintain a carefree attitude Whether it's due to this skill or another, it seems she also has the ability to manifest a number of harmless sheep for various purposes. [hider=Noble Phantasm] [centre][h3]Kyre Gift of Origin[/h3] B+ Rank Anti-Fortress Range 3-50 Maximum Targets: 500[/centre] A spear representing the founding of the city Cyrene, named for the spring it was founded upon, sacred to Apollo. As to whether the spring was named for Cyrene herself, or it’s simply coincidental, it’s unknown. The concept of a ‘spear of founding’ is a common enough one, and though one never appears in Cyrene’s myth, her own status as a founder-queen is made manifest through it, with one of her preferred weapons. Incidentally, it's possible to be manifested as an arrow too, depending on one’s class. As a weapon, it carries the concept of civilisation, of founding. The walls and fires that protect against the beasts of the wild. Containing the spring’s water and Apollo’s light, it washes away at corruption and hatred. A particularly powerful weapon against monsters and civilisation-destroyers, that does little to those who build and uphold society. Upon invoking the spear’s true name and plunging it into the ground, water springs forth from the ground and falls in a deluge from a hole in the sky to meet it. Anything between them is intensely pummeled by the initial rush of water, then crushed as they reach the other. After they crash together, the water dissipates without flooding the area. Multiple great pillars can be created, though the mana cost increases for each. What’s left behind is not devastated earth, but rather springs of fresh water, surrounded by ground ripe for building. A blank slate, upon which great things can be constructed. In addition, it’s possible to add Apollo’s concepts of heat and light to make it a ‘hot’ spring rather than a cool one. Water for bathing or for drinking… well, it’s a difficult choice. [/hider] [/hider] [hider=Constantine] [centre][img]https://i.imgur.com/eMdWLMH.png[/img] [b]Name[/b]: Constantine Cosmo [b]Title[/b]: "Stray Dog of Athens" [b]Sex[/b]: Male [b]Alignment[/b]: Chaotic Good [b]Biography[/b] A child raised by wolves. It’s a cliche, of course, but in his case it’s quite literally true. Whatever caused his parents to abandon him in the woods cannot be known. He spent the first several years of his life living in the wild, among a small pack. But since wolf populations are very low in the modern era, and often closely monitored, it wasn’t long until he was recovered back into civilization. Frankly, he barely remembers the time. At least not the specifics - just a vague synesthesiac blur of tastes, smells and feelings. After his recovery to the world of humans, he encountered that man. His teacher, his master. Considering him a mere curiosity, he was taken in by that man and looked after. Gradually progressing from a feral child to one able to understand human society, even if he could not accept being a part of it. That man was the head of the Kerykes family, an important branch of Magi within Greece, utilising the Eleusinian Mysteries. Even though Constantine had little talent for magecraft. Even though he lacked the mentality of a Magus. Even though he was little more than an experiment, that man still taught Constantine a number of things. His affection for Constantine grew to exceed even his affection for his own heir… Well, it was an inevitability, then, that when he passed on his crest to his heir, Constantine was sent away from the house. At first, on various missions to attempt to secure valuable catalysts for the Kerykes family, then missions to participate in various subspecies wars. Well, to call them wars in the first place is a farce, since they all devolved into squabbles over catalysts of great heroes before the true battle even began. Certainly, it was laughable. Constantine liked nothing more than watching the downfall of that type of fool. But at the same time, the purpose of these missions was obvious. There was no point in confronting his ‘master’, the one who was trying to get him killed, so Constantine simply left in the night, travelling abroad to as many grail wars as possible. He participated in a few, but mostly only watched. Sometimes, he sold his services as a mercenary. Other times, he simply hunted down whatever magus took his interest - sometimes to follow like a lost puppy, other times to immediately kill. His goal was never a wish, but rather to look for true ‘heroes’. Well, one in particular. He always found it so disappointing that nobody managed to summon Herakles… well, perhaps the Prime Grail War would show him that man. [b]Personality[/b] A completely irreverent, shameless man. ‘Social taboos’ have no meaning for him, and he acts with the intention to irritate and shock people out of their complacent ways of thinking. The type of person constantly judging others based on their words and actions, while standing beneath judgment himself. Someone who takes pride in near-absolute self-sufficiency, though he does not truly care for himself as the greatest priority. His true goal is the improvement of humanity, or even the improvement of individuals, even if his methods are antagonistic. Though he is a constant critic of humans, he has no particular hatred for them, unless they fall below a certain standard to ‘people who have failed as humans’. The comparison to a ‘stray dog without a master’ is apt. Though, if someone were to impress him enough with their morality and intellect, it is possible that he’d pledge himself to serve them. He has no wish for a wish-granting device, either for himself or for humanity. Wishing to ‘improve humanity’ without them making an effort for it would be meaningless, and he has no personal desires. Rather, he participates in the war purely to encounter the shining examples of humanity that went on to become heroic spirits.[/centre] [hider=Magecraft][b]Magic Circuit Switch[/b]: The release of cold steel against his neck. [b]Circuit Quality[/b]: E [b]Circuit Quantity[/b]: D [b]Affinity[/b]: Earth [b]Attribute[/b]: Reinforcement [centre][b]Magecraft Abilities[/b][/centre] [b]Cynicism[/b] A philosophy rooted in the three ideals of self-sufficiency, austerity and shamelessness. Utilising human reason to determine natural virtue and live accordingly, without reliance on others or objects, and without considering their judgments. Rejecting human society while not withdrawing from it; remaining near humans to guard virtue and critique their hypocrisies. With this, one becomes a being neither of nature nor of humanity. Truly, a doglike way of thinking. In keeping with the prioritisation of one’s ability to survive alone, utilising as few tools of human civilisation as possible, with no sense of shame or embarrassment, the human body and the human mind become the essential domain of the cynic. Rejecting attachments to the constructs of human civilisation, both tools and concepts such as shame, to become closer to nature. Consequently, the strength of one’s body also increases beyond the limits of a human. [b]Eleusinian Mysteries[/b] Rituals that were undergone by Herakles in preparation for entering the underworld to retrieve Cerberus as his final labour, similarly undergone by Constantine. A purification of the soul by release from material concerns; catharsis via ritual enactments of Persephone’s crossing through the underworld. Naturally, this purification is more achievable for one who follows the philosophy of the cynic. Its function is to elevate one’s existence to the point where ‘survival in an underworld’ becomes possible, reinforcing one’s Force of Providence. In this sense, Constantine’s ability to avoid mortal danger and continue living is greatly heightened. [b]Beast Enhancement: Imitation Cerberus[/b] Utilising one’s Reinforcement Attribute, it is possible to elevate one’s existence as a ‘doglike being’ due to one’s cynicism further. Similarly, as a ‘being who can exist in the underworld’, it is possible to draw on the concept of the guard-dog of Hades, Cerberus. Along with one’s physical capabilities, the senses of hearing and smell are also greatly enhanced. Drawing on Cerberus’ three heads completely is impossible for one of Constantine’s skill, but it is possible to conceptually transform one’s hands into ‘mouths’, as both a method of ‘tearing’ and of delivering venom. Since it’s an imitation of a gatekeeper of the dead, one who was able to keep shades within the underworld no matter the circumstance, his fangs and venom inflict spiritual wounds that are difficult to heal. [centre][b]Mystic Codes[/b][/centre] [b]Nameless Club[/b] An olive-wood club modelled after that of Herakles, a symbol of the cynics. In its very nature, it is a transgression; carrying a weapon within city limits. Similarly, a weapon that Herakles used to conquer various beasts, as a hero conquering nature. The sole tool, sole possession of Constantine. Nonetheless, it is still in many ways ‘the simplest possible tool’, as well a product of nature, straddling the same line between mankind and nature that Constantine does. A tool that facilitates the crossing of boundaries, whether between beast and man, the boundaries and taboos of human society, or a Magus’ bounded fields. Naturally, it’s also heavy enough to hit people with.[/hider] [hider=Non-Magecraft Abilities/Items:] [b]Pankration[/b] The ancient Greek martial art, meaning ‘all might’, legendarily utilised by Herakles to slay and subdue various monsters. A form that mainly uses techniques of boxing and wrestling. In the modern sense, it can be considered an origin to Mixed Martial Arts - stripping away the mysticism of self-improvement and centering of the soul common to many martial arts - and simply taking the most practical techniques with which to fight. In this sense, at least for Constantine, it has no magecraft applications whatsoever. While the ancient and modern forms are not quite ‘all’ forms of combat, banning various techniques in formal tournaments, Constantine’s own personal style has no limits, and will stoop to any kind of low blows - eye gouging, biting, hair-pulling, headbutting, targeting the groin and use of tools are all used when necessary, as a matter of course. Truly, a shameless form of fighting that focuses on absolutely nothing more than the result. [b]Miscellaneous[/b] There is not a single thing beyond his staff that Constantine owns. Even the clothes on his back can comfortably be discarded at any point. Any skill that involves the use of ‘human tools’ that requires any kind of training beyond its apparent use from examination is absent from Constantine’s abilities. His ability to ‘survive’ harsh conditions and perilous situations is top-notch. In order to achieve self-sufficiency, his body and mind are trained to the peak of human ability. Perception, intuition and knowledge of various aspects of both the human and natural world are all at high levels. As someone who has observed multiple grail wars, he has a decent amount of experience with them - though it is almost all firsthand, rather than from some form of community source.[/hider] [/hider]