"
Mhmhmhmhmhm... Congratulations, master. You have won the war. All that is left are the formalities... now, for the first. I am servant Caster"
Sources: 黒イ森/初画集発売中, Twitter.com. FaQ, Zerochan.net. /r/FFXIV, Twitter.com. Zenthol, Deviantart.com. Keai Plakat, Reddit.com. Fylus, Twitter.com. Zylith, Hoyolab.com. Danbooru, Safebooru.org. Babayka-Lesnaya, Deviantart.com. Imgur.com. X, Pinterest.com. FinalFantasy.Fandom.Com.
Class: Caster
True Name: Matholwch
Origin: Irish Mythology/British Mythology/Welsh Mythology
Alignment: Neutral
Likes: Power, Wealth, Woman, and Dabbling in the Arts and Sorceries.
Dislikes: Weakness, Poverty, and Villainy.
Talents: Scheming and Sorcery
Natural Enemies: Bran the Blessed, Taliesin, and Pwyll.
Other Classes: None
Catalyst: A piece of the Cauldron of Ressurection, Remnants of the Staff of Silver, or the bones of her slain steeds.
Armaments: Silver Staff of Kingship (C-Rank)
"
Ah! I see humanity at least remembered something of me rather than only the brute... don't worry master, for as long as I do not meet him in battle none can slay me"
Parameters
Str: C |
End: C |
Agi: C |
Mna: A+ |
Lck: A |
NP: A |
"
As you can see, mine strength speaks for itself. I am no slouch in close combat and I shan't be beaten in mere magicks."
Lore
Matholwych. Nominally, he or perhaps she is a footnote in history to the point of being mere myth. Depicted as a horrid villain, she was known as a king of terrible malice. Yet the truth often is farther from the myth. After all, none dispute a simple truth; her first parlay for peace with Bran was an honest parlay.
The kingdom of ireland had long been troubled by war. Kingdom after kingdom fell to war after the initial periods of peace. Fearing for her own kingdom's well being after the sudden, violent collapse of a nearby one she sought to strengthen her position by creating several strong ties with various surrounding kingdoms.
Yet she found herself wanting. Sure, she was strong against more kingdoms yet one scared her. The domain of the Giant of Ulster. A legend among her people a misty isle said to be a land of legends guarded by an indomnitable giant. At first she disregarded it as fantasy until a scout reported seeing the giant sitting at the shore of the isle in contemplation. Realizing it was true, she hatched a scheme on advice of her advisors, who also feared the truth of the giant.
Initially she schemed to seduce the great giant, hoping that marriage would create an unbreakable bond. As they approached she realized quickly her scheme would fail. Bran was a simple-minded giant, concerned only with his realm. She doubted that such a mind could be easily seduced.
Faltering, she schemed when she learned that the man had a family. Specifically an unmarried sister. Changing herself into a man on the advice of her advisors, she sailed to the isles to parlay with Bran for not merely peace but favorable relations. Initially, things went fine. An accord was made and her offer of marriage accepted.
Yet the morn before she was to leave something horrid happened. The steeds of her and her companions were slain by the half-brother of Bran. Initially she was incensed but decided to take her issues up with Bran himself. He confirmed the transgression and apologized, explaining it was due to their permission not being sought.
She was worried it would end the relationship but simply couldn't accept such a reason and simply stated her displeasure at the situation. Leaving to prepare to leave, Bran suddenly requested parlay to make amends. He seemingly agreed that the reason wasn't justified at all and that he wanted to pay recompense. He simply had been mulling over the best method... the offer Bran gave her was something she simply couldn't refuse.
A replacement of all her steeds with the near best he had. Only his families best and personal steeds would not be given. He also gave her two powerful treasures. The cauldron of rebirth and the staff of silver. She sensed their strength immediately upon seeing them and couldn't refuse as Bran ensured the original terms of their marriage would be honored.
Leaving happy with the transaction and a wife, halfway home she released her disguise. She apologized to Branwen for the falsehood but guaranteed her happiness and children if she kept the secret from Bran. Branwen agreed and she set about to do that. At the advice of her advisors she granted Branwen the right to work in the kitchen if she desired and also had a son with her named Gwern.
Life was well for a time when suddenly a scout reported a troubling sight. Bran at incredible size crossing the strait causing a stir. Further he was accompanied by legends such as Taliesin, Pwyll, and the rest of Bran's family. Demanding to know why, none spoke until Branwen was brought before her and admitted to calling Bran to rescue her.
The terrible truth of Branwen and Gwerns mistreatment at the hands of her subjects was revealed. Angered she ordered all soldiers her advisors sent ahead stand down and return for manual labour, forcing her advisors who caused the mistreatment to also join them. They were to build a house to accommodate not just Bran but all of his family, leaving a gift of salt and meats inside.
Yet her advisors betrayed her a second time. This time they hid soldiers instead of meats within the bags, intending to slay Bran. Yet his half-brother slew all of them single-handedly before they left the bags. Bran then declared the truce off and declared war.
Her worst nightmare come to life and she blamed her advisors, accusing them of betraying her three times. Putting them to death she took charge of her armies and prepared to defend her kingdom from Bran. She utilized the treasures given and entered into a long, bloody war with him.
Initially her forces held the advantage thanks to the cauldron of rebirth. Each death meant nothing to them. However Bran proved more intelligent than a mere brute and through a clever trick destroyed the cauldron and got close enough to slay her. In her final moments she regretted ever stepping foot on the isle of mists, wishing she'd never learn of the giant there as his sword cut through her staff and magic.
"
... No... that's not quite right... it was mine dying regret but being able to retrospect... I regret ever listening to mine advisors. I wish I had not once considered their advice... then I'd never have paid that isle any mind."
Class Skills
Territory Creation: A+
A skill of the Caster class allowing the creation of workshops. In her case as a King she can create a temple-class workshop that functions effectively as a castle. Given time the defenses match those of her old castle during the age of legends with bounded fields that even proper magus cannot easily resist.
In her specific case however she can establish a secondary workshop. However it does not properly function for her but as a safehouse for anyone she deems an ally. Of course within lies traps either in the event of her ally betraying her or deciding to be rid of them... or when luring enemies of her ally in to dispose of them. This secondary workshop is no higher than C rank.
Based on her legend of having a house built for Bran, this skill is bolstered slightly above the normal rank she would have as a Queen that maintained her castle as her workshop.
"
Ah right... I forget sometimes. History remembers me as a man... that is because mine kingdom fell to ruins and mine enemies knew me as such. 'Tis only natural. Mine misgendering is a result of mine own actions. I cannot fault them... but it does come with one extra benefit I cannot deny enjoying."
Item Construction: E
She only has this item as those of the Caster class are entitled to it. She has no anecdotes regarding her making any artifacts nor is she known for building anything, merely ordering the building of it. As a result it is at a low rank and she can take time to build virtually any mundane item provided she has the material and tools on-hand.
"
Why would I bother with such mundane tasks? I had subjects to do that no? Mine concerns were greater... I was in charge of running the kingdom and defending it."
Personal Skills
Fairy Eyes of Enchanting: B
A skill signifying her lineage and some aspects of her life and abilities. Anecdotes separately not worth much but together enough to create this personal skill. The blood of her fey ancestor, the mystic eyes she possessed, and the glamours she is capable of producing. All these combine into a powerful skill.
While technically multiple abilities, they all project through her eyes due to her having mystic eyes in life. In life they were merely Fairy Eyes but as a servant with this skill, they become Fairy Eyes of Enchanting
Through her mystic fairy eyes she can attempt to impose concepts into the world. While she makes a luck check to do so she can succeed with inanimate objects. When she does so against a living person it is very difficult for her to do so. Yet she will try to do so at times.
The only consistent application is the production of glamours. Generally when she is summoned she appears as a male but this is her preferred state. When she is ready she will drop the glamour by staring at a mirror. As one might expect, she prefers to call them illusions but concedes that illusions have a different skill set than Glamours, which are physical images overlaid reality than mental interference that makes onlookers believe they are staring at what the mental interference is attempting to lead them to believe.
"
Mhmhmhmhm? I'm beautiful? Well thank you... the ears? A cait sith is my ancestor"
Sorcerous Artes: EX
Normally, one cannot reach above the realm of gods as a mortal. Usually they reach a certain plateau that they cannot surpass. All mortals experience this... only those that acquire True Magic can claim to overcome it. Yet she is one of the extremely few that not only did not acquire any form of True Magic but overcame that plateau and entered the realm of gods.
Her particular brand of magecraft is a chaotic mix of many foundations and principles. To say she is in bed between the three powers would not be an incorrect accusation though perhaps an incorrect implication. For example while all of her spells require chants she is easily capable of abridging even the most laborous into a simple vowel if she so desires. The effects are not limited to what she chants and seem to be incredibly versatile from growing great tree's to firing veritable lasers of pure death energy.
In her lifetime there were few mortals that could claim to be her equal in the arte of sorcery, what she called her brand of magecraft, though she'd be offended at it being called such. Rather she prefers to call it Sorcery and others to refer to it as such as well.
Indeed her mastery of the arte granted her a great boon that against any other foe than Bran would have allowed her a path to victory... even now, knowing his gift, she believes she could best him though admits the chance is slim. Indeed, that sword that severs mana was her greatest foe.
Yet this was not part of her legend but of Bran's. As her legend states her mastery over sorcery, she gains her natural full might over it... or would, were she not restrained by her class container. At the height of her power she could overcome practically any foe and even the Magicians would have difficulty fighting her.
Normally she would be restrained as a mere caster. However her personal skill Silver Staff of Kingship grants her further power, allowing her to break past the limitations of her container and making it so only Magicians or Grand Casters being capable of challenging her. In such challenges, she is capable of holding her own, though she will not confidently proclaim power equal to them.
"
.... Master. Might I ask a question? Why do magus seek True Magic? I understand the desire for prestige and power but... one can accomplish it with other means... so why True Magic specifically?... hmmm... a real mystery..."
the Silver Staff of Kingship: A
The armament she has as a servant. The second gift she received from Bran the Blessed as recompense for the stallions his half-brother and their band slaughtered. Once a symbol of authority in the british isles, now a symbol of authority in Ireland. While a silver staff, she glamoured it to be wooden to match her personal tastes.
It acts as a c-rank armament but it imparts a few effects. Firstly, while holding it she gains the benefits of Charisma at C-rank when interacting with non-irsh. If someone has irish blood among those she interacts with, her skill rises to A rank as she becomes a 'Queen' in their presence while holding the staff.
Additionally all other personal skills are a rank higher while this personal skill is active. Being a natural conduit for prana, it naturally grants her more power. Of course this has the inherently property of allowing her to cast spells at the speed of a spell one verse lower (Two-verse cast at the speed of single action, three verse cast at the speed of a two verse, etc. etc.).
"
SURRENDER! YOU CANNOT DEFEAT ME!... There... that's a good berserker. Summon your master for parlay. I am feeling generous and am willing to spare you for now... I merely want something in return... that isn't too much trouble, no?"
Personality
The ruiner of the Irish. The woman of wiles. Queen that felled the misty giant. She has many titles but supreme among them is Queen of Sorcery. She takes great pride in herself and her power. She also took pride in her kingdom, going to great lengths to protect it.
Such great lengths that she even sacrificed her pride, elevating mere ministers to advisors to better help her make sound judgements. She considers this however a mistake, seeing how they led her astray in dealing with the misty isles.
In her new form of life rather than wallow in regret she instead schemes for how to undo or at least minimize the destruction of her kingdom. For that reason while she will allow her master to give advice she may ultimate disregard them.
Rather she follows the belief that believing in others was her greatest mistake. That had she trusted herself Bran and she never would have come to conflict. As such strategizing with her is nearly impossible unless her master proves himself an able tactician.
Yet despite this she will not disregard her master as useless. Rather she will utilize them as she might a subject of her kingdom, setting them to the task of acquiring reagents for her sorceries and noble phantasms.
Yet for all her bravado in the face of real conflict she is quick to get impatient. If a battle lasts longer than she predicts she will get increasingly desperate to end the conflict, believing earnestly that each minute beyond her predicated values is an increasing amount of failure and danger that she faces.
The worst occurs in the face of her greatest foe, Bran the Blessed. Coming face to face with that foe is not nessecarily an instant loss but rather she will pool all her resources towards his defeat. Friendships, betrayals, backstabs. No tactic becomes disgraceful when faced with Bran the Blessed for her. Rather to her not taking him that seriously is a death sentence.
A master that doesn't understand this will find themselves on the receiving end of her schemes as she seeks to replace them with one more understanding and or cooperative... unless even in their ignorance they know better than to try to get in her way.
"
Tsk... Of course you'd label me like that... well just so you know, I fear no man, not even that brute! I can beat him just fine... a pity he wasn't summoned so I could prove it!"
Interactions
Master
"
Tch. Don't get uppity over a mere title. I am clearly superior. If you're smart, you'll know your place... as mine vassal. You seek the root, no?"
Bran the Blessed
"
... Damn. He really is here. No matter... I am fully cognizant of his capabilities. I shan't be taken a fool a second time!"
Glooscap
"
... A berserker shaman...? How does that even work...? No matter, they are not a threat."
the Hero Twins
"
... They tricked a god? Impressive... they would serve well as mine shadows... but how to win them over...?"
Lamorak
"
... He defeated thirty knights? Bah. Bran is more a knight than he and he is merely a giant! Begone, peasant!"
Freischütz
"
... What a fool. An absolute fool. No matter. He is no threat. They're merely bullets after all. I am a mage, what fear have I of such things?"
Honda Tadakatsu
"
Tsk... he reminds me so much of Bran... no... he's worse. At least Bran was a king..."
Noble Phantasm
Is é an Caol Aiséirí I Ndáiríre.
Ar a Dtugtar an Pól Rebirth
Type: Anti-Unit
Rank: EX
A powerful noble phantasm and her primary one. She utilizes it not for herself but on others. Never has she dared tried to use its might on herself due to fearing it. The first gift Bran the Blessed bestowed in exchange for forgiveness, the Cauldron of Ressurection.
It is famous for its use during the Bran-Matholwch war in which the latter used it to constantly replenish their soldiers against Bran's mighty but dwindling force. It is often said that without it Matholwch would have lost immediately... the truth is unknown as Matholwch is cunning.
It has three primary levels of power. The first level needs no ceremony she need merely dump a body or object within. Any maladies or imperfections afflicting the object or person are repaired completely.
Even minorly mental ones such as those caused by stress are healed. Even a killing blow, so long as the person is not dead, can be healed instantly. The only price for this healing is the pain of being dipped in scalding water though no injuries suffer from it.
The second level is invoked with a small chant and a use of its name. This level returns any person or object to their peak physical and mental condition. In essence they are the best they possibly can be.
While they receive no long-term extension of life they are effectively given a second chance from the point of their peak. It even keeps the history of an object intact when doing so. Even true death may be averted so long as she dumps a piece of the person or object within fast enough.
Yet there is the strongest level. One she reserves for when she is truly desparate. A power she fears subjecting herself and others to, but will do to others if needed. Something she only used a few times during the actual war. Unveiling its true nature as not a cauldron of ressurection but of rebirth.
Upon the chant being said and the use of its true name the cauldron glows purple as green liquid fills it. Once filled and bubbling it turns blue and shines with radiant light. After this for the next 24 hours any object or person that goes in becomes subjected are wholesale changed.
In essence they are reborn. The person or object that comes out is different from the person that went in. They regard the former as their parent. Further they are always stronger than what went in. So strong is this that even a soul reaching akasha seems incapable of stopping this process.
"
... Mhmhmhm... Mhmahahaha! Fools... absolute fools. You think this a mere cauldron of ressurection...? Small. You think small. Behold its greatest power as mine master steps within!... Heh... see now? He not only has six command spells but his Od is three times greater... and I am stronger for it!"