Class: Saber
Alternate Classes: Archer, Rider
Identity: Hernán Cortés
Gender: Male
Origin: Spain (16th Century)
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Attribute: Man
PARAMETERS
STR: A
END: C
AGL: B
MGI: D
LCK: B-
NP: A
Skills
CLASS SKILLS Magic Resistance:B
A Skill that 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 three verses. Even if targeted by High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals, it is difficult for them to be affected.
Despite having lived in a relatively modern age, Saber displays high magical resistance due to his contact and eventual conquest of a civilization which still retains magical qualities from the Age of Gods. Being summoned into the Saber class also further boosted his Magic Resistance.
Riding:B
A Class Skill of Rider and Saber class Servants, denoting the ability to ride mounts and vehicles. Most vehicles and animals can be handled with above average skill, even vehicles that did not exist in the time period one was alive in, for they are no exception. However, cannot ride the likes of Phantasmal Species such as Monstrous Beasts.
Horses played an important part in Saber's conquest of the Aztec Empire, as the concept of [Riding] itself is nonexistent on the culture of the New World. Spanish conquistadors, including Saber himself, were inheritors of some of the finest riding techniques in the whole of Eurasia. The jineta riding style, unique to Spanish cattle-ranchers, emphasized spontaneity, speed, balance in the saddle and maneuverability.
PERSONAL SKILLS Independent Action:C
An ability to remain independent even when rejecting the Magical Energy supply from one's Master; the ability that allows for action even in the absence of the Master. At higher ranks, it is also possible to remain for extended periods of time in this world without an established contract. At this rank, it is possible for a Servant to stay in the world for one day without a Master.
At the start of his conquest, Saber had refused a direct order to retreat from the Governor of Cuba, Velazquez, in an act of open mutiny. He justified his action by exploiting a loophole in the legal code of the Castile, by establishing a legal settlement, the town of Veracruz, and declare himself as its Captain-General, an exploit which Velazquez himself had done in past.
However, this action was not based on arrogance or over-confidence on his own skill; it was simply because Saber believed that it is his duty; to serve both the Castile and God, by expanding the horizon of the Castile and to bring God’s salvation to the natives.
Conquistador:A+
A Skill of one who had conquered the unchartered lands at the end of their voyages during the Age of Exploration. In Spanish, it means [conqueror]. Denotes the ability of invading, ruling, pillaging, and enslaving an undiscovered land; a composite skill combining the effects of [Military Tactics], [Charisma] and [Golden Rule], each lowered by two ranks. Also grants a plus modifier to the combined skills when operating on an [area to conquer]. An additional plus modifier is provided when the Servant is within an [undiscovered land].
There really is no doubt about Saber’s competence and capability as a conqueror, as he is widely regarded as one of the greatest Conquistadors, whose greatest achievement, the [Conquest of the Aztec Empire], the first European conquest in the mainland America, paved the way for further conquests and colonization into the whole American continent, allowing human civilization to develop and thrive in this New World. His conquest also inspired many other European to embark on their own journey; either for personal glory, in pursuit of the rich American gold, or to spread the holy words of the gospel.
Protection of the Faith:A
Originally Posted by Toribio de Benavente Motolinia, one of the Twelve Apostles of Mexico
“Although as a human he was a sinner, he had faith and works of a good Christian, and a great desire to employ his life and property in widening and augmenting the fair of Jesus Christ, and dying for the conversion of these gentiles ... Through this captain, God opened the door for us to preach his holy gospel and it was he who caused the Indians to revere the holy sacraments and respect the ministers of the church.”
A Skill possessed only by those who have sacrificed themselves for a religious view. Despite being a form of [divine protection], it is not a blessing from a higher existence. It is only the absoluteness of one's body and soul, which is born from faith.
Saber thought that by conquering the savage lands of the New World, he would have earned himself enough glory and recognition from the Empire he earnestly served. He though that by taking away the lavish riches from the barbaric heathens of Aztecs, he would have gotten enough gold to retire and enjoy a life without hardship. He was terribly wrong.
He earned nothing but heartbreaking ingratitude from his countrymen. His treasures—most which he left on the depth of Lake Texcoco—were all forcibly seized from him by his rivals. However, through these bitter conclusions, Saber had always believed that he was right on at least one thing: that everything he did, were done in the name of God; for the sake of spreading salvation of Christ throughout the New World, a [spiritual conquest], so to speak.
Divinity:E-
A measure of whether one has Divine Spirit aptitude or not. At high levels, one is treated as a mixed race of a Divine Spirit, and the level declines when the Heroic Spirit's own rank as a Monster or Demonic Beast raises. It can also decrease due to one's dislike for the gods.
Saber's arrival on Mexico was believed by the Aztecs to be the return of Feathered Serpent God Quetzalcoatl, who finally decided to destroy their Empire. Because of this, Saber received a Divine aptitude, whether he or the Divine Spirit he was believed to be liked it or not.
Noble Phantasms
La Vera Cruz Sword of the Righteous Cross
Rank: B+
Type: Anti-Unit
Originally Posted by Salvador de Madariaga, Hernán Cortés: Conqueror of Mexico
“[Cortés] sees the idols, and the gruesome traces of their inhuman worship, and he grows sad, wonders, questions God, offers to serve Him by freeing the land from that abomination; then, he argues about it with the [pagan] priests; hears their resolution to die for their gods, and the cautious captain in him rapidly takes a few tactical precautions. But, does he change his strategy? Does he for one second reflect that in one minute he may destroy the magnificent success of a whole winter of hardship, courage and intelligent perseverance? Does he think of his gold now safely stowed, of his power now safely established? Not for a second. He seizes an iron bar, even before the Spaniards he has sent for have arrived, and leaps on the idols to smash them to pieces before the dumbfounded priests.”
The sword that cut apart the [sacrificial bonds] between mankind and the gods, bestowing both of them salvation by liberating them from their mutual burdens. It is the crystallization of Saber’s most heroic deed; liberating the people of Aztecs from their horrid ritual of human sacrifice.
This Noble Phantasm represents the clash of ideals between Saber’s Christian faith and the Aztec’s; specifically between the [death of Christ] for the [salvation of humanity’s sin] and the Aztec’s [nextlahualli]—human sacrifice—ritual, an act of [debt-repayment] for their gods who constantly sacrificed themselves to produce [the sustenance which nourishes life].
One of the first things Saber did when he gained control of the capital of the Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlan, was to abolish this foul practice of blood sacrifice. He took up his sword, and personally destroyed the Aztec’s false idols along with their priests. By destroying these avatars of the Aztec gods, he has ended the sacrificial connection that has been formed since the Age of Gods, severely weakening the Aztec’s magical composition to the Age of Man level, and robbing them of their [sustenance of life], making them more vulnerable to diseases that the European colonist carried.
This Noble Phantasm manifested as Saber’s gigantic sword, which more or less represents the True Cross itself. With this sword, Saber is capable of [severing the bond between mortal and gods], making it extremely useful against Servants which relies on protections and blessings of Divine Spirits. It also can disable Noble Phantasm which requires a Divine Spirit’s blessing or consent for it to be working. Due to the nature of this sword, it deals extra damage against [Heaven] attributed Servants.
El Tesoro de Tenochtitlan Lost Treasures of the Vanquished Capital
Rank: - (A)
Type: Unknown
The legendary treasures which Saber and his men plundered from Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec, consisted of [the fruits of civilization] from the whole Aztec Empire.
Saber only possess these treasures for only a brief time, most of these artifacts were lost to the depth of Lake Texcoco when Saber and his men were forced to retreat from Tenochtitlan thanks to a rebellion sparked by his troublesome subordinate, Pedro de Alvarado. The rest, were later claimed by the monarch of Spain to enrich to the treasury of the Castile. Because of this reason, this Noble Phantasm is sealed.
It is possible to unlock this Noble Phantasm if at least 5% of the treasures were to be returned to Saber. It is also possible for Saber to have this Noble Phantasm since the beginning by using these treasures as the [Summoning Catalyst].
Manifested in the form of an ornate treasure box, this Noble Phantasm has a mechanism that relies on the user’s luck for it to be useful at all. Each time one opens the box, a random set of [treasures] will appear inside it. Most of the time, the box will only contain useless junks. Sometimes, one can find expensive gold and crystals inside it. If one is lucky, even powerful Aztec artifacts and Mystic Codes can be found inside. If one hits the jackpot, then it is possible to find up to B+ ranked Noble Phantasm from various Aztec Emperors inside, including the fabled Headdress of Quetzalcoatl that Montezuma sent to Cortes.
Each time the treasure box is opened, a large amount of magical energy is needed. Because of this, it would be wise not to rely on this Noble Phantasm too much.
Personality
PERSONALITY
Likes: Gold, glory, gospel
Dislikes: Ingratitude
Talent: Conquest (of either an Empire or heart of women)
Natural Enemies: Diego Velázquez, Cuauhtémoc, Bishop Fonseca, Quetzalcoatl, Francis Drake.
Saber can either be described as a vicious and ruthless conqueror or a noble and honorable cavalier, or sometimes, both; a man whose ruthless persona is stemmed from his honorable and noble intentions. Saber’s action is deeply affected by his religious values, which, in other’s eye may be seen as a but too violent and harsh.
Towards his Master, Saber is generally obedient and will do his best to honorably serve them. However, he will not hesitate to disregard his Master’s command if he thinks that the order is not [the optimal course of action]. He will often act independently, though ultimately, this is done not for his own pleasure, but for his Master’s sake.
His wish for the Holy Grail, if such thing truly exists, is to [enjoy the success of his conquest]. “My hard work, which I sacrificed for the sake of my country and to serve God, I want it back. I want to finally taste the sweet fruit of my own success.”
Bond CE
The Cross and The Sword
This vast expanse, which saw the cruelties of our conquest and exploitation, also witnessed our heroic faith and spiritual zeal.
On this land, our swords were stained red with blood. We took their gold and riches, we painted their streets with their own blood, we desecrated their false gods and put an end their barbaric rituals.
Their riches we used to cure this sickness that only gold can cure. Their corpses served as a warning to those who defy us. And by destroying their false idols, we bring them salvation, freeing them from their wicked gods’ demand of inhuman ritual of blood.
You might think that our actions were driven solely by avarice and brutality, but this is the absolute truth:
Our conquest was based by our unwavering faith to serve Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for the salvation of our sins as he hung on the Cross.
Relationship
Quetzalcoatl:“You… hey, what are you going to… Oh God, no! sto—“ Francis Drake:“How typical of a greedy English pirate. No, I’m not going to hand over my treasures that easily, and I’m not going to hold back against you just because you’re a woman” Blackbeard:“Disgusting pirates… really, you’re the worst” Geronimo: "Impressive. Now, would you mind if I tell you the story of St. Jerome? Ah, you're already familiar with the story? Yes, of course, it's on your name..." Jaguarman:“...Cuauhtémoc? Ah, never mind, you just resembles him, a bit.” *awkward and forceful laugh* Columbus:“As expected from you, Sir. That was a really motivational speech.” Vlad III:*this 5 hour long religious talk has been omitted*
Last edited by 34; February 10th, 2018 at 07:55 PM.
That was an interesting Cortes sheet. It's common to portray Conquistadors nowadays as just evil maniacs, and while that's certainly justified to a degree given their actions, a more ambiguous take is nice too.
Gender: Male Alignment: Neutral Good Likes: Traveling, Meeting New People, Seeing Old Friends Dislikes: Toll Booths, Water.
Parameters and Skills
STR: - END: - AGI: - MGI: EX LCK: EX
Class Skills
Magic Resistance: EX - This skill grants protection against magical effects. Differing from the Resistance effect that merely rejects Magical Energy, this ability cancels the spells altogether. At this rank, the Servant is immune to all kinds of foreign energy. Linear effects fizzle out before reaching its body and wide-ranging abilities divert before Ruler.
True Name Discernment: EX - This is a Class Skill of the Ruler class where status information such as one's identity, Skills, and Parameters are automatically revealed to the owner of this Skill when directly encountering a Servant. Just by being nearby a Servant Ruler will begin to learn more and more about his identity. The closer he is and the more he has contact with a Servant the more he will know about a Servant including not only the past but his current events. At this point, this skill can almost be called Clairvoyance. See the NP section for more information.
God's Resolution C - This is the Class Skill of the Ruler class and is the privilege of the Ruler presiding over the Holy Grail War; the right to use Command Spells against Servants, only given to Rulers. Ruler has no access to True Command Spells. He has, however, access to access to Energy Batteries that work in similar ways to Command Spells. These Energy Batteries are much weaker in comparison to a true command spell and can't restrict much of a Servant's abilities. Ruler has 2 of these Energy batties for each Servant in the HGW.
Personal Skills
Collector [Events] EX - The 'talent' to collect high-quality goods—a 'luck' that draws rare items into the possession of the Servant. In Ruler case, rather than the talent to bring physical goods, it's rather the ability to bring out rare & interesting events near him. Those events could be big or small, but it's no exaggeration to say that almost everything interesting happening in a city will happen near him. By just taking a stroll through the town, Ruler will bump into the leader of the local mafia; the crazy old homeless man; a small magus family making ends; a tattoo artist known for his use of blood; a lost little girl looking for her family and so on.
Powerless Shell A - This is a Skill that makes the user difficult to perceive as a Servant, declining one's parameters and suppresses one's Skills. At this rank, Ruler suppresses all of his physical stats so his presence can't be detected by any magical means until he either uses his Energy Batteries or he completes one of the Major Milestones in his Noble Phantasm.
Identity & Biography
Abū ʿAbd al-Lāh Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Lāh l-Lawātī ṭ-Ṭanǧī ibn Baṭūṭah, or simply Ibn Battuta, is perhaps the greatest traveler in the world. Born in 25 February of 1304 in Tangier, Battuta is known for having traveled throughout the entire Islam territory, traveling through his life more than 75,000 miles, a distance unsurpassed - even by explorers of the Age of Exploration like Megallan, Drake, and Columbus - until the age of Steam. The sheer amount of places he has visited and written about transformed into the living witness of the period, giving him the illustrious nickname of the "Traveler of the Age". In the Islamic world, his name is synonymous with Wanderlust, and his efforts have inspired many to enter a wayfaring life.
It all started at the young age of 21, when Battuta driven by religious zeal decided to make the 3,000-mile travel to Mecca to complete the Hajj, the pilgrimage that every Muslim should complete in his life. And so he said goodbye to his family and friends and traveled sometimes alone and sometimes in a caravan on a journey that normally took 2 years to make. He would only return home 24 years later. In a year, he reached Mecca and instead of returning, caught by an incredible sense of Wanderlust decided to continue traveling.
His wanderings took him to Spain, Russia, Turkey, Persia, India, China and all the Arab lands. He traveled through 40 modern countries, met 60 kings, advised half of those, married many times, and learned much more. When he eventually came back home 24 years later, his father and mother had passed away, and feeling like a stranger in his own home he decided to travel for 5 more years eventually settling down on Morrocco where he became the judge and disappeared from history leaving his memories in his travel diary, which still remains an incredible source for understanding the culture and society of his time.
As a heroic spirit Battuta is an incredibly rare Servant to be summoned as he has no wishes for the grail. In his own words: "I have indeed—praise be to God—attained my desire in this world, which was to travel through the Earth, and I have attained this honor, which no ordinary person has attained." Satisfied with his life, he mostly ignores all summoning calls but on the rare occasions where he is summoned, he, much like a certain Asian tactician, prefers to let everything under the control of someone else. Thanks to his Noble Phantasm he is able to abuse a loophole to avoid being completely summoned and appearing instead as a Book that is presented to the chosen Master.
Personality
Battuta is at his core a free-spirited man. He is someone who was able to realize his dream while alive and wishes that others could share his dream.To travel is a sacred activity and to become a citizen of the world is to have a better understanding of Allah's desire for mankind. he believes that when you travel your body, soul & mind will be challenged and from these experiences, you can grow to become a better person He has traveled throughout the known world which only solidified his love for Allah and Humanity. He just wishes more people were able to see what he has seen.
Incredibly curious, Battuta is at the same time the best friend and the greatest enemy of tourist agencies, one second he dutifully playing close attention to what his guides are saying the other he is derailing the entire travel schedule towards something he deemed more interesting. Ruler seems to have a sort of lack of self-defense as a tourist willingly going into more dangerous places to fully experience what the place has to offer. Going into the designed tourist zones are fine, but to comprehend God one must witness everything the world has to offer.
Of course in his current form, it's very hard for him to show his personality. He wants that his Master experience what God can offer by himself, so outside of the very first interaction with them, Battuta will remain the vast majority of his time summoned as a silent witness to everything.
Noble Phantasm
A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Travelling
Rihla
A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Travelling
Tuḥfat an-Nuẓẓār fī Gharāʾib al-Amṣār wa ʿAjāʾib al-Asfār
, or simply
The Travels
Rihla
, is the manuscript the scholar produced during the end of his life that relayed his lifetime of journeys and it is his single and only Noble Phantasm. The book, that was dictated by him but written by fellow scholar Ibn Juzayy, is his proof as the person who walked the earth and witnessed it all. One might even argue that it's the sole reason why Battuta is even a Heroic Spirit. It's truly the crystallization of his life. And that presents a funny situation: It's not uncommon for a Heroic Spirit to have his life crystallized postmortem as a Noble Phantasm, however, it is rare for a Heroic Spirit to have his life culminated into a physical object during his life, like Ruler and his book. After all the Rihla is not only about the world that Battuta saw but it is also ostensibly about his own self: His choices, decisions, thoughts and even his prejudices are displayed in force for the world to see. It's not uncommon for a Writer to have his most famous work made into his Noble Phantasm, but it's pretty rare that said famous work is essentially an Autobiography. This allows Ibn Battuta, who feels no real urge to incarnate as a Servant, to employ a loophole: Normally, you aren't able to summon a Weapon like a sword as a Servant as you need to have a soul in the first place. However because Rihla could be said to be the crystallization of his life, his own internal world made real, Ibn Battuta is able to trick the Holy Grail to summon not a copy of an Ibn Battuta, but not the Ibn Battuta made of flesh and bones, but the Ibn Battuta made of paper and ink, i.e his book.
The book is, for all intents and purposes, the Servant Ibn Battuta, but with the inability to talk or move on its own, after all, it really is at its core just a book. It's a somewhat similar existence to a certain children's fairy tale, but unlike said children's fairy tale, Ruler in his current form isn't able to create a strong soul of its own and though Ibn Battuta is maintained energy-wise by the Grail, it has a very fragile existence as an object that was used to trick The World into believing that it is a Heroic Spirit, and so it needs an anchor in the form of a Master. Much like a certain French girl needed the body of a blonde haired student to incarnate,
Rihla
Ibn Battuta
needs a Master to maintain his existence in the real world.
Rihla
Ibn Battuta
ties itself directly into the Master very own inner world and becomes essentially his very own Noble Phantasm.
Rihla
Ibn Battuta
has three main effects, the first being his function as the Ultimate Observer: The book is able to record everything that was near the vicinity of his Master. Everything will be recorded in written fashion: The actions, dialogues, and even thoughts. There are predominantly two forms of prose in the book: It's half a Travel Guide, writing the events in a fact-of-the-matter way and half Travel-Diary, writing his Master's Thoughts as they come. The amount of detail depends on the amount of time those events happen inside the range of the Noble Phantasm. At first, it will only record things that the Master has noticed in the first place, but with prolonged exposure more and more details will come to surface. Once the Book has gathered enough information about a place, event or person it will have completed a "Milestone" and will be able to keep track of things that happen outside of the range of the Noble Phantasm, becoming the ultimate form of intelligence gathering.
The Second Effect is related to the "Milestones" his master can complete: "To Travel is to Grow", is, in short, Battuta's main belief and this ability reinforces that credo. Whenever
Rihla
Ibn Battuta
is summoned, it sets up "Milestones" for his Master to complete. Those milestones are people, events and places that the Master has to see, meet, talk and/or interact with. While they can vary widely there are generally two types of Milestones: Majors and Minors. The Majors are people and places directly related to the current Grail War and so have a specific number of them that the Master has to complete while the minor milestones, on the other hand, are those who aren't related to the grail war and are people and places that
Rihla
Battuta
's owner meets during his travels and so are unlimited in Number.
Completing a milestone in those two categories results in the same reward though in vastly different levels of it: The Holy Grail will send a surge of prana to the book, which, tied to its owner own existence will forcefully hasten its Master's journey towards his ideal self. Completing a Minor Milestone will send only a small surge of prana to the Master, but a Major Milestone is, well, a major event that will be felt by all those present in the war and will provide the Master with a huge evolutional leap: Skills that would take decades to learn are instantly mastered and thoughts that would take years to mature are achieved almost overnight. If one is able to complete all Major Milestones, they are considered to have reached their Journey's End and will, generally speaking, be someone who is able to compete with Servants on even grounds or even surpass them. After that point the Rihla will lose all magical properties becoming just a travel diary, recounting his Master's entire journey through life, in an account not much different from Ibn Battuta's own Rihla.
The Third Effect is the more simple effect to describe, but it is also the reason why Battuta's is even summoned as a Ruler in the first place: After
Rihla
Ibn Battuta
is summoned and tied to an Owner, the Holy Grail will become impossible to be interacted with. The Grail will keep supplying the Servants with Prana like it used to do, but it will reject any sort of interference by the participant. For example, they will not be able to use the Grail as a Battery, summon a Heroic Spirit in a nontraditional class like Avenger or even claim the Grail after killing the remaining Servants. Thanks to this ability, the Grail forcibly tries to summon Ibn Battuta whenever there are heavy interference on its use, as some sort of protection-device. The Grail will continue to reject any sort of interaction until either two things happen: The Destruction of the Book or the Completion of at least Half of the Major Milestones. After all, if the Grail is the proof of God, in Battuta's world one can only truly meet God with an explorer's life. Rank B - Anti-Unit
Bond CE & Releations
The Journey's End Source Ah, there you are, Friend! Or should I call you Master?
Come closer, it's been a while since we last talked right? Never since the day I put you on this life-changing trip
Thanks for indulging me and sorry for all the trouble, Hahaha.
Well, there we go. It's the end of our so-called partnership. I just wanted to show you this.
Do you see it? This infinite realm of streets, corners, and bridges. This neverending vista of spires, towers, and palaces stretching through the horizon. This world of towns, boroughs, and slums. Of seas, deserts, and forests. Of dancers, painters, scholars, homeless, kings, queens, princes, warriors, cowards, judges, criminals, victim, and killers. Of common people getting by, living day by day inefficiently but filled to the brim with moments of complex and marvelous intricacies.
This is what I found. All of this beautiful world of splendor and simplicity is what I've witnessed throughout my voyages.
It's me. It's my faith and my cynicism, my qualities, and my vices. It's what I'm most proud of. It's my Rihla
You know, when I made that tome, I meant it not only as a Gift for all the ones who loved to travel or the ones who wish they could but also for myself.
So I could never forget what made me who I am. So I could always go back to it. And I'm honestly satisfied with it. I don't have any wishes.
But Master, though I must have appeared to you just as a silent book, I paid attention to your journey.
Haha, please Master, don't be ashamed, the path you took was a beautiful one:
Filled with laughs & tears, enemies and friends. You were right in some and wrong in others, but you nevertheless grew and grew in what you are today. And though this Journey of yours might have reached an apparent conclusion, in actuality it really is just the beginning of it.
Please keep this book like I kept mine. As a present for yourself, so you could always reminisce about that Journey that began with a crazy man and his book.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to witness your Rihla.
Ma'a Salama
Nursery Rhyme: The curious relationship of two books. Because of her origin as a collection of stories and fairy tales, Nursery Rhyme can perceive much of Ibn Battuta's personality through his normally voiceless self. This presents Battuta with a curious case. He doesn't really want to show his emotions but Nursery Rhyme will be quick to point when the book feels embarrassed or proud which kinda annoys him, but he appreciates having someone he can really talk to.
Hans, Shakespeare, Dumas...:
Much like Nursery Rhyme is a curious case for them,
Rihla
Ibn Battuta
is also one. Though they can't really speak with him, having to rely with Nursery Rhyme to communicate, they try to interact with him as much as they can. However, for being more or less an autobiographical work, they don't have the same fascination they have with the pure work of fiction Nursery Rhyme. Incidentally, Hans' Noble Phantasm and
Rihla
Ibn Battuta
's Abilities are very similar, though the first evolution is an act of love while the second is an act of self-discovery
St. George:
They are planning to release a Travel Photobook together
Creator Notes
One of my wackiest sheets ever, which I don't know if it translated well to writing.
I'll give a quick TL;DR version of it because it might be seen confusing reading it. This servant is a book whose main ability is to record everything and to level up his master through achievements.
This is actually one of the older ideas i was sitting on for a while. Ibn Battuta came to me while i was making my Vasco da Gama sheet. While i was writing it I began to think that his Wanderlust King ability worked better thematically in someone like Battuta. Because I eventually settled on keeping the Noble Phantasm with Vasco da Gama I dropped the sheet.
I eventually came back to other explorers like Battuta and other explorers on a whim. The main concept came after a very brief read of Strange Fake. If I'm not mistaken the Watchers all follow the theme of "Fought against Fate and lost". I was thinking on another possible group of Watchers and Travelers and Explorers were one of them. The Idea was that by doing things related to travel, the Master would get powered by the Watchers and eventually become strong.
As I didn't know enough about the Watchers, I put the idea on the shelves until more info dropped. But with this contest, I decided to take out of the bag. I was writing a more conventional sheet before this one, but it didn't really grip me enough so I went with my previous wackier idea of Battuta who is now a book.
My biggest problem with the sheet was the presentation. Organizing all these moving pieces in the sheet was tiring and I still don't think I did a good job with it, but in one of my biggest defects as a writer, I hate sitting on a completed idea and I just want to post it and "get rid of it"
On a side-note, I almost made Pell the Faceclaim after all the One Piece stuff
Last edited by JetKinen; February 23rd, 2018 at 10:58 AM.
That's a really creative and interesting sheet. You might want to do a scan-through to correct typoes; I spotted a few dropped periods in the skills and some of the sentences in the NP section are fragmented.
I actually made an Ibn Battuta sheet for this contest too. I'm glad I didn't ended up submitting it, yours is much better than anything i've come up with for the guy.
That's a really creative and interesting sheet. You might want to do a scan-through to correct typoes; I spotted a few dropped periods in the skills and some of the sentences in the NP section are fragmented.
Thanks for the warning, I'll give it a check later, when i wake up.
My grammar is not the best one, so if some typoes remain, odds are I really don't recognize them as typoes
Originally Posted by 34
I actually made an Ibn Battuta sheet for this contest too. I'm glad I didn't ended up submitting it, yours is much better than anything i've come up with for the guy.
Thanks for the compliment, but you never know the end result. Maybe people would like your sheet better. Never say never and yadda yadda.
If you're not going to post that Battuta sheet in this thread please consider doing in the regular thread.
It's always fun to see how 2 people interpret the same story
Last edited by JetKinen; February 6th, 2018 at 12:03 AM.
"Do what thy manhood bids thee do from none but self expect applause; He noblest lives and noblest dies who makes and keeps his self-made laws." Class: Assassin
Real Life Appearance
Alternate Class: Saber Identity: Sir Richard Francis Burton Alternate Names: Mirza Abdullah the Bushri, Hâjî Abdû El-Yezdî, Frank Baker, Ruffian Dick Alignment: Chaotic Good Origin: England
Parameters: Strength- B Agility- C Endurance- A Mana- C Luck- B NP- B Height: 5'11" Weight 160 lbs. Likes: Traveling, Languages, Adventures, Maps Dislikes: Bandits, Guards, People Who Refuse to Try and Make Something Out of Their Lives Talents: Disguise Natural Enemy: John Hanning Speke Attribute: Human Armament: A British rifle and his rapier Catalyst: a copy of one of his books or one of the translations he did
Skills:
Class Skills: Presence Concealment (B+)- Hides one's presence as a Servant. Suitable for spying. It is possible to disappear completely and become almost impossible to be detected, even against a Servant's perception. However, efficiency will decrease once preparations to attack are taken. Assassin's rank in this skill is a result of traveling hundreds of miles through lands that contained dangers to himself and people who would kill him without hesitation should they have learned his true identity.
Personal Skills:
Battle Continuation (A)- The ability to survive. Makes it possible to fight even with deadly injuries and can remain alive so long as one does not receive a decisive fatal wound. Assassin had once taken a javelin straight into his jaw during an ambush but even then he continued to fight with the javelin doing nothing to weaken or slow him as it took over thirty more years for Assassin to finally die. Additionally Assassin was once on death's door due to a crippling illness during one of his adventures in Africa through a desert and the illness almost killed off Assassin but he persevered and accomplished his objective with only little delay.
Human Observation (B)- A technique to observe and understand people. Assassin spent much of his time adventuring studying those that were around him during the quests. During the time that he was alive, Assassin wrote several books detailing his experiences and observation of the locals of wherever the man went to the point that he was at one point appointed as not only an honorary member of the highest caste of a Shi'ite Muslim community but was also given the honor of the position of Sufi which is only reserved for members of the inner mystical circle of Islam despite Assassin's historical declaration of 'I am an atheist, but I was brought up in the Church of England, and that is officially my church.' Assassin can carefully observe people and deduce the best way of manipulating them into trusting him even when his interests are not aligned with theirs or find secrets that he can blackmail them with.
Fencing (B)- The skill of someone trained in the swordsmanship of Fencing as well as a measure of one own's swordsmanship. When Assassin was planning out his first great adventure, being the first non-Muslim European to make the pilgrimage to Mecca also known as the Hajj, Assassin decided to brush up on his swordsmanship and practice fencing to such an extent that he gained notoriety for his skill with the blade. This skill allows Assassin to qualify for the Saber Class as well as fight to directly fight the knight class servants instead of having to resort to assassination. Has the rank of A+ when summoned as a Saber class servant but due to current summoning has his Fencing skill at a lower rank.
Noble Phantasm(s):
The Grand Forbidden Journey- He Who Bravely Trekked Where Death Stood Guard (B, Anti-Detection)
This noble phantasm is the crystallization of Sir Richard Francis Burton's achievement of surviving the pilgrimage to Mecca while completely disguised since it meant certain death if a Westerner was found attempting the pilgrimage. Additionally this noble phantasm represents the accomplishment of Sir Burton's success at being the first European to infiltrate Harar while avoiding death due to masterful disguises.
This noble phantasm is the reason for Burton's high ranking Presence Concealment as this noble phantasm allows Assassin to not only alter his physical appearance and the appearance of his weapons, but to be able to track down the location of anywhere he chooses without threat of being discovered while enroute. Assassin can alter his appearance to look like a member of the local populace no matter the difference in ethnicity as well as take on the appearance of any occupation from law enforcement, to being a businessman, to being a soldier or anything in between. Usually disguises and deceptions like this are deactivated upon being discovered yet Assassin is able to maintain this deception to such a level that bystanders could be fooled into thinking that Assassin is indeed who he says he is even when doing something extremely out of character for his disguise.
Assassin was famous for passing through areas where he would be instantly hunted down and killed should he be discovered and to aid in his infiltrations, his noble phantasm grants him the ability to bypass any security that would try and stop him from reaching wherever he was traveling to. No human, supernatural, holy, divine, or misc. security measures will detect or be triggered by Assassin. This defense immunity is only for when Assassin is traveling to or from his target location as he can still trigger traps and alarms if he is not using The Grand Forbidden Journey to travel somewhere.
Lore:
"Let me tell you the story of myself, the most badass author, adventurer, linguist, and in general jack of all trades to have ever lived."
Sir Richard Francis Burton lived from 1821 to 1890 and during his life he held numerous jobs such as author, soldier, adventurer, explorer, geographer, translator, linguist, fencer, (fake) Sufi, duelist, anthropologist, and several other occupations which were aided by the fact that the man spoke 29 languages in life. Burton was a man fueled by his desire to learn and explore as well as a need for fame that led him on several death defying adventures as well as acquiring the accomplishment of being the man to translate the Kama Sutra, The Perfumed Gardens, as well as The Arabian Nights.
Burton spent his youth traveling with his parents where his talent with languages was first discovered though he was eventually sent to Oxford to study as his military father wanted him to have a formal education of some sort. Burton's stay at Oxford University was cut short when he was expelled from the school and joined the East India Company though the adventurous young man did decide to trample Oxford's flowerbed with his horse before making his leave of the university.
"Did I ever tell you about the time I fooled a few muslims into making me their equivalent of an archbishop despite my lack of faith in any god?"
Burton spent his time in India studying the local languages, dialects, and customs to the point that the Shi'ites he interacted with had grown impressed with the British man. These Shi'ite muslims granted Burton him the title of Brahmin, which was their highest caste level, as well as made him a Sufi, which was a position held by the members of the inner mystical circle of the religion known as Islam, despite Burton being a non-arab and a self admitant atheist. When not dealing with the locals, Burton had a habit of picking fights to the point that he was given the nickname of "Ruffian Dick" for his tendency to start fights to test himself as well as just being a jerk to some of those around him.
"Nothing gets the blood and adrenaline pumping like trying to fake out millions of people while blaspheming to the point where you will be arrested or killed on sight if discovered."
It was the year 1851 that Burton decided to try and attempt the impossible, at least for a non-muslim european during that time, and fake his way through the Hajj, which was the sacred pilgrimage muslims are supposed to make to Mecca, and discover the secrets of one of the holiest sites in all of Islam. To prepare for any danger along the journey, which was heavily expected since he was going to face certain death if discovered, Burton further trained himself in Fencing with his competitive nature and desire for fame making him a renown swordsman though still not famous enough to be memorable. Burton studied cartography and the geography of the Middle East before adopting a false identity and attempting the impossible.
The daring adventure was almost a perfect success with nobody but one arab kid seeing through Burton's deception though Burton would go on and spend his life regretting the fact that he had to kill the child and hide the body. "To think I almost got killed because a kid saw me peeing while standing up instead of squatting down like most muslim men." In truth the Englishman spared the child but was hounded by questions and accusations about the murder that he eventually gave up on trying to deny the event ever happened.
Burton eventually made it to Mecca and was the first European to discover the secrets of the Islamic holy site and he recorded his observations so that his adventure may be published upon his return to London. The people of London and the United Kingdom examined his observations and hailed his adventure as legendary with Burton's fame and reputation as an adventurer skyrocketing. This famous adventurer went on to sign with the Royal Geographical Society in 1854 for the purpose of trying to discover the source of the Nile River though Burton decided to have a "short trip" before this quest.
"You didn't think my little hike to Mecca was my only adventure did you?"
Before his quest to try and discover the Nile's source, Burton adopted the disguise of an Ethiopian and try to be the first European to discover the location of the Somali capital city of Harar which was kept hidden from the Europeans as anyone from Europe caught trying to find Harar was to be immediately executed upon being found in Somalia. This adventure lasted only a week but Burton successfully returned to the Royal Geographical Society's camp in Eastern Africa and told them all of the discoveries he had made in the forbidden African city and that the Somalis were completely oblivious to his presence. This episode wasn't Burton's last encounter with the Somalis but that is for later on in the lore.
As part of his work with the Royal Geographical Society, Burton joined forces with John Hanning Speke in search for the origin of the great Nile River as well as map out the river and the Congo which was a quest that proved to be greatly taxing on both adventurers. Both Burton and Speke fell victim to crippling diseases that left Speke temporarily blind and deaf in one ear while Burton could barely walk as they neared the end of their search. Eventually the duo discovered Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika with Speke taking claim of Victoria and Burton taking Tanganyika as his claim of fame in their mission. The two adventurers who braved the dangers of Africa together would eventually become enemies when Speke started to claim that Victoria was the source of the Nile while Burton argued that Victoria wasn't the source. The two were scheduled to debate in public against one another but Speke was found dead of an accidental gunshot wound the day before the debate in September of 1864 thus the two adventurous rivals were never allowed the chance to debate one another.
After Burton's discovery of Lake Tanganyika he continued to stay in Africa for a while to further explore the Congo and make out lost discoveries in the African jungle while also taking notes about the geography, language, and customs of the people he encountered. Burton's camp was ambushed one night by several hundred Somali warriors with one even managing to throw a javelin straight into his jaw which did not slow down or weaken the man who helped fought off the raiders despite the nasty scar that was left by the weapon. Burton almost got to kill the warrior that threw the javelin but Burton got distracted and the warrior fled to live another day though Burton was pleased with the amount of positive attention that the scar drew from women.
Burton finally settled down and got married in 1861 when he returned to England which also marked the point that Burton joined the Foreign Service as a consul in various places in Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Despite playing the role of diplomat instead of explorer, Burton still found time to go on adventurers and get himself in trouble with locals. Burton traveled to the front lines of the Paraguayan War on two separate occasions as well as befriending Jane Digby, and Abdelkader El Djezairi, a prominent leader of the Algerian revolution then living in exile.
It was in the year 1862 that Burton was assigned to the consulate in Damascus due to his expertise in arabic as well as his knowledge of the local customs though he found himself with more enemies than friends. While trying to settle disputes between the jewish, christian, and muslim population, Burton found himself having to escape from over three hundred warriors sent by the governor of Syria who was furious with the consul. Burton was historically noted to have said "I have never been so flattered in my life than to think it would take three hundred men to kill me" when he managed to fight and escape the three hundred would be assassins that failed to kill Burton.
Burton was the co-founder of the Anthropological Society of London in 1863 and his lifetime of service to the crown and his accomplishments would result in the explorer being knighted three years later. Burton's life of exploration and adventure would come to an end in 1872 when he was recalled from Damascus and assigned to a sleepy port city in Austria-Hungary. This relocation prevented Burton from going on any more adventures that would allow the fifty year old man to get his adrenaline pumping but the almost nonexistent amount of work his new post required of him gave him ample time to work on his writings.
Burton mostly produced publications related to his observations of different cultures and locations though these travel books were not well received by the public due to being risque and borderline pornographic for the Victorian Era so Burton had the publications be done through the Kama Shastra society. The works that Burton would receive the most recognition for would be for being the first to translate the Kama Sutra and The Arabian Nights into English as well as The Kasidah which was his account of his return from his adventure to Mecca.
Eventually Burton's heart did what no man, beast, or disease was ever capable of accomplishing and killed the legendary explorer. Sir Richard Francis Burton died on 20 October 1890 of a heart attack which Burton laments was a sad way for him to die after how he spent most of his life.
"I find it ironic that I lived my life in an attempt to create such a grand experience for myself only to have died in such an insignificant and plain way."
Personality:
Burton is a man who is cursed with a near insatiable desire to travel, explore, and investigate all that he can even if it means putting his neck on the line. Despite having a personality that tends to be hot headed and prone to picking fights just for fun, Burton had shown in the past the potential to be a cunning schemer in pursuit of his goals with the Mecca and Harar incidents being evidence of such planning. The more grand and challenging the endeavor will be for Burton to overcome, the more likely the servant is to try and figure out a way to accomplish it. Trying to prevent Burton from achieving whatever he put his mind to is an easy and quick way to make the man hostile towards you as no one and nothing will intimidate the adventurer and he will not back down when someone tries to stop him.
Burton fully embraces the larger than life experiences he lived through and it has given him a sense of pride and arrogance but it has also instilled into him a sense of boredom and disappointment towards those that refuse to live life to the fullest and be adventurous. Burton believed that the life you are given is the only one you are going to get so you better make one hell of a mark on history while you have the chance since that is what he did and now he has a second chance at life thanks to the Holy Grail. A passive, lazy, or overly cautious person is someone that Burton often finds himself butting heads with as they are resigning themselves to a fate that will only get them forgotten after they die which was a fear that Burton always fought against.
In addition to the above, Burton has a tendency to be a bit of a smartass and mess with people. When questioned by a priest about whether he actually killed the young arab boy, Burton responded with "Sir, I'm proud to say I have committed every sin in the Decalogue" though this came after he already resigned himself from fighting back against the accusations. A doctor once tried to question him about killing other people with Burton's response being recorded as "Quite jolly, what about you?" While Burton will occasionally mess with the person he is talking to and might attempt to shock or trick them, he is doing this as part of his observation of others to get a better feel for their character as well as figure out how not only the person works but what their culture is like as well so that he may better understand them.
Should Burton find himself as the last man standing in a Holy Grail War, the wish the adventurer would make would be for another chance at life so that he may continue to live a life of adventure and continue to discover more of the world despite the age of exploration being over. Burton loved the thrill of doing something daring and adventurous so having a second chance at living a life full of adventure is what the man would ask for should victory be his.
"Curiosity may have killed the cat but it sure as hell wasn't what got me in the end and it won't get me this time either."
Relationships:
Scheherazade: "I do hope you don't mind that I shared your stories to the English speaking world. Also despite what you might hear, I did not overly sexualize your work, the people of my age were a bit to modest about that kind of thing."
Francis Drake: "Well it is nice to see another seeker of adventure in this area. You were legendary for exploring the seas while my claim was exploration of the land, and now all we need is an explorer of the air then there will be no place we can't explore."
Ozymandias: "I do believe I spent some time traveling through the deserts you once ruled though they definitely weren't your territory when I was there. I will admit however that your people were much more cooperative and friendly than the Syrians and Somalis were."
Bond CE:
The Adventurer's Journal
I have braved the harsh deserts of the Middle East and survived the dangerous Congo and fought off countless people but for what purpose really?
I was afraid of become one of those that waste lives away with no chance at leaving my own mark on the world. Everything that I have done is for the purpose of surviving after death since my own lack of faith denies me the chance to believe that there is something after we breathe our last breath.
This journal is my collections of notes containing my memories of all I have seen and encountered. So long as this journal exists in one piece, so too shall the existence of everyone and everything that has ever crossed paths with me. Though their time has already come and gone, so long as they are in my notes then they too shall enjoy at least one form of life after death.
That is the reason for everything that I have done. I wanted to immortalize myself in history so that when my time comes I will know that I have actually accomplished something that will me remembered in history. I have put myself on the edge of death several times not just to try and immortalize myself but so that the cultures and languages and people that I have run across will also have a chance to survive even after all traces of them outside the journal disappear.
I may not serve a god despite claiming the Church of England as my home church but if there is a god out there I pray that those responsible for letting me accomplish all that I did in life will never have to worry about being forgotten for this is the reward I wish to give them for their assistance in my life.
Last edited by Bylackbre; February 7th, 2018 at 12:35 PM.
Class: Caster Name: Mathurin Roze de Chantoiseau Sex: Male Source: Historical Fact Region: France Alignment: Neutral Good Height: 177 cm Weight: 75 kg
Strength: E Constitution: C Agility: E Magical Energy: D Luck: A Noble Phantasm: D
Restaurant
Spoiler:
Since the Age of Gods, medicine and culinary knowledge has barely been distinguished. Even in modern times what we call preventative medicine is mostly nutrition. During the Enlightenment, science was still burgeoning and fields such as chemistry were indistinguishable from alchemy. Restaurateurs came from the side of medicine.
During this era, digestion was seen as a miracle. Through digestion hay could turn into horses, rats into cats, and food in humans. However, the act of eating, digesting was known to be on the physical plane. Then what of the lofty ideas of men of letters and other thinkers? Those men existed on the spiritual and mental plane and were unable to digest food because they had expended too much energy in that realm. Furthermore, as food was supposed to “cook” in the stomach, eating too much would boil the food over and noxious miasmas would rise to the head and impair mental functions.
Therefore, for these “weak-chested” men and women. They need restoratives, restaurants. Meat that boiled for hours, compressing all their restorative potential into bullion. This bullion would then be consumed as a soup. Built around this product and on the concept that every patient had their own medicine, the modern day restaurant was built. Menus served as a guides letting each patient know what restoratives were on offer, separate tables were prepared for each person so they would be undisturbed in their treatment, and most important the freedom of choosing one’s own dish for you knew best of what would cure you.
This establishment of a restaurant was the establishment of a new world with its own rules, and the man who discovered it…
Boulanger
Spoiler:
It is said the first modern restaurant was created in the mid-18th century when a man only known as Boulanger served sheep’s feet in white sauce. Until then the French culinary world was controlled by guilds who only allowed their members to produce and sell specific products. In combining a “restaurant” with mutton, Boungaler inevitably angered the stew producing guild who took him to court. He argued he was not in violation as he separately produced the white sauce and poured it over the mutton. He won the court case and became the first restauranter. Soon after, the French Revolution began and chefs of the nobility who had nowhere else to go started to do what Boulanger did, cook so that any peasant could eat like an aristocrat. All thanks to Boulanger who paved the way for these displaced honest cooks. At least that is how the legend goes….
For if this legend were to manifest, it would reach nothing more than a simple urban legend, a phantom. There is no basis, there is no proof, only confirmation bias attempting to find the stirrings of the French Revolution in its legends.
French Debt
Spoiler:
In the early 18th Century John Law’s disastrous paper money “System” led to the erosion of monetary confidence and France set strict exchange values for gold and silver. Economic recovery was slow but steady until the Seven Years war put France in further debt in addition to losing almost all their North American holdings. Subsequent years of agricultural price reductions, helping finance the American Revolution, and disastrous winters finally caught up with the declining French economy. It was therefore believed that fixing France’s debt was the key to saving the country.
Class Skills
Spoiler:
Territory Creation: C- The creation of an area advantageous to oneself as a magus. In Boulanger’s case, a “restaurant” that is similar to a workshop can be created.
A public space that caters to individual tastes. Conceptually, as the original form of restaurant, this is a place of healing. If one were to look in the back, it would seem more like an alchemist’s lab than a modern day restaurant. As an aside, Roze’s restaurant was known as Hotel d’Aligre. All seating is separate but the owner doesn’t mind if you push the tables together.
Item Creation: - Because of his Noble Phantasm this skill has been sealed.
Roze has no experience in creating tools with magical energy, anyway.
Personal Skills:
Spoiler:
Proof of Friendship: A- Friend of all the world. If the enemy servant does not possess a mental pollution skill of a higher rank, their fighting spirit is suppressed to a certain extent and they will be inclined to try a dish. Those with the opposite alignment may find his insistence and geniality fake and off-putting.
Throughout his life Roze signed his name as “L’Ami de tout le monde,” or “Friend of All the World” in reference to Maquris de Mirabeau’s pamphlet. However the Friend of All the World took root in a different fashion as a restauranter. As a medical practise, restaurants served those in need, any time that was necessary. Furthermore, they served travellers from all around the world who need to be restored after their long trips, unlike the local table d'hôtes that would only serve communal meals at certain times. Most of all Roze’s idea for a restaurant was one part in a plan that would restore the country. There was no ill will, there was no avarice, only healing for ironically, the ones who needed it the least. It should be noted that the first time he printed his credit plan, he was thrown in jail.
Innovation - Nouveautés: C Innovation, a special skill bestowed upon heroes who brought a revolution to an era. The term Nouveautés refers to the presumed economic circulation of novel or rare products which is coincidentally the same as the current laws around mystery. Roze is able to receive and then re-circulate any effect or mystery. However, each time that article is passed on its effectiveness decreases one rank. This skill represents the innovation that Roze was unable to bring about but spent his life campaigning for.
Normally this skill would be Innovation (False). However, the Boulanger anecdote that was conceptually sublimated with Roze has ties to a different innovation, that is, the French Revolution. Funny how two falses make a truth. Perhaps in the modern era, Roze’s false innovation has come true in some fashion. After all what is cryptocurrency but something similar to a credit system that devalues as more and more is mined?
Almanac of Stored Knowledge: B A universal recording tool, a spin-off of the skill “Librarian of Stored Knowledge.” In a Holy Grail War, records the status of all Servants. What has been written cannot be obscured by skills or Noble Phantasms.
It’s full name is the Almanach général d'indication d'adresse personnelle et domicile fixe, des Six corps, Arts et Métiers also known as the Almanach dauphin, as it was presented to the Dauphin and well received. Originally conceived as a companion to Alamnach royal which contained information on the state officials, the Almanach dauphin, contained the information of all the business people in Paris. Apparently, no trade was too low or exalted for this publication which attempted to encourage the circulation of goods and wealth. Businesses that supplied goods to the royal family, “king’s merchants” were given a special note for their quality, but the purpose was to allow the king’s people to know that the king’s merchants were available to serve those who could pay. It’s fitting that Roze never intended this publication to continue past a few years, it was a mere novelty that was to allow people to live more comfortably, depending on its future obsoleteness.
Noble Phantasm
Spoiler:
Et Ego Vos Restaurabo
o Restore a World
Rank: D Type: Anti-Unit (Self)/Anti-Country Range: 0 Maximum Targets: 1 item Et Ego Vos Restaruabo Any
restaurant
dish
that Roze prepares while within his territory turns into a restorative. On consumption of the dish, a healing effect is conferred along with the cleansing of bad statuses and debuffs. INT is ranked-up; however, magecraft, skills, and Noble Phantasms that affect the spirit do more damage. Roze is limited to cooking for one dish at a time from the prepared menu items of the day. If Roze happens to grasp a miracle or a Holy Grail, it may be possible to save an entire country with the circulation of restoratives from this Noble Phantasm.
Normally, restaurants were a broth of pure meat essences. A variety of meats; ham, veal, chicken, partridge, etc would be boiled for many hours in a sealed kettle. It was believed the meat would be partially digested. When it reached the consumer, it would provide the patient with the nutrition of meat but without the energy necessary to digest it. This was claimed to allow for the proper circulation of blood within the body.
“Money, Jobs, and Health. Only when the circulation of all three are balanced will France be saved.”
Biography
Spoiler:
Mathurin Roze de Chantoiseau was not the Boulanger. Born as one of three sons to Armand Roze, a landowner, when he decided to leave Chantoiseau for Paris in an attempt to save France, he decided to take on the name de Chantoiseau because it sounded more aristocratic.
In his quest to save France from its debt, he was thrown in jail, started an information brokerage, wrote what can be considered one of the first commercial directory, failed at starting a bank, and his greatest achievement was the discovery of the restaurant.
There are explorers who create new methods, travel to distant lands, and make the imaginary into reality. Roze is not one of those heroes. His pride as a heroic spirit is nothing more than a fragment of his overall plan, a plan of healing that never came into fruition, a plan that by all accounts would never save anyone, would never save a country.
But, one cannot deny that by struggling and persisting with that vision, with that belief to save France, he discovered an entire culture and world. A world that a majority of humanity has visited, sat, and tasted. Something that survives to this day, more prominent than ever, something so ubiquitous that no one ever asks, “Who was the one who founded the establishment I’m taking my date to tonight?”
Who created the idea of the restaurant?
...
Mathurin Roze de Chantoiseau died a penniless man, March 1806.
Circulation
Spoiler:
The basis of Roze’s system that would save France. It can best be explained through his fiscal reform plan. Roze’s idea was for the king to issue “Letters of Credit” to his debtors, basically a guarantee that the country would pay those debtors the amount they needed to be paid. He hoped that because this soft currency was granted by the king and held the king’s promise to pay and there would be few in number merchants and tradesmen would seek them out. Every time these letters of credit were passed along they would lose one percent of their value until the letter was worth nothing anymore. That is to say, the basis of this currency was on novelty and faith in the monarchy. However misguided, this concept is founded in the thinking of the era where new ideas such as electricity or the steam engine produced much value.
It would be through this idea of circulation that Roze would base his life’s work. He proposed the circulation of debt using his letters of credit to save the country. He would fail at building a bank that would circulate currency for those who needed it. He would create an almanac as a tool to circulate goods and reputation, and finally he created the restaurant to circulate health. In magecraft this circulation is akin to a blessing or perhaps it might be better to say curse. Wishing for the best of others and doing one’s best for everyone because everyone must promote one another if everyone is going to win.
It’s no wonder that this happy idiot spent his life running in circles.
Bond Craft Essence:
Spoiler:
“A freshly killed capon should be cooked in an alchemist’s glass kettle with sixty gold ducats, and noted that the cook might supplement the gold pieces with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, jaspers, or ‘any other good and virtuous precious stones the doctor may order.”
-15th Century French Recipe for Restaurant
Spoiler:
A/N: I wanted to add a related characters, personality, and speaking example, but I think that might be too much. I can’t take any credit for the research and most of the ideas in this sheet. An amazing analysis was done by Dr. Spang in her book The Invention of the Restaurant: Paris and Modern Gastronomic Culture. I only put everything together.
Originally Posted by FSF 5, Chapter 14: Gold and Lions I
Dumas flashed a fearless grin at Flat and Jack as he rattled off odd turns of phrase.
"And most importantly, it's me who'll be doing the cooking."
Territory Creation (A+) - Build a special terrain that is advantageous to oneself as a magus, such as for the purpose of collecting mana.
Item Creation (B) - Manufacture magical items, from implements of war to items for daily use. Also, this Skill requires time to gather components and manufacture items.
Personal Skills:
Adventurer (B+) - Marco Polo's personal skill. As a famed adventurer who travels from Europe to Far East, he accumulated vast number of experience from different places. This skill gives him a high resistance to any terrain disadvantage or status effect attacks and magics. As an adventurer and as the one who crossed the dessert and seas, sneak attacks below the rank of this skill is deemed ineffective against him. However against assassin class, the rank of this skill increases to A+. Traps and illusions are useless against him and can dispel it. Sneak attacks are determined by any form of ambush or stealth attacks. This skill works by making his all senses to be at its peak at a cost of his mana. A skill that manifests to him while he is in the middle of his journey to the east, avoiding and repelling bandits along the way.
Observer (A) - A skill that allows him to have an in-depth study of anything that he sees. As he was famous because of his chronicles, his observational skills are considered to be a superb. It gives him an in-depth information and deduction by thoroughly observing the subject (much to Kublai's delight). Against a servant, it will give him a further understanding what kind of servant it is including its all necessary information down to its skills, identity and fighting patterns. However this skill requires him to observe the subject and the longer he observes, the more this skill is effective and accurate. Making him to watch a battlefield thru any mediums is how to use this skill. Logical factors greatly apply, it means that this is not an instant skill whereas by just looking, you will have the exact information.
Terrain Advantage (B) - A skill that gives him advantage based on the terrain that manifests due to his experience. This skill has no effect if the terrain is flat. Terrain disadvantage cause by body of water or by dessert is useless against him, it gives him a protection against waves or sandstorm in a form of a barrier. For a mountainous terrain, it gives him an ability to conceal his presence and increase the range of his territory by twice the amount.
Noble Phantasm(s):
Spoiler:
Book of the Marvels of the World Livre des Merveilles du Monde
Type: Anti-Fortress Rank: A+ Range: Approximately 1km in diameter to the targeted area Max Targets:Anyone inside the range
His unique noble phantasm in a form of a book whereas he is widely known of. It makes a reality marble on the targeted area, detains the target and makes all things he will write or is already written at the book will happen. Once the reality marble has been in place, anyone caught on that area cannot escape as long as this noble phantasm is still in effect. It directly affects the surroundings and makes things happen based on what is written and decides to happen. As this directly targets the area, it ignores the magic resistance of anyone inside the circle and relies more on luck to survive. Entries should be in a form of events that will lead from cause to effect logic. It cannot induce an instant kill and will strictly follow the logic of anything that is happening. The higher the luck of the target, the stronger it can resists the curse or fate related effects of this skill, but any direct damage resistance (literally direct like bombarding etc) will rely on END. Events that don't have a clear logic behind them will make that event be ignored and not activate. Example: He cannot write you will die directly, but however he needs to write how you will die and how will it happen and who it will make it happen. This noble phantasm can be activated simultaneously with the effect of territory creation, the mana cost needed to maintain the reality marble can be taken from the mana harvested by the territory creation together with his own mana and master's mana. He cannot use this noble phantasm if he is summoned as a rider class due to the high mana cost it needs to maintain it.
Galley for the Motherland Trebuchet Galley
Type: Anti-Army Rank: C+ - A Range: Approximately 500m cone to the targeted area Max Targets: Anyone inside the range
His noble phantasm in a form of large Galley equipped with numerous Trebuchets. This noble phantasm can manifests its full potential if he is summoned as a rider class and will only remain as a rank C+ if he is summoned as a caster. He summons his galley, rides on it and bombards the targeted area dealing damage. He can use this skill to travel from one place to another and can use this as a means of escape. However as his galley has a limited fire power, this noble phantasm is more suited for escaping, the rider class only amplifies this by a bit. Using this together with his book noble phantasm drains his mana tremendously per minute it manifests and will require to use the full capacity which is fatal.
Lore:
Spoiler:
Marco Polo, is a famous explorer, writer and merchant that lives from 12th to 13th century. He is famous because of his book written by his co-inmate at prison that tells the stories of his adventures to Asia which inspires other explorers during that time. He travels to east Asia by foot, crossing the vast deserts and going from one country to another until he meets the famous Mongol Ruler that time, Kublai Khan. He was treated well by the ruler and even gave a post to his empire because of his talents. He did many exploits during that time in favor of the conqueror, studies the culture of the country and makes a record of it. During the time on his post, he was given other jobs which involves travelling by seas to go to other lands. You may say that most of his life involves more on adventuring. However, everything has an end. Marco Polo decided to return back to there country which makes Kublai Khan hesitant. Losing a rare talent like Marco Polo surely is burdening. Eventually, Kublai Khan gives up but gives Marco Polo one last task to do, and that is to escort the princess to be married to a persian prince at Persia. Marco Polo accepted it and escorted the princess. This adventure is one of the highlights of his life and requires him to travel by the sea and land, whereas several of his men had died along the way from the voyage making him, some few survivors and the princess survive the harsh adventure. He returned to his homeland and participated on the war to defend his country. He was given and take charge a war galley with trebuchets on it however he was defeated, captured and imprisoned. During the time in prison, he met a friend which is his inmate and tell him his experiences and adventures. His story has been compiled, recorded and romanticized in a form of a book and was distributed around the continent. However, many was in doubt of the stories written on the book and was considered to be exaggerated or lies, romanticized too much to make the book sell. Marco Polo stand with this book and insist the validity of it. Today, most of the entries written on it was true to its detail and was recognized as one of the valuable manuscripts during the age of exploration.
Personality:
Spoiler:
Marco Polo is an extremely adventurous guy. He lives in a happy go lucky way and full of curiosity. He likes things that induce learning and discovery and extremely hates people who don't listen to his stories. A hardworking and intelligent explorer, he keeps a detailed record of anything that he sees or new to his eyes and makes a detail descriptions of those. Once he is in state of observing, he is thought to have been on his own world. He is also cunning, decisive and a trickster which makes him survive many dangers during his travels and shares this experiences with Kublai Khan which made him impressed. He is an optimistic person who can prove his worth and do his promise which made him one of the important people during Kublai's reign together with his completed exploits.
Relationships:
Spoiler:
His relation towards the others can be called as neutral. He views them professionally and deals with them professionally, a tact that he learned during his dealings with other race. Towards the enemy, he is haughty as anything that lays on his eyes is almost like a book for him to read but nevertheless he doesn't under estimate them. Towards his master, he treats him/her similar as how he treats Kublai Khan but for him to treat it as a friend, the master must do something to make him impress. To Kublai Khan, he has a good relationship with him however towards the bandits or assassins, he is scorns them and hate.
Be sliced by the blades of summer snow, fragile thing..
Magic Resistance (A): Cancels spells A-rank or below. This high rank is a result of her piety, and makes her functionally
immune to modern magecraft. Her resistance is on par with a Knight Class Servant, but it cannot cope with Church sacraments.
As a saint, Ruler was invoked as a protection against fire and thunder.
True Name Discernment (B): Ruler can automatically determine a Servant's true identity, skills and parameters upon encountering
them. If they possess a means of concealing these, she can make a LCK check to overcome it.
God's Resolution (N/A): Ruler possesses two Command Seals corresponding to each Servant in the current Grail War.
Personal Skills
Empress's Charisma (B): Represents Ruler's natural charm and ability to lead. Though she was of low birth, the Roman Emperor
spotted her wearing a silver bracelet identical to his own and saw her as his soulmate sent by God. Her contributions to the
history of Christendom and her kindness let her be beloved by all. Her exploits and her major influence on her son rank her
as an important figure in the history of Christianity and of the world, so much so that she was designated as a saint and
given the title of "Equal to the Apostles".
Territory Creation (A): A skill that allows the construction of a special terrain that is advantageous to oneself, usually
reserved for the Caster class. At this level, creation of a Temple is possible. Ruler is often credited with the foundation of
churches at many holy sites, including Mount Sinai, Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives and Calvary. Most notably, she brought
the sacred soil from Calvary back to Rome to unite the spilled blood of Christ with the blood spilled by the thousands of
early Christians killed under Nero. The garden that grew from this soil still exists today, covering half of Vatican City.
Her Temple facilitates the production of prana and holy water, after the holy wells dedicated to her that dot Britain.
Revelation (A): The skill to hear the "voice of the heavens" and take the most optimal action. Not limited to combat, but
to all matters related to the achievement of a goal. As the patron saint of archaeology and new discoveries, Ruler's rank
is naturally high.
Collector (B+): A talent to collect high quality goods and rare items, drawing them into Ruler's possession through luck and
circumstance. This skill is a natural consequence of her Saint and Revelation skills that represent her nature as the patron
saint of new discoveries. Her most famous deeds are the uncovering of several Holy Relics. In order to undertake journeys to
find them, she was given unlimited access to the Imperial Treasury. Valuable items will be found with unnatural ease.
Noble Phantasms
True Cross~Calvary's Tree of Mercy (A, Anti-Unit)
The remains of the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, kept in compartments in her staff. The wood itself has a long
history, coming from a tree grown from a seed that fell from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. It was planted on
Adam's grave where it endured until the time of Solomon, who used the wood to build a bridge. When the Queen of Sheba visited,
she was overwhelmed with the power contained in the lumber, and Solomon buried it for safekeeping. It was later dug up and used
as supports for a temple in Jerusalem, but during the reconstruction by Herod the wood was removed and discarded, after which it
was used to fashion the Cross. Symbolizing the resurrection of Jesus, it has incredible healing power, even reviving a dead man
when Ruler first found it. However, it does not "erase" wounds, but "stores" them, representing Christ taking all the suffering
of the world into himself. Ruler's most dangerous offensive attack is unleashing all the wounds and death the Cross has absorbed
upon a single target, bolstered with a holy power that ignores a great many protections. As a holy relic held by a saint, it does
not have the capacity to unleash all the evils of the world; the best strategy is to start out healing and ressurecting as many
people as possible before it can be used as a weapon against Servants and the like.
The second relic of the Crucifixion, a collection of iron nails. There are debates about whether Jesus was nailed to the Cross with
three or four nails, but for some reason Ruler has over thrirty in her possession. According to legend, Ruler had one nail bound to
her son's helmet to protect him from enemy arrows and another to the bridle of his horse so his charge would always be true. This is
reflected in Ruler's ability to bind a nail to a piece of equipment used by an ally in order to strengthen it and have it treated as
a holy Mystic Code. However, in their default form, the nails represent the power of the Romans that nailed Christ to the Cross, as
a symbol of Nortia, the Roman goddess of time, fate and destiny, often conflated with Fortuna. Striking a foe with a nail with quite
literally "nail down" their fate, freezing them in time and space as long as the nail is in their body, leaving them unable to affect
the world or be affected by it. This is an excellent way to take an enemy out of the fight, but also has great defensive potential in
that it can be used to render allies or Ruler herself effectively invincible at the cost of their awareness.
Background
Flavia Julia Helena Augusta, better known as Saint Helena of Constantinople, was Empress of the Roman Empire and mother of Constantine
the Great, the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. She is most famous for her explorations into the Holy Land where she
erected over eighty churches and discovered many holy relics.
Because of Constantine's vision of a Cross in the sky, he was determined to recover the original Cross and dispatched his mother on
an expedition to Jerusalem. Although Helena was in her declining years, she set about her journey with enthusiasm. When she arrived
at Golgotha, or Calvary, she found that a temple to Venus had been built on the site of Jesus' execution. She demolished the temple
and after an excavation she found three crosses and a collection of nails. She touched each cross to the head of a corpse, and when
the True Cross touched him, the dead man awoke. Helena then went throughout Jerusalem, healing the sick and giving money to the
poor. On the site where Helena found the Cross, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built.
"We don't need martyrs right now. We need heroes. A hero would die for his country, but he'd much rather live for it." -Josiah Bartlet
Originally Posted by NMR-3
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