Caster of the Medici
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Alternate Classes: Ruler, Assassin
True Name: Niccolò Machiavelli
Alignment: True Neutral
Origin: Europe (15th century)
Armament: N/A
Parameters:
STR: E
END: E
AGI: C
MANA: C
LUCK: C
NP: B
SkillsClass Skills:
Territory Creation - Rank D: A Caster-class Skill. It is the Skill to build a special terrain that is advantageous to oneself as a magus, such as for the purpose of collecting mana.
Creation of a ‘Study’ becomes possible. It mostly serves to amplify the effects of his Noble Phantasm.
Item Construction - Rank C: A Caster-class Skill. It is the Skill to manufacture magical items, from implements of war to items for daily use. Also, this Skill requires time to gather components and manufacture items.
Caster’s Item Construction is of a below average level. He can mostly use it to create trap-type items that manifest a mental interference-effect.
Personal Skills:
Innocent Monster - Rank B: An attribute possessed by Servants whose true history and existence have been distorted by the monstrous reputations and gossips they accrued across the course of their life and thereafter, without concern for the actual person's will or appearance. As a consequence, the Servant's abilities and appearance have been rendered to conform to the specifications of their legend. Incidentally, this Personal Skill cannot be removed.
Caster’s mentality has been distorted to more accurately match his reputation. In addition to minor changes in appearance, the Skill Charisma of an Evil Genius is also attained. The rank of Caster’s Innocent Monster varies between his different classes, being at its strongest as an Assassin and at its weakest as a Ruler.
Human Observation - Rank C+: A technique to observe and understand people.
Caster can learn much of a person, especially their mental weak points, at a glance. Knowing a person’s name allows him to glean more information. Especially effective when used for manipulation.
Charisma of an Evil Genius - Rank C: A variation of the Charisma Skill. An unnatural Charisma possessed by those few who become true forces of Evil. The charm required to commit great evils and cultivate a following.
Though Caster would not normally qualify for this Skill, it is granted by Innocent Monster. Functioning as the Charisma Skill of equivalent rank, Caster also receives a significant bonus to his efforts in subtle manipulation.
Noble Phantasms
Caster’s most famous work, responsible for bringing the word ‘Machiavellian’ into usage. Though Il Principe is his Noble Phantasm regardless of his class, its effects vary greatly. As a Caster, it takes the form of manipulation, pointing a target in the direction of becoming an “Ideal Prince”. After Il Principe has taken effect, the Noble Phantasm can expand to targeting a large populace.The Ideal RulerIl Principe
Anti-Unit~Anti-Populace, Rank A
In function, Il Principe utilizes Caster’s Territory as a base, designating it as a “State” and the initial target as the Territory’s “Prince”. Initially, the only effect of Il Principe is a large boost to one’s fortune, the target finding themselves abnormally lucky. Through various methods detailed in Caster’s book, the “State” can be made to expand. Once the borders of the Territory overtake a person, they are counted amongst the citizens that the “Prince” has rule over. Functioning as a form of mental interference, Il Principe’s initial target gains the ability to command those he rules over, though citizens of magical nature have a chance to resist these commands. As the size of a “State” increases, the “Prince” also gains power and influence. However, depending on the nature of the initial target, progress can be slow.
Il Principe’s ideal usage would be to find a willing accomplice among the Servants of a Holy Grail War. When used on a Master, it gives little to no advantage in terms of the War, unless the Master in question is truly extraordinary. It would allow one to leisurely live through a Holy Grail War, at least when used for such a purpose.
However, the true nature of Il Principe is a trap. Eventually, the “Prince” is doomed to self-destruct, unless they are supremely virtuous in nature. Caster’s methodology only works in the short term, and encourages the “Prince” to supply their “State” with methods that can be used to overthrow them.
As a Ruler, it would manifest as an Anti-Evil Noble Phantasm, functioning as a tool for the reformation of those of Evil alignment.
DescriptionLikes: Irony, virtuous rulers
Dislikes: Pointless cruelty, idealism
Talents: Manipulation, politics
Natural Enemy: Plato, Lorenzo di Medici
Caster’s true identity is Niccolò Machiavelli, the Prince of Intellect.
Though his nature is distorted by Innocent Monster, Machiavelli’s fundamental self remains the same. He is a good-natured man, thinking first of the people and wishing for their well-being. Thanks to his distortion, however, his methodology is radically different. Machiavelli will resort to any means to secure the destruction of tyrants and others that seek to do harm to the populace at large, and might cause more damage to the people through his machinations. To him, the ends justify the means.
Machiavelli participates in the Holy Grail War with a rueful disposition. He remembers what he was like in life, but feels compelled to follow the methods he so despised. Innocent Monster’s greatest effect on his psyche is to instill a sense of urgency to him, necessitating the use of unsavory methods. Still, the situation of a liberal political philosopher turning to Machiavellian means to secure his goals is not without its irony, and he finds the entire situation darkly amusing.
He is very fond of Servants that were rulers in life, whether they were good or bad. As such, a normal Holy Grail War, teeming with monarchs of every nature, is like heaven to him. If at all possible, he would wish to engage them in discussion, wanting to learn of their deeds, what they did and why they felt the need to do so. As a Caster, however, he has lost his compassion towards those who would do evil. He is impressed with virtuous rulers, amazed that they could hold onto their rule without resorting to vile methods. And as for tyrants, he sees them, as well as others with a lust for power, as targets ripe for manipulation. He would do his utmost to secure their self-destruction.
Machiavelli’s relationship with his Master depends greatly on the Master’s nature. The types that Machiavelli gets along with the least are those of tyrannical nature as well as those of overly virtuous nature. The former due to Machiavelli’s personal opinions and the latter due to their probable disapproval of his methods. With a like-minded Master, mutual cooperation in manipulating others would be possible.
Machiavelli has no true wish to the Holy Grail, but due to the influence of Innocent Monster, he wishes for rulers to be virtuous. He is uncertain whether this should be achieved through the conversion or destruction of tyrannical rulers.
LoreNiccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy, on May 3, 1469 — a time when Italy was divided into four rival city-states and, thusly, was at the mercy of stronger governments throughout the rest of Europe.
The young Niccolò Machiavelli became a diplomat after the temporary fall of Florence's ruling Medici family in 1494. He served in that position for 14 years in Italy's Florentine Republic during the Medici family's exile, during which time he earned a reputation for deviousness, enjoying shocking his associates by appearing more shameless than he truly was.
After his involvement in an unsuccessful attempt to organize a Florentine militia against the return of the Medici family to power in 1512 became known, Machiavelli was tortured, jailed and banished from an active role in political life. After his banishment, he wrote The Prince, a handbook for politicians on the use of ruthless, self-serving cunning, inspiring the term "Machiavellian" and establishing Machiavelli as the "father of modern political theory."
In his later years, Niccolò Machiavelli resided in a small village just outside of Florence. He died in the city on June 21, 1527. His tomb is in the church of Santa Croce in Florence, which, ironically, he had been banned from entering during the last years of his life.
NotesThe Noble Phantasm was a bit hard to work out, and came out as needlessly complex. Hope it still works well enough.