True name: Prince Marko
Class: Rider
Alternate Classes: Saber, Archer, Lancer, Berserker
Sex: Male
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Source: Serbian Ballads, Slavic Legend
Region: Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia
Attribute: ?
Likes: Wine, Partying, A good fight
Dislikes: His Father, Pushy Women
Talents: Warfare
Natural Enemy: Absolute Emperors
Personality
It would be impossible not to think of him as a hero. A man who is remembered like a fair day in spring. One who helps the unfortunate without any expectation of thanks, whether they’re a beggar on the street or a wounded eagle.
Ah, but he’s not without his flaws. He’s the type whose temper flares easily, and he acts quite disproportionately when it does. The taking of a limb, eyes, or even death is a reasonable punishment for a careless offense. He simply acts as he wishes with no thoughts for the consequences, whether that’s for the better or for the worse.
That could be considered the epitome of a hero, perhaps. Or perhaps the epitome of a human.
He has an odd sense of humour, too. Thankfully, he doesn’t expect people to laugh at his jokes.
His wish is simply to incarnate in the world once more. Though simply existing for a week or so as a Heroic Spirit might be enough to scratch that itch. He has plenty of regrets, but none of them are enough to fight a war for - he would rather make them all over again in a new life.
When it comes to his relationship with a Master, he’d simply ignore or intimidate anyone he doesn’t like. But if he got on with someone, maybe he’d even let them ride his horse.
History
There are as many legends of Prince Marko as there are stars in the sky. Whether he was born of a fairy, a dragon, or a simple union of humans, it is certain his father was the cruel king Vukasin. Whether he was abandoned and raised by a shepherd, or a fairy, or simply raised by his parents, it is certain that he was a strong, wilful child, his heroism obvious from the start.
Certainly, he loved his mother, and disliked his father, though had no course to go to war with him. He grew into a strong man and ranged in the employ of the sultan. He met a great many heroes, like Milos Obolic, Vuk the Fiery Dragon, and Alil Aga. He fought many great villains, such as the Perilous Bogdan, Philip the Maygar, and the greatest of all, the three-hearted Musa the Albanian.
Throughout all the tales, though, his constant companion is his horse, Šarac. When Marko was seeking a horse, he would toss the horse over his shoulder with a single hand to test if they were strong enough to hold him. But when he got to Šarac, a diseased horse who looked on the verge of death, he tried this test but could not move Šarac even an inch. After he cured the horse with his mother’s help, they were partnered for life.
It was thanks to Šarac that Marko was able to capture Ravijojla, a Vila that attacked his companion for singing. He urged Šarac on, pushing him to his absolute limit, until he was able to overtake the fleeing fairy. After battering her with his mace, she ended up becoming his sworn blood-sister.
Perhaps it’s obvious, but Marko’s tendency to solve every problem with violence tended to work out more than it should have.
Marko’s death is shrouded in as much mystery as his birth. Many insist he still lives, sleeping in a cave while Šarac eats away at the moss encasing his tomb. Others say he was transported to heaven in Elijah’s chariot. But another story says that, seeing his death coming, advised by his sister Ravijojla, he retreated to the mountains, killed Šarac and shattered all his weapons except his golden mace, and lay down to sleep.
Armaments: Saber, War-Spear, Golden Mace and Rocks
ParametersSTR: B+
END: B
AGI: B
MGI: C
LCK: C
Class Skills
Magic Resistance: C
Cancels spells with a chant below two verses. Cannot defend against magecraft on the level of greater magecraft and Greater Rituals.
Even if he rarely encountered Magi, his frequent encounters with Fairies allow a high rank for a Rider.
Riding: A+
All vehicles and all creatures up to the level of Phantasmal Beast and Divine Beast can be used as mounts. However, that does not apply to members of the Dragon Kind.
The level of riding necessary to handle a fairy horse.
Personal Skills
Natural Body: A
The possession of a perfect body from birth. No matter what Marko does, his physique will not change. In addition, it grants a plus modifier to Strength.
Whether it’s from drinking Vila milk or having the blood of a Vila, it seems he is beyond human.
Projectile (Rocks): A
The ability to throw rocks. Strength, speed, and trick shots are included.
Derived from various boulder-throwing anecdotes associated with Marko, with many large rocks all over Eastern Europe thought to have been thrown there by the great hero, regardless of their size.
At this rank, even the simple throw of a rock can reach the level of a Noble Phantasm.
Dark Determination: C+
The capacity to determine a course of action and carry it out without thinking.
So long as the person is a true ‘enemy’, he can act swiftly and without hesitation, uncaring of limits or consequences. Even if he’s stained black by his actions.
Though he was a hero, one regarded as kind and charitable, Marko certainly acted cruelly in many cases, cutting down or torturing people simply because of their allegiances, even if they were otherwise innocent. It’s a skill that betrays a somewhat inhuman nature. Whether it’s due to his birth in the wilds, or his association with fairies, it’s an ability that only a true anti-hero would be able to fully master.
Noble Phantasms
Šarac
My Partner, My Life
B Rank, Anti-Unit
Range: 4-12
Targets: 1 Person
A black-and-white piebald horse that was said to be a gift from the fae. His hooves flash with fire and blue flames steam from his nostrils when he’s angered. He’s also sometimes said to have wings and be able to speak, but it doesn’t seem either of those are the case, here…
He’s a powerful Monstrous Beast at the apex of the creatures that roamed Europe after the age of the Gods.
As Marko’s constant companion, the two have developed enviable combination techniques. That is to say, Marko is able to use the motion of Šarac to boost his attacks, adding the horse’s power, magical energy and flames to any attack he makes while mounted, so long as Šarac’s movement is not constrained.
In addition to that, his main claim to fame is allowing Marko to catch Ravijojla, a fairy fleeing through the skies, with a great leap. This leap can be recreated by invoking his true name, as he blazes forward in a flash of fire. Horse and Rider become one, an immaterial, transient flame that can pass through and overtake even a fairy. As an ‘attack’, it’s not especially damaging, but as a method of catching up to or passing a fleeing opponent, it is top-rate.
Ravijojla
My Sister, My Blood
C Rank, Anti-Unit (self)
Range: 0
Targets: 1 Person
A Vila, and Marko’s sworn blood-sister. Unlike Šarac, her power is considerably limited, to the point where only her vision and advice are present. She has a body, but it’s almost entirely without power.
She’s the type to insist that, if she were manifesting completely, she’d be able to slaughter every enemy with two arrows each.
But without that ability, or her capacity to heal, she’s limited to guiding Marko unerringly towards victory. If the enemy has a weakness, she will grasp it. If the enemy’s attacks have a pattern, she will see it. At least a single ‘exchange’ is required, and the more exchanges that happen, the more likely that she will reveal any secrets of the enemy’s techniques or skills. Even if they’re hidden, they can be uncovered by her unerring eye.
Effectively, an externalised form of a hero’s instinct, to grasp the path to victory no matter how low the odds. One could call her the goddess of victory that rides alongside the hero.
However, she’ll get jealous and abandon him if he invites another woman on his horse.
Wolf’s Visage
Vuk Orgtac
D Rank, Anti-Unit (Self)
Range: 0
Targets: 1
The wolfskin cloak and cap that Marko wore. Since they’re such an iconic part of his mythical appearance, wearing them means his name will likely be revealed, so he doesn’t always put them on.
Though it’s not recorded in myth, it seems he harvested these pelts himself to help a shepherd who raised him for some time.
The skin of the wolf makes one appear as a wolf, a danger. And yet, it is also the sign of the one who protects the sheep by slaying the wolf. Perhaps that’s why many found his appearance intimidating while others found it comical. For the sheep, he appears as a protector, and for those who would hurt the sheep, he’s a terrifying monster.
Essentially, a low-level mental interference effect that differs based on how the viewer perceives Marko. If he’s a friend, it’s a bolstering confidence, and if he’s a foe, it’s a dreadful fear.
ManyThings
Not a Sayan