Monthly Create-A-Servant Contest

[RoydGolden]

Thing is, BnEl's is actually a Faker.

Weird BnEl specifically points out a fanon interpretation of Foreigner as justification for fitting in, but I guess that was just to sell the ruse. I don't normally expect an author's-note intended to be part of the camouflage, and think that muddles the sheet's basis for inclusion. But again, if sutaa says it doesn't qualify, I'll repost.

[Dark Squirrel]

Hey, it’s the April’s Fool contest! Do you know what’s missing from it? That’s right, the laugh track!

---

Fujimaru Ritsuka panted, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. Looking up at his companion, he asked her, in between trying to gulp down air, "Do you... think we... lost them?"

The shield-bearing young woman looked at him over his shoulder, while maintaining her guarding stance at the entrance of the ruined building.

"Yes Senpai, the enemy has stopped their pursuit. We should be safe for now."

"Oh thank... fuck for that…!" Fujimaru’s relief flowed out of his mouth along with the carbon dioxyde he was still trying to exhale after running for so long while dodging destructive blasts of magical energy that undid the very ground he was scrambling on.

His communicator chimed up, relaying the words of Novum Chaldea’s other Master.

"At least, look on the bright side. This time, it’s not angry gods trying to kill you, only angry mages. And you have two members of the Clock Tower here to tell you all about how their mind works."

"I would thank you very much if you did not associate me nor the Clock Tower with those lunatics, Zemlupus!"

Novum Chaldea’s director, Goredolf Musik, interjected, sounding quite indignant.

"Yes, yes, I know, those are heretic mages, who somehow managed to grab a hold on a deity or other to use as their Thaumaturgical Foundation. I hate how blasé I sound about this."

"Ha! Finally I am not the only one pointing it out!"

"Now now gentlemen. Cut the chatter and let Fujimaru-kun summon a Heroic Spirit to help him and Mash face this Singularity!"

"Thank you… Da Vinci..." wheezed Fujimaru, straightening up.

Mash shoot him a glance, and upon his nod set her shield on the ground and backed away a few steps, keeping her senses peeled for any trace of their enemy.

Fujimaru extended his hand over the shield, the catalyst that served as the foundation of Chaldea’s FATE summoning system. After finally getting his breathing under control, he started to the words that activated the ritual, fervently hoping the Servant that would answer his call would be able to help…

"Just try not to summon the actual deity they are praying to. That would be awkward, hahahaha!"

"You really should know not to tempt fa..."

"Bwahahahaha!"

"… Huh?"

"Well, that certainly was unexpected. Pleased to meet you, Master, I am sure!"

"I… Yes, pleased to meet you as well. Do you need me to explain anything to you?"

"No need, no need. Heheheheheheh, this should prove very interesting. Very interesting indeed!"

"I’m sorry but… what’s so funny about the situation?"

Fujimaru was utterly taken aback by the Servant that had materialised, and even Mash was staring at him in disbelief, forgetting to watch their surroundings.

"To begin with, you summon me, who always thought death was the end, with nothing after. So I am proven wrong immediately upon materialising, heheheheheh! And not only that, but you summon me in not one, but two unusual Classes! Bwahahahahah! This really is a wonderfully absurd situation!"

Upon hearing this last part, Fujimaru addressed Chaldea through his communicator.

"Da Vinci, can you tell me what Class he is?"

"It’s… Wow, I did not even think that was possible! Hang on, I need to record all this for posterity, otherwise no one will ever believe me! Honestly, I don’t even believe myself right now!"

"Da Vinciiiiiii…!" pleaded Fujimaru, desperate for things to start making sense for once.

"Leave her to it, young man. One should thoroughly check everything, otherwise they will start believing in things that do not exist. And there is quite enough of that already! Bwahahahahah!"

"Alright, here’s the short of it, Fujimaru-kun: this Heroic Spirit has been indeed been summoned with a dual Class Container. But those Classes… It’s Binder and Questioner!"

"… Huh?"






b i n d e r = q u e s t i o n e r
= DEMOCRITUS =
━ Indivisible Mirth ━



~ ♬ ~

Class:	Binder=Questioner	Other Classes:	Caster
True Name:	Democritus	Region:	Greece
Alignment:	Lawful Good	Gender:	Male
Place of Origin:	Historical facts	Height & Weight:	165 cm 60 kg
Likes:	Laughing, honey, discoveries	Dislikes:	Selfishness, short-sightedness, greed, ignorance
Talent:	Finding the fun in everything	Natural Enemy:	Giordano Bruno
Attribute:	Man	Armament:	Laughter
Traits:	Servant, Humanoid, Weak to Enuma Elish	Catalysts:	Laughing, honey

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Parameters

Strength:	E	Endurance:	C	Agility:	E
Mana:	E	Luck:	C	Noble Phantasm:	C

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══════════╣« The Law That Binds »╠══════════Lawgiver A

The Law of Nature put forward by the Questioner. The Question inscribed upon Human Unconsciousness.

While Democritus is not the one who first voiced the idea that "you cannot infinitely divide matter", he is the one who codified it. According to him: "the smallest part of Nature is the atom, that which cannot be divided further". Those atoms move through the Void, and upon colliding with one another create shapes that we perceive. Thus, this corollary, that is to Democritus’ Paradox: something is either made of atoms or Is Not.

Democritus refutes the possibility of unseen forces. Most uses of mana (such as Bounded Fields or projecting beams of light) are rendered inoperative, and the act of calling upon exterior forces such as Divine Spirits will fail, as gods have no physical existence, meaning they are not made of atoms, and so, Are Not.

Of course, material phenomena such as reinforcing one’s body or even summoning a creature will not be hindered in the slightest. After all, a sword can be reduced to its constituent atoms, and atoms can be rearranged. What will fail will be any additional effect of said sword, like for example additional damage dealt by a demonic blade to dragons, will simply fail. A small comfort when one’s face is cut in two by a sharp piece of steel wielded by an overwhelmingly strong warrior.

Conceptual abilities are especially affected by this Skill, as while they may have physical effects, they themselves are not physical, meaning they have no atoms with which to affect other atoms. Thus, they too Are Not.

"Did I change my mind upon being summoned as a Servant? Bwahahahahahah! No, of course not! After all, souls are also made of atoms, just like fire and wind are! Rearranging them to give them a shape they held once is possible if unlikely, you know."


Burden of Proof (Skepticism) C

The other Class Skill of the Questioners. Proof must be presented not by the one who doubts, but by the one who believes.

Democritus knew that the senses are unreliable. As proof, one can not see the atoms that make up all that is. A further proof is that one perceives the existence of things that Were Not, such as gods, justice, love or society. As such, one must doubt every observation and check its results multiple times over.

Reinforcing the Law he puts down, anything that Is Not that is not rendered inoperative by his very presence, does not affect him. After all, it is but the inadequacy of his senses that makes him perceive them in the first place.

Making him accept the validity of the processes behind the phenomena, and arguing for how they could arise naturally, would allow them to bypass both of his Skills entirely. Accepting solid theories backed up by evidence and repeated experiments is the rational outcome of his worldview. This is why many have called him "the first scientist".

"Heh? People call me that? Bwahahahah! How grand! No, really, this is amazing! I cannot believe people would really pick up my philosophy of always doubting until proven without a doubt! Well, I may have learned that souls are made of a special kind of atoms, but that does not mean I will just accept anything at face value, heheheh."


Independent Action C+

The ability to remain even without a Master’s Magical Energy supply. The mark of a spirit Unbound from constraints, and thus a Class Skill of Binders.

Democritus was well-known in ancient times for his extensive travels across the known world, said to have ranged from Egypt all the way to distant India. Once back in Greece, he stayed away from society, preferring to meditate and study by himself, away from the distractions and noises of his fellow humans.

At the same time, Democritus is said to have lived off his brother’s generosity, and made a stand in favour of society as an artificial concept, seeing it as inevitable and necessary for human progress.

As such, Democritus can stay materialised for a day at most without being supplied in mana, unless he found a way to secure for himself a spot of peace and quiet in the middle of a bustling part of town, bringing together his two conflicting ideas. In that case, the modifier activates and extends his autonomy by a few days, or allows a single use of his Noble Phantasm.

"Mhm, what was that? If I will just go off on my own and leave you to hang while I write in a cave or something? Bwahahahahah! You got me there! Well, no, I would not do that if you need my help, but I would appreciate it if you would let me get some time to myself now and then."


Binding and Fettering D+

Ties, whether forced upon someone or gladly accepted. Connections and constraints. The other Class Skill of Binders.

Some Binder Class Heroic Spirits create a network with themselves at its center. Others forcibly bind people to their will and rob them of their autonomy. Democritus… does neither. What he creates, is a community.

By rejecting that which has no material basis, one can choose what matters, what exists, what is important. What Democritus chose was society. People banding together to overcome what may come. People sharing with each other so that together, they would be more than they would apart. Society is not natural. It is but an illusion created by men. But it is a useful illusion. And so, Democritus has deemed that It Is.

But even there, there is a paradox: all his life, Democritus mostly kept to himself, not really engaging with society. When called out for this by his fellow Abderan citizens, as well as for having seemingly wasted his inheritance travelling the world, he made a fortune overnight simply by looking at the weather patterns, thus demonstrating it was his choice to not accrue wealth, and not to engage with a society he understood perfectly. As such, his Rank in this Skill is low, reflecting how he does not really abide by the bonds he extolls.

As Democritus laughs, shining lines erupts from him and wound themselves around all those who can hear and see his cheer, gently embracing them, yet leaving the impression of an immense pressure, like that of an intense gale. The lines softly pulse with a warm blue colour, not unlike that emitted by a certain Shield or by Heroic Spirits themselves, both born the bonds between humans. Like music is a means to convey feelings, so does laughter convey intent.

But there is another side to Democritus’ manifestation in this unusual double summon: he Binds all to his view of the World. The Law formulated as a Questioner is made Binding, reinforced through this Skill. Just like atoms are bound to together to make shapes, so are all bound to the rules of rationalism and materialism he put down. The lines of his laughter spread all around, not just attaching themselves to individuals, but to the very atoms all around.

While Democritus siphons mana and denies that which Is Not, he redirects and redistributes their existence to that which Is, and especially to that which strengthen human society, that which is a part of it. Anything that stands outside of it (whether by nature, like a mage or a Phantasmal, or by choice like a Beast or a misanthrope) does not benefit from this Boost. In addition, while criminals and tyrants may have been undeniable aspects of society, Democritus made the choice of morality, and so once he recognises the alignment of those affected by this Skill, does his best to lower his support to Evil individuals, and to raise it for Good ones.

"Bwahahahah! Is not wonderful? Seeing people smile and laugh happily? Far better than just skulking off by oneself, I should think! Hehehehe but I did prefer to be by myself, so I really am one to talk…"


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══════════╣« The Bonds That Rule All »╠══════════Battle Continuation B

There are multiple anecdotes relating to the end of Democritus’ life. The first of them relates that he lived to the ripe old age of 103, a feat practically unheard of in a time devoid of divine healing and of modern medicine. Another is that, having planned to let himself go after feeling the effects of age on his memory, he agreed to postpone his death by a few days so that the grief of his passing would not marr a festival.

Democritus can in effect choose the exact timing of his death, delaying his disappearance to a time of his choosing so long as it proves more convenient for his Master. He also gained a certain resistance to Instant Death effects.

"Aaah… That was a fun time as well! Hehehehehe, there I was, ready to let go of everything, and these women come up to me and plead with me with tears in their eyes to just wait a few more days until this festival or other was over, so that the death of a great man such as I would not marr the joy! Bwahahahahah! Telling me, who was living as a recluse and thought mad by most, that I was a great man! And… Hehehehehe! Telling me, me, to delay my death to not make people sad… Why… Bwahahahahah! I could have died of laughter on the spot!"



Philosopher’s Laugh B

When he saw that there was no purpose, no sense to anything, Democritus did the only sane thing left to him: he chose a purpose. He could have gone insane, he could have raged and ranted and screamed and broken down. Instead, he found peace. He decided he would be happy.

Democritus was known as the Cheerful Philosopher and the Laughing Philosopher. This laugh was not the maniacal cackle of the madman, nor the sneer of the false cynic, but the mirth of one who saw how futile the struggles of Humanity were and chose to laugh because of them. But never at them. No, never at them. For Democritus truly loves Humanity, and does not pity it, nor rages at it, unlike other Greek thinkers.

This Skill manifests as a strong resistance to debuffs, fitting for one not rejected but ignored status, wealth and in fact chose for himself what mattered to him. Having consciously rejected despair he is especially resistant to mental debuffs.

"Bwahahahah! Is it not grand, this whole thing? All of humanity moving forward, no matter what? Ha! There really is nothing better than this! I can never really feel down when I think about all we have gone through without ever letting it stop us!"


The Great World System A

A Skill that displays the natural intellect of one who has no equal. Excluding those inherent to the body (such as Divinity) or ones unique to an individual, the use of most Skills, at a proficiency level of B rank, is possible.

Democrits does not use this Skill much, but he can demonstrate a depth of knowledge upon a vast variety of topics if the need arises, or if one engages in conversation with him on any of those topics. During his life, and for centuries after, he was known and praised for how much he knew and had learned, notably from his travels across the known world, and the many treatises he wrote on a variety of topics. Of those, his Great World System, that was quoted by Lucretius, was probably the most extensive and comprehensive synthesis of his observations about the world.

"Wait, that really is a thing? Bwahahahah! I really cannot believe people made such a fuss over that! I was just curious about everything, and wanted to share it with as many people as I could without having to talk to them! Ho, and… Heheheheh… I would have been scolded again if I had just gone off to teach on the road."


All Things In Nature A

An observing eye capable of investigating the state of things in nature and see into their essence.

Democritus was known, and indeed famed, for his observation skills and insight. As such, he has been granted this Skill on top of his Great World System. This ability is always active, effectively acting like a passive boost to his observation capacities, allowing him to bypass most forms of concealement and understand the inner workings of a thing.

As he disregards the existence of magecraft, most types of concealing spells are ineffective against his discerning eye. Likewise, Camouflage, Presence Concealement and similar Skills will be severely ranked down when under his gaze.

"Heheheheh what is this then? Hoho, is that how it works? That really is amazing in its simplicity!"


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══════════╣« All Must Arise From The Same Place Or Be Not »╠══════════a t o m i s m
That Which, Bound, Gives Shape to All

Anti-Divinity
C
1-60
Maximum Number of Targets: 1

The Greek gods were still very much active during Democritus’ life, as shown with priests and priestesses of Dyonisus seeing their prayers answered during Alexander III’s conquests. However, Democritus himself disregarded their existence. He did not even deny them: he ignored them, and outright rendered them nonexistent through his worldview. For him, they were not needed in the slightest. Being the first to put forward the non-existence of the gods as a proven fact, as well as introducing rationalism to the Collective Unconsciousness, it is no surprise he is responsible for accelerating the end of the Age of Gods.

Democritus’ theories were passed down the ages, in no small part thanks to the works of Epicurius and Lucretius. His conception of the world, devoid of any Mystery and based on rationality, formed the basis for modern science. His strong ties to atomism would resonate with scientific discoveries of the late 19th Century, further cementing him as a fondational figure of the Age of Man.

This Noble Phantasm is the encapsulation of his Thesis, and the reason for his highly unusual summoning. Democritus is undoubtedly a Heroic Spirit whose ideas helped free human thinking from the shackles of gods and magecraft. He Questions the very World, rejecting that which does not hold to reason: all that rejects Human Reason, that bypasses the natural processes, Is Not. And he Bound the World to this statement: there exists only that which is material and can be proven to exist. Senses are not to be trusted, as they can be deceived. Only that which reason has recognised as fact Is. By Questioning the Wold and Binding it to his answer, Democritus firmly anchors the Age of Man in place, very much like a lynchpin.

This Noble Phantasm is constantly active, as it is the

paradox

source

of his Skills. His view of the world is part of him, such that every moment he is active, he upholds his thesis. However, by revealing its True Name, and his, he can temporarily manifest another ability: he can manipulate the atoms. While he cannot separate a given object’s (or person’s) atoms, due to his inbuilt limitations as Binder, he can rearrange those already bound together. For example, he can make a given item stronger, lock down a shape to prevent a transformation. He can also create new connections, Binding together separate atoms, to make the air solid or even create something wholesale (his philosophy did accept the existence of spontaneus creation).

It should be noted that non-corporeal but still material phenomena such as fire, wind or the soul are still made of atoms, according to Democritus. As such, it is possible that he could manipulate a soul, were he to gain access to sufficient magical energy, such as a Command Spell or a Magical Furnace.

"Hehehehehe, we are all made from the same thing, united in our materiality by those atoms moving through the Void. So, let us try to move the building blocks around a bit, alright? That Which, Bound, Gives Shape to All! Bwahahahah!"


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══════════╣« Embracing Cheer »╠══════════



When summoning a Greek philosopher, one never knows what to expect. Would they be thoughtful? Would they be loud and argumentative? Would they be confusing and maddening and utterly insufferable? Would they be depressed? Would they be aggressive and foul-mouthed? There is, however, little chance one would expect an almost constant stream of laughter and general cheer from them. And yet.

Democritus lived during the fifth century BC and parts of the fourth century BC. Although called a pre-Socratic philosopher, he was actually younger than Socrates and outlived him by some thirty years, or so the stories go. There is a lot that is unknown about Democritus in modern times, thanks in no small part to his works being deliberately forgotten thanks to his radical ideas and the rivalry leading philosophers felt towards him.

What is known is that he was a disciple of Leucippus, that he travelled a lot to learn from a wide variety of cultures and people, and that he wrote a massive body of work touching upon just as massive a variety of topics.

He also laughed a lot. Really. A. Lot. So much so that he became known as the Laughing Philosopher. As a result, the Heroic Spirit Democritus has been defined by the Throne of Heroes as a mirthful man, prone to laughing.

Yet, behind this cheer and near-constant mirth is a keen mind that takes everything in, takes it apart perfectly, and acts upon that knowledge. Decisive without being impulsive, frank without being rude, he is ironically a no-nonsense man despite his laughing at most everything.

Democritus, as a Binder and Questioner-Class Heroic Spirit, holds very low combat potential. He is, ironically, bound and constrained by this awkward Class Container, that at once undermines and holds in place the World he perceives. He Questions all he sees, as he cannot trust his own observations, even with his senses enhanced by being a Heroic Spirit. He Binds all he perceives to his idea of the World, judging it

atom

Is

or Is Not. He has almost no offensive power to speak of, being best suited to debuffing his opponents, assuming they stood outside of human society. If, instead, they were an integral part of it, they will be buffed by him, whether he himself wants to or not.

In essence, he will only ever be truly effective against Caster Class Servants, and other Servants that rely on mystical abilities born outside of the Human Order, as he will limit them to their (necessarily limited) physical abilities. But since he himself is but a normal man, one not even especially strong at that, he will still stand at a disadvantage…

It is a good thing, then, that he is utterly disinterested in combat, seeing it as a waste of energy and life. He by far prefers dialogue and cooperation over violence and antagonism. Having no wish of his own for the Grail, he will instead dedicate himself to observing the modern world, as well the happenings of the War in which he has been summoned, ever curious to learn more and confront his theories to new experiences.

"Ho? Hoho? Hohohohoho! What a wonderfully interesting world this is! Well, there is not much I can do here, but if you’ll allow me to, I’ll make the most of it and study it! Mhm? You want to know if I will fight at some point? Bwahahahahah!"


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══════════╣« Ties of Mirth »╠══════════



Plato

"Hey, Plato is there too! Tell me, now that we are both here, what would you say about finally discussing our ideas?

Bwahahahaha! He ran away again! Glad to see he still pretends I do not exist!"


Hippocrates

"My friend! Have you come to check on me again? No, you already know I am perfectly sane? Bwahahaha amazing! Let us enjoy this time together then!"


Lucretius (Morg van Destro)

"Hoho! So you are one of those who tried to pass on my worldview to the next generations! Bwahahahahahah! Thank you for your efforts! I am only sorry you did not get the part about seeing joy in everything..."


Egyptian and Persian Servants

"Hoho! I have visited your countries during my youth! Tell me, what new discoveries were made since that time? Heh? I am more recent than you, so I already know more than you do? Bwahahahahahah!"


Indian Servants

"There are even Servants from distant India here? This really is an amazing place! But it seems they have been associated with some frankly ridiculous notions. Bwahahahahah! How amusing!"


Divine Spirits

"So you claim to be the gods that were used as an excuse for not understanding how atoms interacted or for selfish behaviou? Bwahahahahahah! What a good joke that is!"


Scientists

"Bwahahahaha! Please do excuse me! I am just overjoyed at seeing how far Humanity has advanced since my time! And to think the same ideas as mine would have been passed down the ages! Bwahahahaha! Truly amazing!"


BB (either), Sesshōin Kiara (either), Ganesha, Kishinami Hakuno (either)

"Hohohohoho! So this is what it looks like to manipulate the very atoms of the soul? You cannot imagine how happy it makes me to see my theories proven so! I myself only gained this ability because of this summoning, so you clearly are more gifted than I am! Bwahahahahah!"


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══════════╣« Bound by Abnormality »╠══════════



Barbara G. Walker (Marethyu779)

"Bwahahahah what even is that? Is this what we have come to after all this time? Bwahahahahah! Thanks a lot for proving my point about always doubting what you see and hear!"

As a note, Democritus appears to be uniquely suited to countering the Beast, as his abilities simply shut down hers on the basis that her theories are impossible to prove, to say nothing of him having no Mystery to target to begin with.


Stanley Kubrick (BnEl15)

"You want me to materialise funds for your club? Bwahahahahah! I would much rather help you directly as manpower! After all, it is not every day I get to observe a new art form that I have not yet written about!"


Darwin’s Demon (Morg van Destro)

"Hoho what is this? Theories can become Heroic Spirits of their own? I wonder if that means my atoms are a Servant somewhere… Bwahahahahah! That would be a sight!"


Takenouchi Documents (MuramasaMachII)

"How wonderful! Bwahahahahah! I could never imagine such absurdity existed! Hehehehehehe this is Heroic Spirit business really is nonsense…"

Needless to say, Democritus completey shuts down Isukiri’s abilities. Gods and Messiahs, even false ones, have no place in his world view.


La Montespan (Saron)

"Loving someone so much you derive power from it and qualify as a Heroic Spirit? Bwahahahahah! If passions that powerful hold such sway over the leaders of countries, then it is no surprise the world is as it is, hehehehehe…"


Zeus-Conius (Baron Magnus)

"He? Hehehehe… Bwahahahahahah! So a natural system can materialise as a Servant as well? And even pretend to be a person to the point it only exists for love? Bwahahahahahah!"


Šćepan Mali (Morg van Destro)

"Hehehehehe, talk about a fantastical story… Yet it is also one I can believe all too well. That said, choosing to help everyone, even those who would see you dead, is truly magnificent! It warms my heart, it does!"


Amina (Vididii)

"Hohohohoho! What a fascinating culture! I did spend some time in Africa back when I was alive, but I never reached that place! I wonder what I would have learned there…"

Were Amina and Democritus to fight, it is likely the philosopher would try to use his Noble Phantasm to lock down any soul the queen tries to manipulate, preventing her from changing her shape or using or creating a Kankara stone. It would still leave him entirely vulnerable to getting hit in the face by her scepter.


Tarot (Baron Magnus)

"You are offering to play a game with me? Bwahahahahah! I gladly accept! I would be delighted to learn more about the mores that arose millenia after my time!"


Zeus Keraunos (OddEyedDuelist)

"Bwahahahahah! Now there are two of them! The human consciouness really is something, is it not? I still do not accept that you are truly one of the ‘gods’ people believed in. And no, a lightning bolt is not a counter-argument, heheheheheh..."

You would think Democritus’ abilities would hard counter Zeus’, as someone without Divinity that actively denies most supernatural phenomena. But Zeus’ use of lightning is a perfectly natural phenomenon (or at least the lightning itself is) and so he can do nothing about it.


The Chicken Who Crossed The Road (Salt Pillar)

"Bwahahahahah! What is that now? More thought experiments getting summoned as individuals? Well, the chicken did cross the road, so that is it."

Unsurprisingly, the two Questioners (ish) do not get along well at all. Democritus, being an extremely rational type of philosopher, only observes that the giant chicken crossed the road, and laughed at the absurdity of even asking the question in the first place. He also started running real fast to get away from the angry giant chicken-thing. Denying her her setup and most of her abilities does not mean she does not still have sharp talons.


The Lovers (DracoScribe)

"And now there are two of th… No, wait, hang on, three! Bwahahahahahah! Well, I can see you two do not really need anyone else, good on you! Make the most of this life you have got! Choosing your own purpose is all this is about, after all!"


Pellegrino Maria Ernetti (Scotcheroos)

"Hoho! Imagine that, creating a device that lets you observe all that has passed, instead of speculating about! I can only wonder at how you achieved it! Did you temporarily force the atoms back in their previous configuration? Bwahahahahah I cannot wait to hear you tell me about it!"

Democritus has taken a liking to Ernetti, valuing both his erudition and the fact he dedicated himself to helping others through all his life.


Kaarina Maununtytär (Dragoran21)

"Bwahahahahahah! How wonderful! Hoho, do not misunderstand me, I am not laughing at you nor your life. I am just so very happy that despite all of that, you still dedicate yourself to helping others!"


Wilhemina Harker (Vance)

"Hoho! Hohohohohoho! Weaponising knowledge to strick back against what threatens human society is a wonderful thing! That is what knowledge is about: making it safer for us humans!"

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Binders tend to get along well with each other. At least, the non-coercitive ones do. Democritus’ knowledge makes for a fine boost to Mina’s Noble Phantasm requirements, too.


Vasily Arkhipov (RoydGolden)

"Hoho so that is what came of my theorising the “atom”. Really impressive! And of course it was used for destruction and death! Bwahahahahahah! I really should not have expected otherwise! Thank you, young man! Thank you for doubting in the absence of proper proof and proper reason! Thank you for having chosen to believe in humanity rather than stupidity! Hahahahahahah! Haaaaa… This is what I lived for, truly."


Roger Mortimer (BnEl15)

"You lived by the ideals of stories and tales, and when reality did not match those stories, you collapsed and relied on someone else to tell you what mattered in life? Heheheheheh… I am sorry that you never found out yourself what truly mattered for you, it would probably have spared you some of that pain..."


Rāhula (NMR-3)

"Hohohohoh! Now I am truly disappointed I never met you or your fellow disciples back when I travelled to India! Our philosophies are at once so close and so distant, it would have beeen an absolute pleasure to discuss them! Ho but wait, we can do that now! Bwahahahahah!"

It seems Binders truly do get along well with one another. Democritus is absolutely delighted to hear about a school of thought espousing removing oneself from one’s senses and finding a purpose in life utterly untied from society. Meanwhile, Rāhula finds himself enjoying the company of a man who despite understanding that everything is ultimately an illusion, chose to remain attached to humanity for its own sake.


Yamato Takeru (Radi)

"Bwahahahahah! So you say you have a magic sword made from the body of a giant serpent that allows you to control the flow of water and occasionally become a god? Now that is a good joke! Bwahahahahahah! Mhm? What about your attire? It fits you very well, if that is what you wanted to know!"


Lostbelt!Jure Grando Alilović (Scotcheroos)

"So this is another case of a soul’s atoms reaching once again a configuration close to their initial one… Heheheheheheh I must say, I am very intrigued by the biological differences between your ‘Dead Apostles’ and us humans… Ho but I guess I am not a human anymore? Bwahahahahah! Now that is another good joke!"


Pascal Plum II (Vulturion)

"Hoho what is that then? Another variation on what people did with my ‘atoms’? Bwahahahahahah! Had I known my calling something ‘indivisible’ would only lead to people trying to divide it, I would probably have thought twice about it! No, I am just kidding. I did think about it a lot, far more than twice. And ultimately, there is something indivisible, just not what people called ‘atoms’. Bwahahahahahah! At least I am glad she chose to be happy about this whole absurdity!"


Gunther (Mycielhasbroken)

"Despite being surrounded by stories, you did what you felt needed doing and tried to help as many people as possible in your own way? Bwahahahahah! That is admirable! Well done, young man! You can be happy about the legacy you left!"


Grimm Brothers (Marethyu77)

"Hohohoho you chose to spread knowledge through the use of stories? Well, the goal certainl is admirable but… People absolutely will misunderstand the intent and only remember the stories! I should know, I saw it firsthand during my time with Aesop’s tales! Bwahahahahah! I can only imagine the look on his face if he saw what became of his attempts at spreading common sense around!"


════════════════════════════════════╬════════════════════════════════════


══════════╣« The Most Binding Law »╠══════════Why I Laugh



"Hoho, what’s that? You have a real serious look on your face, Master!

…

You say that you have been thinking about my philosophy, and you do not understand why I laugh so much, because nothing I say strikes you as being frivolous or even optimistic?

I see. So that’s it. Well observed, Master of mine.

Do you know that Hippocrates once asked me the same question?

Almost everything we humans do and say is absurd. We lean on fabricated lies as if they were solid truths. We run after meaningless things with an endless energy. We believe ourselves to be the center of the world. We look no further than our own selfish interest and pat ourselves on the back when we prevail at the expense of someone else.

Really, is it not worth laughing?

I could not change that during my life, and it is not my role as a Heroic Spirit to change it now.

So, what else is there to do but laugh? Make no mistake, I may laugh at it, but I do not mock it.

I will not cry. I will not despair. Far better that I turn it into a source of mirth, for mirth is joy. And I do not know about you, but I would much rather be joyful than depressed! Bwahahahah!"

As usual, notesI’d been playing with the idea of a Binder Democritus for… I don’t want to say some time, but at least a little while. Then the contest came, and since I had already accidently refered to the Questioner Class, well, why not make one proper.

Which I then proceeded to not do, smashing two fan Classes together in one unholy mess. Which is fitting as Democritus rejects the very notion of holy.

I am fond of Democritus, or least the image of him that has been passed on. That is to say, one of the first proper scientist, rejecting superstition on the ground that you can’t prove this shit so it doesn’t exist, and basically thinking up a lot of modern stuff more than two thousand years before they were trendy. Also he was cheerful, which is always something I tend to like a lot.

I stole suuta’s and Del’s formatings, or parts thereof, because I find them real pretty. That is all.

I always knew I wanted that song as his final Bond, so imagine my wrath quandary when I saw Mura had used it for the exact same thing. That’ll teach me to take forever to make a sheeet.

The “main” song is something I dithered a lot about. The irony of my using a song ultimately named after a god (even though I know it’s about the planet and horoscopes), especially one who has two versions of himself featured in this contest, for a professional atheist… It’s not lost on me.

Yes, I engaged in some powerleveling with the related dialogues, but it mostly came from my going “Uh, that would interact in a fun way with the kit I’m writing” upon reading some sheets. Also, given how abstract my descriptions of how he fights are, it served as a demonstration.

A fun thing is that of course I rewrote a chunk of sheet over the past two days. I was unhappy with his NP and Questioner Skills. So I just… changed them. Actually it all started with "wait but gods did exist during his time and yet he was still very much an atheist, how does that work”. And then the Pratchett brainrot hit and I decided on an atheist who is actively hostile to the very existence of gods. Yes, that’s where the “lightning bolt as an argument” line came from, for those keeping track of that.

I don’t really think he is that OP. After all, if you hit him with a bonkstick, he will still go down. He’s just hard to catch offguard, and spells mostly won’t work on him.

Yes, that’s the third time I give a thinker a Texture overwriting-type NP. Sue me, thinkers are hard to turn into Servants. Although that’s as far back as I’ll go when it comes to this philosophical school.

Fun fact: I at first gave him Tactics E because he wrote a treaty on it.

[Vance]

Democritus: Welp, guess I found my three pointer.

[Dark Squirrel]

I must say, I certainly appreciate your permanent enthusiasm for my sheets.

[sutaa]

I don't really want to be a stickler for what's acceptable or no here.

The prompt's meant to be more of a vibe, like a springboard for what you come up with, and I'll accept Royd's Saver as fitting the spirit of what I was asking for.

[Dragoran21]

Hahahaa! Great servan, Dark Squirrel! Hahahaa!

[DracoScribe]

Added relationship lines for the new sheets!

If so, have fun with the Class Skills. It's why I made them. Also, MR isn't one, just for reference. That was just DD removing an evolutionary flaw. Or it can be. Just because I make it one way doesn't mean everyone agrees.

Got it! Noted.

If you enjoyed Chicken you'll love Questioner Cain.. it's got the whimsy of a rock hurdler and the aura of primordial murder..

Thanks Draco a bunch. Your words inspired me to write a sequel to Chicken that's called Questioner Egg. Or...would that be a prequel?... erm

And your signature insanity, I'm sure.

You're welcome! ...i legit cant tell if your joking about questioner egg tho.

Thank you! And yes, they would.

You're welcome!

HMU with any details you want for workshopping!

Thanks! I'll be sure to do so. unless i forget buy hopefully not

The Lovers: Classic couple goals.
Personifying the trial of love as a Gatekeeper is pretty neat when paired with a Lover Class. My initial comment was gonna be about making the text bigger, but that already got self-corrected it seems. Centering the sheet around the back and forth of a relationship that requires an acceptance of flaws as much as an acknowledgement of their strengths is good. Also, I'm thinking I've got it write from the nicknames that the man is lover and woman is gatekeeper, but it could also be that they just refer to the other as the opposite, which would be kinda cute in a character way. I will say I will never be behind "Gatekeeper as Watcher again" but I think it fits here well. They come from a similar place of why I wrote Moros & Elpis. Like, very much that, considering they both have Gatekeeper guarding another.

Thanks. I was a bit worried about outright making it both Gatekeeper=Lover instead of "Gatekeeper with Double Summon to allow skills from Lover", but I just couldn't bring myself to because of the themes I was trying to go for. So I'm glad to hear that. All the more so since you said you usually don't like the, as you put it, "Gatekeeper as Watcher again". Ah right. The small font size...I initially had it smaller cuz I always read from my phone so I though it was fine, then I saw it on PC on a whim aaand...decided it was too small for my eyes and so changed it. I'm glad you liked that aspect too.
Yeah, you got it right. If the two were separate, she'd be Gatekeeper (in reference to the Marseilles depiction, aka "the hard choice and the easy choice", aka she is the "trial") and he'd be Lover (again, in reference to the Marseilles depiction as the one who is in love and has to choose, aka "the trial goer"), but they're not, both of them are the Lovers arcana made manifest, so they're "both" Gatekeeper and Lover, which is why I list them as "Gatekeeper=Lover" instead of "Gatekeeper & Lover", and that duality one of the another reasons why, when they're "dead serious", they call each other by the "opposite of what they are", because in the woman's view the man is the steadfast gatekeeper, and in the man's view the woman is the dedicated but lost lover. just like how the fcs view each other as the strong one and they view themselves as the weak ones that want to copy them...aaaaaaand im gonna stop there before i ramble further about unrelated stuff. ...and hopefully what i said made sense. To say the least, I had too much fun making it come to life even if I was so unsure about it.

And now for my thought on the new sheets! ...not very long despite not speedrumning sorry.

Vasily Arkhipov: I think the whole unsung heroes concept is neat. There are plenty of those, sure, but this? Just that one random "NPC" who greatly helped even if they're not the "star"? Yeah I get behind that. But damn...the Alaya influence...I get it, but at the same time, I can hardly blame the guy. I don't have to like it, especially since it's Alaya, but the best he can do is, well...make the most of what he can do. And there is only so much he can do. So of course he's kind of a pretty good Servant as far as Alaya is concerned.

Democritus: oh hey garp—uh, I mean, Democritus. Wonderful guy! His attitude is one I like. Whatever you think of life, destiny, and such...I think what really matters is what you choose. Or as what I've seen from comments about "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once": "If nothing matters...then everything matters." So yeah, I like that. I also like how you make use of the Questioner class, or at least as how I understand it from Chicken. I'll admit, I'm not sure if Binder class "duality" was needed, but you made it make sense to me at least. Which I'm glad for since I have a fondness for the class.
Oh, and um, you missed a bb code beside "indivisible mirth", a stray [i].

[Dark Squirrel]

Democritus: oh hey garp—uh, I mean, Democritus. Wonderful guy! His attitude is one I like. Whatever you think of life, destiny, and such...I think what really matters is what you choose. Or as what I've seen from comments about "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once": "If nothing matters...then everything matters." So yeah, I like that. I also like how you make use of the Questioner class, or at least as how I understand it from Chicken. I'll admit, I'm not sure if Binder class "duality" was needed, but you made it make sense to me at least. Which I'm glad for since I have a fondness for the class.
Oh, and um, you missed a bb code beside "indivisible mirth", a stray [i].

Thanks for the kind words, Draco, and especially thanks for catching the typo!

I'll wait until the contest is over to add lines for Vasily and any potential other entries.

[BnEl15]

Stanley Kubrick (Variable): Can we acknowledge that Bn is slowly turning into a wholesome creator? Give him a round of applause, folks.

...How dare you, Morg. I will not let this insult stand. I haven't gone soft! Far from it! I still have some edge left in me yet! I'll show them! I'll show them all! RAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

---

This is the story of a hero.
A gallant knight who served a beautiful queen, fought for his kingdom, and slew an evil king.
For a time, the people sang praises at his name.
He was a symbol of liberation, a champion of justice against the evil king's tyranny.
And yet...

---

The man woke up on a dreary, early-winter morning in November.
That day was to be his last.
As the guards led him to the gallows, he took notice of the countless onlookers eagerly waiting for the spectacle that was about to unfold.
He was to be hanged as a monster, the greatest traitor that the kingdom had seen in decades, if not centuries.

...He did not mind one bit, though.
Perhaps he'd actually died inside long ago, or he'd committed so many atrocities that his heart had grown numb to everything else.
In any case, he could barely register the insults, stones, and jeers of condemnation hurled at his face.
As he faced his end, only one thing remained on his mind.

"Aah, My Lady... Has my life managed to be of any use to you, in the end..?"

---

This story does not have a happy ending.

╼ L O V E R ╾
「Stalwart Knight of the She-Wolf」
~★★★★ ~

"How unfortunate... What sort of miracle were you hoping to achieve with the Holy Grail, pray tell? If you were expecting a legendary hero or a knight in shining armor to hand over victory to you upon a silver platter, I'm afraid you have made a most terrible mistake in summoning yours truly, and I shall return for the Throne posthaste. If you hold the resolve to see your ideals through to the very end, no matter the sacrifice that must be paid, on the other hand... then much like her, allow me to pledge myself to your cause. Servant Lover, my True Name is that of Roger Mortimer, England's greatest traitor and a pitch-black stain upon the kingdom. Please point my blade towards its next target, my liege. Truly, a knight as blackened as myself has want for nothing else."

= Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March =
~ ♬ ~


Source

Class	Lover
Other Classes	Saber, Rider
Alignment	Lawful Evil
Origin	Britain (13th-14th century)

	Parameters
STR	C
END	B
AGI	B
MGI	D
LCK	C
NP	A

Profile

	Profile
Likes	Those who are resolute in pursuing their ideals, serving others, being told what to do, self-sacrifice
Dislikes	Weak-willed individuals, those who drown themselves in regret, himself
Talent	Riding, swordsmanship, medieval warfare
Natural Enemy	Edward II, Edward III, Hugh Despenser the Younger, Joan de Geneville
Armament	Sword, shield, horse
Catalyst	The noose used to hang him

_________________________


Class Skills

Class Skills

Devotion (B++)

A Skill which corresponds to the strength of the Servant's feelings towards those they love. In Lover's case, it is unclear how much of his feelings towards the She-Wolf can be ascribed to "love", and how much is closer to an overwhelming sense of codependency... though the Throne seems to register either interpretation as "close enough" to the other. On top of its typical effects, the Skill also grants Lover the benefits of Mental Pollution Determination of Steel , increasing his resistance against mental attacks and overall pain tolerance, so long as he fights obsessively valiantly as a knight would before his lady. "A sword does not need to question the will of its owner. It only needs to cut, and nothing else. My life holds no meaning beyond that which she assigned to me, and in gratitude of that fact, I vowed to serve her until my dying breath... no matter the fate that awaited us. It was my truest desire to bear witness to the world she envisioned... the world that she sacrificed so much for. To dedicate yourself for the sake of another's dream... to give your very life for it... what is that, if not love?"

Object of Desire (D)

A Skill connected to the feelings of love and obsession which this Servant inspires in someone else. It functions as a passive charm skill on the level of a mental attack. So much as being in the same place as a Lover Servant can incite feelings of affection, obsession, protectiveness and lust. A decorated warrior, a loyal friend, and heir to an illustrious family, Lover was once one of England's most eligible bachelors. His marriage to the wealthy heiress Joan de Geneville of House Lusignan and closeness to King Edward II of England expanded his influence further, and his military feats in Ireland and Wales cemented his status as one of the best knights that England had ever known. However, the deeds he committed later in life seemed to have considerably reduced the Skill's rank. "Do tell, my liege; would the you of ten years ago be proud of the person you are now? Or would they strangle you on the spot if they ever have the chance?" ... "Oh? You wish to hear my answer first? ...Fufu, is it not obvious?"

Riding (B)

Most vehicles and animals can be handled with above-average skill, even vehicles that did not exist in the time period one was alive in, for they are no exception. However, cannot ride the likes of Phantasmal Species such as Monstrous Beasts. A fitting rank for a knight as brilliantly gifted as he is, with years of experience in warfare under his belt. "No matter whose banner I stand under, whether I fight to protect the kingdom, or to burn it down to the ground, it seems my talents with the horse remain the same for the most part. There is something... almost soothing about that."

Magic Resistance - (C)

Cancels spells with a chant below two verses. Cannot defend against magecraft on the level of greater magecraft and Greater Rituals. While not typically a Class Skill of the Lover-Class, much like his Riding Skill, it seems his reputation as a knight allows both Skills to be present regardless of the Class he's summoned in. "It is not a realm I am familiar with, but no matter. If she wills it, my blade shall cut them down all the same. That is my singular purpose."

_________________________


Lore part I

A brilliant knight in shining armor, one of medieval England's most promising warriors... and in time, one of its worst villains.

Personal Skill

Journey of the Flowers (Bloodline) (C-)

The proud heir of the illustrious Mortimer family, Lover was descended from the Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great, who in turn claimed descent from the legendary King Arthur. Regardless of the veracity of these claims, whether out of genuine love for the genre or simply as a means of elevating his family's standing, Lover's grandfather spared no effort in reminding both Lover and the world of this lineage. He organized jousting competitions reminiscent of old tales of chivalry in Kenilworth, assembled a ragtag band of knights to emulate the Round Table, and formed close friendships with both King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castille who entertained his stories. Unsurprisingly, Lover grew up on these stories; how he was descended from the Once and Future King, and how his family's rise to greatness was supposedly prophecized by Merlin himself, with the young Roger as the one who would bring untold glory and riches to the Mortimers, possibly as a King of England. "When English money is made round, a Welsh prince in London shall be crowned." - One of the popular "Prophecies of Merlin", commonly recited across England and Wales at the time. A minor blessing gifted upon a boy who was raised to walk the path of a king... if the prophecies were to be believed. Lover's presence fills his allies with hope and determination, and he also receives minor boosts in parameters whenever he strives to emulate the virtues of the King of Knights, just as his grandfather once taught him. Unfortunately, the Skill's effectiveness is reduced by the infamous reputation he would accrue in his later years. Had his story unfolded differently, perhaps he truly could have led not just his family, but the entirety of England to glory and prosperity. As things were, however... "In hindsight, the old king and queen were quite accepting of me, despite the prophecy that could be interpreted as me being fated to overthrow them at some point... Ahem, for the record, it's not as though my grandfather had groomed me seriously to be the next Arthur. While he approved of it, it was little more than a childish obsession; I made my own Excalibur out of tree branches, and even addressed my playmates as my own 'Round Table'... As most children do, I outgrew such things eventually, but for much of my life, I considered the legendary King of Knights to be an inspiration. So in my youth, I listened to my heart and sought to follow in his footsteps in ways I knew how..."

Like many noble children of the time, Roger Mortimer was betrothed at a young age as part of a political marriage. He wedded the wealthy heiress Joan de Geneville at age 14, and from this marriage, the Mortimer family acquired numerous lands and other possessions throughout the Welsh Marches, including the strategically-important Ludlow Castle, which would become the Mortimers' primary stronghold. Through these acquisitions, the family further increased their influence throughout England, Wales, and Ireland. Thus, the Mortimers had successfully cemented themselves as one of the most powerful families in the kingdom.

The year 1304 marked the end of Roger's childhood. His father had fallen in battle, and since he was deemed too young to run his own lands at age 17, King Edward I placed him under the care of Piers Gaveston, a distinguished nobleman and a favorite of the king's son, the future Edward II. Just three years his senior, Gaveston would act as a friend, mentor, and older brother figure to the young Mortimer. Eventually, Mortimer also came to be acquainted with the prince and his new wife, Isabella of France. The four youngsters grew close, and for a time, the future seemed bright. The king officially knighted Mortimer in 1306, and his first important military campaign occurred just two years later when he was sent to Ireland to enforce the crown's authority, pitting him against Scottish nobles led by Edward Bruce, brother to Robert the Bruce, King of the Scots..

"The year 1311 marked the first great tragedy in my life. Piers' closeness with the recently-crowned King Edward II had incurred the wrath and envy of the English nobility. Edward did everything he could to placate the nobles, seizing his assets and sending him to exile again and again, but that was not enough. The nobles continued to slander him with increasingly worse accusations and rejected every one of the king's attempt at a compromise. Then one June morning... they ran a sword through his chest and beheaded him as a traitor. My brother and mentor, whom I looked up to, whose back looked invincible all those years ago... gone just like that. Edward was inconsolable for weeks on end following his death. I did my best to assure him that Piers' death was not his fault... but I believe Piers' absence still formed a large rift in our friendship. A rift that none of us could fully mend."
...
"Then sometime later, the king appointed a new favorite to act as his advisor... A man by the name of Hugh Despenser."

_________________________


Lore part II

Following the death of Piers Gaveston, Mortimer still strived to maintain his friendship with both King Edward II and Queen Isabella. He continued to serve the king faithfully and was appointed as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1316 for his victories. Unfortunately, while all this was happening, the king grew increasingly dependent on his new favorite advisor, Hugh Despenser the Younger and his father, Hugh Despenser the Elder. The Despensers had a longstanding feud with the Mortimers, and it did not take long before they start to seize lands throughout England, including those previously granted to the Mortimers. Slowly but surely, the Despensers began expanding their territory and raising their own army, while manipulating the king to either look the other way, or even give his express permission in some cases. This did not sit right with both Mortimer and Isabella, but when their warnings fell on deaf ears, the two agreed that more drastic measures must be taken...

In the year 1321, Roger Mortimer allied himself with disgruntled nobles whose lands were taken and declared war on both his old friend King Edward II and the Despensers. The army managed to pressure the king to exile the Despensers, but their joy was short-lived as he soon launched a retaliatory campaign that saw most of the rebellion's leaders executed. The Despensers returned to the royal court not long afterwards. Mortimer himself was initially sentenced to hang, though this sentence was later changed to life imprisonment in the Tower of London... a decision the king would later regret.

Personal Skill

Blessed Knight's Escape (B-)

A daring prison escape executed on August 1323. The plot was woven very intricately, involving a visiting bishop who slipped the key to Lover's cell past security, cooks who drugged the food to incapacitate the king and his entourage, who had been dining on the tower that very same day, guards paid to ignore the commotion, and a small group of supporters waiting just outside to take Lover into safety the moment he would leave the tower. It remains unclear who actually orchestrated the escape, guesses including Lover himself, some unnamed individual under his employ, or Queen Isabella, who considered him too valuable to lose as an ally. What everyone could agree on, however, is that every variable was carefully taken into account, and some even considered him to be "blessed by angels" to be able to pull off such a plan successfully. A composite Skill combining Disengage and Planning, boosted even further with a hint of divine intervention. Lover is naturally gifted at escaping dangerous situations through assessing his present situation and planning his next moves accordingly. Should there be variables beyond his control, or unexpected deviations from his initial plan, there is a chance for minor, borderline-supernatural coincidences to occur and turn the tides to his favor. That said, these "corrections" can only happen so long as he maintains his reputation as a heroic knight has the people's support . The more "unknightly" he conducts himself, the less chance these miracles would occur to save him in his time of need. If his reputation drops low enough, these miracles may work against him instead, potentially sabotaging his plans at the last second. "Why I threw my lot with those nobles, despite some of them the same people who murdered my brother Piers? It was... certainly not an easy decision. Initially, I just wanted my old friend to see reason again. I'm sure My Lady- Isabella thought the same; we resented how obviously- how easily the Despensers manipulated him. Me, Isabella, the late Piers... all of us knew he was supposed to be a better man than that. So, just as I imagined Arthur would do, I listened to my heart and figured that as his friend, it was my responsibility to bring him back to his senses. Of course, as I fought in that rebellion, my motivation only grew; I saw just how much the Despensers' scheming had harmed the citizens. Many were forced to surrender their lands and everything on it to the Despensers, leaving them homeless, penniless, and starving. Others were forced to work themselves ragged under the dastards just to maintain their possessions. With every battlefield I crossed, I was also driven to take up my blade for their sakes. As much as I'd rather see those nobles dead, I came to realize that I was fighting for a cause bigger than myself. Holding on to grudges of the past, painful as those may be, would mean sacrificing a better future for naught. For my old friend, to punish the Despensers for the evils they had committed across the land, and for the people who had suffered under their yoke... heh, it almost sounds inspirational when I put it that way."

Following his escape from the Tower of London, Mortimer was quickly taken to the safety of Paris, France. There, he was joined by Isabella, who had left England frustrated by her husband's increasingly questionable decisions as king. The two were summoned to the court of King Charles IV, who was not happy to hear how the English king had mistreated his dear sister. Together, as the threat of an all-out war beckoned, the three began preparing their next move. In the meantime, Edward was growing increasingly ruthless and paranoid back in England. He became more and more indiscriminate in arresting suspected rebels, and his methods grew increasingly brutal. All the while, the Despensers continued to abuse their positions as royal advisors, complete with all the wealth and power they could ever ask for. The people continued to suffer, and in their despair, they hoped for a hero to overthrow their evil king and his corrupt advisors. Then a terrible news reached France just a few weeks after Mortimer's escape; in his paranoia, Edward imprisoned his wife Joan and their children in Skipton Castle, Yorkshire.

"For me, that was the moment everything else ceased to matter. They should not have anything to do with the conflict. It was my actions that placed them in harm's way, so it was my responsibility to save them. Edward would pay for everything he'd done. I immediately took a small army and marched back to England. Both Charles and Isabella initially objected to my rash idea, but they eventually relented and sent their armies after mine. And so, the knight who once served as England's pride and joy returned to invade his own home..."

The next three years-between 1324 to 1326- were a blur in his mind. Through a mix of his inspiring presence, Charles' manpower, and Isabella's planning, the French army swept through England, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The campaign gradually brought Mortimer and Isabella closer to one another, as the time they spent together allowed them to learn more of each other and bond over their shared interests. Even so, the chivalrous knight remained careful to maintain his boundaries. He would reject the queen's more romantic advances, bound by both duty and devotion towards his beloved. With every stronghold felled, Edward's army suffered loss after loss until his last remaining forces were crushed in Caerphilly, South Wales.

Sweeping changes immediately followed after Edward's defeat. The Despensers were stripped of their power and executed for high treason, with thousands in attendance and cheering for the fall of the two people considered to be one of the kingdom's worst villains. Edward was imprisoned and forced to abdicate, surrendering power to his son Edward III with Isabella acting as the young boy's regent... only to conveniently turn up dead under mysterious circumstances not long after. Meanwhile, the people of England lauded both Mortimer and Isabella as heroes and liberators from the tyrannical king and his scheming advisors. Even so, the knight could not care less for his newfound fame. The first thing he did after ensuring the safety of the situation was arrange for the release of Joan and his children.

~ ♬ ~

Then the day of her release finally arrived. Mortimer had brought her favorite books and a new gown to celebrate their reunion. His beloved appeared pale and emaciated... but otherwise, alive. He was just about to run up and embrace her... but she stood in place, much to his surprise. There was no longer any light in her eyes, and her expression was flat. Sensing this, the knight stopped in

"Joan, my beloved... I'm so sorry it took me so long, but I'm here now. Are you well?"
Hearing his voice did not make her smile as she used to. Mortimer held his tongue, but the fact pained him all the same. He had almost forgotten her voice and her smile, but now...

"Am I well..? What do you think, Lord Husband?"
She placed an emphasis on the final word. She would never address him as such before.

"It had been almost five years since we last met. For three years I had been held captive. Three years in which my life has shrunk to four walls and a constant fear- for you and our children. Five years spent mostly on my knees, praying for your safe return, for the sanity of our daughters, locked away among the nuns, and our sons, held prisoner by the king. I have prayed and prayed and prayed... and what have you done..? What..?"
...
"Everyone has no shortage of praises to give you now, but... was it worth it? You, husband, have shamed me. Before the entire court of France, before our own countrymen, the people who believed in you, you have consorted with that whore of a queen as you burned down half the kingdom and left a mountain of corpses in your path, while I- I, your loyal wife, mother to your children- have suffered on your behalf. And this is how you see fit to repay me? By buying me books?"

"Joan, I... I'm so sorry. You must have gone through a lot in my absence. B-But we can fix this, I-!"
This was wrong.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
Sure, he appreciated Isabella's companionship, but he never once-
He reached out his hand to her.

"Don't. My apologies, but I would have you leave, my lord. Just... Just go, Roger. Please don't make this even harder."
She couldn't even look at him as she said that.
She couldn't even address him as her husband anymore.
And just like that, she walked away, leaving the knight alone to his thoughts.
No amount of heartfelt apologies could ever reach her.

Had the king turned her against him?
Had imprisonment broken her spirit?
...No, of course not.
All this was most certainly his fault.

He leisurely spent time in Paris while his beloved suffered.
He lost himself in battle as he carved a bloody path for what he believed was a noble cause.
He found himself drunk in victory, swayed by his reputation as a "hero".
All while his dearest family drifted further and further away in silence.

There were countless things he wished to say, things he could not say, but in the end, he could not find it in himself to place any blame on her.
Even so...

"What was the point of it all..? What... have I really been fighting for these past five years..?"

It was here that a hand gently placed itself on his shoulder, accompanied by a voice he knew all too well.

"Roger, dear? I still have use for you."

Source
_________________________


Ascension

"Hearing those words, at first I could only stare at her in disbelief. Was she serious? How could she just... continue to move forward like that? How could she proceed so determinedly with her vision despite everything that had happened? Knowing the cost and the sacrifices... but when I thought about it further, maybe that was why she could shine so brilliantly while I could not. For all my talents as a knight, for all the victories I earned, and the titles granted to my name... deep down, I was- no, I am weak. A weak-willed fool so easily swayed by the world, who continuously wavered and stumbled, only to regret everything in the end, after it was too late. By that point, my sword had grown so heavy, so tainted with blood that I could hardly feel its weight, while my singular reason to fight had simply vanished through the fault of no one but myself. She, on the other hand... she remained true to herself and her desires, come what may. Some would call it selfishness, and they would not be mistaken... but I didn't care anymore. What's wrong with that? Does selfishness not come with the crown? For the pitiful me, who doubted every step, whose actions only led to regret on top of even more regret... a strong-willed queen who knew what she wanted and would single-mindedly do everything in her power to bring her vision to life, no matter the cost... she was beautiful. I finally realized it at that very moment."


Source

"Aren't you tired, my dear Roger? Everything must weigh quite heavily on your heart now... but I don't believe it would be very good of you to embrace those burdens alone. Tell you what, why don't you entrust your sorrows and regrets to me? I ask but one thing in exchange... you are quite fond of those stories, yes? Well, you don't have to force yourself to be 'Arthur' anymore. Instead... why don't you become my 'Lancelot', o' gallant knight of mine~?"

"I could tell the true nature of her smile from a mile away. Ever since our time together in France, she had never been very subtle with her intentions in front of me. I sincerely doubt that my figure was ever genuinely reflected behind those clear blue eyes of hers. Her gaze was always aimed towards the distant horizon, far beyond what I could see. I had always known that much, and yet... even now, I continue to yearn for her all the same. Don't you understand, my liege? The act of 'following my heart', which my grandfather taught me through Arthur... it only led to me invading my own home, murdering the man I once called my best friend after my brother, and severing ties with my family. If that were the case, then it must mean that my heart was undoubtedly 'wrong'. In that case, it would be much better for me to entrust it to someone else, wouldn't it? Someone who knew what they were doing... Haha, in the end, I was never meant to be a hero, much less the next Arthur, but that's okay. I found it rather liberating, actually. Surely this pathetic excuse of a knight was only ever meant to pave the way for someone else. Someone much stronger than myself, who shone far brighter than I ever could. Someone who held a greater vision for the kingdom and the resolve necessary to realize it. And so, when she offered her hand to me with that proposition... there was only one answer for me to give."

"I'm tired."
"What was the point of everything?"
"What have I been fighting for all this time?"
"Was any of this worth it?"
"Joan... I'm so sorry."
"I've gone too far to turn back now."
"This lack of purpose is killing me."
"Please save me."

"Yes, My Lady."
_________________________


Lore part III

~ ♬ ~

After Isabella came into power, Mortimer was appointed as Earl of March in 1328, restoring the lands and influence that the Despensers had taken from him years ago. That said, with Edward dead and Mortimer's very close relationship with the queen, he was practically King of England in all but name. Thus the prophecy finally came to pass; 'a Welsh prince in London shall be crowned'... though it's doubtful that anyone other than Isabella was truly happy with this outcome.

Personal Skill

King of Folly (A)

The queen's ambitions had only just begun. After seizing the late Despensers' lands, the She-Wolf and her knight began limiting the authorities of the local nobility and taking over their lands as well. At first, she would tell him that it was to prevent another potential insurrection that could throw the kingdom into chaos once again. Other times, it was to maintain local stability, eliminating the possibility of dissent, or even some grand vision about unifying England and France to bring forth a larger empire filled with prosperity and long-lasting peace. Lover knew not which, if any, of those ideals were genuine. But he did not care. He would serve her with all his being. Perhaps in some twisted way, it could be a way for him to atone for failing Joan and their children. Someone's dream had better come true at the end of that bloody path... A combination of two normally contradicting Skills; Guardian Knight and Betrayer's Insight. Within less than five years, the dashing, gentlemanly knight who slew the evil king and saved England from the jaws of tyranny became a power-hungry villain just as terrible as the previous king, if not worse. Even those who supported him against Edward in the past gradually grew resentful of him and his actions, eventually earning him the titles such as "The King of Folly", "England's Greatest Traitor", and "Stain of the Kingdom"... but he did not care anymore. Even after betraying everything he once stood for, betraying close allies who once pinned their hopes on him, he willingly blinded himself to their resentment in service of his queen. Increases defensive prowess whenever Lover acts in service of others, but at the same time, increases all damage dealt towards those who fight beside him and share his ideals. On an individual level, the stronger the bond he shares with someone, or the more he personally relates to them, the more he is able to make them suffer. That said, every act of "betrayal" he performs would cause temporary, yet significant rank-downs to most of his other Skills, which is why he prefers to keep the treachery as a last resort if he could help it. "They said she was... a She-Wolf, was it? An existence who could only live through manipulating and devouring others. Heh, and they would be right. Perhaps in a way, I came to admire her for it... but that was only half of the story. Underneath that resolve, as much as I was entranced by her radiance... a part of me considers her pitiful. I mean, is that really any way to live? Looking over your shoulder at every waking moment, trusting no one but yourself, and sleeping with one eye open until you're certain that every last hint of dissent has been well and fully crushed. Really, as easy as it may be to brand her as a one-note villainess, she had been forcing herself to carry such a heavy burden by herself for so long... My Lady is quite the hypocrite, if I may say so myself." ... "Hm? Is that contradictory, you ask? To be enthralled by someone's virtues, only to deride them for their flaws in the same conversation? Fufu, that may be true, human relations are hardly ever so simple, but... who cares? I pity her as much as she pities me, and that is perfectly fine. I accept her just as she is, the same way she accepts me just as I am. In essence, we are two mismatched, pitiful beings who decided to stick together as 'conspirators' despite our many weaknesses. Can you call that 'love'? ...I shall leave you to your answer, my liege."

Fortunately for England, Mortimer and Isabella's tyrannical rule did not last long. Just three years later, the nobility who had their lands taken and their authorities stripped away rallied under the young King Edward III, who did not like his mother and her lover very much. On October 1330, the king and his supporters took the two by surprise, imprisoning Mortimer in Nottingham. Recognizing the danger he posed, he was quickly put on trial for treason, assuming royal power, and numerous other charges. Isabella's request for her son to spare him was ignored, and he was hanged just a month later, in November. Thus, the knight went from a revered hero, to a despised monster, and finally to a dead man within less than a decade.

What of the She-Wolf, the former Queen Isabella? She was portrayed as an innocent bystander during the proceedings, and her relationship with Mortimer was left ambiguous at best. She was placed under house arrest for a time, but eventually regained her freedom and lived a luxurious lifestyle in Norfolk, surrounded by minstrels, personal attendants, and lavish celebrations.

"Well, that was fun while it lasted, wasn't it, Roger?"


Source
_________________________


Noble Phantasm(s)

Noble Phantasm

Execution Order - Flames of Disentanglement Interficere Nolite Timere Rank C Anti-Unit "...Very well, I shall see this through. Apologies, but my liege has ordered for your execution. Please accept your end gracefully, and let these flames wipe away your very being. Interficere Nolite Timere."

A Noble Phantasm based on the ambiguities surrounding the death of King Edward II. It is generally agreed that the former king died in September 1327, not long after his imprisonment in Berkeley Castle. However, the full circumstances surrounding his death remains unclear to this day. Some say he died of natural causes, while others argued that he was murdered by orders from Isabella and/or Lover himself. According to one legend, the two of them plotted to murder Edward in such a way as not to draw blame on themselves, sending a famous order (in Latin: Eduardum occidere nolite timere bonum est) which, depending on where the comma was inserted, could mean either "Do not be afraid to kill Edward; it is good" or "Do not kill Edward; it is good to fear". Afterwards, the king was stabbed repeatedly to death by red-hot iron pokers... or at least, that was one version of the legend. There exists another legend claiming that Edward actually faked his death, escaped imprisonment, and spent the rest of his days as a hermit wandering the Holy Roman Empire. Neither his death by iron pokers nor his survival holds any convincing evidence, but that did not stop historians and contemporary experts from entertaining the theories. A simple Noble Phantasm allowing Lover to manifest the poker(s) that supposedly killed the king as a flame-infused jousting lance. While the flames are painful enough, repeated blows against enemy Servants would reveal the Noble Phantasm's true purpose; a "conceptual disentanglement" of one's legend. Just as many details of Edward's final years remain shrouded in mystery and contradictions, the flames would serve to obfuscate the target's legend, confusing the world with "what actually happened" and causing a chance of the target's Skills and occasionally Noble Phantasms sealing itself in random intervals. The chance and interval increases with each subsequent contact with the flames.

The Red String Strangles the Blackened Knight Mortis Tyburn Rank A Anti-Unit, Anti-Unit (Self) "My Lady... Aah, I see. I see how it is. This... must finally be my reckoning. Heh, it's about time, though I wish you had come sooner... No matter. This will finally be the end. Please allow me to dedicate this life for you once again. Mortis Tyburn."

Lover's ultimate act of "love". While many believed Queen Isabella to be just as responsible as her lover for the atrocities committed during their short reign, in the end she was never held accountable for any of her actions. Lover's execution at the Tyburn gallows, London seemed to have quelled the public outrage enough to let the queen walk free with few repercussions beyond a few years of house arrest (where she was still granted a sizable fortune and had most of her needs attended to). In a way, like a gallant knight who sacrificed his life to protect his beloved, Lover's death successfully spared his dearest lady from a much worse fate. A Noble Phantasm distorting the classic chivalrous principles of "dying in the name of love" and "dying in service of another". Upon its activation, individuals within its range are marked by an intangible red string around their necks, resembling a noose. Whenever these marked targets would feel or experience anything that they would emotionally register as "romantic love", the noose would grow slightly longer. At first, this holds no adverse effects on the target. However, once the noose surpasses a certain length, the target's life is conceptually bound to the object of their affections. Now should their "beloved" receive lethal damage that would have normally killed them... for exactly one instance, they would emerge completely unscathed, without a single trace of injury. Instead, their fate is "transferred" into the marked target, upon which the noose would rapidly tighten, suffocating and breaking their neck in seconds. As the very premise of this Noble Phantasm demands the survival of one individual to be paid by the life of another, the noose is an instant-kill attack that cannot be removed or avoided once it is applied, save for through Lover's own death. Once it is activated, your best bet is to stay away from any topic of romantic love to delay your end for as long as possible, and hope Lover does not find the object of your affections. Incidentally, should the actual Queen Isabella of France be summoned, or on the very small chance that Lover develops romantic feelings towards anyone else, this Noble Phantasm would automatically activate around Lover's own neck. In case of the former, it seems to be an affirmation from the world that he is always fated to die before her, eternally in service of his beloved lady.

_________________________


Personality

Likes:
"Is there something more noble, more beautiful than laying down your life for the sake of someone dear to you? I'm glad, really. In the end... I was able to be of use to someone. If my death spared My Lady from imprisonment, if not the gallows outright... then that means I was able to save her, doesn't it? Hehehe, unlike with Joan, the foolish me of the past who remained completely ignorant of her suffering... Aah, at least this knight was able to accomplish something other than the endless death and bloodshed! I have yet to thank her for the opportunity. If she were ever summoned here... what kind of expression would she make in front of me? She could praise me for a job well done, she could berate me for my flaws, or she could look at me as though I am an existence lower than trash, and I would still thank her for it. That is my duty, after all; even if her faults should one day lead me to my end once again... I would simply embrace it all, just as she did to me."

Dislikes:
"You are free to distrust me, but I am not quite fond of unnecessary bloodshed. As I said before, my blade had tasted so much blood that it felt so terribly heavy in my hands. Even in my present state, scorned and loathed as one of England's worst villains, I try to stay my blade from the flesh of women and children if I can help it. That said, if she truly demands it so, I... no, never mind. If you ever command me to point my blade at them, you had better give me a very good reason, my liege."

Wish:
"I do not believe I am worthy of such a thing. Every failure that accumulated throughout my life was a result of my own weaknesses, so it would be unseemly of me to rely on some magical chalice to fix everything. I would wish for My Lady's remaining days to be filled with happiness, but I suppose that wish was already granted. So... ah, I suppose there is one last thing. I wish... Joan and my children did not have to endure another round of imprisonment after my death. The atrocities I committed are my own, and no one else's. They are without sin."

Source
_________________________


Relationships

Lancelot:
"The infamous Knight of Treachery, hm? Fufu, my apologies, but I don't believe you're the only one with the title anymore."

Eleanor of Aquitaine (Saber) (BnEl15):
"The Queen of the Court of Love in Poitiers... supposedly, she is a great-great-grandmother of mine from my father's side. I doubt she would be very fond of me. My story is probably... not the kind of romantic, courtly love she would like to hear. By the way, have you realized it, my liege? If I were to receive a coin for every time there was a French queen married to a king of England who raised an army against her husband, usurped royal authority, and also happened to be fascinated with Arthurian lore, then I would have two coins."
...
"That was a jest. Feel free to laugh." (monotone)
...
"Sigh, My Lady did say humor has never been my strong suit..."

Eleanor of Aquitaine (Lily) (BnEl15):
"The girl seems to be... quite taken by my presence. She would say my armor is 'just like Sir Lancelot's!' with such childlike innocence that it almost pains me to hear it every time. Please keep her away from me if you would, my liege. Not for my sake, but hers. I am hardly a positive role model, and I have a feeling little girls at that precocious age are... simply not ready to hear my story."

Avenable (Morg van Destro):
"Ah, that feeling of chasing after someone's back, pursuing an existence that shines many times brighter than your own... you are familiar with that sensation, are you not?"

Arsinoe IV (Random):
*Monotonous applause*
"Not bad, not bad at all, Your Majesty! Laugh in the face of victory, cry and beg in the face of despair. Drown in your emotions and act as selfishly as a queen would... Fufu, you are not her, but I find such pitiful displays to be... adorable, in their own way. I quite enjoy watching you struggle... though you still could not possibly hold a candle to her."

Queen Victoria (Lancer/Saber) (WhiteFrenzy):
"A woman who held the world upon her shoulders, who was unafraid to indulge in her desires and make the world bow before her will... fufu, you are not her, but I find you quite impressive all the same. If I am not mistaken, you had... your own dashing knight who stood by your side for a time, did you not? Then you truly were blessed, Your Majesty. I pray that your love shall reunite you one day."

Crown Jewels (Sutaa):
"...As I thought, you fit her quite well. I am sure she would still covet you as she did then, if she were ever summoned here. Hm? Me? Oh no, I hold not a sliver of desire towards you. My duty has always been merely to polish you until you could make it to her hands. For me, the opportunity to stand by her side is more than enough."

Madame de Montespan (Saron):
"..."
*Her spheres could elicit no reaction from his cold, dead eyes. He is saved from her charms through the power of

toxic codependency

true love

*

Queen Amina (Vididii):
"Oh dear, I'm afraid my spirit would not taste very good for your palate. Besides, I've long pledged myself to another She-Wolf, so unfortunately for you, I could never lower myself enough to be yours. Truly, I would rather hang myself all over again this instant than entertain the possibility."

The Chicken (Salt Pillar):
"Why did the knight cross the road? ...Because his lady wills it. Does he need any other reason?."

The Lovers (DracoScribe):
"...Hmph."
*Lover actively chooses to avoid them. He would never say it out loud, but their mere existence seems to pain him*

Kaarina Maununtytär (Dragoran21):
"A fairytale princess who was deprived of her happy ending, yet remained true to herself despite the sorrows that besieged her... Fufu, despite your similarities, something tells me My Lady would not be very fond of you. She would consider you 'too much of a stickler for the rules', or something along those lines... ahem, but my praise for you is genuine. I find your resolve admirable, Queen of Sweden."

Robert the Bruce (King of Braves):
"The King of the Scots... oh? Am I different from your brother's description of me? The knight he remembered had... more light in his eyes? Haha, you flatter me, but whatever could you be talking about? Perhaps your brother had mistaken me for someone else."

Joan de Geneville:
"Joan... long have I dreaded this day. Through no fault of hers, the very thought of seeing her again is akin to a dagger that stabs me through the heart. What sort of expression should I make in front of her, I wonder? Am I allowed to smile in the face of our reunion? Do I weep knowing what I had become following our parting? Everything I was unable to say, the words I had rehearsed in my heart for so long simply... disappears like foam in her presence. The things I had given up long ago... why is it questioning me now?"

_________________________


Bond CE

Promise Upon the Faux Round Table
~ ♬ ~

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there lived five friends.

Joan de Geneville

A heiress

,

Piers Gaveston

a nobleman

,

Edward II

a king

,

Roger Mortimer

a knight

, and

Isabella of France

a queen

.
Following the previous king's death, all of England had their eyes on these five.

"What kind of future will they bring about together?"
That was the resounding question in everyone's minds
More than friends, they carried the hope of the kingdom itself.

And so, the address these concerns, the friends convened upon a makeshift Round Table.
Frankly, it was a childish idea from the knight's late grandfather;
A game of pretend-heroes gathering upon a pretend-assembly based on stories of old, stories they should have outgrown long ago, but none of them minded the idea.
And so the five stood together; they argued, laughed, and wept together as friends do.

A storm was brewing; tense relations with the kingdom's neighbors threatened to bring chaos across the isles.
However, with the five friends working hand-in-hand, no challenge seemed too difficult, and the future appeared brighter than ever.

"Let us cement our vows today, upon this blessed Round Table. As king, it brings me no greater joy knowing that I have such trustworthy, dependable friends by my side. M̴a̷y̸ ̸o̸u̵r̸ ̴f̸r̶i̷e̷n̴d̴s̷h̴i̶p̴ ̴l̸a̷s̸t̷ ̶f̷o̶r̸ ̵a̶n̷ ̸e̸t̴e̷r̸n̶i̴t̷y̶, m̷̰̄a̵̖͆ẏ̷̰ ̵͓̑i̴̳̎t̵̲̋ ̸̮̊b̶͈͌r̶͕͋ĭ̷̭n̶͈̍g̴͖͘ ̵̱̈́g̷̺͋o̸̟̚ǫ̶͐d̴̥̈́ ̴̝͐ț̶̈í̶̢ď̴̗i̶̦͒ṇ̷͝g̶̻̕s̵̲̀ ̴̭̊f̷͕̈ǒ̴̺r̶͔̐ ̴̯̍t̶̻̓h̶̠̓ě̵͖ ̵͍̃f̵̌͜u̴̩͝t̵̞͂u̵̱͘r̸̹̈e̵̗̊ ̷̛̯o̵͕̔f̴̯͋ ̵͍͛t̵̺͠h̸̝͆e̸̗͘ ̴̙̂k̶̗̊i̴̬͑n̶̊͜g̷̀͜d̴̯̽o̷̙̿m̸̪͊, ä̷͔́͆n̶͚̆d̵̩̘̔ ̴̰͊m̶̺̋̃a̵͕͐̃y̶̨͍͂͠ ̷̢͆ṫ̴̪̫͝h̵̫̮̊ḛ̸̗̑s̸͓̝̆e̵̽͂͜ ̶̤̈́̒ć̶̢̓ͅà̴̢̜r̶̹̐͑e̷̬̋f̴̡͙͗̄r̵̯̈e̵̫͈̅̚ẹ̶͋ ̸̧͂͠y̵͖̕e̴̡̥̊t̸̢̂̀ͅ ̴̺́p̵̥̈͝ȓ̴̩e̵̡̛c̸͖͙̀͘i̷̫͑̍o̶̯̪̿̎ũ̸̦s̴̘̬̊̃ ̷̦̦̒͝ḓ̸͖̀a̶̦͎͊̓y̶̜̐s̴͎͗ ̴̬͘̚c̴̦̍ö̴̞̟́̎n̷̙̽̀t̶̤̿i̸̼͗n̸͂̉͜ų̴̼̊̆e̷͕̕ ̵̣̒͜͠f̶͕͚̆̈́o̵̡̟̾r̶͕͝e̸͍̯͌̄v̷͓̪͠e̵̊̄͜r̴̦͆ ̶͍̎̎ȃ̶͇̆͜n̴̩͖͋̒d̴̫͠ ̸͕̰͌ễ̴͙̭v̵̠͒͝ē̷͉̏r̵̗̀̚,̸̢̝̏ ̵̗̈́s̶͔̽̃o̵̠̤̕͠ ̸̭̦̄̈ẗ̴̪̦́h̷̢͊͋à̷̠̘̇ṭ̶̂-̶̜̤̃"

---

The black knight could not recall the rest of these vows.

...No, perhaps that is incorrect.
Perhaps deep down, he does remember the words that came after.
It's just that...

"...I have no right to remember them as such."

Creator's Notes

"Why did you do it, Roger!? Why would you forsake your country and doom us all with that wretched She-Wolf!?"
"Well you see, the way she was willing to seize power no matter the cost was hot, but the way she pitifully begged me to commit atrocities in her name was also hot. I don't know which one is more appealing to me, to be quite honest."

I had him in my backlog for a pretty long time, initially as an edgy twist to ye olde chivalric romance stories. Actually writing his personality was a bit of a challenge though, especially considering outside the topic of his own life and Isabella, he's not exactly a yapper, at least compared to most of my usual characters. After his family left him, he was just so done with everything and dead inside that his coping mechanism basically drives him to... radically accept everything in search of a "purpose". Isabella wants him to burn down half the country? Okay. Purge suspected traitors with no trial? Okay. Seize lands for himself and indulge in worldly luxuries? Okay, even if he does not necessarily derive personal joy from these acts. So even now, he continues to be that... eerily monotonous guy who could profess his love or say the most unhinged ramblings with the same flat expression on his face. He could be both an S or an M depending on what Isabella wants him to be, though he'd still execute both orders with the enthusiasm of a dead fish.

So is he a Lover cuz' he loves Isabella (who happens to be the perfect mix of both a girlboss and a girlfailure, which he finds hot)?
Is he a Lover cuz' the Throne registers codependency masquerading as love as "close enough" to the real thing?
Is he a Lover cuz' he still loves Joan somewhere deep down, but he came to see serving Isabella as some messed-up form of atonement for failing his ex back then?
...The answer is probably a mix of those three, though to what extent each factor influenced him, who knows?

Speaking of which, I won't be writing Isabella. I'm just not sure on the direction I'd like to take her to beyond the crumbs I've shown here (very vaguely speaking, think... Nero/Medb + Xu Fu + Moriarty). Feel free to hmu if anyone's interested, though. Nooooo, I am definitely not pawning off my work on you under the guise of a "collab", nothing of the sort, I tell you~!

Oh yeah, also credits to Odd for the CE. I figured this was the time I cash in the favor of guessing my Secret Santa correctly, and he delivered. Saved me a lot of pain from looking for a specific stock image and editing stuff myself.

Lastly, I realized far too late that he could've been a Lover/Binder hybrid, especially with the red string of fate symbolism in his second NP. Oh well, maybe Isabella can have that.

Misc. Rogercore stuff from my brainstorming process

"Why are you so... incessantly loud all the time, My Lady?"
"Well, someone has to emote for the both of us, and it sure as heck won't be you, Roger."

[NMR-3]

Rāhula, whatever internally, belonging to oneself, is solid, solidified, and clung-to, that is, head-hairs, body-hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone-marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, large intestines, small intestines, contents of the stomach, feces, or whatever else internally, belonging to oneself, is solid, solidified, and clung-to: this is called the internal earth element. Now both the internal earth element and the external earth element are simply earth element. And that should be seen as it actually is with proper wisdom thus: “This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.”
- Majjhima Nikaya, Sutta 62 verse 8, as translated by B. Nanamoli and B. Bodhi, 1995

deleted pixiv post; https://safebooru.org/index.php?page...iew&id=4687812

Rāhula
― The Enlightened Fetter, the Lucky ―

Binder

__________________________________________________ _______________________________________________

Before the Buddha became the Buddha, he was Prince Siddhartha Gautama of the Shakya clan. He had riches, all the marks of becoming a great king or chakravartin, and was gifted in the martial arts taught to all Shakya youths. In summary, Siddartha had the best of all possible walks of life: prince, family man, sage, warrior. All of that was returned by him, when he renounced mortal life to instead seek enlightenment.

All of that - including his pregnant wife Yasodhara, who gave birth on the same day that Siddartha was about to leave. The news was rushed to him, and despite his resolve Siddartha went and took a final look at his wife and newborn son. Then, hardening his heart, he left, but not before uttering a single phrase: "rāhulajāto bandhanaṃ jātaṃ". "A rāhu is born, a fetter has arisen".

Siddhartha had provided the boy with a name and had in a single glance set the course for the boy's life, as sure as any prophecy. Rāhula, after all, literally means "fetter" - specifically, a fetter on the way to enlightenment.

I don't mind. I understand the Honored One's motives. Compared to the release from suffering of untold millions, I...

Strength	Endurance	Agility	Mana	Luck	Noble Phantasm
C	C	C	C	B	C

Height/Weight: 161cm / 48kg
Source: 5th century BCE
Region: Nepal
Alignment: True Neutral
Gender: Male

Likes: Nothing.
Dislikes: Nothing!
Natural Enemy: /

Rāhula grew up a fine youth: strong, as Siddhartha had been, wise, as Siddhartha had been. Spoiled, as Siddhartha had been. Not quite to the same degrees, perhaps, but still, he was beloved by his mother, adored by his grandparents, respected by his peers. He was also unaware of who his father was. But then again, his family thought this might be for the best. In a sense, they were all victims of his fate of binding. They wanted to keep him close, hold him to them, keep him from going into a wandering, unattached life, the way his father had renounced them all.

But one day a Great Ascetic arrived in Kapilavastu. The royals attempted to prevent Rāhula from learning about this and from going to see him, but he insisted, and finally he was told: the man who had once been his father had returned. Yasodhara suggested that her son Rāhula meet with this ascetic, then ask the man to give him the inheritance that he was owed. This Rāhula did; but, far from handing him something so temporal as the kingdom itself, the Buddha instead passed on the wealth he obtained under the Bodhi tree, an inheritance incapable of perishing, and Rāhula became a convert to Buddhism.

Later during the Buddha's stay, Rāhula was ordained, becoming the first ever novice monk. So his family's deepest fears were realized. Their line would end there, especially after Yasodhara became a nun and Siddartha's half-brother Nanda joined the sangha as well. The Buddha had renounced all that he had been, and yet some things still lingered - in some, small ways, his family remained bound together.

Mother tried her best for me. I'd like to think she became a nun for herself, but sometimes I can't help but think that maybe bonds dragged her into the sangha rather than it being really willingness on her part?

Foremost among all discipes for his eagerness in learning and in his discipline in practice, nonetheless his father never treated him differently, or in any way indicated they were father and son. He was as well-loved as any other disciple, even those like Devadatta or Angulimala who struggled with their devotions. In the end, he became one of the four disciples tasked with remaining in this world until the Buddha Maitreya arises. Hidden away in a place of chestnuts and grains, he is bound to this earth. For now, at least - this eventual passing is why he can be summoned at all.

But Rāhula's fine. Honestly, he really is accepting of his lot in life. Blessed, even, to have had one loving parent, to have grown up in the lap of luxury of a princedom, to have been given the chances that he has had and the wisdom he possessed. There are many who don't have even that luxury. He wishes to move on, to rejoin his fellow disciples in Nirvana, to see his master-father again, but...

I'm fine. I really am, okay? Please stop thinking that I'm not.

--- Personality---

Binder looks like a child, but his mentality is wiser than that of many adults. An enlightened Buddhist who has lived for thousands of years, his personality is calm, confident, and secure. He has long since conquered the roots of desire, lives his life according to the pratimokṣa or precepts of the monkhood. Physical temptations cannot sway him.

All the same, he's surprisingly easy to get attached to, and he finds himself getting attached very easily. During a War, he tends to accumulate bonds, even to those who don't even participate in the War. A cat he meets on the side of the road, a kindly grandma who takes him for an odd child, or an unhoused man who requires aid... Collecting these bonds is inevitable for Binder.

I... simply do as I should. There's nothing to it beyond that.

--- Class Skills---

Binding and Fettering A+

The Skill to establish a network of connections with oneself as a focal point. Binder's attacks create tethers that drain Magical Energy, lower an opponent's Parameters, or even hinder them from using their skills. The bonuses obtained from these attacks are then shared with allies.

Bonds that brought his family into the sangha, the Buddhist community. Bonds which, for a moment, tempted even the Buddha from his chosen path. Bonds so strong that Binder is literally named after them. So strong are Binder's bonds that even frayed, they continue to bind him to this earth thousands of years after his supposed death. As such the rank of A+ is because Binder cannot help but bind himself.

The bonds formed are not physical things, but the invisible, indivisible bonds of karma: not in the New Age sense of good being rewarded with more good and bad being punished with bad karma, but more the metaphysical residue left in the actor as a result of acting with intent. This same residue can be used to track, to manipulate, to control - in short, to bind.

Magical Resistance B

Grants protection against magical effects. Differing from the Resistance effect that merely rejects Magical Energy, this ability cancels the spells altogether.

An effect born of living in an era in which magic was widely present, where the gods might still intervene in life, further boosted by the teachings of the Buddha, himself someone with the potential for tremendous magical power that he rejected. By that same token, Binder's rejection of his own innate talents in the field means he can shrug off almost all magic that targets him.

I'm not really fighting. I'll just restrain people, okay? Then I can convince them with one of my father's sermons. He's got this really good one about meditation, you'll love it.

--- Personal Skills---
Enlightenment of the Sacred Fig A-

The protection given to those who have reached the Truth of the World, the Answer of Humanity. Protects the Servant against physical, conceptual and interdimensional attacks by shielding him from all harm by an amount up to 50% of his maximum health. Also wards off almost all forms of Mental Interference and function as Anti-Purging Defense.

As a direct student of the Shakyamuni Buddha and as an arhat himself, in theory this rank should be a simple "A", but its effects are reduced depending on the amount of bonds Binder has with the target. The heavier the bonds that ties them together, the more of the attack can slip through the cracks.

Kshatriya Training A

A Skill representing that the servant has received an education in all the arts expected of a Kshatriya prince: love, war most of all, philosophy, horsemanship, kingship, etc. The son of Prince Siddartha Gautama, Binder proved a willing and dilligent student in every art from the youngest possible age. Even after ordaining as a monk, the vestiges of his education remain with him, as does the physical prowess that Siddartha himself enjoyed.

Allows Binder to display basic or even great competence at whatever he puts his hand to, so long as that skill might conceivably be seen as necessary for a warrior or a ruler. In addition, due to his monastic education, Binder also knows everything a wandering monk might be expected to, though this is a narrower set of skills.

Childlike Charisma B

The natural talent to command others, in war or in peacetime. Increases the ability of allies during group battles. At this level, it can be said to have achieved the greatest level of popularity as a human being. B-rank is enough to be a king - fitting, in other words, for a boy who might have been king, if he wasn't called to a greater destiny still.

There is one curious side effect, though. Binder is thousands of years old, bound to this mortal coil by lingering bonds and a task he must complete. Nonetheless he looks twelve forever - the age at which he was first ordained as a śrāmaṇera or junior monk. This is due to Binder becoming the model for all future monks and junior monks especially, an influence that has forced Binder to remain in the shape of a child.

My shape really doesn't matter. All form is an illusion, even the self - I am not my flesh.
... please stop calling me a child, though.

--- Noble Phantasm---

Paradox of the Enlightened Fetter

Bandhanaṃ Jātaṃ

Rank: A++
Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 1

A Noble Phantasm born of the innate contradiction that is Rāhula. Fundamentally, the core of Binder's existence is Binding - he cannot help but bind himself to everything, and others cannot help but be bound to him. Fundamentally, he is someone who has become an arhat - an enlightened one, one who has been liberated from the endless cycle of death and rebirth, who has cut through the fetters that bind them to samsara.

He is bound and yet he is free of fetters. He is free of desire and yet karma still resides within him. This is an impossible state, a paradox that must be resolved. And so this Noble Phantasm also represents the resolution of that paradox, by the direct intercession of the Buddha's own Noble Phantasm.

Crudely put, Binder evokes the Amita Amitabha for a direct hit on himself, thereby burning away every single bond he has built up throughout his lifetimes.

In return, Binder will reach a state infinitely close to the one his father predicted he would one day reach - becoming the Stepping on Seven Treasure Flowers Buddha. And yet he remains unable to take that final, single step into true enlightenment. Even so it gives him monstrous defensive abilities against mental and physical attacks, allows him utterly ignore status effects and Mental Interference, and gains regeneration not unlike that of a hydra.

While this makes him little short of unkillable, this also puts him on a clock that lasts only as long as he has the fuel to keep himself from ascending. In other words, the more bonds he burns the longer this state lasts. Burning a bond will cause the memories attached to fade, the impact to lighten, even the physical changes start to revert.

And, once the effect of the Noble Phantasm fades, so will Binder. His Saint Graph will immediately be destroyed by the weight of bearing the existential weight of a Buddha.

But, really, isn't that for the best? Leaving the Master behind to chase enlightenment...

Master... You'll understand eventually.

...

That's what I did, after all. Right?

Creator Notes:
Honestly, the skill "Kshatriya Training" was first meant to be Kalaripayattu, the same as Buddha's skill. But Rāhula is Nepali and Kalaripayattu is from Kerala, which is kind of at the opposite end of India to Nepal? I feel like that's bad research on Nasu's end. Shame on him.

You may say: NMR, isn't this kind of similar to Rehoboam? Do you have something you want to tell the class? I put it to you, anonymous reader, that I already have.

[Salt Pillar]

Ok, so that's cool as fuck

[Dragoran21]

These Lover and Binder are really good. Such a tragic knight and paradoxical fetterer.

I unfortulately cannot finish my second sheet (Player of Tanlinn) for competition.
I sm speding Eastern with family so I have been busy this week end.
And I shoul finish that scientific paper before next conference…
Well I will post him when I have free time to finish him.

(I hope Kaarina gets at least one point…)

[Radi]

"Saber-Class... What do you mean I'm supposed to introduce myself as 'Vesture'? This isn't a bit, right?!"
*siiiigh.*
"Vesture-Class Servant, Yamato Takeru! I don't know whose idea this is, but with my Holy Sword, I'll cut down anyone you see fit...!! ...No, I won't phrase it like that."
Saber.(Fate.Samurai.Remnant).1024.4083246.jpg

Source: Japanese Mythology

Class: Vesture - The Heroic Spirit of Crossdressing Beauty
Other Classes: Saber, Berserker, Assassin
True Name: Yamato Takeru
Alignment: Chaotic Good
It seems his personality matrix has been altered somewhat upon his manifestation in this Class.
Place of Origin: Japan

Parameters:

STR: C
END: D
AGI: A
MGI: A+
LCK: A++ (Self-Asserted, but it's "definitely increased compared to in life, even with Her Protection manifesting properly.")
NP: EX

Height: 154cm
Weight: 46kg "...Three kilograms? Really?"
Likes: Dragging Iori around all of creation, onigiri (well, more like food in general), festivals
Dislikes: A certain Rogue Berserker, this Class
Talent: Super-Effective Versus [Questioning Sexuality]!
Natural Enemy: Mysterious Heroine X
Attribute: Heaven
Traits: Divinity, Feminine Looking, Hominidae Servant, Humanoid, Loved One, Riding, Servant, Seven Knights Servant, Unknown Gender, Weak to Enuma Elish
Armament: Sword
Catalyst: A particularly well-ornamented piece of Kusanagi's shrine.

Saber.(Fate.Samurai.Remnant).1024.4038614.jpg

Class Skills:

Rank B
Divinity

A Skill that acts as the measure of whether one has Divine Spirit aptitude or not. At high levels, one can be considered a Demigod, a mix between a human and Divine Spirit. This Skill has an effect which reduces special defensive values called "Purge Defense" in proportion to the Divinity's rank. It can break through Skills such as Protection of the Faith and Enlightenment of the Sacred Fig.

Ordinarily speaking, Vesture would only have D Rank in this Skill; his divine heritage is thin, and though it comes from the Chief God of the Japanese Mythology, it would only go so far. However, the curse of Mount Ibuki is showing itself due to the first Noble Phantasm, increasing its scale by two Ranks.

Rank A
Independent Action

The ability to remain independent even when rejecting the Magical Energy supply from one's Master; the ability that allows for action even in the absence of the Master. Independent Action is the Class Skill of the Archer, Faker, Watcher and Vesture classes. Although it's a bizarre Class, Vesture automatically gains this Skill as a sort of grounding agent. Master can only watch in terror as they roam wherever they please, oftentimes dragging said Master along with them. It's a helpful support Skill, especially for Takeru, who gains it at the A Rank, but... is it really worth it...?

At Rank A, it is possible to take action even without a Master. However, to use Noble Phantasms of great magical energy consumption, backup from the Master is necessary. It's possible for a Servant to stay in the world for about a week without a Master! ...Oh, but they'll get lonely, so don't leave them alone for too long.

Rank C
Beautiful Appearance

The fundamental Skill of the Vesture. Coupled with the attire, one is endowed with a beauty that makes it difficult to discern the gender by means of an aura (and appearance). Namely, Skills which target only one gender, in either direction, are negated. The gender of a Vesture-Class Servant is one of the great Mysteries of this World.

Rank B+
Pheromone

The general term for substances secreted/emitted from inside an animal's body, and that has an effect on the conduct and physiologic state of a different specimen of the same race. Vesture, in particular, despises having this Skill as part of his Class... but it still allows him to dissolve the wariness of both men and women alike with ease. The "+" Modifier is specifically in relation for his ability to charm the World around him into giving him various boons; it's only indirectly helpful against other people, but can have effects such as bending the light of the surrounding area to give him a spotlight effect on entry.

"Are we done yet? No? ...Oh, Gods, they're serious, aren't they? I'm going to be stuck like this for how long...?!"

Personal Skills:

Rank A+
Prince of the Grieving River

A variant Skill of 'Mana Burst (Water);' a Skill showing the conversion and expulsion of Magical Energy into elemental form; in Vesture's case, water. Ordinarily, it would only be Rank B, perhaps B+ in the Saber-Class, but due to a particular compatibility with the Class at hand, it has been transformed into its current state. By charming the World around him, the Magical Energy required to actualise this Skill is essentially rendered null; as such, Vesture's movements can be constantly enchanted by its influence, making his fighting style more akin to a ravaging flood than a contained, albeit rushing river, as it was in his other depiction.

In its current state, it could be compared better to a tsunami than mere water, with even the skies themselves assaulting the enemy from all angles with but a mere flourish of Vesture's hair. Due to the aforementioned factors, the Noble Phantasm 'Divine Water' is rendered unnecessary to the Saint Graph, and has been discarded.

Rank E+++
Spontaneity of Servitude

A Skill adjacent to Item Construction and Golden Rule, in a sense; however, it is also a sort of 'forced luck check,' containing the ability to, through some bizarre circumstance, obtain items (usually of the Mystic variety) which perfectly fit the situation. As such, the efficacy of this Skill, or rather, the power of the items obtained, is the result of Vesture's Luck Stat. Of course, due to the current situation, it is exceedingly high, making this Skill surprisingly powerful. Even Mystic Codes on the Noble Phantasm-scale may be found occasionally, though their Rank almost never goes beyond B.

Rank A
Affection of the Sun Goddess

Affection is predominantly displayed by the Goddess Amaterasu. It is due to her that Vesture's legend had particularly started, being able to obtain the holy relic Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi from his aunt Yamato-hime, herself the highest priestess of Amaterasu. Even now, the affection is being shown by her in a plenitude of ways, further increasing his Luck stat. "Isn't this a bit excessive...?"

In battlefields wherein the sun is visible, Vesture will gain an affinity towards heat-related abilities, and natural Magical Energy Generation will vastly increase, becoming capable of continued self-manifestation with almost no penalties so long as the situation does not change. This has high compatibility with the Independent Action Skill. So long as the sun shines upon Vesture, he will be capable of both water and fire elemental attacks, as though he had Mana Burst of both kinds. (Though, solar attacks aren't subsidised by the World, it's a bit more needy.)

Rank B-
Sadistic Constitution

A Skill that augments one's aggression in battle. It appears to be a positive Skill, but the longer its owner stays in battle, the more their abusive disposition will grow, causing them to lose their usual composure. It's possible to say that this is just one step short of the Skill that causes Berserkers to go insane. The more one attacks, the stronger one becomes, but on the other hand, one's defensive abilities drop.

This Skill has a good compatibility with Yamato Takeru, though its potency is reduced to some extent due to the current Class. Should he be summoned in the Berserker-Class, however, it could reach the A Rank in spite of its similarity to their Class Skill of choice.

Noble Phantasm(s):

Infinite Storm Against Ibuki
Boundary Blasphemy

Type: Anti-Divine (Self)
Rank: A
Range: _
Max Targets: 1

The lingering curse of Yamata-no-Orochi from Yamato Takeru's blasphemy against Mount Ibuki. Even though Orochi had been slain countless years ago, their reincarnations (Divided Spirits) still lingered, and the portent of their Authority still in use had an automatic response against such an occurrence.

A continually active-type Noble Phantasm which allows for the generation of a Holy Ground, a set of mobile boundary fields in order to vastly reduce damage taken even from attacks which pierce. Allies or enemies within Holy Ground may be blessed or cursed, but Takeru himself does not have direct control over what happens, so it could end up backfiring. In other words, with this Noble Phantasm, Takeru becomes a 'walking fortress' capable of dragging up energy from the surroundings for use beyond Prince of the Grieving Rivers.

This Noble Phantasm's existence affects Amenomurakumo-no-Tsurugi to some extent, allowing for longer manifestation of Takeru's Divine Form, but if it's kept up for too long, his Saint Graph will become clouded and eventually begin to overwrite itself with the original holder of the curse. He is clueless to the true nature of this downside, but he knows there is some kind of downside.

Amenomurakumo-no-Tsurugi
Sword of Heaven

Type: Anti-World
Rank: EX
Range: 1~99
Max Targets: 900 people

A divine sword created in the myth of Susanoo and wielded by the legendary Yamato Takeru. It was brought forth from the tail of the eight-headed, red-eyed beast known as Japan's most fearsome Dragon of Destruction, Yamata-no-Orochi. That is to say, it is an embodiment of the various powers, both of heaven and earth, that were contained within the Dragon's body. To use this Noble Phantasm is to momentarily become a god or, in other words, to become one with the world. This is where its True Name, Sword of Heaven: Amenomurakumo-no-Tsurugi, is derived.

...You know how this works. Check the wiki.

Lore:
Vesture; the Heroic Spirit of Crossdressing Beauty. A Subcategory Extra-Class composed of those who had an episode of crossdressing in their legend, such as Astolfo or, in this case, Yamato Takeru. Informally known as the 'Femboy-Class' due to many of its allegiants being male in origin. In particular, Yamato Takeru qualifies for this Class due to the episode wherein he crossdressed as a maid in order to slay one of his enemies during one of the (meant-to-be) suicide missions his father had sent him on. His temperament is a good deal more wild in this Class compared to Saber, but that could also be partially due to his mild annoyance at qualification. He's not ashamed of it, granted, but it's more the principle of the matter that it becomes the forefront point of his manifestation than anything major he did.

If he wasn't summoned under the Vesture-Class, the Saint Graph would likely be aligned with an Assassin-Class Manifestation instead.

Relationships:
Tamamo Cat: "Tamamo Cat? They make me wear a western maid dress whenever I'm with them...! Apparently I suit it, but I refuse to wear the headdress as a matter of principle. Even if I'm in a maid outfit, I should still be me, first and foremost!"
He was originally rather reluctant to do so, but has secretly taken quite a liking to it. Iori's reactions are always interesting to watch, especially because it somehow changes every time.

Astolfo (Saber): One of the people that get dragged around by Tamamo Cat to wear maid outfits; they've ended up becoming friends through sheer happenstance, but it's a common trend to put them with Douman. Their combined Luck stats cancel out any scheming he might end up doing, making it absolutely pointless for him to so much prepare for a future idea.

Miyamoto Iori: He never gets a break. The more chaotic nature of Vesture means that whatever boundaries were there before (which is saying very little) have mostly been crossed, especially in relation to constant pestering and annoyance. ...Basically, nothing changed, but a lot of Takeru's antics have become ploys for attention rather than assertive kidnapping.

Creator Notes: God, I hate that this is real now. Thanks, CaS discord. Anyway, enjoy the memes!

[Marethyu77]

THE FEMBOY CLASS IS HERE

[Dark Squirrel]

Scotch scrambling to change the Classes of a good chunk of his characters.

[Scotcheroos]

"And the sun will turn into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord cometh."
-Book of Joel

It was an unprecedented situation. One that left Chaldea reeling in shock, and the Foreign Planet's forces scrambling for an answer. Even the Foreign Priestess was stunned at the unforeseen development, and the Last Masters of Humanity found themselves thrust into a situation more urgent and damning than the Ordeal Call itself.

A Lostbelt had manifested onto the Bleached Earth's surface. Not a Singularity like that anchored by the Waxing Moon Tree, but a full-blown Lostbelt where none should have existed. Furthermore, it was one completely unrestrained by the likes of the Foreign Planet. A third party on a battlefront where only two factions can exist. A history that clawed and ripped it's way back into existence, with the weakening of the World.

Something was terribly wrong. Something sinful had grown into the Planet.

Entering the Lostbelt aboard the Storm Border led to a strangely normal sight at first. The society before them was a flourishing society the likes of which closely resembled modern day society if a bit behind technologically. Humans lived happily and prospered under the reign of a mysterious kingdom, and the sun shone down on a pleasantly warm countryside village. And yet.....everything changed when the moon rose.

The moonlight was a baleful red, and Dead Apostles crawled out of the woodwork to roam the land. And yet, the people did no seem to care. They chatted carefreely with the benign Dead Apostles even as their blood was drained, and the Dead Apostles themselves retained not just intelligence but emotion and empathy as well. In a situation that should have been dragged out of one's worst nightmares, in it's pace was a scene of genuine unity and harmony. And yet, Ritsuka could feel it deep within her soul. Humanity, though happy, had lost. Utterly and completely, their history had come to an end long ago.

The King of the Lostbelt was Arcueid Brunestud Alter. The Archetype of the Planet who had rejected her calling and embraced her identity as a Dead Apostle had taken over humanity and relegated them to a food supply for vampires.....or, that was the initial theory Chaldea had posited when faced with all the information they could reliably gather. They were wrong. They were all dead wrong.

It was completely by accident, one might say.

Accompanied by the team constructed by TRI-HERMES, Ritsuka had been travelling the village of Kringa. Jure Grando Alilović, who Arcueid Alter had reacted oddly to at first glance, was the vanguard alongside Queen Esther. Archetype: Earth herself walked alongside Ritsuka, a scrunched expression of vague discomfort on her face. Caroline Ponsonby and Alcina made up the rear, and Xerxes the Great and Eleanor of Aquitaine lingered within the vicinity in their astral forms. They had been returning to their temporary base after another night of fruitless intel gathering when they saw it.

Arcueid Alter stood outside the closed door of a house just like any other. Inside, the sounds of merriment could just be heard through the windows, a celebration of some kind. The moment Arcueid Alter saw them, she tensed in preparation for battle, but before either side could so much as take a step, the door behind her opened, and a familiar voice spoke.

"It was great catching up with you, Luka! Tell the missus congratulations on the new baby boy, and I'll have a gift basket sent by the end of the week!" They called, a figure stepping out of the house as the inhabitants inside replied equally as casual. The somewhat small figure glanced at them and froze for a mere millisecond before relaxing. "Arcueid. I told you you didn't have to wait for me this whole time."

"It was my choice to wait, Your Majesty." Arcueid Alter replied, causing Ritsuka to choke on air. 'Your Majesty'?! However rejected it may have been, the Archetype of the Planet deferred to somebody else?! And more unbelievably, it was him?! "However, some priority reports have come in from the areas you wanted staunchly observed."

"Ah, right, the ongoing famine. Has Radetići safely received the provisions and rations we've sent?"

""They have, Your Majesty. The elder's letters just arrived two hours ago. Progress on an aqueduct for Tinjan had been progressing steadily as well, and Zabrežani has reported a good harvest. It seems the worst has passed us for now. Will you be visiting either of them in the neat future?"

"No. Send Zaria to oversee the final touches for the aqueduct, and reply with a congratulations for Zabrežani's people. I have urgent business to attend to in Vrvari within the coming days. Has Sumire returned from her travels yet?"

"Not yet, Your Majesty. She is still in Marasi to commemorate their new brewery opening."

"Yeah, that'll do it. We probably won't see her for at least a week, minimum. Very well, then, Gransurg will accompany me. I'll notify him myself that I shall depart within three days time."

"Of course. Will we heading back yet, Your Highness?"

"Not quite. It seems there is one last thing I must address before we return." The shadow of the house's height, paired with the light coming from inside, had partially obscured the figure's face, but the voice was undeniably familiar. Ritsuka would know. She'd been hearing that voice for the last ten days, travelling alongside it's owner.

Golden blonde hair blew back slightly from the cold night breeze. Blood red eyes shimmered with slight surprise and acceptance staring them down. Though he was dressed in different clothes and carried a different air, his height, voice, speech....it was all the same. Down to the most minute of details, it was a replication that could fool even God.

In front of her, Jure Alilović stared at the Lostbelt King facing them down. He stared at the warped reflection that seemed to have crawled out of the mirror and risen before his very eyes.

"....Hello, Jure Alilović."

"Hello, Jure Alilović."

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Class: Funny Vamp

Other Eligible Classes: Berserker, Assassin, Caster

True Name: Jure Grando Alilović

Aliases: Giure Grando, Second King of Vampires, Jure Brunestud, Crimson Moon Reborn

Alignment: Lawful Evil

Attribute: Star

Origin: Croatian History

Region: Croatia (Lostbelt)

Height: 5 feet/152.4 cm

Weight: 100 lbs/45.36kg

Traits: Male, Feminine-Looking, Humanoid, Hominidae Servant, Servant, Demonic, King, Enuma Elish Nullification, Immune to Pigify, Threat to Humanity

Catalyst: The presence of a crimson blood moon. Alternatively, a Bleached Earth that no longer has any Lostbelts anchored to it.

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Talents: Drinking blood, carving stone, scaring people, being a surprisingly effective ruler, being incredibly gap moe

Natural Enemy: Proper Human History

Likes: Stargazing, gourmet food, warm baths, spending time with his sister's family, crossdressing in private, breezy nights, bats

Dislikes: Sunlight, overwhelming smells, cold water, bad hygiene, garlic, dissidents in his kingdom, the notion that his sister's family's happiness was wrong

Personality: Patient, fair, diplomatic. The sunny-eyed bubbly twink you've grown accustomed still lingers beneath the surface, but there is no denying that this Jure carries a regal and dignified demeanor with him now. Far from the endpoint his Proper Human History counterpart reached, he's become the king he had been destined to become, and he does a damn good job at it.

Funny Vamp is a skilled diplomat and a wise mediator, stemming from literal decades if not centuries of overseeing squabbles between the Dead Apostle Ancestors and managing the villages in his kingdom going through multiple varied disasters with a firm but fair hand and mitigating damage to the best of his ability. Competent and understanding of both sides of an argument, he masterfully draws angry parties to compromises both can agree with and can sometimes unintentionally come off as manipulative given this trait. Still, he is agreed to be a wise ruler who does his best for his subjects in an unideal situation.

Though, every now and then you can get glimpses of the little gremlin that lies at his very core. He still indulges in crossdressing occasionally, and speaks fairly informally when not pressed on dire matters or faced with an emergency situation. Espousing honesty and consent, he takes care to never intentionally harm any humans he drinks from and can often be seen visiting a specific house located in Kringa when his schedule is free. A king who cares for his subjects, his people, his world. However fake of a fantasy it may be, it is his fantasy nonetheless. One that he would protect with his very life.

Truly, he is a good king.

Wish for the Grail: "A Holy Grail, you say? Don't give me that look. I haven't lived so long as to gain senility and forget exactly what it is. At the core of it all, I'm still a magus you know. But a wish on the Holy Grail....A family of my own, I suppose. Or, at least, to make it so even in Proper Human History, my sister and her children lived a long, happy and plentiful life. That's all I'd want. I have no need for anything else."

ParametersParameters:
Strength: B
Endurance: A
Agility: C
Mana: A
Luck: B
NP: EX

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Bond DefaultIn life, Crimson Moon possessed a 'world-corrosive will' that marked him as both a Threat to Humanity and an Enemy of the Planet due to existing outside of the scope of Gaia's and Alaya's influence. In Tsukihime timelines, he was desperate to create a vessel that could abide by the laws of the World but still contain his near-immeasurable power as an Ultimate One. While he would be destroyed long before the realization of his perfect vessel could be crafted for him to possess, his Reality Marble remained with a 'seed' by which he could possess future vessels to continue his work.....And it would all be rendered useless in 1578, when a certain future stonemason was born.

The tale of Jure Grando Alilović is one that has already been told, and history remembers him not as an overly important historical figure nor as a incredible hero or villain of myth. Merely the 'first real instance' of a line of popular creatures of fiction. It could be said, in fact, that he has no real claim to fame in a way, as he wasn't even the first or the strongest Dead Apostle.

And yet, his position in the Throne belies his own importance. His death, unnatural for a Dead Apostle, speaks not of a coincidence brought on by a single man's bravery, but an interference of the World itself. For an ordinary Dead Apostle hunt, one is to exercise the utmost caution and prepare Sacraments, use anti-Magecraft equipment or just outright be an Executor of the Church to hunt such creatures down. Therefore, does it truly make sense that a Dead Apostle of unnatural power and charisma, a Dead Apostle who was unaffected by holy icons and Sacraments and terrorized a village through his mere presence, could die to something as pitiful as one swing from a mundane bonesaw?

And thus, a series of questions posit themselves. Why did the World personally interfere to ensure Jure's death? What was the reason behind his explosive growth and unnaturally high power? Just why did the Dead Apostle Ancestors, who mourned the death of the Crimson Moon, look so forward to the growth of a Dead Apostle, not even a True Ancestor that could actually contain fragments of the Crimson Moon? Just how deep was this simple nobody's potential that his death was to be an unavoidable situation from the get go?

....What if Jure Alilović had survived?



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Bond 1The divergence point is May 18th, 1672. Sixteen years after Jure Alilović's 'death' and his subsequent quiet reign over the village of Kinga, a group of pious villagers, led by the priest who once oversaw the infamous warlock's last rites, encircle his grave in the dead of night. They are quaking with fear, yet determined to free their village from the same terror that ensnared it for so long.

With a grim finality, the group begins digging up the seemingly undisturbed grave to Jure Alilović, their only light the full moon hanging over them. Lifting the wooden coffin from it's resting spot and opening it's lid, the rays of moonlight shine to frame a face seemingly preserved in time. Despite over a decade and a half in the moist earth, Jure Grando Alilović hasn't rotted in the slightest, all but confirming their fears. With a trembling hand, Stipan Milašić lifts his saw, ready to swing down at Jure's neck to kill him once and for all. All are frozen in heart-gripping fear. Their attention, wholly focused on the sleeping warlock laying within his mahogany coffin teetering precariously on the edge of the six-foot hole it had been dug from.

Which is why none of them notice the woman staring at them from the tree line of the nearby woods, her blood red eyes gleaming with bemused interest as her long blonde hair sways in the wind.

.....The divergence point is May 18th, 1672. The divergence event is thus: Perhaps on a whim or otherwise, Arcueid Brunestud decides to head to Kringa to investigate rumors she had overheard of an abnormal Dead Apostle located there. Inadvertently fending off the villagers who had gathered to kill Jure in her investigations, Arcueid brings the sleeping Jure back to the Millenium Castle to study his abnormal traits herself to attempt to find a way to stave off her vampiric impulses. Thus, Jure Grando Alilović survives what should have been his permanent death.

The timeline is pruned then and there, or it should. But, anchored by the bleached surface of the comatose World, something remains. Something remains, and waits to sprout.



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Bond 2Class Skills:

Life Eater EX

A mutated Class Skill of the Funny Vamp class, denoting the ability to consume the vitality of another living being, whether by draining blood, absorbing souls, or another alternative method so long as the end result pertains to 'consuming life itself'.

As the King of Vampires, and the living lynchpin behind the formation of the Lostbelt in the first place, Jure is put in a somewhat unique situation due to these two effects resonating with one another. Due to being the reason this Lostbelt even formed, it can be argued that Jure Alilović 'has consumed lives, is currently consuming lives, and will continue to indefinitely consume lives' so long as the Lostbelt itself continues to exist.

As a result, so long as Funny Vamp is within the confines of the Lostbelt, he can simply drain energy from any living organism around him at a passive rate to replenish his own Magical Energy without even touching them. This does, in fact, include plants and animals in addition to humans. However, should he leave the Lostbelt, or should it be destroyed and he be summoned somehow afterwards, this Skill will automatically return to it's original form of Bloodsucking C+.

Territory Creation -

A Class Skill of the Funny Vamp class, denoting the ability to build a special terrain that is advantageous to oneself as a magus, such as for the purpose of collecting mana, create magic objects, or perform other tasks.

However, due to the nature of Funny Vamp's Noble Phantasm, this Skill has been subsumed and is now sealed.



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Bond 3Personal Skills:

Mystic Eyes A

A Skill denoting the possession of Mystic Eyes, ocular organs capable of imparting magical effects upon a subject and interfering with the outside world.

When he was alive, Jure possessed Mystic Eyes but was not able to properly utilize them before his death. Here, however, having reached his full potential has also had the odd effect of slightly mutating his Magic Circuits and finally allowing him to use his Mystic Eyes at full strength.

Jure possesses Mystic Eyes of Allurement, allowing him to physically see a person's desires in both short-term and long-term aspects, as well as what to say or do to garner their friendship with ease. In life, a combination of insufficient mutated Circuits in his ocular organs as well as a general inability to properly process the onslaught of infomation shoveled into his brain led to the Mystic Eyes only partially activating. He would instinctively know what to say and how to act to get on people's good side. In other words, he now has the powers of the ultimate people pleaser, though whether he acted on said knowledge or not is really up to him.

Magecraft (Rune) A

A Skill denoting knowledge and utilization of modern Thaumaturgy. This particular Skill indicates a specialization in Runic Thaumaturgy.

With his survival from the murder attempt and his subsequent long centuries of life as a Dead Apostle, Jure has had ample time to refine his rune magecraft, resulting in a higher Rank in this Skill. In other words, it's even more bullshit than it usually would be in other iterations. While it's nowhere neat the power of the Primordial Runes and such, Funny Vamp makes up for it through sheer versatility and knowledge, allowing himself to have a varied bag of solutions to any potential problem he might face.

In other words, runes are bullshit.

Heavens-Damned Body A+++

A Skill unique to Jure alone, denoting the inexplicable ability to completely nullify holy icons, prayers, blessings and Sacraments.

Despite it all, Jure sitll possesses this Skill as if it were an identifying mark for him. If anything, with the ability to outright negate religious iconography himself, the Dead Apostle Ancestors had taken it as further proof that Jure was special even as a budding Dead Apostle. It seems they were right all along.

This Skill essentially negates any and all forms of 'holy imagery' around Jure, thereby nullifying their effects on him. For a Dead Apostle who is supposed to possess an incredibly crippling weakness in the form of Holy Sacraments and icons/weapons of God, this is an invaluable boon that completely covers his biggest and most obvious weakness, allowing him to fight on a fair playing field and potentially ambush enemies who rely on Sacraments and the like. At full potential, he could even stop a Saint's Miracles, and mitigate a full on Divine Miracle by himself.


World-Corrosive Will EX

A Skill nearly unique to Funny Vamp alone, denoting the ability to invade and subjugate other people's worldviews through presence alone. This was a former ability of the original Crimson Moon, and it seems that Funny Vamp being the 'ideal vessel' for Crimson Moon to descend into, has inherited this ability as well.

He can invade and 'corrupt' the worldviews of other people, drawing them in and eventually bringing them over to his side simply through presence alone. In a sense, it is like 'intense Charisma mixed with a weak charm aura and Siren Song'. In other words, simply by being around people, he'll slowly but surely win them over, their own worldviews and inner worlds seemingly corroded and connected to his own. His mindset becomes theirs, his motives becomes theirs, and their loyalty stays steadfast o him alone. At maximum output, he could even corrode the World itself little by little, though only in a localized area.

....Basically, this is just a really fancy schmancy way to say that he's fully unlocked his natural harem protagonist powers, and this is his powerful 'harem protag bitches-getting aura supreme'. Yes, not only am I insinuating that Jure Grando Alilović is a harem protagonist, I am also insinuating that Crimson Moon was an even bigger harem protagonist and part of the Dead Apostle Ancestors were just his accidental bisexual harem. Fight me, I won't budge on this shit.



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Bond 4The moment Jure awoke, he found himself in a lunar citadel of sorts. Crystalline, almost translucent chains adorned the walls and the windows displayed an ethereal flower field with a beautiful full moon hanging over the night skies. As he sat up, someone very indignantly cleared their throat and he jolted, turning to see a very unimpressed blonde lady staring at him, her ruby-red eyes seeming to glare a hole into him the longer she watched.

In a completely unfamiliar location, being watched by someone he didn't know and who-knows-how-far away from his home territory, Jure did the very much rational and understandable action of....squeaking in terror and immediately trying to run away in blind fear. It took Arcueid not even half a minute to drag him back into the room he'd previously been in.

Thus began perhaps one of the oddest mentorships possible. Desperate to find a method to curb her bloodthirsty impulses, Arcueid had all but kidnapped Jure from his own territory to attempt to study just what allowed him to differ so much from normal Dead Apostles who couldn't even begin to control their own bloodlust. In exchange for allowing her to study his body (No, not that way for once), Arcueid would train Jure herself to spur his abnormal growth to even greater heights, sensing a seed of something lingering deep within his soul. With any luck, she could learn and replicate what allowed Jure to control his vampiric urges, and thus stop her urges for good.

....It is unknown just what the contents of Arcueid's training was, nor is it known how long Jure trains under the Archetype. But by the time the two of them leave the Millennium Castle, Arcueid Brunestud bowed in complete deference to Jure Alilović and the World seemed to quiver in recognition. The beautiful full moon that perpetually hung over the eternal night sky had turned a rich and terrible red. Whether it was sheer happenstance or an alignment of the stars and planets, it did not matter. The perfect vessel had not been one of the True Ancestors spawned by the World and housing a fragment of the original Brunestud, but a simple nobody Dead Apostle in a remote little village. Now, that same nobody had fully realized his potential and become something Alaya could not allow to be realized. The sole reason the timeline itself had been pruned the moment Jure Alilović lived even a second longer than the norm.

The throne of King of Vampires was no longer vacant.



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Bond 5Noble Phantasm:

Overflowing Fantasy Moon

Malin Eclipse Epicenter

Rank: EX
Classification: Anti-World
Range: 20-60
Maximum Targets: Kringa

"Descent, anchor of fantasy. Your hollow frame shall fill with the blood of galaxies, and your roots shall grip the heart of the World itself. Dissidents who dare to invade my garden, show thy reverence to the crimson sphere that dominates the very heavens."

The Noble Phantasm and ultimate trump card of Funny Vamp, it is his Reality Marble manifested and anchored into the World itself. Deriving from, or perhaps building off of and altering, the original Crimson Moon's Reality Marble and it's conceptual principles, Funny Vamp has connected it to the World itself like a mockery of a Marble Phantasm.

This Reality Marble carries and conceptualizes the Orwellian psychological bullshit known as 'doublethink' (1984 was a shit novel and I will not accept hearing otherwise), which is partially what allows him to keep his reign so relatively peaceful. By connecting the physical vessel before him with his own formed mental imagery of them, he can 'impose' such imagery onto their forms. For example, if he were to see a 'human' and connected them with the imagery of a 'bloodbag', then once that human is brought into his Reality Marble they will see absolutely no problem with providing their blood to him to drink. They are, after all, a 'bloodbag'. If he uses even more Magical Energy, he can physically swap the vessel with the imagery itself, turning said afflicted human into a literal bloodbag like what you would see in a hospital.

However, this is not an all-powerful ability. For starters, activating and maintaining a Reality Marble always takes exorbitant amounts of Magical Energy. Secondly, the activation of it's 'doublethink' ability relies solely on Funny Vamp's mental imagery. Therefore, if he cannot conjure up the mental image he wishes to, or the image he creates isn't detailed enough, the ability itself will fail. Lastly, just as his 'doublethink' requires his mental imagery to activate, mental blocks will also play the part in impeding his abilities. There are those he absolutely refuses to use this ability on, and those that he has subconsciously built a mental barricade from utilizing doublethink on. Either way, that means that any effort he does consciously make will automatically fail.



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Bond ExtraUpon revealing himself to the Dead Apostle Ancestors and claiming the Millennium Castle as his, the conflict between the two warring factions ground to a screeching halt. After all, with the return of Crimson Moon, Trhvmn Ortenrosse no longer needed to revive the Dark Six in his liege's absence, and Altrouge Brunestud could no longer be called a successor to someone that had revived. Of course, there were those who rejected his reign and attempted to rebel against him, but they were dismantled with relative ease in the face of the loyalists. The Twety-Seven fell to Twenty after three long years of combat and subterfuge.

That wasn't the end of his struggles, however. With his Runes revealing the timeline to have been pruned and rendered a Lostbelt by the World, Jure would need to find a method to anchor his reality to the World to keep his budding kingdom alive. Now, normally that would be an insurmountable task that none could ever begin to traverse, inevitably losing themselves to despair without an outside force intervening....were it not for the fact that Jure used Runes as a Magecraft. After painstakingly chaining together a set of Runes that could conceivably work as a micro-scale portal of sorts, Jure used this magical miracle to steal a Seed of Emptiness and plant in the Lostbelt, allowing it's to maintain a continued existence. Does this sound like a copout answer? I'm sure it does but I couldn't think of any other possible method to use-

Either way, with both major obstacles out of the way came the final hurdle in his job: creating a place his subjects could actually feed. Perhaps it was because he could relate to them as a 'former human', but Jure personally didn't feed comfortable simply feasting on human blood without consent. Thus, following his predecessor's example, he anchored his own Reality Marble into the World, allowing himself to attach the imagery of a 'bloodbag' onto all humans within his domain. Then, to ensure the Lostbelt's continued existence without threats, and his own kingdom's prosperity, he hid the growing Sprout of Emptiness where no one could ever conceivably see. Coincidentally, that day, the Millenium Castle returned unto the World.

The humans, hypnotized to be casual about letting Dead Apostles feed on them, were happy going about their ordinary-ish lives. The Dead Apostles were jubilant to see their ruler returned and his castle made open for them to reside in. Jure himself was happy, overseeing the growth of his kingdom with the Brunestud sisters at his side as his advisors and heads of his royal court. Though it may have been something seen as alien to the likes of Proper Human History, the world, his world was at the beginning of a long peace.

....That day, the moon shone a brilliant crimson red.



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RelationshipsVlad III: "....If it helps, thanks to my continued existence there wasn't really a need for 'Dracula' to exist. Stoker did visit and tried to use my likeliness for a novel. Heheh....I don't think he expected the massive lawsuit I slapped him with after he published that book. You'd be surprised how effective a libel suit can be when the subject of said suit shows up in person to argue against the depiction. Helps that he tried to paint me as a hideous ghoul of a monster....hmph."

Carmilla: "Absolutely not. Forget using blood as an exfoliant, the sheer volume of blood you'd need would kill several robust maidens ten times over. For crying out loud, at least settle for lotion or other beauty products. With the way you go through people at such a rate, even Van-Fem and Fina would call you a wasteful eater."

Baobhan Sith: "There's this odd girl who's been pestering me on and on about some of the new shoes Sumire's been designing as a hobby....yes, it was a surprise to me too. I genuinely didn't think she spent her free time doing anything other than drinking. Either way, she's been interested in Sumire's high heel designs and last I heard, they've teamed up to try creating a footwear line recently. I wonder how that's been going for them...."

Kama: "A fire that floods the world itself, an unyielding deluge meant to drown the concept of 'love' and sweep it aside like silt in a current....I can understand the reason you ursed such a goal, but there is a reason people say that 'too much medicine turns it into poison'. Still, you did well. I'm sorry I can't offer you much else."

Andromeda: "....Beautiful. That immovable courage, that desire to stand beside your loved one to ease his burden just a little bit. To become a hero is a thorny path and one even the bravest of people would shy away from. But you, however much your limbs shake, force yourself down that path out of sheer devotion and love....what else can I do but applaud your resolve?"

Medb: "...."

Funny Vamp just slides her a bottle of aphrodisiac and a sly thumbs up before going back to whatever he was doing. Maybe it's because he can only be considered a 'ruler' but Medb doesn't seem to want to pursue him.....or maybe it's because he's not nearly as muscular as she prefers. It's probably because he's not hunky enough.

Kukulkan: "Type-Oort, huh? No, I never did go to the Moon myself. It always seemed unthinkable to try to do, both because I'm still 'human' in a sense and because I still have a kingdom to run. Maybe oneday, though. I keep hearing stuff about a 'Moon Cell' located there, but I can't tell if that's something for the future or not."

Arcueid Brunestud: "It's a bit disorienting to see Arcueid like this, honestly. I've gotten used to her acting somewhat uptight and professional when the royal court is open, but she rarely drops that face even afterwards. Sometimes I legitimately have to order her to relax and destress when it's time to turn in for the night. So, even if it isn't my world's Arcueid's face, seeing her carefree and happy like this.....it's a welcome sight, I suppose. Now, if only she'd stop glaring daggers at me whenever she notices me."

Hong Mei: "Taijiquan....I've dabbled here and there, but never really gotten the hand of it. The concept of Qi circulation did work very nicely for some of my other Mystic Codes, though. Micromanaging prana flow and creating self-sufficient energy cycles. Very nice for creating fridges in medieval ages."

Fujiwara no Fuhito: "Tsk. One of those types. 'OoOh, you can't be weal because I onwy saw you in my dweeeeeeams!' I don't need more reminders that this timeline is a Lostbelt, thank you very much."

Lord Byron: "Get out of my kingdom because I throw you out myself. I'm not going to let an overindulgent glutton run rampant under my watch."

Veles: "....I feel like you're about make a 'grim reaper' joke aimed at me and I don't know how to feel about that."

Mila: "What is it with magical girls and refusig to get therapy? Absorbing so much blind rage and hatred should have rendered you a raving beast at best. It is a genuine miracle you were able to even retain a sense of identity when this happened..."

Olga of Kiev: "Surprisingly enough we get along very well. I can sympathize with the extent to which she went to avenge her husband as well. If someone had hurt the people I cared for like so...."

Avenable: "On one hand, you are an amazing knight and a proud warrior worthy of your fame, and I wish to treat you with the utmost respect. On the other hand, you marrying Lucius makes you royalty and I'm obligated to treat you like a foreign dignitary. Hm.......Ah, screw it. I'm not going to spit on your pride like that."

Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy: "Ever since she appeared she's been trying toworm her way into the royal court, gathering influence however she can. I'm not sure if it's because she's drawn to it somehow or because she's set her sights on someone here but if this continues I'll have to make an example out of her sooner or later."

Ruth: "We swap stories with each other during our free time. It's nice to see someone else here who also enjoys spending time with their family. Ivana would have loved her, haha."

Mokosh: "....I've been taking dance classes in secret. Don't tell Altrouge, she looks for any reason to tease me nowadays. Doesn't help that what little I do know about dancing boils down to information osmosis about ballroom dancing. No idea why the rest of the Ancestors enjoy it so much, honestly."

Dryas: "For a being who fell in love with human's affection and 'warmth' in a sense of speaking, turning them into lifeless effigies of ice seems counterproductive to her desires. Her endeavor was doomed from the very start."

Elpis & Moros : "....Zeus was a fool. A fool and a bastard for what he'd done. To punish all of humanity for the sins of a single person is folly of the highest order. I'm sorry I can't much else for you, but know that you two are welcome guests here, no matter what."

Lucretius: "He's a good sophist and a wise philosopher, that's for sure. He's also a party animal and a bit of a womanizer. Now, normally I wouldn't have a problem with that if it weren't for the fact that he tried to flirt with Lululily. I can't tell if he's lowkey suicidal or a hardcore masochist..."

Naoise: There were no words. Funny Vamp simply slides Naoise a glass of bourbon and stays silent. Keeping the man copany, waiting for the time the broken-hearted warrior will find the fire to speak for himself once more.

Guido Cavalcanti: "A love so great it could wreak the body with pain. A love so deep and unfathomable, so burning with passion that it could loop itself back to utter fear...Too much medicine turns it into poison, as I said earlier to someone else. Perhaps it was a good idea that you didn't think such a love sustainable."

Taira no Masakado: "I cannot argue against his fervent clinging to love. Not when I can see the shroud of forgetfulness gnawing at his very mind with each passing day. He extols love not because he is mad, but because it is the only bastion he can hold out against the likes of that ignorant Outer God."

Takiyashahime: "I can't guarantee much. At best, I can only sever the connection between him and the Outer God, and even that is no guarantee. The connection will leave a trail for that thing to return one day, and your father's memories will not recover without outside aid. Even so, are you sure you want to proceed?

"....Very well. I'll need your prowess as an onmyudo for this, so come with me. Today, we shall drive away an Outer God."

Cecco Angiolieri: "I cannot agree with him. The me who wants to keep my world alive could never begin to agree with a man who's deepest wish consisted of saving the world through desolation. I'll much prefer not interacting with that man."

Menrva: "What are you doing here, guide of Ideality? I have no desire to let Human History end in my kingdom, nor do I regret shedding my 'human' nature to become king.....No. I am not Buddhist, nor do I desire enlightenment. These materialistic shackles of family, kingdom and loved ones, they are enough for me. I will not become the chakravartin you seek."

Juraj Jánošík: "I knew someone with the same first name as you. He was a good man, good to my sister. I just hope he's in a better place. Been a long time since he passed, after all...."

Class: "Cry about it. Cope, seethe, mald. Do whatever you want, scream whatever you want. It doesn't matter in the end. You can't unfunny the vamp. Now get out, I have decrees to review and reports to read. The last thing I need is another uptight has-been yelling empty threats at me. You remind of some of the village elders."

Any of Caster Jure's Lovers: "I'm a bit jealous, honestly. My Proper Human History counterpart is clearly well-loved by those around him, and he loves them all back. I'd love to have the free time to do that one day, when I have the chance to leave the throne alone for just a little bit. Just a day with some of my own lovers would be nice...."




Related DialogueVlad III: "....Normally I should be angry at him. At the very least, I should stand against him or something. But I find him surprisingly affable. That, and he gave me a copy of the court transcripts from when he sued Stoker. I'm framing these papers over my bed one day."

Carmilla: "And now even the Lostbelt version disagrees with my skincare routine. I get it's because he's a Dead Apostle but not even a little blood as an exfoliant? Maybe he should give it a try first..."

Baobhan Sith: "What the.....Are you sure this is the same person? When I look at him, it feels like I'm looking at someone equal to Mother in power. I didn't think that sunny-eyed idiot could have such an endpoint in life...Hmm. Maybe I should stay on his good side for now. I wonder what he thinks of the shoes I designed for fun."

Kama: "Another Lostbelt King, huh? In terms of power he feels the same as that Final Arjuna from India, but.....not nearly as serious. The way he loves his world and dotes on all of his people is seriously gross, though."

Medb: "Generous. Fearless. Loving and calm, a mind that doesn't know jealousy. He's got all the makings of a cute hero who I'd love to make mine....but he's no hero. Both of us know this, so we just stay as acquaintances and occasional business partners.

"What's with that look? In the end, he's still a king and I'm still a queen. We have 'diplomatic visits' every now and then. I call it that but really it's just shopping trips and pub crawls."

Kukulkan: "I think I knew him once. Or, his predecessor. ORT remembered the call from your World, and the answers that rang across the cosmos. Each one rang clear in it's senses and etched their signals deep into it's heart. Maybe it's because I, who was it's heart, carry those memories with me, but....that signal. That call is unmistakable. I see him right there in front of me. Type-Moon has returned."

Arcueid Brunestud: ".....They were right. By the Root, they were right. The Ancestors were right, and....knowing that frightens me."

Esther: "....Two Jures.......hehehehehehehhehehehehehe......"

At this point Esther's just going to fight the rest of the Dead Apostle Ancestors herself so she could bring LB Jure back to the Storm Border for lewd times.




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Bond FinalHawthorn Falsity



"The moment I 'lived', the World trembled in terror. The moment I 'progressed', history was doomed to fall into stagnation. Looking out over my kingdom, I can see why my continued existence was considered a sin. Though the Ancestors are happy, they cannot be called 'human'. Though my people flourish and prosper, their status as the Prime Species was lost the moment they submitted as a collective, however unconsciously. Humanity persists, but Human History has grown as stagnant as a still pond.

"But I will not bow. Humanity is happy. Dead Apostles no longer need to hide like vermin in the dark and now work alongside humanity, amongst the human society they were robbed of in their transformation. The Ancestors are content and relieved, with the return of a 'Crimson Moon' to rally behind. This is my kingdom. My microscopic kingdom. These are my people.....And I, their king, will fight for their continued survival and happiness. However evil it may be, however big a lie it is, I refuse to believe that my people's prosperity was the wrong road."

Outside the castle window, children laugh in glee and vampires tell tales both old and new to eager listeners. The pubs are alight with jovial cheers, and the fields whistle with the rustle of plentiful crops. Though history can be said to have come to an end, humanity lives on and progresses toward a joyful future. He watches the sight and smiles kindly. Taking in the beauty of that hawthorn falsity.



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Art SourcesJure's FC was a picture of a genderbent Flandre Scarlet by saegome over on Danbooru. Ough.....prddy bois.....

The Bond CE is a picture of a 15th century Croatian stone cottage from some sort of interior design blog.



Notes

Ahem. World Egg, King's Crown, Tree of Emptiness. You heard it here, folks, Type-MOON's over. Pack it up, boys. (This is a bit.)

This was always the plan for Jure, honestly. He died early because if he didn't, PHH was fucked. His death is quite literally a Quantum Time-Locked moment and this sheet finally shows you why that is so. He's still the same cute goober who likes crossdressing and politely asks if he can sip your blood, taking care not to hurt you. At his core, he is 'identical to PHH Jure', and can't be called an Alter in any way. But now, at his full potential....yeah. The Pruning Phenomenon happened for a damn good reason. Pray you don't find out what that reason is.

And yes, he ironically is the serious Jure. Or, as serious as he can be as a cute twink bean.

Now, his hypothetical harem (because I didn't see a decent way to put a Prospective Suitors section here) consists of: Arcueid and Altrouge Brunestud Alter, Lostbelt versions of Caroline Ponsonby, Alcina and Esther; Possibly Lord Byron (not Altered); and at least three unnamed people of varying genders that I haven't really thought of yet. I will not bow, Crimson Moon Brunestud was a harem protagonist and Jure ascending to the throne means he inherited that position as well.

Maybe one day I'll write out the Lostbelt he's King of....like as a fic or a concept, or something.

Fun fact, the Tree of Emptiness is named after Malin-1, the first low-surface brightness galaxy to have ever been discovered and verified. Given the theme about vampires here, I thought it fit.

Credit to gears for the class icon and to WhiteFrenzy for making a backup! Both were heckin preddy.....

[TrueMrMultiverse]

The vamp lad is back!!

[Marethyu77]

Sma- AHEM Omw to syncretize him through the eldritch ways of our Lord and Savior Barbara G. Walker

[Radi]

No, no, finish the sentence. Sma-

[Fourne]

"The gender of a Vesture-Class Servant is one of the great Mysteries of this World."

Now imagine the sheer power D'Eon would wield in this class.