Monthly Create-A-Servant Contest

[realcasually]

“‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe... Hmm? Oh, of course. Servant, Alter Ego. I’m afraid if you were hoping for much more than a Knave you might be a mite disappointed... but then again, there’s no greater weapon against a drearily frumious world than a touch of nonsense. Haha...”“You could have joined the tea party, taken your seats! You could have left the hateful world of reason out there and had fun here! All I wanted to DO was make her a place where her story didn’t have to end so badly, and you won’t even allow her THAT? Then there’s no place for you in my Wonderland! One two, one two, and through and through, the vorpal blade goes snicker-snack...!”

Class: Alter Ego
True Name: "Knave of Hearts"Lewis Carroll
Gender: Male
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Origin: Historical Fact/Lostbelt
Attribute: Man
Height: 180cm
Weight: 58kg
Traits: Humanoid, Male, Servant
Catalyst: A page from one of his missing diaries

Parameters:

STR: D
END: E
AGI: C
MGI: B+
LCK: B
NP: EX

Lore (False)

The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts,
All on a summer day:
The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts,
And took them quite away!

So go the charges against the rascally Knave of Hearts. The accused who stands in the Queen of Hearts’ court on the charges of the taking of the tarts, it’s the Knave’s trial which dedicates the true absurdity of Wonderland’s philosophy. In a trial hinged on the concept of “sentence first--verdict afterwards,” neither of the witnesses can produce any actual evidence, the Hatter being far too nervous under the monarchs’ regal gazes and the Duchess’s cook’s elaborations on the recipe for tarts proving... unenlightening.

Neither can the Knave defend himself very well. Though his condemnation is an obvious farce, he denies his penmanship of a letter that enters evidence under mysterious circumstances despite already knowing it isn’t signed.

The most curious thing about the Knave, though, is that if one is to look closer at Tenniel’s illustrations in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the Knave in question seems to be wearing clubs. The ultimate nonsense of Wonderland is that despite the Knave being unwilling to defend himself and clearly guilty, the Queen does not even have the right man standing trial. The man they assume committed the crime is utterly innocent, but they have failed to produce him and are incorrectly accusing the actual culprit of being the man who didn’t do it in a court that works backwards in the first place.

However...

This factoid is more than an amusing insight into the spiral of illogic that Wonderland operates on. Because as the Master of Chaldea becomes more desperate to find his way through the rabbit hole of the Wonderland Lostbelt, and both the Queen of Hearts and Alice herself prove to be themselves innocent of being the Lostbelt’s King, the subject moves to a curious ponderance.

Because if there is no true Knave of Hearts...

Then just who is the man claiming to be him?

Lore (True)

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was a mathematician, photographer, inventor, logician, Anglican deacon, and writer of children’s fiction. He is most well known for penning the famous Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems Jabberwocky and The Hunting of the Snark.

He was born in the parish of Daresbury on the 27th of January, 1832, to archdeacon Charles Dodgson and his wife Frances Jane Lutwidge. Third of eleven children, his early childhood betrayed the interesting individual he would mature into: it was said he made pets of snails and toads, counting them amongst his most treasured friends. Dodgson would show an interest in writing from a very early age, penning his first magazine at the age of 13-- a collection of poetry for his younger siblings.

He would go on to be awarded a scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford, an association that would continue for some time despite his rebellion against the strict rules of academia that he seemed ever determined to push against-- becoming a lecturer in mathematics only a year after his graduation, taking holy orders in the Anglican church as a condition of the permanent station. It was here that, a year after his appointment, he would meet the dean of Oxford’s daughter-- Alice Liddell.

Pan-Human History recalls well the consequences of the two meeting. But it is here that the course of history travels through the looking glass...

Name: Senseless Reversal of Fantasy: Wonderland
Subtitle: Her Immemorial Golden Afternoon
Lost Depth: D+

Origin: 1864 A.D.
Location: Britain
King: Queen of Hearts Alice Lewis Carroll
Crypter: ???
Fantasy Tree: Butterfly

History: ...?Alice Liddell lay on her deathbed and there was nothing he could do.

The young girl had fallen ill with some description of illness that the finest doctors Oxford had to offer could find nary an explanation for. It was tearing her father apart, though that was to be expected-- but Charles was equally bereft. Though many had speculated on his preference to keep the company of children, the truth was innocent-- or more accurately, innocence. Dodgson had suffered from an eternal crisis of faith all his life, seeing himself as lacking the piety and indeed the talent that he ought to in any of the many fields he was so respected in by others. Children were innocents-- they were without blame to judge his sins, without knowledge to judge his works. Around children, he could be free of the constraints society shackled him in and see the world as brightly as they did. Alice was the epitome of that for him, his muse of childhood and dear friend, and he could not tolerate a world which would damn her to such a cruel fate.

When medicine failed, Dodgson turned to the church which he had put his faith in all his life. Simple prayers alleviated none of the weight on his spirit as they showed no dividends, Alice continuing to ail. Was he not pious enough? Was his spirit too weak? He had never considered himself worthy of something like priesthood, but was God truly so unmerciful as to take her from this world despite all his pleading?

It would not do. He would not stand for it. If he were a sinner so grave God would deny him but a wish to save an innocent life, then he would let himself be a sinner to save that very life. He would turn to the forbidden if he had to damn himself for her.

He was an intelligent man, and with some standing in the church he had heard the beginnings of whispers that there was more to the faith than met the common eye. A layer beneath the front for the Christian masses, one that dealt with a hidden world, tasked with collecting holy relics and expunging heretic mages.

This was what he had sought.

Considering his position, it was easier to come across this information than it would be for most. He made connections and uncovered secrets, camouflaged by the mask of a man coping with tragedy by hurling himself deeper into faith so that the Holy Church would let him ever deeper. But in truth, he had his own mission, and soon it would bear sweet fruit.

He would soon come across forbidden doctrine, files on a ritual created by a group of mages that would supposedly manifest nothing more than the Holy Grail. The notes dictated it an obvious falsehood, but... Reading on, Charles found inspiration. He found hope. And as he scavenged the archives in secret while still presenting as nothing more than just another holy man, he discovered magic. Magic he would cultivate, until he would steal away one night with a collection of holy and confiscated artifacts, and with this he would begin his plan.

What followed next, by rights, should have been impossible for a man who had effectively taught himself bootlegged magic with half-formed notes and jury-rigged Mystic Codes. But Impossibility was the very thing that defined Lewis Carroll’s inner self. It was, succinctly, his Origin. And with it, he would do some Impossible Things, the first of which would be to summon his first Servant.

It was a weak existence-- a phantom. Indeed, at first, it appeared as little more than a book. But books were his speciality. A collection of Nursery Rhymes served him as well as a grimoire, especially as he was able to command its power to become his own. He would take the Servant to Alice that night, and he would perform his second Impossible Thing. Alice’s ailing body, her withering soul, would be restored if only he could gift her this power. And with a spirit so malleable, why couldn’t he? To a man whose power was beginning to blossom as it was, it was only logical. And so of Alice Liddell and the Caster servant he had found he created a Demi-Servant.

But the power was, of course, unstable due to her fragile nature and his inexperience. It would restore her, but it would also burn through her along with the disease if not kept in check. Healing Alice was not the answer he sought-- and why should it be? Why restore her to her full potential in a world that only seemed fit to punish them both for dreaming of something more fun? It made no sense. Indeed, a land of nonsense may as well make more sense than this.

So Lewis Carroll would perform his third Impossible Thing. With the Noble Phantasm of the Servant he had summoned along with his own magic, he would conjure something he had barely read anything of even in his own notes. He would release his inner world and create a Reality Marble-- a land where the rules were his to pen, where an eternal teatime would reign and Alice may adventure forever free from the ravages of age and illness, where her spirit could be held in a stasis of paradise. He drew power he did not understand from everything he could grasp, and England became dreary England no longer.

It became Wonderland.

Of course, the World could not stand this blatant outrage against its own rules. And so the tale of Wonderland would close almost as soon as it began. But had history taken a different path, perhaps Wonderland would still reign, under the eye of Carroll... and perhaps something with far more sinister intent for his Elysium of childhood.

Description:

A jaunty rascal, Alter Ego really does embody the concept of a Knave. Wit as sharp as a razor, ever-ready with a quick interjection or to thumb his nose at someone he perceives as dull or overly authoritarian... though he seems to have a slight complex of religious guilt that prevents him from overly flouting any authority that comes from a place of true piety. When asked about this, he only responds “I am only a knave, Master-- little better than a sinner, no matter how beamish my intent.” Still, he’s never crude even when engaging in his whims, wrapping his taunting up in equal layers gentlemanly manner and confusing gibberish. Lesser-tempered Masters might find his vocabulary infuriating after a while.

He fashions himself as a rebel mind, constantly dancing through loopholes for no more reason than to prove that his methods are not only possible, but equally valid to the ‘established’ method. Even in battle, despite possessing a balance of physical and magical offensive and defensive abilities, Alter Ego’s tactics focus far more on confusion and seemingly random manoeuvres which serve to mislead and conceal than direct combat. No greater joy seems to exist for Alter Ego than proving the impossible possible, no matter how slight the margin...

...except, perhaps, the innocence of children. Around children or childlike existences, Alter Ego drops his overly theatrical charades entirely. His dealings with them seem far more genuine as they are drawn to him also, and he reveals himself as a man who derives purpose from bringing honest smiles to the young. He loves the fantastical way they see the world, and it’s easy to distract him by drawing him into a game or story meant to entertain. To look upon him entertaining youngsters is to know one is beholding a man who finds nothing more sacred than the boundlessness of childhood, when any dream seems to be accomplishable no matter how absurd, and who fights to preserve that spark of whimsy in the world-- and in the hearts of those who admire his antics.

Likes: Children, wordplay, nonsense, annoying the overly uptight
Dislikes: Adulthood, his own ‘sins’, people implying he likes children too much
Talents: Doing the impossible, telling stories
Natural Enemy: Gilles de Rais

Class Skills

Magic Resistance
Rank: C+

Grants protection against magical effects. Differing from the Resistance effect that merely rejects Magical Energy, this ability cancels the spells altogether. Cancel spells with a chant below two verses. Cannot defend against magecraft on the level of High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals. Due to Game of Logic’s effects on the laws of magic, this skill receives a bonus modifier.

Increases own debuff resistance by 15.5%.


Territory Creation
Rank: EX

A skill originally belonging to the Caster class. It is the Skill to build a special terrain that is advantageous to oneself as a magus, such as for the purpose of collecting mana. Alter Ego’s Pan-Human History self would only possess this skill at a rank of C, creating a Study for himself in which to spin his tales. However, now that the ultimate fantastical dream has been realised...

Increases own Arts performance by 12%.


Presence Concealement
Rank: D

A skill originally belonging to the Assassin class. It is the capacity to hide one's presence as a Servant. Suitable for spying. A low ranking of Presence Concealment unbecoming for an Assassin to the level that a Servant can infer one's presence at once. However, for Alter Ego, it serves his purposes by allowing him to appear much weaker than he truly is, cementing his presented identity as nothing more than a humble Knave.

Increases own critical star generation rate by 4%.


Nonsense Enhancement
Rank: EX

An id_es skill derived from Madness Enhancement, skill of the Berserker class. Traditionally, it raises basic parameters and strengthens physical abilities in exchange for diminishing mental capacity and sapping reason. However... for someone like Alter Ego, who created the codifying work of ‘nonsense literature’, a genre subverting logical reasoning and convention, madness is simply the basis for a new form of logic. This skill grants a boost to his magical capabilities by allowing him to operate on an entirely alien mindset, unfettered by what is ‘possible’.

“Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

Increases own Buster performance by 12%.
Gains 2 critical stars every turn.

Personal Skills

Meanwhile...
Rank: EX
"Sailing with a merry crew, the journey ahead is full of tales.
Are childish wonders ahead or withered reality?
Well, anyway, you must be curious about the things that are there.
Other people’s memories are only dreams of scattered flowers. So, then... let me invite the Reverse Side of the World here!”

Charges own NP gauge. (30%-50%)
Recovers own HP. (1000-2000)
Removes own debuffs.


Game of Logic
Rank: A
A hypothetical game devised by Alter Ego to demonstrate the basic components of logical reasoning. As a skill, this quantifies Alter Ego’s ability to tamper with enemy Skills and Noble Phantasms by manipulating the logic they operate on.

Take, for instance, a certain Irish Lancer’s spear that reverses causality to assure a fatal strike. This works based on its ability to invert cause and effect, so that the effect of “the opponent’s heart being pierced” happens as a result of “the lance being thrust.” However, this power is useless against Alter Ego’s ability to edit its logic: for instance, an inversion of causality cannot occur when the connection between “cause” and “effect” is severed entirely, shifting the conceptual inertia to entirely different phenomena. Alternatively, the heart may be pierced, but logic need not dictate that this means the blow is automatically fatal. If Alter Ego decides that it can be deemed reasonable by nonsense logic (different from a complete lack of logic, notably) that one can live without one’s heart, then piercing it will have no effect.

This ability suffers from two drawbacks-- one, it is not permanent, only affecting a target as long as Alter Ego holds concentration When the alteration wears off, if, by the same example, the heart has still been annihilated, then surely the target will snap back to the rules of traditional logic and expire. Secondly, Alter Ego has to actually comprehend the logic behind an effect to edit it. Though he is quick to comprehend such things as a result of his Nonsense Enhancement, managing to veil a technique’s workings to him before activating it against him will counter his ability to twist it. This means he’s also vulnerable to sneak attacks, being unable to counter something he doesn’t know is occurring.

Chance to seal one enemy's NP for 1 turn. (80%-100%)
Decreases their debuff resistance for 3 turns. (50%-100%)


Storyteller
Rank: A-
A Skill that displays one's amazing eloquence with verbally narrating tales and legends. It is completely different from the written craft of literature, and adapts to the mood and mental state of the listener by selecting the most appropriate way of reciting the story, a storytelling ability specialized in improvisation.

Though Alter Ego was most well known for his written works, his greatest accomplishment was born from a tale he wove to entertain the children on that fateful afternoon. His abilities all come from his skill at weaving a fictional reality around himself. Additionally, he was a famed lecturer on subjects including mathematics, conferring to his oratorical ability. However, this skill receives a penalty due to his penned works being more well known, as well as the fact that in life he was known to suffer from a stammer. It isn’t debilitating to his taleweaving, but does confer a rank down to its effectiveness.

Chance to reduce one enemy's NP gauge by 1. (60%-80%)
Increases own Arts performance for 1 turn. (10%-30%)

Noble Phantasm

Wonderland
Kingdom Down The Rabbit Hole

Type: Anti-Logic
Rank: EX
Range: ???
Targets: ???

Description:
Alter Ego’s dream of a world where nonsense reigns, where reason is twisted to his means and where his golden afternoon never has to end. Wonderland is nothing less than his greatest story to Alice, crystalised into the form of the Reality Marble that forms the basis of his Lostbelt.

Upon Wonderland’s activation, Alter Ego manifests his Wonderland over the world. The fantastical kingdom that lies beyond the rabbit hole and through the looking glass, it could be said that due to its nature as a total incursion of fantasy onto reality, it is the inversion of the Reality Marble’s dominion into the Reverse Side of the World, where Alter Ego’s stories become tantamount to the will of the World. The manifestation of Wonderland grants several abilities to Alter Ego.

Firstly, the effects of Alter Ego’s Game of Logic skill are spread across the entire Reality Marble. Whatever he decides is logic in Wonderland is enforced across the entire kingdom, twisting the rules of magecraft, physics, and fundamental reality.
As an addition to this manipulation, Alter Ego can enforce the concepts of his characters on those inside Wonderland. A world with such iconic denizens as the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, and the Cheshire Cat must of course be populated by those characters, and therefore those within it must be the very same. This boils down to nothing less than granting Alter Ego the authority to apply his warping of logic to other’s Saint Graphs. This is the ability which makes him an Alter Ego in the first place-- to fill the role of the Knave of Hearts, to camouflage himself amongst his creations to make sure nothing can interrupt a young girl’s dream, all the trappings of such a Servant were grafted to him. This effect can apply to others as well, altering not only their Classes, Skills, Noble Phantasms, but their memories and identities themselves are sublimated, edited, inverted and exaggerated to better fit the nonsense world that has claimed them as its denizen. Alter Ego has forged himself a Vorpal Blade to augment his combat skills using this ability, fashioned out of malachite and enforced with the concepts of similar legendary blades to create a Mystic Sword roughly on the level of a C++-rank Anti-Unit Noble Phantasm with a variety of lesser abilities.

Lesser entities, akin to Phantoms, Wraiths, Familiars, Phantasmal Beasts and other similar entities can also be summoned to fill such roles: examples include the numerous Card Soldiers or the dreadful Jabberwocky. Comparisons to a certain ‘champion of the innocent’s’ capabilities can certainly be drawn, and raises the question of what the relationship between the two might be.

Perhaps one of Wonderland’s greatest benefits, though, is its relationship with time. As it is known in the story, the Hatter once sang so awfully at the Queen of Hearts’ celebration that she proclaimed him to be “murdering the time.” As punishment for his disrespect, Time himself halted the Hatter eternally at six in the afternoon-- an eternal tea time. Now Time’s punishment extends to all of Wonderland and those who would trespass in it. Time does not flow straight in Wonderland, and any abilities that rely on the passing or manipulation of time will find themselves extremely hampered if not otherwise unusable. Of course, due to the nonsense logic of the Reality Marble, it’s entirely possible that some things that should be linked to an ordinary timeframe simply aren’t. Suns and moons may still pass in the sky... or they may not. Just like with the rest of Wonderland, there’s no way to truly tell what effects it will have outside the whims of its user and the frame of utterly disconnected “logic” he prescribes to. All that matters is that time shan’t pass and one little girl can have an eternal dream of adventure, full of stories and free of an end.

Wonderland’s power is only amplified further by the incorporation of the Phantasy Tree Butterfly into its projected world-- of course, this great and towering structure from beyond human understanding is what allowed Alter Ego to achieve his dream and paint Wonderland over reality, so to him, it will forever be a part of his Wonderland. This allows it to supply some of its own mana as the World is forced to recognise it as part of its own texture, at least temporarily, making the technique far more resilient than most Reality Marbles. The only way to truly defeat Wonderland is to out-think it-- trap Alter Ego in a loophole of his own world’s rules. The only problem is that it’s a little difficult to out-absurd the King-- not only of the Lostbelt and the Reality Marble, but of Nonsense itself.

Deals damage to all enemies.
Removes their buffs.
Seals their skills for 3 turns.
<Overcharge> Reduces their NP damage for 3 turns.

Relationships

Nursery Rhyme:
“Alice...! Oh, my dear, it’s so very good to see you here too. You’re feeling well, I trust? Good, good. Well, then, shall we see what nonsense we can find here? But first... there’s always time for tea.”

Children Servants:
“Ah-- another story? I believe that must wait till next time-- Hm? It is next time, you say? Oh, well, then... I suppose it just can’t be helped!”

Gilles de Rais:
“...Utterly despicable. Not only would you disgrace your faith so flagrantly, but you would use it as an excuse to harm children? I might be a sinner, but you... you are nothing more than the lowliest demon.”

Edward Teach:
“...I... don’t know how to feel about that man. He says that he truly loves children, and that his... unique proclivities... are unrelated to that sincerity, but... I can’t help but feel like if I hang about with him people will start assuming the worst of me. I assure you, I’m not like that!”

Hans Christian Andersen:
“He and I share quite a lot in common. If only I could look so young and innocent as I once did... Ah, but I can’t say I agree with his grumpy outlook. What’s the point in being a child again if you aren’t going to see the world like one? Shame... and those endings, too.”

William Shakespeare:
“Ah...! That’s...? Is this the kind of thing you would call ‘Senpai’, Master...? In any case, I must speak with him at once!”

Red Hare, Tamamo Cat, Atalanta Alter, Ivan the Terrible:
“Talking animals, how wonderfully nonsensical! I already feel right at home. I always preferred the company of beasts and children. They’re so... pure compared to dreary adulthood, don’t you think?”

Atalanta:
“Oh, how absolutely frabjous! You love children too... and another talking animal, to boot! Why, you don’t mind if I call you the Cheshire Cat, do you? No matter! Come, Cheshire, we’ve little ones to entertain!”

Jeanne d’Arc, Saint Martha:
“I’m not sure I’m worthy to show my face in front of saints like that. Why? Ah... I’m nothing but a knave, you know? A natural sinner. It’s a fitting title for me.”

Astolfo:
“I don’t know what everybody’s talking about. You seem quite sensible to me! Now, tell me more about your visit to the moon...”

Edison:
“Ah, of course. That makes perfect sense!”

Max Bond Craft Essence

“In gentler tones Secunda hopes “There will be nonsense in it!’--”

I know I am a sinner.

It may be that for all my efforts I am damned. That all I have done is condemn her.

But why, then, would this world make so little sense? Why must its rules be so harsh?Why must the question “Why?” go unasked?

That’s why... children enjoy nonsense so.

Growing up is such a miserable affair. To fetter oneself with the rules of reality, to be forced to abide by what one must do or be cast into sin.

If this is what ‘sense’ is, then...

Why is it so wrong to want a world without it? It if will preserve her dreams, then why should the world NOT go mad?

If only it was as easy as telling a story...

If only that afternoon sunset could last forever.

When equipped on Lewis Carroll, increase party’s NP generation rate by 10% while he is on the field and grant party Debuff Immunity (1 time).

Creator's Notes

And that's my debut, right in the nick of time! I hope it's up to scratch, and that I didn't mangle Type-Moon lore TOO badly. This concept originated as the final boss of a Wonderland Lostbelt I devised for a Fate TTRPG campaign I'm writing-- masquerading as the Knave of Hearts, he'd blend into the background as players search for the real Lostbelt King. They'd assume it's the Queen of Hearts, then Alice when that fails, and upon that proving to be a dead end Carroll would reveal his true identity and promptly go Final Boss Mode. It's meant to be a little OP in that sense but I tried to balance it.

Since I'm an FGO fan, too, I decided to incorporate those elements and try to give him a cohesive kit. He's meant to be a debuff monster, locking down difficult enemies so the damage dealers (especially Arjuna Alter, oof) could sweep in and sweep up.

I thought he fit the prompt appropriately: I can only hope you agree (and that my first tussle with this formatting doesn't immediately crash and burn on me). Make sure you find the click-through info!

Image source is Twisted Wonderland.

[Random]

Not sure if I want him to be my dad or my daddy. This is probably a good thing. A Game of Logic is the coolest thing I've ever seen on any version of this guy, and frankly it's just refreshing to see him cheerful instead of a depressed Berserker for once. Big good.

[Kabalisto Koga]

Baal /Matou Zouken
(Caster)

"Hum , what a a interesting Circumstance you have summoned me Caster my Name is Baal Zebul the former pridefull God of Ekron , may be our cooperation be build on respect and honesty ."



Height 145 cm
Weight: 43 kg
Origin: Russia/Canaanite Mythology
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Attribute: Earth, Man
Weapons: "his body"
Other Qualifying Classes: Archer, Rider, Assassin, Avenger, Ruler, Beast
Likes: to enjoy the rising sun on a hill, relic-keepers, Polytheistic humans,
Dislikes: the Israelites, Monotheists, the divine conspirator

Seiyus:

Masane Tsukayama (Zouken)
Shozo Lizuka (Baal)
Masakazu Nemoto (Hadad)


Parameters:

Strength: D
Endurance: B
Agility: A
Luck: C+
Mana: B+
NP: EX

Personality

At first it may appear as if the former god Hadad who fell to the level of an insectoid Demon and Makiri Zolgen would have only the insect topic or their respective downfall as common ground but the truth is...

That both were once nobleminded and idealistic individuals who were strong willed. However both fell from their glory due to circumstances outside their control. During which time they acted still to reach their noble goal and stood firm to their morals despite their rather miserable situation. Until they fell completely and their former noble and helpful demeanor shifted into a ruthless and revenge-craving as they discarded their former dearly held ideals. So it was nearly natural that these two formed this state as Pseudo-Servant.

However unlike other Pseudo-Servants like the Goddesses Ishtar or Parvati their personalities or souls have not been fully fused. But this is under most circumstances no obstacle as both are most times of the same opinion. Thus mostly Zouken is the mainly active part as he is already well versed in the modern world as well as due to his involvement in the Grail War. However there are moments where unmistakably Baal takes the active part. Namely when he comes into contact with the people of Israelite origin as he calls the Jews and Christians just simply as Israelites. Then he would be almost completely driven to revenge himself and "his children" to say it in their own words for the injustice they committed millennia ago.

Also during these moments his voice is not that from Zouken but a deeper growling voice that sounds more guttural and inhumane. Furthermore under rare occasions his voice can be another sounding voice that despite how Caster doesn't possess the Charisma Skill this voice carries a captivating effect that is fitting a ruler of the heavens.

Demeanor as Servant:

As Zouken where virtually sure more than once as Master or at least as influencer and on the sideline active participants he honestly has a curiosity as like he himself says:

"It is funny to think that I as creator of this system and former Master am for one time a Servant. Heheh, well let's see which will be the other Servants…"

Also as he has seemingly the whole memories of the Fuyuki Grail War he has a great advantage. As he not only has seen a variety of different Servants and their abilities but also the interaction of the different participants he is unlike the normal Servants (at least outside Grand Order). As such he rather acts more calculated and levelheaded as he himself knows the Class which has the most variation rich set of abilities, namely the Class he himself occupies: the Caster Class. But due to the events of the fourth Grail War he is the most cautious with the Archer Class. He has a rather tensed opinion on saints or Servants of the Abrahamic sphere as despite Zouken himself caring little Baal has himself a bitter hatred. So a saint or Servant who lived in this sphere will invoke his craving for retribution, ensuring that Caster will be determined to put them in the biggest and greatest peril possible. Thus he prioritizes their defeat over anything with the exception of Servants with Divinity whom he will target first to devour them to activate his third Noble Phantasm. But he knows that those Servants especially with high-ranked divinities are especially dangerous even for Caster himself despite his might, at least until he has a feeling for their abilities. So he prefers to rather passively set the preparations for his third Noble Phantasm and engage in combats directly rather seldom until he has a strategy or if he sees another Servant as weaker than himself. As he from Zouken's memories know that the Grail War should if possible be kept in secrecy and he prefers to use options that carry less risk.

However like said before if he encounters a saint Servant or a "pious" one he will ignore partially this cautiousness and wants them to demonstrate the futility of their faith of lies they held on to. He will if necessary use his whole arsenal of abilities to destroy their faith and demonstrate them the realty of the lies they believe in. Here he even cares not if he harms or endangers the secrecy of the Grail War. Beside that he has respect for people and Servants of polytheistic worldviews as they are still on the rightful path. So he will fight honorable in that he gives them a chance to fight and not to utterly crush them like the before mentioned group. He has however some degree of jealousy towards the gods of the other worlds as example-wise the Ancient Egypt or Greeks before their fall or especially the Indian and Japanese gods and Divine Spirits which are still today worshipped over vast areas.

Outside the Grail War he likes to spectate the rising sun or rich vegetation as he were once a god of agriculture who amongst other gods of Canaan taught the humans the secrets of agriculture to ensure the fertility of their harvests. Also an aspect of Baal that he bring into the union is his values towards children. Towards them he acts quite affectionate and when he saw the memories of Zouken he was utterly disgusted by how he treated Sakura as he not even explained to her the details but just pushed her into the pits. Baal would punish anyone who harms children without reason as he knew that only in the direst situation had the people of Canaan sacrificed their children to ensure the return to harmony. And even then he as Chief and King of the Gods returned the children to their parents as he saw that the people of Canaan- despite their differences within the various tribes and kingdoms- were all seeking harmony as well. He then often made the children into priests of him or the other gods.

So when a Servant like in the fourth Grail War target children he would ensure that the culprit receives the punishment of a demon.

Demeanor towards the Master:

As expected of a man that was once himself a Master he has a tensed relationship towards his Master.

Because he saw more then once the incompetence of Masters of his own Family respectively the Destiny of other Masters so is he rather unwilling to obey the orders of a especially unexperienced Master as Caster himself will possess more experience then his Master so is it for Casters Master be advised to rather listen to his Advises and Recommendations a Zouken spectated more as one Grailwar so if his Master wants to etablish a good Relationship should he listen to his advises and contribute some good Details . If his Master is a experienced Archmagus of also decade Long experience may be he willing to give his ideas consideration and atempt to etablish a cooperation with them on personal Terms .

However he has Little Patience should his Master be a unexperience Novice in the World of Magic will he be not willing to listen to their orders though due to Baals influence has he somewhat a grandfather like Disposition towards them in that he edxplain them their errrors and correct them .

Dialogues:

Goliath: "Ah My Dear Son dont worry i will fight for our regain of Glory ,but regardless what the humen world knows are you a Hero and have did your bestfor me,your tribe and us Gods , you will be rewarded as You were a True Saint !"

Germinidas: "Ah King in the Israelitic European World ,which was one of the last ones that still holded Loyal to the old Gods ,splendid ist no wonder why you were always the victorious and it were thank to you that your dynasty should ruled Generations after your demise."

Plethon:"Ah Follower of the Truth in a time of Lies and deceit , i truly believe that in your Chest the Soul of Platon that lead your Way ,had i at your time the ooppoertunity to connct with you Maybe you had then the power to fullfilll your potencial…"

Jeanne d arc: "The most famous Women of your Countries History huh perhaps just because your Grand demise , tell me what this Conspirator of yahwe told you ? and what has he given you in return for your Works beside a cruel demise !?"

Julian: "the Apostate ? No you were the only truly reverent Ruler and ifeel that you had the Blessings of the Hellenistic Gods on your Back though your Error was that you made some False choices in your Approach which if you had not made them would had ensured your succes .

David:

Saints:"Saints piousnesss in my eyyes where you just Marionettes of the Conspirattor in your so called Holy Missions were the lives of countless Innocents People ruthlessly killed ,the beloved Temples and Sanctuaries without any respect or consideration "

Pharaonic Servants: "A Milenia old Dynasties that are served the old Gods , how i am somewat jealous that may People were not Ready for this stage of civilisation ,you were truly Great Kings and i feel whiich Pride yuor Gods hold on you , but i must admit that for a certain time i were one of them

Mot: "Wait you are summoned as yourself with your Intact Divinity ,what Farce is this ?!?! Mot you vixen you will tell me why ! and what you have my former powers ?!? Then give me them !


Shinji Matou: "Hmm i see the other Kidds here but i see no Servnt chosed Shinji for his incarnation well i cant blame e was a good for Nothing "

Parvati: "Sakura that you were worthy to house a Goddess i truly a feat that is attested to your capability as Magus i would had wished that you were the Matou FAmily Master of the fifth Grailwar , had this Boy not participated you had perhaps grasped he Victory !! (Thats Enough Zouken i will take the speech)Forgive my vessel in his Name am i apologise as i know that he was blended as you were his last hope was he so desperate..."

Emiya:" Who had thought that you were once that Akakami no Shounen that once wanted to become a Hero ,you must know that Heros where often only perceived as such by their own kin but on the other side were this ay and Path a seldom blissfull one .

Skills

Class Skills:

Territory Creation: EX
It is the Skill to build a special terrain that is advantageous to oneself as a magus, such as for the purpose of collecting mana.

As Caster's host and partner was an accomplished Mage already Baal has no limiting factors in which would hamper the effectivity of this Skill. Further due to the state of their body it has fused with their first Noble Phantasm. Additionally this Skill is lifted even higher due how Baal was degraded by the Israelites into a Daemon and he has obtained the natural abilities of the demonic kind.

So there are no real limits in the application of this Skill in terms of areas as this Skill is one of the three bases for his third Noble Phantasm. Though he prefers to use this Skill to recreate Zouken's old Workshop altered by Baal which possesses beside certain honeycombs and ponds, rooms filled with script tools of ancient look to modern books.

Beside that is he able to turn any territory into the breeding ground of his "hive".

Item Construction: B+
Zouken was a very talented Mage as such they have obtained this high level. He is in combination with the power of Baal able to create powerful insectoid as well as other demonic familiars.

Beside that Zouken is able to create "crystallized curses or bindings" which are of comparable nature to the Command Seals he invented but more different in effects. Like he can imbue a spell into a mark and place the mark at another person where he is at any time able to activate it. In some sense can the spell be compared to the Juin"s of the far east sorcery.

Beside Caster is able through some associations to create alchemic wares like potions, or metallurgic products.

Empty-Core of the God: EX (E)
Skill expressing one as being a perfected god from birth or at least was before his fall. Now the core's once plentiful divine energy and powers have vanished, leaving it basically an empty hull.

Besides that it gives him still a Divinity of rank E+, the core functions as container for their third Noble Phantasm as one of the three basic foundations.


Personal Skills:

Lost Valor of the Fallen: A
Is the mentality of Caster sublimated as a Skill. It is the representation of the lost noble disposition one has once possessed before his fall. In practice this Skill bestows the possessor with the effects of Single-Mindedness and Mental Pollution of the same rank, which means that it gives him an almost mad and insane focus at his goal to restore their glory and grace in which neither physical torture, pain or other obstacles are able to stop him. In some sense can this type or form of madness be similar to that from mad scientists or inventors. Thus it is to a degree difficult to come to a mutual understanding sometimes, aside that he is mostly capable of understanding and reason.

Furthermore it is under certain circumstances able to exercise the effects of Bravery at the same ranking in the case that their former heroic self is reignited. Though for this must out of their own will make this judgement. At the cost of heavy self-damage.

Blessing Of The Pure Grail: C++
Is the sublimation of the originally untainted Great Grail. As one of the founders of the Grail War he receives the blessings of the Grail. In his particular case the untainted Grail that was once Justeaze von Einzbern, and further he receives the blessings of the through Angra Mainyu uncorrupted Grail as the responsibility for the defilement of the Grail lies on the Einzbern and not the Matous. Thus he receives the blessings of the Grail, or was it the will of Justeaze which caused this? In either case this grants Zouken a rank up to his Luck stat. As well he receives more Mana from the Grail than normally a Servant would receive, similar to Self-Replenishment (Mana) at rank D. Furthermore this Skill allows Zouken a further boon but which can't be read from his Saint Graph nor is he willing to tell the details....

In any case this Skill builds the second base for his third Noble Phantasm.

Magecraft: A+
Zolgen was once a very powerful and accomplished Archmagus who in cooperation with Justeaze of Einzbern was able to create the seven Master and Servant system. Though he lost over the centuries some skill this is in combination to the now natural capabilities of Baal compensated, thus earning him this high rank.

As such the Magecraft they can access borders on the level of True Magic in that they are able to create various demonic creatures out of the imagination of men. Though due to their actual Class it costs less Mana if they use their first Noble Phantasm to bring insectoid or arthropodic beings into existence.

Aside that they are able to draw upon curse sorcery of the Age of Gods as well as to create pestilences and pandemic plagues that in other Classes may be sublimated into Noble Phantasms on their own. Normally Baal's sorcerous capabilities would be heavily hindered through his host but as they are having a great compatibility as well as the unique nature of each their bodies allow the maximum output.

Noble Phantasms

Ekron

City of the Doomed Worshippers

Rank: A+~EX

Type: Anti-Army (Anti-Populace)

Is the Reality Marble of Baal in his form as Baal Zebul which has due to the nature of Zouken's Body became modified. As such it became a partially perma-active Noble Phantasm that turns their body into a hive of demonic insectoid/arthropodic creatures of various shapes and sizes that create the shape of Zouken's body, which normally like before appearing completely human but if example wise attacked it transforms. He is able to transform his body into two shapes namely either a shadowy mass or that he can morph parts of his body into arthropodic creatures like getting blade-like mandibles that build a scissor arm or a whip-like centipede that he can use to block and counterattack, through it can also by growing wings rise in the air.

Which let it appear as though this is just a transformation Noble Phantasm but the truth is that this turns his body into a hive for arthropods which manifest inside him so that one Servant which could hear into his mindsphere would feel a swarm of of contempt and wrath that build a sphere around Baal and Zouken himself. As every being created through this Noble Phantasm is treated as "territory" he is able to place certain insectoids in the ground or other places and slowly build a Bounded Field and in it he can use his absolute dominion over himself like to control the space and enable him to even use Marble Phantasm. The process is comparable to the barrier work of an immortal man of the far east.

Another aspect is that he is able to adapt infinitely as his body is the amalgamation of countless demonic arthropods, which bestows himself the effects of Self-Modification at rank EX. Also he is able to repair his body by summoning more demonic creatures that replace the damaged parts and he can through this also neutralize certain effects like poisons, curses or inextinguishable flames by separating the affected parts from the rest which is highly effective as the silhouettes of the single components can't be discerned from the outside of him. Though it should be mentioned that Caster possess extremely high resistance against the first two mentioned attributes. The size of the creatures are highly different from small blade-winged worms that Zouken used in life to almost gargantuan beings that could reach the dimension of an elephant. As his body as a whole functions as a separate world he can adjust their size within himself through space alterations. The beings are of various shape from serpentine centipedes to nimble terrestrial chaser-like beings that remind of arachnoids, to flying dragonlike Pterygota, to chimeric beings that look like a mix between Eurypterid-Mantis and other arthropod creatures of varying sizes to humanoid beings that are equipped with a mixture of natural weapons (like claws) and artificial ones like swords or spears. The beings possess bestial intelligence but as everyone of them is a part of Caster he can over each individual take direct control. Thus they are enhancements of his senses as well he can speak through them and communicate with others through this. Furthermore they can draw upon certain abilities like using a form of Mana Burst.

However the true nature of this Reality Marble is just after this chant manifesting:

"My brethren attune your buzzing with my voice and let us play a requiem to our once glorious community and home. Once where proud men and also women that served under the banner of the Overlord of Sky and conquered the obstacles but now lays their legacies in soil and oblivion. But your former lord has never forgotten your pleas, your prayers and praises as well as your agony, now let us for a last time reawaken our former pride.

k´rakh min ha m´kulal mit´palel Ekron!"

During these incantation where Baal's voice can be heard from every being that accompany a buzzing roaring. After the last word all beings turn into scarlet color shadow which explodes and transport the designated targets into his Reality Marble, the true nature of this Noble Phantasm.

The Reality Marble consists of a Mediterranean ancient city with cubic stone houses inside of which the rooms look like the inhabitants left without any further traces. Though the rooms are completely equipped with daily routine objects and the fire pits are still lighted up by warm flames with perhaps even meals cooking over them. Further in the city are still shops like a forgery or market kiosks looking as if freshly abandoned with a few highly ornated temples which tower over the other buildings. Despite the rather cozy and calm interiors the sky is the total opposite as it is crimson red with darkish violet clouds. Overhead a constant thunderstorm rages, one whose lightning doesn't illuminate the sky but is rather pitchblack. Also humanoid demons patrol the city with tools or weapons in their hands like swords, batons etc. The demons are clearly distinguishable in men, women and even if child or adult. Also they possess in various degrees demonic features like clawed hands or horns, scaled skin or tails and wings. Additionally they obtain individual abilities like that those with forgery tools in their hands can use fire abilities and resist likewise attacks. And strangely regardless their appearances they leave human footprints in the dust and sand… As well it rains blood-like red drops in tear form which contain a curse-like damaging effect but awkwardly the demons are not harmed, instead their wounds on which the drops come in contact are healed. Furthermore the thunder sometimes targets and homes in on the opponents within the Reality Marble and those thunder cause great damage against "Saint"s of the Monotheistic branch as well specific resistance Skills against lightning or similar are unable to grant protection.

If the opponent should try to seek shelter inside of a house they're inside pressured by mental attacks that give the intruder the images of the citizens who were once the residents, their last moments in peace until they are forced to flee and this impulse is also imposed on the invaders. Further the patrolling demons are inclined to follow the opponent there and if they are inside the buildings the beings are strengthened almost as if they are determined to defend their home? So the opponents are guided without their knowledge towards the temples as if they would follow an instinct.

When they have reached the temple complexes they are for a moment safe as the patrolling demons seemingly don't dare to enter the holy sanctuaries. But then they are faced by other beings that look like bestial humanoid chimeric beings that all sport collar like headgears. Depending on the temple they either look like amphibians, draconic or other animalistic humane chimeric beings which possess abilities in correspondence to their appearance plus they are able to utilize a form of Thaumaturgy. Should they retreat inside the temples they will not follow the opponents to certain areas of the sacred building. Upon reaching the altar hall they are forced to fight the divine patron in the form of a degraded demon incarnation. However this incarnation is able to fight on the level of high-classed Servants so they are rather advised to try to leave the city as they are then not persecuted by the patrols. No, instead they face an army of ancient Levantine warriors that obtain the Skillset Protection Of The Faith at varying ranks (E ~C) as well Saint rank E+ and Single-Mindedness C. Further notwithstanding the identity of the Servant or other imprisoned targets they are driven to eliminate the refugees. In the case they enter the city they will mysteriously vanish.

To escape one has to reach the temple of Baal Se which is positioned at a hill on the coast. Though once they have reached the temple district Baal is able to incarnate by using the flesh of his son and champion as anchor to appear as gigantic archdemonic warrior equipped with a sabre and spear as well as a bow where he is able to utilize "dark-thunders" and other Skills with the parameters: Strength A, Endurance B, Agility B+. To escape the Reality Marble one has to either reach the altar hall where a gate is located or through defeating Baal's avatar.

Just besides should you ask Zouken is during this whole story free to do as he wishes. Also their Master is in either case free to discover the city and is the only being that enjoys true hospitality. As well well he gains from the drops further enhancements, in addition to the already mentioned healing.

Baal Zebul

Lord of Pestilence and Curses

Rank: A

Type: Anti-Army (Self)

Is the sublimation of one of the forms that the Monolatric Israelites gave him as they fully became Monotheists, thus transforming him from a god which once held a position and prestige comparable to Zeus from the Greeks or the Babylonian Marduk to a lowly demon but one of the Archdemon class as in their hearts were still the fearful memory of his former might. This Noble Phantasm lets him take on the shape of Baal Zebul, an anthropomorphic arthropodic humanoid Lord of Insects. Upon the activation of this Noble Phantasm Zouken's body transforms into a purplish shadow and then from the shadow emerges a 3 meter tall humanoid insectoid which possesses powerful clawed arms, three pairs of wings as well as a disfigured relic of a head, which should perhaps demonstrate the loss of his former glory. Also the jaw possesses an abnormal form as opposed to the face a giant size that seems to be just a bite trap like aperture.

Upon transformation his physical parameters become similar to: Strength- B+, Endurance- A and Agility- EX.

He incarnates for the duration fully in flesh and Mana. Then by becoming a demonic being Baal able is to use the loophole to incarnate once more in a World which would under normal circumstances not allow the incarnation of gods in their own flesh. As such he in this form basically leaves his status as Servant as he now is a being that could be an incarnation of Void that was once a "complete being", a process or fate that many of his kin be it from the same or other Mythosphere felt and share. In this form his physical abilities are greatly enhanced and only able to be loosely categorizable under the confines of the Servant system. Attacks that normally would kill him are just able to injure him as well his wounds are quite quickly healed. Further his speed and physical strength are greatly enhanced. His strength is now great enough so that he can with just moderate effort block and counter the physical strikes of Berserkers or that his speed is now comparable to the fastest of heroes bordering on the phenomenon of teleportation, where his overall movement pattern shows a sort of reminiscence of martial skills. Further he displays virtually complete immunity to poison and curses as the Zabaniyas of those Hassans leave him totally unfazed.

On the contrary he is in this form able to freely wield poisons and curses that would be normally each high-ranked Noble Phantasm on their own should he be summoned under the Assassin or Archer Classes. Also as a being of Void he is able to use abilities akin to the phenomenon that the human Mages of modernity called "Imaginary Numbers". Like a form that is reminiscent of Gradation Air or Projection in that he can materialize various objects or that he can use shadows as portals respectively manipulating them like they are a part of his body. So it is just natural that Baal Zebul is stronger in the night, here he is able to fight against the strongest demigods or fully Divine Spirit Servant. But during the day he is weakened severely. Though still an opponent that requires first-class Servants or special Servants to have a chance. Strangely he despite how he is now a demon possesses only a certain fragility and not like Dead Apostles a true weakness against "Holy" attacks or sacraments which may lie in that he was once a deity of the same origin of the same system of sorcery perhaps?

The transformation is though not final as Caster can deactivate it and revert to his usual self. As well his Mana consumption is rather surprisingly decent as in this form he is naturally able to absorb Mana from the environment and receives it from the negative emotions of humans like fear or anger. Also he usually tries to refrain from using this Noble Phantasm but if forced to use it he has no hesitations as especially against an Israelite Servant where he full of revenge craving will answer their fears.

Heavens Feel

Restoration Of The True King Of Heaven

Rank: EX

Type: ???

Is sublimation of the masterpiece of Makiri Zolgen's life the Servant-Master Grail War System. While Nagato Tohsaka provided the locations and outer circumstances, and Justeaze incorporated the aspects of Third Magic as well as sacrificed herself to function as Great Grail, he was the "constructor" in other words the true inventor of the Grail War system. Thus he was able to gain this Noble Phantasm that synergized with the highest wish of Zouken and Baal to regain their former glory and prime state to becoming again Makiri Zolgen and Hadad.

The combo of his Empty-Core Of The God and Blessing Of The Pure Grail Skills are needed to build a base to reach this goal, as the empty Divine Core that once held the divine essence and power of Hadad is building instead a "Lesser Grail" and the blessings of the pure Grail which provides a connection to the Great Grail of the time where it was untainted thus allowing the fulfilling of pure wishes.

To initiate this Noble Phantasm it is at first necessary to mark a territory the size of a middle or large city as well as to let the Bounded Field of his first Noble Phantasm establish to enhance the probabilities of success. Then after the leylines are put under control of Caster he can either draw upon two options:

First this way is more direct and allows the ignition of the Noble Phantasm. Namely allows this Noble Phantasm to turn the former Divine Core of the God Hadad or how the Canaanites and many other ethnicities referred to him "Baal" the Lord. When he defeats another Servant or when in his immediate vicinity a Servant perishes he can absorb them and prevent the Greater Grail from containing them. Further as they are in him he can draw upon the abilities of the absorbed Servants as they are fundamentally a temporary part of his Saint-Graph. In this case it is irrelevant if they are Skills, Noble Phantasms or other natural abilities. But there are some handicaps in drawing on them or upon them. He has no problems with using Divine Authorities as he was once the king of the Canaanite Pantheon here applies his old characteristics as well as like example-wise Brahmastra or Groundbreaker. Also due to his degradation into a Lord of Hell he also has no problems with demonic or monstrous abilities like example-wise Kazikli Bey or Armor of Fafnir. However as the abilities, relics of the Abrahamic traditions demonstrate the rejection of his godhood he if he would use them be damaging himself like if he should use Noble Phantasms like La Pucelle or even Excalibur. As he was once a deity of agriculture as well as a slayer of monsters has he a great compatibility with abilities that claim territory or martial arts based Skills/ Noble Phantasms.But in any case can he just use the abbillities of One Servant at a Time. However similarly to the Holy Grail he needs at least five or six Servants to fulfill and grant a wish. Additionally the Servants must have Divinity of at least rank A. Respectively if lower he can by collecting more accumulate the necessary amount like example-wise a Servant with Divinity rank C and two servants with Divinity rank E example-wise. As he upon housing them inside their Saint-Graph contained more Mana his Mana parameter is ranked up.

Second this way is more elaborated and rather indirect as he has to ground his territory on a region where the people (The Israelites respectively the evolved forms of their teachings which include Christ's) that denied his godhood have never soiled the earth which is in the modern world rather impossible. So he must first eradicate all traces of the denial of divinity like to destroy the respective buildings or symbols as well must he establish his worship on his territory until they are willing and attempting to build a temple in his own name so that he can reclaim his former status, allowing his former divine self to descend upon his mortal half. It is natural that this option requires a long timescale, where Caster is further handicapped by the lack of leadership related Skills like Charisma or Incitement so is rather forced to draw upon "other methods"...

In either case the effect of this Noble Phantasm can be seen from outside. Upon receiving the divinity of a Servant or worship Caster's body is rejuvenated and increasingly looks like Makiri Zolgen. When fully activated Zouken transforms completely into Makiri Hadad, a new Pseudo-Servant where he discards the shell of the Demonlord Baal Zebul altogether to obtain new Skills and Noble Phantasms. Further he can choose the Class in which he wants to be based on the Class Container of the Servants he once devoured respectively if the second option was used he is able to incarnate into the Saver, Ruler Classes.

Furthermore this Noble Phantasm can't be stolen or imitated by the Skills or Noble Phantasm of other Servants. Should a Servant attempt this will be the servant imposed with a pressure of hundreds of Command seals on the contrary in this case if Caster able to take on Skills or Noble Phantasms from them. Also Caster is able with this Noble Phantasm to directly influence the Grail War system in that he can intervene with the operating Grail. Like that he can draw more Mana from the Grail by distributing the Mana he gives to a degree which would give him an equivalent to Self-Replenishment (Mana) at rank C. As well he can anchor himself in the World with the Grail as lynchpin even after the Grail War itself. However he still needs to find a Mana source if he hasn't a Master. Further he can accelerate the start of the next Grail War so that it is possible that it comes in just two years. Additionally he can influence the Servant summoning criteria similar to how Angra Mainyu did once in that the Grail will select or allow only the summoning of Servants with Divinity or that Saints can't be summoned.

Author Notes

phew that was close but here is my contest entry

I hope he has a Chance in the contest i tried to include many historic and Religious occurances and impressions in the profile . partially had i during the writhhing ofhis Noblephantasm a Gossebumps and shiver iif anyone s interested what the Backgrounds aer form the i am gladly explain them but for now do i want to let you speculate one your own . i hope that i made a good success in to Combine Zoukens and Baals Abbillities . And that the description of his second Noblephantasm is dynamic .

in any case i am glad for every Feedback they are Always welcome.

and although no one here made a Christmas servvant wish i everyone here that sees this a Merrry Christmas !!

Have a good Time Everyone!

[DelRey]

Merry Christmas and stuff
here a quality of life post
good luck to all

Foreigner – Adolf H. by DelRey
Rider – Ebenezer Scrooge by NittyGritty
Alter-Ego – Juana Inés de la Cruz by WhiteFrenzy
Ruler – Li Si by Justiciar Hux
Rider – Pyotr Alekseevich Romanov by NMR-3
Rider – Pan Twardowski by RoydGolden
Archer – Gabriele D'annunzio by RoydGolden
Ruler – Oneiroi(Morpheus) by GilgameshKingOfMemes
"Assassin" – "Halvor Askeladden" by Random
Alter-Ego – Lewis Carrol(Lostbelt) by Realcasually
Caster – Zouken Matou/Baal by Kabalisto Koga

[asterism42]

Deadline is in an hour, voting will open at that point. Voting will close on the 31st

[doncosaco]

Darn, I thought posting any time on Christmas Eve would do. Oh, well. Here it is anyway.

"You think you've got what it takes to be my master? Here, you can call me Caster or just John. Let me warn you here and now. I swear I won't leave your side, but I also swear I might not do a single thing you tell me to."

highjohn.jpg

Class: Caster
True Name: High John the Conqueror
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Place of Origin: Africa/Southeast US
Source: African-American folklore

Height/Weight: ?/?
Gender: Male
Likes: Life, Riddles, Songs, Food, Daydreaming, Laughter
Dislikes: Bondage, Obedience, Aggression
Talent: Smooth talking, Trickery, Shapeshifting, Astral projection
Natural Enemies: Angra Mainyu, Columbus, Elizabeth Bathory
Attribute: Star
Armament: Devil’s almighty axe
Catalyst: John the Conqueror root

Lore

High John the Conqueror is a hero of enigmatic origins. Some say he was an African prince, son of the king of Kongo, who was captured and taken as a slave to the United States. Others say he was the incarnation of the hope of the enslaved, a wind following the slave ships across the Atlantic that took the form of a man as it swept west.

As a slave, he took his presence to any plantation where his people are suffering, where there is an especially cruel master. It is said he could be in Texas while a whip is being cracked on a slave at a plantation in Alabama. Before a drop of blood from the punished slave could hit the ground, John would be there. He would take the load of the suffering slaves by incurring the wrath of the master through his mischief. John was a slave master’s nightmare. When John was supposed to plow the fields, the plow would accidentally break. And, of course, he couldn’t get another plow because the tool shed would somehow burn down, too. But John, being a master trickster, would always somehow get out of punishment and outsmart his master. It's said he never did a day of work, never listened to what his master said, and he never ran a way. He would defeat his master in the most unexpected way. One time, John was feeling greedy because his master had him cook up a pig for every holiday even though John never got to have a taste. So, one night he killed one of master’s pigs and started cooking it in his cabin. Master was suspicious and went to John’s cabin, demanding to be let in and see what he was cooking. John told him it was a raccoon he had caught. When master demanded to try it, John warned him that he wasn’t a great cook, so he couldn’t guarantee that the raccoon hadn’t turned into a pig while he was cooking it. Master was so overcome with laughter that he let John have a pig every Christmas after that.

Other stories tell of John’s journeys through the world. One time, he was at a plantation where the slaves suffered under a notoriously brutal master. During a supper break, John sat the other slaves down under a tree and separated their souls from their bodies, taking them on a journey on the back of his giant crow, Old Familiar. They were in search of a certain song and traveled far and wide, seeing all the wonders of the world and beyond. They even traveled to heaven and hell. Eventually they finally discovered the song. This was a song that they could sing during work. Singing it would take their souls to paradise while their bodies continued to work. He told the others not to tell their master about it, as them possessing it would make them the true masters. On another journey, John met Eulalie, the devil’s daughter, and they fell in love with each other. John wanted to stay with her, but the price was that the devil would give John impossible tasks to complete and would kill John if he could not complete them. He had to clear a forest, plan corn, and harvest it within a single day. Eulalie gave him a magical axe and plow to help him accomplish this. When it became clear that the devil would kill John anyway, John and Eulalie escaped on the devil’s horses and got married.

People also tell of different ends to John’s story. Some say he was freed from slavery and returned to Africa with Eulalie, had a bunch of kids, and lived happily ever after. Others say he was eventually executed but that his spirit returned to Africa to rest in peace. In every case, though, they said he left his power behind in America. He stored all his power in the root that they call the John the Conqueror root so that his people could summon his power whenever they needed him. In that sense, John never left his people behind and is still with them to this day. He stayed in the root he left behind and in the stories people told of him. Many of those tales are attributed to tricksters like Brer Rabbit, but this is because is because slaves didn't want the overseers to overhear them speaking about their black savior. People say that the slaves weren’t freed because of the war or emancipation. Really, it was John. It is something he made happen, something he promised years earlier. But even now, John is still around to help the weak and hopeless.

Appearance

Some say he was a big strong man like John Henry while others claim he was on the smaller side. The truth is, being a shapeshifter, he can take on whatever appearance the situation needs. Though, he always gives himself a handsome and charming appearance. His dress is simple and comfortable but gives off a dignified aura. He will sometimes sport a brimmed hat, a cloak, or a pair of sunglasses. He always wears a mojo bag around his neck. Truly, though, he is a bundle of roots wearing a man’s skin. He can control these roots like limbs and can rearrange them into almost any shape, allowing him to take the form of animals, plants, and even buildings.

Personality

It’s either the very wise or very foolish master that summons Caster. Caster has a will of his own and his own motivations. He might help his master out, but only on his own terms. An unjust or evil master is in for a rough time no matter how clever they think they are. In the end, Caster will come out with a win on unexpected terms due to his EX luck. He is very unconventional for servant and at first comes across as totally uninterested in the Holy Grail, coming off as someone who would rather loaf around and crack jokes. He generally doesn’t favor violence, preferring to seize victory by tricking his opponents or by coming to terms with them. However, he will readily jump to defend the weak and innocent to the great surprise of others. His wish is to give hope to the hopeless and would use the Holy Grail to have his root grow everywhere so that the weak around the world can use it as a source of hope. However, he doesn’t see the Holy Grail as the end all and be all and isn’t set on obtaining it, especially if he believes his master isn’t spiritually strong enough to wield it. His goal, then, is to make sure the Holy Grail War results in the best outcome for mankind. He will make jokes at the expense of other servants who he believes hold onto arbitrary ideals, especially selfish ideals disguised as altruistic ones. He especially scoffs at the ideal that a hero must sacrifice their life or soul in order to save others. However, he doesn’t treat the well-intentioned but misguided as enemies but rather tries to show them another way. He sees those who are truly evil as enemies to be defeated, though he sees nonviolent victory as the most glorious. Paired with a master that respects Caster, treating him as a partner rather than as someone subservient, and that shares similar outlooks on life, Caster is an extremely potent servant. That is to say, a master who understands Caster as someone who, on the surface, appears lazy and selfish but, being the incarnation of his people’s hope, is really trying to make true salvation for mankind a reality.

Caster is often a nuisance to his master since he finds ways to get out of burdensome orders. He is also a great cook and voracious eater, which usually leads to his master to discover all the food in the pantry and refrigerator to be missing. Caster’s wife hates the idea of him participating in the Holy Grail War and will often try to talk with him for hours each day out of worry. Much to his master’s annoyance, Caster will often get a call from his wife on his “root phone” at inopportune moments.

Parameters:
STR: D
END: C
AGI: D
MGI: A
LCK: EX – Even when he loses, he somehow wins since he’ll at least win himself a laugh or two. A master trickster, he never breaks the rules, but they always seem to bend over backwards in his favor. One must be cautious of how they deal with him as things never end up as planned with Caster. A command spell ordering Caster to kill someone might result in Caster “killing” them with a hilarious joke, for example.
NP: B+

Class Skills:
Territory creation: A - With the help of Caster’s wife, the devil’s daughter, a space of land can be instantly cleared to grow a meadow of Ipomea jalapa (the flower that his root is a part of). This sanctuary is protected by a wall of thorn bushes. Caster’s roots can also be extended or transplanted out anywhere.

“Let one tree fall, all will fall. Trim one limb, trim all. Plant one seed, plant all. Grow flowers, cover the meadow.” “Grow thorns, high above my head. Five, ten, fifteen meters wide.”

Item construction: A - Can create familiars and, with the help of Caster’s wife, the devil’s daughter, magical tools and plants.


Personal Skills:
Shapeshift: B - Can turn himself into plants, animals, and buildings to conceal his presence.
Astral Projection: A – Can effortlessly take others on a spiritual journey, anywhere from heaven to hell, while their physical bodies remain fully functional.
Beloved of the Devil’s Daughter: A – Husband to Eulalie. Her powers became his and his powers hers. Caster can call upon her powers of item construction and territory creation or summon her to get him out of a pinch.

Noble Phantasm

Morning Glory – The Promised Everlasting Paradise
Type: Anti-Mind
Rank: B+

Caster’s noble phantasm is the roots of Ipomoea jalapa, known as John the Conqueror root. It was in the roots of this plant that he left his magical powers so he could continue to bring hope to his people after his death. This is the root that gives hope to the hopeless and power to the powerless. Because of this, the root is filled with something akin to magic circuits. The root can be fashioned into an amulet that grants the wearer protection against spiritual attacks, luck, and victory over the spiritually inferior. Rubbing the amulet will immediately summon Caster to that location. The source of the root’s magical energy is the hope of the people that Caster helped in his lifetime and after. So, the more root that Caster grows, the more magical energy he can tap into.

The root that his master uses to summon him will become the beating heart of his physical body as a heroic spirit, while the rest is created by growing more roots. This gives him incredible powers of regeneration and shapeshifting. All the roots and flowers grown from the catalyst form a network that are controlled by Caster. He can make them grow and move like tentacles. Aside from using the root to create his sanctuary, he can also craft it into familiars of animals from his folk tales. The aptly named Old Familiar was a giant crow that carried Caster and others on its back during his journeys around the world. He can also create a pair of horses, the devil’s stallions, that he and his wife rode on to flee from the devil. Capable of running 500 km in a single day, they will instinctively carry their riders back to the safety of Caster’s sanctuary. Caster can use the root to contact his wife on the other side so that she can provide him with tools and help. She can send him the devil’s almighty axe and all-powerful plow. The axe is a tool that can chop down a forest with a single swing. A swing of the axe creates a shockwave that slices everything in the plane of the swing. It is an anti-fortress weapon but can be used against individuals. The plow can be used to ready and plant a field in an instant. It is used to create and expand Caster’s sanctuary.

If Caster rubs his root on someone else, he can whisk their spirit away on an astral journey. He generally shuns aggressive violence and prefers to win in other ways. The purpose of an astral journey is for Caster to help his passenger find their song of paradise. This is a song that can be sung to erase all the torment and pain from one’s life and attain a sort of nirvana. It offers an alternative way from the Holy Grail to wash away unfulfilled desires or regrets of individual. However, those who cling to their earthly desires for evil reasons will struggle to rip themselves away from the journey and return to the Holy Grail War. A successful journey can result in a servant or master losing their desire to participate in the Holy Grail War, or in the least becoming a strong ally of Caster.

Anyone, including enemies, can also use the root’s magical powers to gain extra luck or magical energy or even summon Caster into a trap if they know enough Hoodoo to make a root amulet. So, while Caster can use the root as a physical weapon, to whip or entangle enemies, he should not let his enemy get a hold of it.

Relationships

Angra Manyu – If he’s the incarnation of humanity’s hate, I guess that puts us at odds, doesn’t it?

Nero – Quite a splendid lady you are. You give me quite a laugh! I would introduce you to my wife, but that might not be a great idea.

Cu Cuchulainn – You might end up better off if you didn’t cow tow to your master so much, you know. Here, this root amulet might help a bit, too. *wink*

Creator Notes

Here is a figure from African-American folklore who is lesser known but probably more important than most of the others. He puts a different spin on what it means to be a folk hero compared to others. I recommend reading what Zora Neale Hurston has written on him. She gives a comparison of him with King Arthur that I think would make his inclusion as a heroic spirit interesting. As a contrast to the stereotypical evil character that corrupts good into evil through manipulation, I feel like John the Conqueror is someone who "corrupts" evil into good in a sense.

https://www.fadedpage.com/showbook.php?pid=20190457

[TheLordOfAwesome]

Damn, I'm late, and no where near finished with my Rider Che Guevara sheet. Guess when I finish it up and post it in the Create-A Servant thread.

[Kabalisto Koga]

Damn, I'm late, and no where near finished with my Rider Che Guevara sheet. Guess when I finish it up and post it in the Create-A Servant thread.

i understand your Situation as i once have not made it in time.

[DelRey]

a famous african-american with a magical root, called Morning Glory, that can be rubbed on someone else and take their pain away and bring them closer to nirvana...
hmmm, yes I see...

[Spammin Spiff]

So has the submission period ended, or do we still have a day before it ends?

[Kabalisto Koga]

So has the submission period ended, or do we still have a day before it ends?

I think yes the voting has started .

[asterism42]

So has the submission period ended, or do we still have a day before it ends?

Check the date, if it's after the 24th, the submission period has ended

[Spammin Spiff]

Shoot, I was almost finished with my servant too. Ah well, I’ll just post it on the regular create-a-servant chat once I finish it. At least next round I’ll have more time to do a servant.

[Comun]

3 points: Knave of Hearts-Lewis Carroll

I really have to apologize to Random for this one. Carroll and Loki are two Servants of very similar charms. Tragic, regret-ridden beings hiding under a cheerful fake identity, trickster motifs defining their powers, etc. I think both of them deserve my 3 points but I don't feel it's right to keep two characters this similar in my podium (Asterism, if you can give my 3 points both of them, even if it splits them into 1,5 for each, please do). But ultimately I had to pick Carroll over Loki because he was the one came with a whole original story behind him, and one that very creatively integrates canon content, at that.

2 points: Juana Inés de la Cruz

My favorite canon Servant being Nightingale goes to show how easy it is to conquer me with an "I'm always right and you're wrong" personality. Both in her relationship with her past peers, and in her relationship with Sappho, she just a delightful little ball of spite, the kind there's guaranteed to be entertaining any story she's featured in.

1 point: Peter the Great

The best way can justify this one is "he has the exact same aura of fun that Richard has". I can't personally figure out exactly why, maybe it's all the similarities on being a blonde king who prioritized adventure over rulership in his life then came back as a Servant very self-aware of his shortcomings, maybe it's subconscious influence from NRM's icon, but this Peter really gives me a very similar vibe to Richard's.

[RoydGolden]

3 points- Lewis Carroll: Probably the most interesting take on him I've seen here. Game Of Logic is an amazing Personal Skill both in terms of what it can do and how well it represents Carroll's own legend, and his personality sounds like he'd make for a wonderfully sympathetic anti-villain character in that Lostbelt you had in mind.

2 points- Juana de la Cruz: Best geek-girl. Her personality is adorable and awesome and her purehearted wonder for knowledge really comes through in the sheet. At first I thought her fusion with Sappho really didn't add much in terms of her abilities, but it made some very amusing tidbits in her personality section so that justified it for me. Also that NP is the best kind of Nasu-esque conceptual bullshit, and suits her philosophy really well.

1 point- Askeladden

Honorary Mentions: Scrooge, Zouken Matou/Ba'al

[realcasually]

3 points - Oneiroi: I have a massive weakness for people who take the lore of the Twelve Olympians being Space Mecha and come up with creative ways to fit the other Greek deities into that lore. This hits every single one of those buttons for me-- come on, dream-simulating AI Morpheus? Again, it's maybe a little bare-bones, but I have to give this one full points based on how far concept alone can carry it-- which is extremely far. I have nothing more to say but you had my top vote the minute you thought of this. Also, Matrix reference made me laugh.

2 points - Juana de la Cruz: A VERY close second, WhiteFrenzy knocks it well out of the park once more. Your formatting ALONE makes this a deserving finalist. (I might have borrowed a few pointers from you in regards to the use of skill images/an FGO deck. Hopefully that borders on respectful and not into ripoff territory...) I've heard of this figure before from the Rejected Princesses site (which I've trawled for inspiration a few times) and wondered how one might use this figure, and like others have said, you've really nailed the flavour of the conceptual-type Nasubabble with the technical stuff here. Plus, she's adorably written and the Sappho connection is a genius bit of historical trivia, even if at FIRST glance it seems a little... unnecessary? But you still made the most of it, and I have nothing but respect for that.

1 point - Adolf Hilter: Yes, it's controversial, and it'd feel wrong to me to give this a higher placing because of that. But it feels just as wrong not to acknowledge that this is probably one of the most interesting concepts I've seen of the man done here. We've had little girl Hitler Lily, which was soaring well into the parody zone, and more than a few Spear of Destiny Lancers, but this has a lot of really genuinely well-thought-out concepts on just how to handle something so horrific. So removed from human nature that he only qualifies as a Foreigner despite being utterly human? Brilliant. The curse of the ashes is chilling stuff-- and I REALLY love the fiction bookends you wrote around this, that elevated it to a whole new level. I actually learned something about Albert Speer (which, despite the grim tone of the entire thing, the sheer lack of subtlety in Spear=Speer did make me chuckle.) You took a real risk posting this, and while it might not have stuck the landing entirely, enough work went into making this just close enough to the border of creative and respectful that I have to list it here.

My honourable mention goes straight to Askeladden. Askeladden himself was creative, and the reveal of Loki was really nice. You can tell from my Knave that I like hidden-identity type Servants. Loki's sheet himself didn't exactly tread any new ground for me and the two seperate characters didn't mesh perfectly to me, if I have to give a reason this is only an honourable mention. Eiedhr Mistilteinn was excellent, though, a classic part of the legend that often goes unincluded, I did really appreciate seeing that. It was really hard NOT to give this one a vote in the end, but you definitely have bonus points from me for trying a new spin on an old classic.

[Tabris]

A pity that I couldn't come up with a suitable Servant before the deadline: I had at first two in mind, but couldn't justify them being Servants in the first place; a third was too similar to both the Ash Lad and the Knave for comfort; and the fourth... well, let's get on with the post.

3 points: Knave of Hearts. Reasons the same as Comun's, though I am quite far from awarding the Ash Lad any points myself (as I've read of the Lad's probable origins long before, and am frankly unimpressed with the contents of the reveal). The addition of FGO-specific content and the Game of Logic skill won me over, in the end, despite some minor qualms about Rick's take on the Dodgson's life and interests.

2 points: Sor Juana Inès de la Cruz. I AM NOT GEEKING OUT I AM NOT GEEKING OUT I AM NOT GEEKING OUT and to prove it, I'll have to point out that the explanation for the workings of the Noble Phantasm is a mess, and that her being twinned with Sappho just feels tacked on, even with all the justifications for her. Still an amazing sheet for the soul-sister, though.

1 point: Foreigner to Humanity. How darkly amusing, that so repulsive a monster was both the first to this prompt and has a point to its name. I am, however, impressed that even that pile can be justified as a Servant, so here, a slop. Or a slap. (Also, unless I'm missing something, how is it that da Vinci can't recognize him? Eh, details.)

[Justiciar Hux]

Umu umu, let's get the affairs out of the way:
Well done to everyone, there isn't a single sheet here that is sub-par, without a doubt.

3 Points are awarded to the Oneiroi
I'm a simp for the Machine Gods and their like lifeforms. Ergo, when I see someone incorporate that newfound lore into their Servants, well, I can't not like it. Especially when it's well done. For the future, I'd advise that you can do the words-above-other-words thing (Ruby text/Furigana) using the little red gem tool in the editor. It'll clean things up for you very nicely.

2 Points are awarded to Pyotr Romanov
I love the idea of this Servant. It's a little barebones in some areas, but I still have to give love to Tsar Servants when I see them. As such, I award you the second place of my rankings.

1 Point is awarded to Adolf
While he's a controversial figure (for very good reasons), I can't say that the sheet is actually bad. And you certainly understood what he is and represented him in possibly the best way I've ever seen on this forum.
Little critique though; I think you mistranslated Die Toten schweigen und du sollst es auch. I believe, from my six years studying German, it should be The dead are silent and you should be too.

Honourable Mention goes to Pan Twardowski
Wonderfully done. Rejoice, boy, because the interplay between the Noble Phantasms is quite nice to my mind.

[DelRey]

This contest was a fun read, many cool sheets, but that makes deciding who gets the point even harder.

3 points: Knave of Hearts. A great sheet with a lot of depth combined with the outline of a whole Lostbelt concept. Has to be rewarded accordingly. Great work and strong debut.

2 points: Juana. Great presentation, greatest sheet format I've seen for a while now. Great concept behind Juana with a fun personality. Actually equal to the other Alter-Ego, but I felt inclined to reward a strong debut better than someone who consistently creates good sheets and already won the contest once this year. And you didnt update the NP description to make it clearer for others :P

1 point: Oneiroi. I would give you more points if i could, but cant. It is a really cool concept and it inspired me to create my second blog post. I even referenced your Morpheus there, hope thats cool with you.

Honorable mentions:
Askeladden for the plottwist i didnt expect. Bad timing kinda, that your sheet had a similar concept to others and they gained more favour. Still a great debut!
Pyotr, who looks to me like Russian Jason.
John the Conquerer, because I laughed at the NP concept

[doncosaco]

This contest was a fun read, many cool sheets, but that makes deciding who gets the point even harder.

3 points: Knave of Hearts. A great sheet with a lot of depth combined with the outline of a whole Lostbelt concept. Has to be rewarded accordingly. Great work and strong debut.

2 points: Juana. Great presentation, greatest sheet format I've seen for a while now. Great concept behind Juana with a fun personality. Actually equal to the other Alter-Ego, but I felt inclined to reward a strong debut better than someone who consistently creates good sheets and already won the contest once this year. And you didnt update the NP description to make it clearer for others :P

1 point: Oneiroi. I would give you more points if i could, but cant. It is a really cool concept and it inspired me to create my second blog post. I even referenced your Morpheus there, hope thats cool with you.

Honorable mentions:
Askeladden for the plottwist i didnt expect. Bad timing kinda, that your sheet had a similar concept to others and they gained more favour. Still a great debut!
Pyotr, who looks to me like Russian Jason.
John the Conquerer, because I laughed at the NP concept

Not the reception I was hoping for, but I'll take it if someone enjoyed reading it. Maybe something I should have kept for the main thread instead of trying the contest.