"Why did they request me? I can't stand people." This was the tenth time that hour he had said that. He had probably said it more to be quite frank, but he hadn't been counting after the first five times. His assistant though, standing by his side, was used to such behavior. The man had walled himself off from society. If she hadn't made sure to feed him regularly he might have starved. Each day going into his work, and then scrapping it all when nothing came of it. Only to start again from a different angle. Returning to old ideas too frequently to count. The only change to his routine in over two years had been the message from the Clock Tower. Requesting him, though probably because of his former years, than his more recent madness of the last 10 years. Crowds had begun to make him nervous after all. Too many mouths, they could tamper with his work without realizing it.
"My Moroz, you know what you stand to gain if you win." The white haired girl spoke softly. But it was cold. Like ice. After all, she was not human. And he was not human. Vladimir was said to be descended from demons after all. They were an odd pair, and several students of the clocktower had stopped to watch them. Vladimir stomping back and forth, constantly stopping before the doors, and ready to turn back home. But he had taken a lot of time getting here. Maybe he should participate in this war? It hardly mattered, his life was one of studying anyway. The Greys could wipe the map clean, and he would remain at home attempting the same alchemical formula at different temperatures in different corners of the room.
"And yet I am putting aside research for this. It is a squabble! Clocktower versus mages who summoned servants. I only just managed to get my artifact before I left. How am I sure it's any good?" "You will manage. Because you are my Moroz. You are more talented than any other mage in that room. I'm sure you will do well. And I can protect you." Her cold voice was rather refreshing, and gave him a bit of strength. There was a sigh, and he pushed open the door. "You made sure my alchemical supplies are all packed, correct?"
____________________________________________________________________________________ "Perhaps I should have been more specific with my question, right? I was—am—more interested in the reason why I—or rather us—were summoned here instead of being sent straight away to our destination. Is a briefing really necessary when the situation is this clear cut?"
He made his entrance on that line, adjusting his coat and tapping his cane as he did so. "It is simple. It is because it is traditional, rather than pragmatic. The Clocktower has always loved tradition over simple solutions." He didn't have much to say about Orsen. The two had a long... And complicated history between them. If not for the fact he was marching off to war soon, they would have a lot to talk about. But in such a crowded space, he dare not speak. "I am Vladimir Moroz. That is all each of you must know. Now, let us skip other pleasantries, and summon the servants we have been gathered for." He held up his artifact, a ring. Old, and he dare not speak of its origins. A beautiful ring, and one he had managed to find amongst his vast collections. He had figured it held a power, due to who it was connected to. A man who could not love. Perhaps at a time he figured he could find a way to undo that, and unlock the secret of love. But like all of his research, it resulted in nothing. Perhaps... This grail war might help. If he could stomach working with others.
___________________________________________________________________________******____ Name: Vladimir Moroz Nicknames: The Count of Russia Age: 45 Gender: Male Master of: Caster Command Seal Location: His left Hand Origin: Love ___________________________________________________________________________******____ Personality: Obsession. A blinding obsession boarding on an addiction. It is a flaw, brutal, and unfixed. It is a kind of mentality that has a man turn to a single point, and chase it, ignoring the hypocrisy, or the much better options around him. But such a man is not heartless. Just obsessive, and through that, self-destructive. His tendency to get lost in his work has ruined his personal relationships with others, and it is difficult for him to open up to others. Outside of his obsessions though, he is a relatively kind, if cruel man. He is ruthless in his efficiency, and sees little reason to spare others pain and suffering if they defy him. It is not evil, it is just the way the world works. People must suffer if they transgress their boundaries for that is the way of things. Yes, even him.
Biography: Ded Moroz, the man the Russians may know as 'Father Christmas.' Sometimes referred to as a demon, long before the word meant something sour. Something evil. He was a hero who fought Baba Yaga, healed the sick, and created a granddaughter from snow. That is the story, and the legend of the Moroz family. The family lives in Veliky Ustyug, the homeplace of Ded Moroz. He was a wizard of the winter times, who would trek through the snow to bring gifts on the day of New Years. His legend is ingrained into Slavic folktales, and his descendents have followed suit. For some of them, they keep the tradition alive. Putting on a red suit, and traveling out into the cold winters. Placing gifts down chimneys, and leaving before they can be found. Some over the generations have even made claim to using their magic to keep the hag Baba Yaga trapped in her home. Performing the ritual required once a month. But Vladimir, the latest in a long line of Moroz’s is an addict to the old ways. As if it’s an addiction, and he drinks from it regularly. A member of the mage association, he was heralded as a genius at a young age. He proved his talents in early competitions, and married at the age of 23. If you looked at him from the outside you’d say he was an example of a perfect man. Loved, talented, and ingenious. Even teaching the next generation of mages. But, that is an outsider’s perspective. In reality, his research became a dead end. And his obsession to solve the problem cost him everything. There would be weeks, approaching months where he wouldn’t leave his workshop. Ignoring his wife and child who became aware of his growing instability. In a shocking turn, they left him, leaving him to his obsession and his ever growing madness. He became cruel to his students, ruthless, and eventually, he left his role as a teacher, so that he could focus entirely on his dead end work. It seems... Even a man on the end of his ropes can find something to hope for. In this Grail War.
Skills/Spells List: - Snegurochka 1: The original, if it can be called that. A doll of snow that is without a doubt, one made by Dez Moroz, but may not be the true original spoken of in stories. This snow girl has been passed from member to member of the Moroz family, and is considered without a doubt the most powerful doll of its kind. It can transform it’s limbs and body into razor sharp blades, that slice through stone and rock like a knife through butter. Or to move around like fine snow. This creation is one of the greatest mystic codes of the Moroz family, and some claim it was made using snow from the ice age. A mystery that makes it nigh invulnerable to anything but the strongest of fires. As it is not a traditional spell, but rather a construct, it can be considered to have 'unlimited uses.' Due to this though, the mana required to help maintain the snowdoll in active combat makes it impossible to use any other spell in the process. - Russian Alchemy: An alchemy that finds itself less in the making of precious metals, and more in the making of life. An alchemy more fundamental in creating homunculi, or poisonous cocktails than in turning coal to gold. Poisons, acids, things that kill. Liquids that preserve the body, or are designed to undo pain. - Golem Craft: An advancement of the knowledge gathered through familiarcraft. It is the basis of the Snegurochka, and thus the basis of his greatest strength. It is the understanding of Golemcraft that allowed his ancestor Dez Moroz to create the original Snegurochka. It is possible for other golems to be made using other materials, but there is a clear preference for those of the Snegurochka.
Amount of Magecraft Mana: C
Other: His magic is primarily about creating and using items. As such, his only offensive magic tends to be his snowdoll. Which is an autonomous doll. So spell slots would be useless.
@vancexentan question, does it matter? It's PVE. It's not like you actually chose Shiki for the enemy team. And if the enemy has a skill he can steal that will make him invincible, just have Arsene fight somebody else during that encounter. You're a GM, you can adjust who goes where in encounters.
The goliath of a Berserker kept his eyes on Saber, but it wasn't a cautious or suspicious look. It was one of excitement. An excitement of knowing someone, and an excitement of knowing with absolute certainty. 'There is something fun in this world still.' Also he wasn't nearly pretty enough to take Angelica's love. A bonus. Just imagine a tiny Roland giving a thumbs up in agreement to that statement.
"I don't know of any Saracen around here, my friend. That man is a brave knight who joined me in battle just now. Let me introduce Sir Noon and his Servant: Saber. They're on a righteous quest to reclaim Sir Noon's scabbard from a coward who stole it."
There was a pause, and Berserker looked at the Saracen. Armor... Check. Sword... Check... Saracen? Apparently not. BUT WHAT IF HE WAS AND HAD JUST TRICKED OGIER!? UGH THE HEAD HURTS! He stomped his foot, arms spreading a bit wider, eyes narrowed at this Saracen. But if he wasn't a saracen, then he was a friend of Ogier. That meant he might not be a threat to his love. This meant another person willing to give themselves to the cause! "Friend of Ogier is friend of me!" Berserker declared, before reaching out for Ywain. The threat was minimal, but it all depended on if Ywain could survive a hug from a Berserker. Or if his bones would shatter under the pressure. If he dodged, that was fine. Roland would probably chase after him for a bit, constantly trying to hug Ywain as Ogier kept talking.
"Of course I'll help you on your quest as well, brother-in-arms, but what would your love say if she knew you were treating a lady this way? It seems to me you'd be better off seeking and destroying some foul villain."
Wait, was Ogier telling him he couldn't have his fairy tree!? Berserker's hugging chase made a pause, and he scowled at the idea of having to give up on his fairy tree. But there was another option. Destroy a villain! "I will slay an enemy for my love!" He declared, stomping his foot and making another swipe for Ywain. "And then she will love me! FIND ME THIS VILLAIN! I WILL SLAY THEM ALL!" His mind having moved on from the fairy tree, since there was a new way to prove his love! FOR SURE THIS ONE WOULD WORK OUT PERFECTLY!
In his hand was his sword, materalizing suddenly. The glorious Durandal. The shining blade that had no equal. He finally stopped trying to hug Ywain, and stepped towards his fellow Paladin. "I WANT TO DESTROY MY ENEMY AND THEN ANGELICA CAN LOVE ME!"
"Actually, Nobukara, I have an idea." It was a brilliant plan actually. Something for everybody. Chieko really was a once inn a lifetime genius. "Tomo-Kun and I are more than capable of taking care of your leg. I even have Tatsu-chan coming in tomorrow. She's a lot more focused on that healing stuff. So, maybe our servants should run around town. Have a drink. Learn a bit about each other." There was a smile on Chieko's lips, clearly interested in spending some alone time with her former pupil.
It wasn't even a conversation, as Chieko scooped up Nobukara's arm, and began to march off. "Nanashi, Archer. I expect both of you to go run off! Have fun! Get drunk! Maybe go fight somebody! I'm sure there is somebody out there you two can spend time with. I'm sure "
From there, it wasn't hard to simply walk away. A servant wasn't needed, since after all it was poor taste to attempt to kill somebody you had taught anyway. And Chieko certainly wasn't about to waste a chance at a lot of money just because it was convenient. And Nobukara was in no position to attack Chieko either. So both servants could run off happy with the knowledge that the two masters were going to get along fine. Oh... And Tomo-kun was there too... I guess.
----------------------------------- "So, Miss Nobukara, what do you think of our makeshift shrine?" Chieko said, as she was already working on that leg. It wasn't exactly hard to tell that something was already going on. The lightning burns were obvious. It was clearly a bad look, and even worse? It was clearly a serious threat. Nobukara has lucked out that this was the only serious damage. Burns, clearly some of the muscle was damaged. It was out of her skill to simply undo something like this. Well, not in the time the war was designated for.
"So, I can certainly ease the pain, and you'll be walking without a limp. But it's some serious muscle damage." She said, with a hand hovering over a nasty lightning scar. "You won't be doing kickflips immediately. I suggest we start looking into other options if you need something fast." There was a slight huff to the way she said that. Oh, what she wouldn't give to be a three hundred year old persian man with a severe case of chronic backstabbing disorder right now... Wait, why was she getting that specific?
Can I make a guy who has a third arm? So he fights with three swords? And the arm came from his best friend? Which he had sewed into his body after his buddy was exploded?
_________________________________________________________________________________________ Name: Turpin Title: Archbishop of Rheims Class: Saber Gender: Female Birth and Death Dates: Matters of France Alignment: Lawful Good Master: Jack Kaybernett _________________________________________________________________________________________ Personality: Neither cruel nor petty, she has sworn loyalty to a cause. To disregard how the people of her god may view her, she saw the dreams of the King Charlemagne as the most true course of action. Her life, her duty, everything she has done leads to sacrifice. Giving up her own happiness for the ambitions of another. That is Turpin. But to think she is serious, or all consumed by her beliefs is the most extreme folly. In fact, to take her seriously at all is to set oneself up for ruin. Like the Paladins of Charlemagne, Saber is the least serious person in the room. One who bursts into a castle without thinking, and declaring it defeated despite the army still staring her down. It is confidence in god, and her own self. She never backs down from a challenge, as there is no challenge that scares her. Simply one that excites her, and gives her a cause to sacrifice for once more.
Bio: It doesn't matter who Turpin was before Charlemagne. Because she doesn't care about who she was before then. Yet, according to Flodoard, the tenth-century historian of the church of Reims, Turpin was originally a monk at the Basilica of St Denis near Paris. She may have served as a chorbishop under Bishop Milo of Trier (who was also acting as bishop of Reims) before becoming full bishop upon Milo's death around 762. The date of Turpin's election as a bishop is unknown, usually being placed in 748 or 753. According to Hincmar, the later archbishop of Reims, Turpin occupied herself in securing the restoration of the rights and properties of her church, the revenues and prestige of which had been impaired under the rule of the more martial Milo. And she may well have stayed there. Working on the restoration of such a structure if not for the man known as Charlemagne. The new Holy Roman Emperor and his cry for battle. While many of her ilk believed that the role of the religious was to stay home and pray, Turpin saw otherwise. She saw a connection between religion and war. Was this religion really one of peace? Or perhaps this was a religion of war? Of brave men who created peace through war and the spread of the Christian faith? To Turpin, that answer became... Yes. Despite the protests, she took a horse, and rode off to join Charlemagne. And when she met him... She fell in love. She saw a man who worked tirelessly, and sometimes without the praise or love he was owed. And yet, as a holy woman, she could not give him that... Rather, she turned her attention to the war. Vowing that she would give him what he desired and that would be a proof of the secret love she held towards such a great man. She was rewarded in turn for this love. The sword Almace, gifted to her as a gift for her loyalty. A blade that could freeze any heretic. And in time, she may have had the courage to tell him how much she loved him. Except for the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. A battle that resulted in the death of hundreds of loyal soldiers. Turpin was no exception. Skewered by arrows, swords, and spears, she and Roland were the last two standing. And then... There was one. Turpin was filling a horn with water... When she died. Her body falling into the water, and floating there in serenity amongst the dead. She never did get to tell that man... How much she loved him.
Weapon: Turpin's primary weapon is Almace. Her other armaments include her armor, and a shield. It is possible for Turpin to be summoned with her unnamed steed, who was often described as "of all four-footed beasts none may outstrip him." _________________________________________________________________________________________ Parameters: Strength: C Endurance: A Agility: B Magical Energy: B Luck: B _________________________________________________________________________________________ Class Skills: - Magic Resistance A+: Cancel spells of A-Rank or below, no matter what High-Thaumaturgy it is. In practice, the Servant is untouchable to modern magi, so it would not be an exaggeration to title the Servant a 'Magus Killer'. As Turpin's faith in god is so high, it acts as a superior defense against pagan magics. - Riding C: Most vehicles and animals can be handled with above average skill. However, cannot ride the likes of Phantasmal Species such as Monstrous Beasts. Turpin was not known for her riding capabilities, and the horses she did ride, tended to be stolen from men she had killed.
Personal Skills: - Battle Continuation A: Turpin was impaled by arrows and spears, yet continued to fight countless enemies. By the end of it, over four hundred lay dead around her. In her dying moments, she continued to walk on, collecting water in a horn to give to Roland. She was the second to last to die, with Roland following after. This is a Skill that allows for the continuation of combat after sustaining mortal wounds. It will also reduce mortality rate from injury. This Skill represents the ability to survive and/or the mentality of one who doesn't know when to give up, consisting of one's strength of vitality in predicaments. - Miracle C: A skill that can make a miracle that occasionally makes the impossible possible. Although a part of this has similarities with the Skill Pioneer of the Stars, it is something essentially different. There are also differences regarding the things this can be applied to. Often times, the miracle in question is a kind of healing, and can remove the effects of life threatening poisons. - Incitement A: A skill that functions as the acquisition of the words and gestures to lead the citizens and the masses. Especially, when employed against an individual, it functions as a sort of mental attack. For a Bishop, this kind of mental attack sways the masses to fight for God. The armies of Charlemagne, under Tulpin's gaze, were without question ready to throw their lives away.
Title: Almace: Blade of Heavenly Embrace Rank: B+++ NP Type: Anti-Army Range: 1-50 Maximum Number of Targets: 400 Description: Part of a Trinity of Blades gifted to Charlemagne by Wayland the smith. While Charlemagne would take Durandal, the greatest blade for himself, and later Roland, the blade Almace was given to Turpin. The blade of Almace is one that taps into the very judgement of the nine rings of hell. In particular, the punishment dealt out to betrayers. As Turpin used the blade to slay traitors and those who had fallen from God's light. The Punishment of the final sin is that of the frozen abyss. There is no light of God for those, and with it Turpin controls the very chill of that lack of love. One could easily call it a Sword of Ice that freezes the space that it cuts, allowing it to cover the target in ice even if they managed to dodge the actual strike. Or those that block it will become frozen in a rush of ice that then shatters. Against demons or those of an evil nature, this power rises. As demons are traitors, and those of an evil nature betray God's love of them. When used against an invincible shield created by demons, the ice formed was a glacir that killed the man wielding it. When called upon to its full might, the blade is like a blizzard. The air cut reaches an absolute zero, killing anything it strikes, and freezing what it cannot kill in ice that will never melt.
___________________________________________________________________________******____ Name: Vladimir Moroz Nicknames: The Count of Russia Age: 45 Gender: Male Master of: Caster Command Seal Location: His left Hand Origin: Love ___________________________________________________________________________******____ Personality: Obsession. A blinding obsession boarding on an addiction. It is a flaw, brutal, and unfixed. It is a kind of mentality that has a man turn to a single point, and chase it, ignoring the hypocrisy, or the much better options around him. But such a man is not heartless. Just obsessive, and through that, self-destructive. His tendency to get lost in his work has ruined his personal relationships with others, and it is difficult for him to open up to others. Outside of his obsessions though, he is a relatively kind, if cruel man. He is ruthless in his efficiency, and sees little reason to spare others pain and suffering if they defy him. It is not evil, it is just the way the world works. People must suffer if they transgress their boundaries for that is the way of things. Yes, even him.
Biography: Ded Moroz, the man the Russians may know as 'Father Christmas.' Sometimes referred to as a demon, long before the word meant something sour. Something evil. He was a hero who fought Baba Yaga, healed the sick, and created a granddaughter from snow. That is the story, and the legend of the Moroz family. The family lives in Veliky Ustyug, the homeplace of Ded Moroz. He was a wizard of the winter times, who would trek through the snow to bring gifts on the day of New Years. His legend is ingrained into Slavic folktales, and his descendents have followed suit. For some of them, they keep the tradition alive. Putting on a red suit, and traveling out into the cold winters. Placing gifts down chimneys, and leaving before they can be found. Some over the generations have even made claim to using their magic to keep the hag Baba Yaga trapped in her home. Performing the ritual required once a month. But Vladimir, the latest in a long line of Moroz’s is an addict to the old ways. As if it’s an addiction, and he drinks from it regularly. A member of the mage association, he was heralded as a genius at a young age. He proved his talents in early competitions, and married at the age of 23. If you looked at him from the outside you’d say he was an example of a perfect man. Loved, talented, and ingenious. Even teaching the next generation of mages. But, that is an outsider’s perspective. In reality, his research became a dead end. And his obsession to solve the problem cost him everything. There would be weeks, approaching months where he wouldn’t leave his workshop. Ignoring his wife and child who became aware of his growing instability. In a shocking turn, they left him, leaving him to his obsession and his ever growing madness. He became cruel to his students, ruthless, and eventually, he left his role as a teacher, so that he could focus entirely on his dead end work. It seems... Even a man on the end of his ropes can find something to hope for. In this Grail War.
Skills/Spells List: - Snegurochka 1: The original, if it can be called that. A doll of snow that is without a doubt, one made by Dez Moroz, but may not be the true original spoken of in stories. This snow girl has been passed from member to member of the Moroz family, and is considered without a doubt the most powerful doll of its kind. It can transform it’s limbs and body into razor sharp blades, that slice through stone and rock like a knife through butter. Or to move around like fine snow. This creation is one of the greatest mystic codes of the Moroz family, and some claim it was made using snow from the ice age. A mystery that makes it nigh invulnerable to anything but the strongest of fires. As it is not a traditional spell, but rather a construct, it can be considered to have 'unlimited uses.' Due to this though, the mana required to help maintain the snowdoll in active combat makes it impossible to use any other spell in the process. - Russian Alchemy: An alchemy that finds itself less in the making of precious metals, and more in the making of life. An alchemy more fundamental in creating homunculi, or poisonous cocktails than in turning coal to gold. Poisons, acids, things that kill. Liquids that preserve the body, or are designed to undo pain. - Golem Craft: An advancement of the knowledge gathered through familiarcraft. It is the basis of the Snegurochka, and thus the basis of his greatest strength. It is the understanding of Golemcraft that allowed his ancestor Dez Moroz to create the original Snegurochka. It is possible for other golems to be made using other materials, but there is a clear preference for those of the Snegurochka.
Amount of Magecraft Mana: C
Other: His magic is primarily about creating and using items. As such, his only offensive magic tends to be his snowdoll. Which is an autonomous doll. So spell slots would be useless.
