Archer of the Wild West
-- The Little Sure Shot --
"Howdy there, Master. The name's Annie Oakley, an Archer. Y'know, the fastest, most accurate guns in the west n' all that? Yep, you've summoned that Annie. Honestly I'm more of a performer than a full-fledged gunslinger, but if the Grail somehow chose me to manifest in this Class, guess that means the two ain't mutually exclusive or somethin'. Well, in any case, I ain't here to talk about technicalities. Now, sit back and see what these guns can do!"
Source
"I ain't afraid to love a man. 'Course, I ain't afraid to shoot 'em either. When you've been livin' in the wild west for so long, you quickly realize that life's way too short to be afraid of anythin'; of people's judgment, their doubts, or even your own perceived weaknesses. It's all about takin' a leap of faith and firin' your shot right when it counts!"
Class: Archer
Other Classes: Gunner
True Name: Annie Oakley
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Origin: United States of America (19th century)
Parameters:
STR: D
END: C
AGI: B
MGI: E
LCK: B
NP: C
Likes: Entertaining others, proving herself, classic western dramas
Dislikes: Arrogant people, not having an audience (though she wouldn't admit it)
Talent: Acting, sharpshooting
Natural Enemy: -
Armament: Pistols, shotgun
Catalyst: Old western firearms
Class SkillsIndependent Action (B)
The ability to remain independent even when rejecting the Magical Energy supply from one's Master. It is both useful and troublesome depending on the disposition of the Servant and the rank of Independent Action. Acting in autonomy from the Master's Magical Energy supply, the Master can concentrate their own Magical Energy on large spells, or the Servant will be fine even in the case they cannot supply Magical Energy due to injury. The downside is that they can be harder to control and keep by their side, making the only true way to command them is by utilizing Command Spells. It is possible for Archer to stay in the world for two days without a Master. However, this is the ideal value achieved by maximally conserving mana and avoiding battle and Noble Phantasm usage.
Archer left her mark in history as one of the few notable women in the wild west. A talented gunslinger, marksman, and entertainer, she's no stranger to denying conventional values of the time to follow her own path and attain success. This strong inclination towards personal freedom and independence grants her a decently high rank at this Skill.
"See, I'm tellin' ya; when it comes down to it, what people think, their judgment, those don't matter one bit! You've got one life to live, so why spend it worryin' over their approval?"
Magic Resistance (D)
Grants protection against magical effects. Differing from the Resistance effect that merely rejects Magical Energy, this ability cancels the spells altogether. Cancels Single-Action spells. Magic Resistance of the same degree of an amulet that rejects magical energy.
"A lone gunslinger from the American south, faced with stuff like mages, wizards, and the supernatural... just as I thought, we don't go well together. 'Course, I could always try to put a bullet between their eyes, the old-fashioned way, but somethin' tells me I might need more than a few bullets to put 'em down for good."
Personal SkillsInnocent Monster (C)
An attribute possessed by Servants whose true history and existence have been distorted by the monstrous reputations and gossips they accrued across the course of their life and thereafter, without concern for the actual person's will or appearance. As a consequence, the Servant's abilities and appearance have been rendered to conform to the specifications of their legend. Considered by many as an icon of the wild west, Archer's personality and mannerisms has been influenced by the concept of "a classic western outlaw"... In truth, due to her talents as a performer, it's hard to determine for sure how much of her persona are influenced by this Skill, and how much are her simply method acting for the role of "a cool western gunslinger".
"To think the people remembered me that way... Well, not that I mind. I've always admired strong, determined gals like Calamity Jane, Eleanor Dumont, Mary Fields, and so on. There's just somethin' real cool about a woman goin' against the world by her lonesome to leave her mark in history, dontcha' think? I'm more of an entertainer myself, so I wouldn't say I'm on the same level as those gals I mentioned, but now... maybe I can change that."
Showmanship (B)
A Skill denoting mastery in performing arts. In life, Archer was more than a gunslinger; she was also a renowned entertainer, known for assuming a number of roles in Buffalo Bill's Wild West exhibition and captivating her audience. Thus, acting out different characters, concealing her true emotions, drawing attention, and "putting on a good show" seems to come off as a natural talent for her.
"That Indian Chief, Sitting Bull I think was his name, once told me how ya can't win a man over with a gun. I proved 'em wrong twice. The first when I won my man over by beating him in a shooting contest, the second when I joined up with Bill's troupe; sure enough, I didn't win a single man with my gun... I won an entire town's worth of audience! If only I could see his face now..."
Marksmanship (A)
A Skill representing all-round shooting techniques, which includes quick drawing and trick shooting. Archer's aim with her trusty shotgun is impeccable. In her shows, she reportedly shot down a customer's cigar, moving disks, thrown glass bottles, playing cards, coins, and snuffed the fire off a candle while shooting backwards, all with pinpoint accuracy. Her talent is almost comparable to a once-in-a-century genius.
"'Aim at the high mark and you will hit it. No, not the first time, not the second time and maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting for only practice will make you perfect. Finally you'll hit the bull's-eye of success'... well, that's what I said to the reporters wanted a good quote for the headlines. Whaddaya think? Didja' get the cool, inspirational feel from that quote? I was pretty proud at myself from coming up with that one on the fly, y'see."
Quick Draw (B)
The ability to quickly draw a handgun and accurately fire it upon a target in the process. This skill was made popular by romanticized depictions of gunslingers in the Western genre, which in turn were inspired by famous historical gunfights in the American Old West. This Skill appears to be a bit of an irregularity, considering Archer mainly wields a shotgun as opposed to any smaller firearms. Nonetheless, she insists that she picked up these abilities from her husband, and her friends from the troupe.
"'I'd like to see every woman know how to handle guns as naturally as they handle babies'... that's what I said back then, and I'm certainly not exempt from my own quote. When my trusty shotgun fails to get things done, I gotta improvise somehow, and that means picking up a few new tricks. There's nothing surprising about that."
Noble Phantasm(s)An Exhibition of Shooting at Glass Balls, etc.
Little Sure Shot of the Wild West
"Right, guess it's about time for that, huh... The winds are calm, the weather's clear, and the target's in sight. All that's left is to pull the trigger. FIRE!"
Type: Anti-Unit
Rank: C
Range: 1-100
Max Targets: Varies, depending on firearm used
Archer's most famous shooting exhibition, performed as part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. One such performance was filmed by Thomas Edison and aired throughout the country, cementing her fame as a performer. The documented 21-second footage shows Archer using a rifle to shoot down stationary objects and thrown disks. The true extent of her performances are largely undocumented, however, relying only on word of mouth to piece together her feats. According to certain accounts, at her peak, she was able to split a card in half and create a hole at the center of a silver coin in seconds, without these objects ever touching the ground.
This Noble Phantasm is a manifestation of Archer's superhuman reflexes and accuracy. Upon its activation, she enters a heightened state of focus, time seemed to slow down, and her body becomes one with her weapon. From there, she releases several consecutive shots with such speed, that it appears as if she shot multiple bullets simultaneously with a single shot. From an outsider's perspective, it appears as if Archer releases a single shot, and the target is nigh-instantly riddled with bullets.
This Noble Phantasm bears some similarities to that of a certain other western outlaw. Unlike said outlaw, however, Archer could perform the same technique using a variety of different firearms with enough practice, including but not limited to pistols, shotguns, and rifles, greatly increasing her versatility. This is due to this Noble Phantasm's true nature being "Archer's skill with firearms" as opposed to "Archer's firearm".
DescriptionArcher's True Name is Phoebe Ann Mosey, also known as Annie Oakley, an American sharpshooter and performer who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
A cool-headed gunslinger who appeared straight out of an old western film. She lives not for praises or acknowledgements, but only to make it in the cruel, lawless world that is the wild west. There's a strangely cool and reliable aura about her that easily captivates others, and she possesses several larger-than-life advice about defying conventional norms and pursuing one's dreams. All in all, a picture perfect image of what most people imagine as "the perfect cowgirl".
...That is but an act, of course, at least partially. No matter how much she tries to maintain that cool image, Archer is still a performer at heart. Thus, while she does not entirely live for praise and acknowledgements, she does not mind them in the slightest. In fact, she tends to display some smug bashfulness whenever she's showered with praises, revealing a more laid-back, somewhat airheaded side to her. In this state, she's less of an action heroine and more of a girl-next-door. That strangely charismatic aura still remains, though, and most people still consider her as a clever, reliable figure despite knowing her "cool cowgirl" persona was simply an act.
A performer more than a fighter, Archer does not care much for efficiency, practicality, or complex battle strategies beyond her shooting techniques. In battle, she plays off her cowgirl persona as if standing before an audience, performing stylish moves and coming up with cool one-liners for her enemies. To be honest, between the cool-headed gunslinger and the airheaded performer, it can be hard to believe that the two are one and the same, seeing how she could switch personas at the drop of a hat.
Yet sometimes, very rarely, she may display a different kind of expression on her face. A third face.
That is...
LoreAnnie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Mosey; 1860-1926) was an American sharpshooter who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show.
Oakley developed hunting skills as a child to provide for her impoverished family in western Ohio. At 15, she won a shooting contest against experienced marksman Frank E. Butler, whom she later married. The pair joined Buffalo Bill in 1885, performing in Europe before royalty and other heads of state. Audiences were astounded to see her shooting out a cigar from her husband's lips or splitting a playing-card edge-on at 30 paces, and she earned more than anyone except Buffalo Bill himself.
After a bad rail accident in 1901, she had to settle for a less taxing routine, and toured in a play written about her career, as well as instructing women in marksmanship, believing strongly in female self-defense. Her stage acts were filmed for one of Thomas Edison's earliest Kinetoscopes in 1894. Since her death, her story has been adapted for stage musicals and films, including Annie Get Your Gun.
RelationshipsCalamity Jane:
"That's... Mrs. Calamity Jane? Really? I heard news about her way back then, and I admired her actions, but she... looks a bit different from how I imagined her to be. Eh? She's from outer space? What in tarnation..? I'm feelin' even more out of place here now, dammit. A-Ahem, anyway, I better make sure she's not an impostor! Watch me, Master, I'm gonna challenge her to a shooting match! You can fake appearances, but you sure can't fake your skill with a gun!"
Billy the Kid:
"A bona fide western outlaw... Those duels at high noon, where two gunslingers stood below the blazing sun, their trigger fingers ready for action, itching to shoot right when the clock strikes twelve... you have any stories about 'em you'd like to share?"
...
"Those... didn't really happen? A dramatized version of an outlaw's life, huh... Gosh darnit, I was really hopin' to get a first-hand account of those incidents to polish up my performance, so it's a real shame to hear that those things just ain't true. Well, guess I just gotta make due with a bit of dramatization..."
Samuel Colt:
"Well I'll be! If it ain't the legendary gunsmith himself! I'm a big fan! Say, could I commission you this shiny new gun I drew in this here blueprint? I reckon I should spice things up and change my routine every now and then, and who better to help me than the finest gunsmith in the old west!?"
Thomas Edison:
"That lion-man is Mr. Edison!? Damn, this Chaldea place is weirder than I ever imagined... still, in any case, it's partially thanks to him that I got as famous as I am now, so I suppose I should give him my thanks. O-Of course, as a gunslinger, I couldn't care less about awards, praises, and other stuff like that, but as a performer, well, um, I suppose... it's not that bad, every now and then."
Sitting Bull:
"That old Indian is here as well!? Gosh darn, it's been forever since I last seen 'em... he was a good man, y'know? He reminds me of my grandpa back in the day. He did a lot for me, like comin' up with 'the Little Sure Shot', which became my stage name. That said... I think I'll hold off on seein' him for a lil' while longer. I, uh, still have some techniques to polish, something that'll knock his socks right off..."
An Exchange with the Detective"Oh? Mr. Holmes? It sure ain't every day a performer like me gets to entertain a detective. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Good day, Miss Oakley, I'm just here to ask about a few things, really. Some things have been stuck in my mind ever since you were summoned, and I'd like to clear them up."
"Be my guest, Mr. Detective. Would you like me to brew you some tea?"
"Oh no, it's all right. This little chat shouldn't take too long."
"Well, suit yourself. Fire away, then."
"Then I'll get straight to the point. First of all, just to make sure... your True Name is Annie Oakley from the American south, right?"
"Hmm? Yeah, obviously. I mean, who else could I be?"
"I see, I see. Well, I just thought it was a bit odd how Annie Oakley, who was mainly famous with a shotgun, was summoned using a pistol as a catalyst. Not to mention how you seem to be more partial to using those pistols as opposed to your shotgun."
"Well, I handled all sorts of guns during my life, heck, I wanted other women to know how to wield guns, so it ain't that surprisin' for me to be summoned using a firearm, regardless of the type."
"I see..."
"Moving on to the second question, let me make sure once again; you are Annie Oakley from the south, right?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"I ain't sure what kind of answer you were expectin' beyond a simple 'yes', honestly."
"Are you absolutely certain?"
"I'm tellin' ya, I'm the one and only Annie Oakley! Now, are we gonna keep goin' in circles, or are ya gonna ask your next question?"
"But I just did. And you've given me your answer."
"Pardon?"
"You are Annie Oakley from the American South... which is odd, since she was born and spent most of her years in Ohio. I say that hardly qualifies as 'south', don't you think?"
"W-Wait, are ya actually accusin' me of somethin' here!? I don't take kindly to slander, y'know!?"
"No, no, I'm just voicing out some of my thoughts. You're free to refute them at any time if I'm mistaken."
"..."
"No? Very well then. There's another thing I'd like to ask."
"I reviewed some of your combat footage the other day, and the results were... strange."
"Whaddaya mean?"
"Some of the bullets' trajectories don't match up."
"I mean, in my superfocused state, I could move my aim a bit to hit different targets. It ain't that hard once I've gotten used to it, really."
"No, I mean, some of the trajectories are absolutely impossible so long as you stood in the position you were in. Not unless the bullets curved, which I don't think you have that kind of ability, or... there were multiple guns fired simultaneously."
"Now that's just absurd."
"So you'd think. The sound of your gunshot might be loud enough to obscure the other shots, but I strained my ears to listen to the sound in more detail... and sure enough, only one gunshot clearly originated from your gun. Yet if that is the case... where did the other gunshots come from?"
"..."
"I believe I've explained my reasoning well enough. Now, let me get to the main point. Miss Annie Oakley, I believe you are not who you introduce yourself to be."
"..."
"From the evidence we've discussed, I believe we can narrow down the suspects into someone who originated from south of the USA, mainly wielded pistols, and possibly operated in a group. I can imagine a few candidates, and while I don't have any concrete names just yet, a brief trip to the library ought to fix that. It's just a matter of time before your true identity is revealed."
...
...
...
"Tch, and here I thought I'd finally be free without those damn Pinkertons at my tail."
>> - ----- - <<>> - ----- - <<
"All right, you know the drill, folks! This is a robbery! Put your hands in the air, drop your weapons, and nobody try any funny business unless you want your body pumped full o' lead. ...Whew, you've no idea how much I've been wantin' to say that! Don't get me wrong, my short stint as Little Miss Sure Shot there was far from unenjoyable, but, it just ain't the same, I tell ya! For one, I had to hold myself back to shoot as a performer instead of a killer! My trigger finger's been itchin' for some real action now!"
Pretender of the Lawless Age
-- Matriarch of the Old West --
"Anyway, Now that this lass no longer has any reason to pretend, let me introduce myself again for the audience. Belle Starr, the Bandit Queen of the old west, outlaw extraordinaire, and the one true Starr (heh) of this little charade. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Now, put your qp in this bag here, and you might just walk out of this room without a hole in your temple."
Source
"It's about time I ditch the scruffy cowgirl outfit. It ain't so bad, but it lacks style! And what kind of self-respectin' criminal mastermind could forget that!? Now, this dress brings back memories of the high life. It's seen both classy socialite meetings and bloody shootouts in equal measure. Yeah, wearin' this... feels like I'm born again, ready to make waves in this new age!"
Final Ascension
Source
"Oho, to think you'd still form a contract with me despite knowin' my true nature... you're an odd little Master, ain'tcha'? Well, suit yourself, I don't dislike the stupidly stubborn types like you. More importantly, look at this, Master; everything you could ever dream of; money, respect, love... all of 'em lyin' at your fingertips. This is a dream, a miracle made possible by the lawlessness of the wild west, where the only thing you need to make it in the world is a gun and the determination to shoot your shot. Isn't it beautiful? Of course, I know our time has long passed, but so long as I'm here... this dream will live on. The chaotic wild west will never fall."
Class: Pretender
Other Classes: Archer, Gunner, Rider
True Name: Belle Starr
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Origin: United States of America (19th century)
Parameters:
STR: D
END: D
AGI: B
MGI: E
LCK: A
NP: B
Likes: Money, fame, gunfights, "the thrill"
Dislikes: Overly-inquisitive types, laws, the changing times
Talent: Managing a criminal empire, riding, gunslinging, acting
Natural Enemy: Sherlock Holmes, Alan Pinkerton, Bass Reeves, Isaac Parker
Armament: Pistols, horse
Catalyst: Old western firearms
Class SkillsAnti-Human Order (D+)
An ability that puts a stop to everything created by humanity, as well as the laws that work in humanity's favor. It is a skill originally possessed by the Beast Class. Under this particular Class, Pretender represents the final resistance of the lawless wild west against the changing times. Once considered one of the largest crime syndicates in the American midwest, the rise and subsequent fall of her organization marked the beginning of an end to the lawless age of sheriffs and gunslingers, replaced by laws and bureaucracy. Pretender resisted these changes until the very end of her life and career as an outlaw. It was said that her unsolved murder served as a final nail in the coffin for the "old" ways of organized crime.
Rather than targeting the entirety of humanity, Pretender's version of this Skill is mainly optimized against the concepts of laws and authorities, as her mere presence imposes the concept of "anarchy" itself. This effect is further boosted against laws and authorities from after her time (post-1889).
"We're thieves, robbers, and murderers, fightin' in a world that don't want us no more. But we'll fight anyway, cuz' that's the only thing we know. That's why the wild west will live on, come what may!"
Riding (C+)
A Skill denoting the ability to ride mounts and vehicles. Rider-class Servants will typically possess a high rank. It is said that dragon type mounts are an exception, requiring a different ability other than Riding. In Pretender's case, only horses can be managed with above average skills.
"I've rode horses before. Hundreds of 'em. I rode em in a dress, while sittin' on my side, or facin' backwards, or while black-out drunk, and I've performed several trick shots as well on horseback... 'Course, most of these horses were stolen. Hell, the one crime the feds were able to pin on me directly was horse theft, but that's beside the point."
Independent Action (B+)
The ability to remain independent even when rejecting the Magical Energy supply from one's Master. It is both useful and troublesome depending on the disposition of the Servant and the rank of Independent Action. Acting in autonomy from the Master's Magical Energy supply, the Master can concentrate their own Magical Energy on large spells, or the Servant will be fine even in the case they cannot supply Magical Energy due to injury. The downside is that they can be harder to control and keep by their side, making the only true way to command them is by utilizing Command Spells. It is possible for Archer to stay in the world for two days without a Master. However, this is the ideal value achieved by maximally conserving mana and avoiding battle and Noble Phantasm usage.
As a criminal mastermind born in a time where most women couldn't even leave their homes to pursue their own dreams, Pretender was no stranger to the concept of "independence" itself. This Skill is further boosted due to Guilty Angel, as well as her own anti-establishment mindset.
"Me and that Oakley lass, the two of us went down very different paths amidst the turbulence of the wild west. Even so, I gotta agree with her when she said she wanted women to know how to handle guns. Back then, all you needed to make it in the world is a gun and the strength of your own spirit. Once you got that down, no old-fashioned conventionalities could tie you down. It's really that simple, honestly."
Magic Resistance (D)
Grants protection against magical effects. Differing from the Resistance effect that merely rejects Magical Energy, this ability cancels the spells altogether. Cancels Single-Action spells. Magic Resistance of the same degree of an amulet that rejects magical energy.
"Can't say I've ever encountered magecraft in my lifetime. Even so, I know how to take countermeasures when I see new challenges. You don't get to maintain a criminal empire without knowing how to improvise and reconsider your tactics against different enemies."
Personal SkillsGuilty Angel (C)
A "positive" version of Innocent Monster held by those whose legends were distorted to be more heroic than they actually were. Normally, she would manifest as a mediocre Servant under the Classes of Archer or Rider, as opposed to a Class known for opposing Human Order itself. However, her legend had been intertwined with the public's romanticized depiction of the "wild west", painting her as a noble outlaw fighting against sheriffs and Pinkertons at the dying days of the lawless frontier. Due to mainstream depictions of an "honorable, lone gunslinger", this Skill also grants her the benefits of Marksmanship and Quick Draw at a similar rank. While Pretender herself was a decently talented gunslinger in life, normally, her talents could not hope to match Annie Oakley's without this Skill.
"Lessee, my classmates here include an evil dragon fated to destroy Britain, a Chinese war god, and a primordial sea god, among all else. Golly gee, for a frail young lady like yours truly to manifest in this Class... it's a real honor to be here, gentlemen. I doubt someone like me could hold a candle compared to the likes of y'all, but since I'm here either way... you can be sure I'll have my fun. 'Sides, not like society would stop me. Look at this Skill! They love me, no matter how much they'd say otherwise!"
Showmanship (A)
A Skill denoting mastery in performing arts. Part of the reason why authorities failed to apprehend Pretender for so long is because of the masks she wore in society. A reputable socialite by day and an unhinged criminal mastermind by night, at the peak of her fame, she established a base of operations in Fort Smith, Arkansas. There, it was said that she could commit crimes in broad daylight, and authorities would still refuse to apprehend her, thinking "it couldn't possibly have been her". Even if they wanted to, the townspeople would oppose their decision, citing her goodwill (funding churches, feeding the poor, and holding charities using her ill-gotten fortunes, unbeknownst to them) in developing the town. This Skill is also why she could maintain her facade as "Annie Oakley" for so long, a performance convincing enough to captivate and deceive an entire society.
"See, life's all about keepin' up appearances! Ya wouldn't think an honest, generous, God-fearin' lass such as myself capable of somethin' as dreadfully horrendous as murder now, would you? If you would, well... it'd probably be far too late for ya then. I'll put a bullet in your head in the evening and read your eulogy in church the very next morning. 'A poor soul who lost his life in a tragic shootout. May the perpetrators be captured and hanged for their crimes against humanity, and may our dearly beloved friend, father, son, brother, and husband find peace by the side of our Lord in heaven...' yeah, that sounds about good 'nuff."
Evil Charisma (C)
A variation of Charisma associated with one who stands at the top of an evil organization rather than one who manages a nation. For a time, Pretender worked closely with the James-Younger Gang, a large group of outlaws led by the infamous Jesse James and his brothers. While her fame was largely eclipsed by the eldest James brother, her involvement in managing and keeping unity in the group was undeniable. Furthermore, after the gang's dissolution in 1876, she continued her exploits as the Bandit Queen, bringing numerous outlaws together under her command.
"Y'know why I hate those law-abidin' types like the sheriffs and the Pinkertons? It's cuz' we're the same, really. They take bribes, gathered their own posse, got rich off the people's sufferin', and took away their means of honest livin' under the guise of 'bureacracy' n' all that crap. Not to say I didn't do such things, mind ya; if anything, I'd probably done worse. But the way they declare themselves to be 'righteous' without a hint of self-awareness? Somethin' about it just really rubs me the wrong way. They're less of a crime-fightin' organization and more like criminals wearin' a different coat of paint after the cowboys died out, as much as they try to say otherwise."
End of the Spider's Thread (B)
A Skill which represents the ability to scheme evil. In life, authorities only managed to indict Pretender with the charge of horse-theft, imprisoning her for nine months (she was released early, citing her "good behavior"). Yet murder, robbery, extortion, bootlegging, harboring wanted criminals, corruption... Pretender was indirectly connected to countless other offenses as she worked with other outlaws. Authorities struggled to pin any solid evidence on these other charges, and even now, her involvement in the wild west underground might run even deeper than any of us thought possible.
"I consider myself a friend to any brave and gallant outlaw, fightin' out there to preserve the beautiful chaos of the old west. So if y'all ever need someone to 'disappear', or you want a bit o' extra cash, or you find yourself in a bit o' legal trouble with those pesky authorities... my door is always open. So long as you're in this fight, the Bandit Queen has your back. But the moment you ever decide to go against us, well... let's hope you never make that mistake, yeah?"
Noble Phantasm(s)Scourge of the Lawless West
James-Younger Gang
"All right, y'all heard the signal, boys! They made a mistake of crossin' us, and it's about time they learn just how scary the wild west can really be. Now, everyone in position, and... FIRE!"
Source
Type: Anti-Army
Rank: C
Range: 1-50
Max Targets: 50 people
The notorious gang of criminals that Pretender once rode with. Once a band of confederate bushwackers during the American Civil War, following the conclusion of the war, they continued to kill, plunder, and terrorize the nation at large, mainly around Missouri and Oklahoma. The true extent of Pretender's involvement with this gang is unclear, though there are several accounts of her bailing them out of prison, harboring them from authorities, and rumors of her acting as their shadow-leader of sorts.
Straightforwardly enough, this Noble Phantasm allows her to summon up to 13 shadows (the gang's core members) to act as her "enforcers". These shadows possess weak parameters and low-ranked Independent Action, making them hardly suitable for prolonged or close combat. On the other hand, these shadows are equipped with various different types of firearms, and they all possess Marksmanship and Quick Draw at ranks ranging from A to C. Thus, they function as excellent snipers. Furthermore, Pretender can quickly desummon and resummon them anywhere within her vicinity with ease for a relatively low mana cost, allowing her to freely rearrange their positions in battle nigh-instantaneously.
Used in conjunction with her second Noble Phantasm, it is possible for Pretender to "recruit" others into the gang to bolster her forces. However, due to mana constraints, she rarely summons all 13 (or more) members of the gang simultaneously outside of dire circumstances. At most, she limits herself to 3-4 active members at a time, depending on what the situation requires.
The Many Lives and Deaths of the Bandit Queen
Belle Starr and Her Times
"Y'see, a lady's gotta keep her secrets every once in a while. An outlaw, even more so. As both, well... even I've lost count on how many layers of lies and embellishments I've put up. Care to hazard a guess?"
Type: Anti-Unit (Self)
Rank: B
Range: -
Max Targets: 1 (self)
As the "Queen of Outlaws", Pretender was nigh-untouchable in life. Rival gangs feared her, while federal authorities struggled to apprehend here. All the while, her actions continuously incited fear and chaos upon the populace, prolonging the lawless era known as the wild west.
...All this made it more surprising when she lost her life not in a major shootout or a final confrontation with her enemies, but in an unsolved murder committed in the dead of night. A number of potential scenarios emerged, and dozens of suspects were questioned, to no avail. In the end, authorities were more than happy to put an end to this case, marking the dawn of a new era in America.
In a way, "ambiguity" has been a constant recurring theme throughout Pretender's life. While most saw her as a criminal, there are also stories depicting her as a romanticized "Robin Hood-like" figure who fought against the oppressive hands of the law. The lack of a clear verdict over what crimes she actually committed (beyond one charge of horse theft) bolstered this perception even further, shaping her as a very well-known, yet enigmatic figure of the wild west.
A Noble Phantasm exclusive to the Pretender-Class Belle Starr, this is a crystallization of the various contradictions and unknowns surrounding Pretender's legend. Passively, it only serves to increase her resistance against instant-death attacks as the world struggles to determine the point of her death. By activating its True Name, however, Pretender gains the ability to manipulate her own Saint Graph, to a limited degree. From there, there are two ways she could utilize this ability.
First of all, by tapping into the more ambiguous aspects of her legend, Pretender seemingly disrupts the world's ability to verify her existence. This grants her something akin to Presence Concealment and Powerless Shell as the definition of "who Belle Starr is and what her actions are" becomes increasingly muddled. Due to these conflicting perceptions, it also becomes possible for her to temporarily assume the Skills and parameters of her Archer and Rider forms, albeit in appearance only. Finally, by pushing these "ambiguities" further, she may eventually reach a point where the world actually struggles to maintain her existence, allowing her to occasionally "glitch out" and phase through attacks unscathed. However, utilizing this "glitch out" phase for prolonged periods of time may result in her fully losing her footing in the world and actually fading away for real. Furthermore, so long as she remains in this "ambiguous" state, her Evil Charisma is severely ranked down. No one would be willing to follow an uncertain entity who could blink in and out of existence at any time, after all.
Secondly, by tapping into the more historically-rooted aspects of her legend, Pretender strengthens her reputation as "the Bandit Queen", allowing her to grant "membership" to the James-Younger Gang and strengthening her first Noble Phantasm. New "members" gain the Skills Riding (rank D-E), Marksmanship (rank A-C), and Quick Draw (rank A-C). Pretender can also freely communicate with them at any time, as if establishing a pseudo-contract of sorts. In exchange, however, these members will have their own mana drained periodically as a form of "membership fee", severely weakening them after some time if they do not possess sufficient mana. While the first application of this Noble Phantasm sacrifices charisma for stealth, this application does the opposite; the more "members" Pretender had initiated into her organization, the more likely it becomes for enemies to be aware and cautious of her presence.
DescriptionPretender's True Name is Belle Starr, a notorious American outlaw and criminal mastermind during the wild west era.
Pretender is a woman of many masks. At times, she plays the part of a noble vigilante fighting against oppressive authorities. At other times, she wears the mask of "a pure, demure southern woman", a professional business owner, a charming socialite, or a cunning mastermind.
...Of course, the truth is much simpler than that. Similar to Annie Oakley, Pretender is a woman who genuinely believes in pursuing one's dreams, going against conventional traditions, and living life on her own terms. However, while the former's "dreams" refers to entertaining others as a performer, the latter is considerably more chaotic and self-centered in comparison.
Pretender is not a hedonist, at least not in the traditional sense. She is a bit of a narcissist, and she does not mind the riches and infamy that came from her actions. However, she does not live for such things. Rather, she lives for the "thrill" of her actions. The excitement of maintaining her roles, committing illegal acts and deceiving not just the authorities, but society as a whole. To that end, she considers herself as the star of the show. An actress through and through, she's always ready to act out whatever roles she consider to be "most interesting". In life, her actions were motivated by the same belief; she opposed authorities and helped outlaws not out of some grand principle, but simply because it's "fun". To that end, there are instances where she purposefully left some holes in her plans and lets her underlings get captured if she deems it more interesting to see them struggle. Of course, if she deems their actions entertaining enough, she's ready to bail them out of prison at any time, confident that none of them were in any real danger to begin with (though these underlings have no idea this is the case).
Compared to her Annie Oakley persona, Pretender acts in a more sophisticated, refined manner. Befitting the mastermind that she is, she rarely gets her own hands dirty, preferring to use the James-Younger Gang to "fight without getting her dress dirty". She's also a master of seduction and manipulation, using her "charming southern Belle" persona to get what she wants. She still has a more violent, rowdy side to herself if sufficiently pushed, though. In fact, she finds that moment- when the power balance is suddenly reversed and her target suddenly finds themselves held at gunpoint by the harmless, soft-spoken southern lass talking to them seconds before- absolutely ecstatic for her.
To the Grail, Pretender would wish to undo the complicated laws of not just America, but the entire modern society and return to the lawless, chaotic era of the wild west. Why?
"Cuz' the oppressive laws we have now only benefits the rich and powerful, while the poor are doomed to toil in their own misery with no way to change their fate... Juuuust kidding! 'Course, it's just more fun that way, compared to whatever it is you have goin' on in society these days. Really, do I need any deeper reason than that?"
LoreBelle Starr (1848-1889) was a notorious American outlaw and criminal mastermind during the wild west era.
Starr was born Myra Maybelle Shirley as the daughter of a farmer. As a child, she received classical education and learned piano, while graduating from Missouri's Carthage Female Academy, a private institution that her father had helped to found. Yet despite her education and talent for the arts... she was always a rebel.
The American Civil War marked a significant turning point in Shirley's life. Her father was killed while eating with a friend at the house of a confederate sympathizer, and her family fell into destitution. Considering her education and skill with the piano, perhaps she could have found a legitimate occupation to earn money. However, she was never truly interested in such jobs, considering them to be "boring". Instead, she sought out the James-Younger Gang, a group of childhood-friends-turned-outlaws that she was acquainted with during her early days in Missouri, and began working closely with them. Her role in their organization was unclear, with theories ranging from a strategist, a fighter, a supporter, or even the leader of the whole operation. However, it's undeniable that without her involvement, it's highly unlikely that the gang could grow to become as massive as it was.
Following the end of the Civil War, Shirley had earned a reputation as a notorious criminal riding with the James-Younger Gang. Despite being a criminal, she was known for her impressive sense of style; according to witnesses, she often rode sidesaddle while wearing an expensive dress and a plumed hat, carrying two pistols, with cartridge belts across her hips.
The James-Younger Gang disbanded in 1876, when most of its members were arrested or killed by the authorities. A few years later, in 1880, Shirley married Cherokee outlaw Sam Starr, and settled down in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Here, her illegal enterprises continued to develop as she sheltered outlaws, organized heists, planned murders and robberies, and so on. At the same time, she assumed the appearance of a wealthy socialite and mingled upon the higher echelons of society. At the peak of her fame, it was said that she had the entire town at the palm of her hands, and she could freely bribe authorities to free her clients, colleagues, and associates from the law whenever they were caught. All the while, authorities struggled to find a justification to arrest her, as she utilized her own cunning to find loopholes in the law and evade capture. In 1883, Starr and her husband was arrested for horse theft by sheriff Bass Reeves and tried before "The Hanging Judge" Isaac Parker. She was supposed to be sentenced for at least four years, but heavy public backlash (for all the good she did developing Fort Smith) and her own good behavior in prison reduced that sentence to a mere nine months, after which authorities failed to find any more reason to detain her. On the contrary, her husband was assigned to hard labor, and was killed in a gunfight not long after he was released from prison in 1886.
After her husband's passing, Starr continued to manage her criminal empire in her final years. It was said that many other outlaws allied with her during this period, including Jack Spaniard, Jim French, and Bluford Duck. Alas, in 1889, Belle Starr lost her life in an unsolved murder that shook the nation. Apparently she was found dead of numerous gunshot wounds, reportedly from her own double-barrel shotgun. Suspects varied, including rival gangs, Pinkerton agents, her own son, a relative of her victim's and so on. Yet no one was ever caught, and authorities quickly wrapped up this case. Her empire soon crumbled afterwards, taking down the age of western outlaws and gunslingers with it. Numerous laws and reforms to law enforcement agencies were introduced to prevent the resurgence of similar organizations, and America made its transition to the 20th century.
RelationshipsCalamity Jane:
"Yeah, I lied, turned out I was the impostor all along! Still, a legendary bounty hunter from outer space, eh? I still don't get what your whole deal is, but I ain't no stranger to your kind back in the day. Well, if you're just a fella lookin' for some cash like those many other bounty hunters I know, I'm just gonna leave you be. But if you ever went for my head? You'll probably regret it, so don't. You stay outta my way, and I'll stay outta yours, yeah?"
James Moriarty, Charles Augustus Howell:
"Yes, yes, I see a long and fruitful partnership ahead of us. It's a real honor to be workin' with you fine gentlemen. Let's sign this contract and shake on it to seal the deal, shall we?"
The three shook hands with fingers crossed behind their backs. Furthermore, unbeknownst to each other, each of them included a fine print in the contract that could screw over the other two if the plans ever went south. On the bright side, this somewhat self-sabotaging nature of their alliance makes it so that none of them could ever truly "win" and inflict any serious damage on Chaldea and/or its personnel.
"Bonnie and Clyde":
"Oh boy, to think the spirit of the wild west ain't truly dead just yet! To see a young couple standing against the world and tearin' America apart just to follow their hearts, ah, it almost drove me to tears to see such passion!"
Alcyone and Ceyx:
"...Well that was disappointing. A Pretender duped by another Pretender. Maybe I've gotten rusty after all these years..." (monotone)
Oberon-Vortigern:
"The desire to pursue a beautiful, fleetin' dream, even if it means rejectin' the progress of Proper Human History... The two of us ain't so different in that regard. I wonder if the other Pretenders are the same..."
Marie-Jeanne Rose Bertin:
"Oho, you sure know how to sew 'em right. I might just commission you for a new dress if my old one's got too much blood on it. Now, now, don't look at me that way. Tell ya what; as a token of my appreciation, I'll pay you up front with cash earned legitimately for once. How 'bout that? You won't find offers like this from the Bandit Queen every day, I tell ya!"
Queen Medb:
"Just where did ya get that fluffy coat!? I gotta get one of those for myself one of these days! I reckon it'd be mighty comfortable to wrap yourself in it in winter. Mmm, yeah, I can imagine the fluff from here..."
Jirocho Shimizu:
"You ain't doin' so bad yourself, big guy! You have an entire city to yourself, and you even had the authorities in your pocket... Eh? You're not that kind of outlaw? Well, what's the point, then?"
...
"Altruism? Heh, aren't you a gentleman. Well, you do you. I ain't gonna interfere so long as you stay outta my turf."
Hong Xiuquan:
"Yeah, his brand of fun's a little too oppressive for my tastes. He's not so different from those self-righteous sheriffs from back in my day, honestly. Take him out, boys."
Samyaza:
"He tends to go overboard with his whole rants about free will and such, but I ain't complainin'. He's a nutjob, but I s'pose every gang's got a madman or two in 'em somewhere."
Billy the Kid:
"A true icon of the wild west, and a rebel through and through. Be sure to keep it in moderation from time to time, though. Wouldn't want me bailin' you out again, after all, eh?"
Jesse James:
"If it ain't the main man himself! How you doin' old boy? Gotta say, I love your new style here. Your old clothes are fine for an outlaw n' all, but I always thought you lacked taste. Seein' you dressed up as a sheriff, of all things? Now that's a bold statement if I've ever seen one. Anyway, come on in, y'know my door's always open for my oldest friend."
Sherlock Holmes:
"Words can't describe how offended I am! To think you'd accuse a poor, innocent young lass like myself capable of such terrible crimes... It's utterly unthinkable! ...'course, you hit it right on the money with that one, but I still have my pride as an actress, dammit!"
Bond CE
"Shed not for him a bitter tear; Nor give the heart to vain regret. Tis' but the casket that lies here; the gem that fills it sparkles yet."
It was a sorrowful day; a man had been shot to death in a robbery gone wrong. A woman, roughly in her thirties, beloved by her community, led the funeral proceedings.
"He was a beloved son, brother, husband, and friend to us all. Alas, the Lord loved him too much. He was taken from us much too soon. Even so, let us not weep for his fate. Rather, let us bask in fond memories of the fellow, and laugh upon the moments we shared together. That is what he would have wanted. And so, let us send him off with-"
"YOU KILLED HIM!" A young woman screamed, interrupting the proceedings. The crowd looked at each other cluelessly, and hushed whispers could be heard among them. "My husband- I knew he hasn't been payin' your protection money these past few months. Harvest has been poor, and we barely had enough money just to feed our children! We begged you to postpone the payment for a little while longer, b-but you wouldn't hear any of it! THAT'S WHY YOU-!"
"I understand your pain, madame, I really do." The older woman cut her off as she calmly walked to her side with a warm smile. "But grief is a terrible thing. It eats us inside out, and makes us see things that aren't there. I know this must be a terrible time for you; trust me, I was the same after losing my husband, but pointing fingers and throwing out baseless accusations won't solve anything. Your husband was a good man, surely he'd want the best for you. He'd want you to live your life to the fullest, rather than throwing it away to drown in grief. Now, look me in the eye and answer me this; you don't actually think someone like me could do something so cruel now, do you..?"
The younger woman looked into her eyes, only to see an endless spiral of darkness in them. She looked around at the crowd. They looked at her the same way; such pitiful, patronizing eyes. Some even praised the older woman's sympathetic understanding of her sorrow. A few seconds passed, and she sighed.
"No, Mrs. Starr, that was foolish of me. I'm sorry for the accusation."
"Now that's a good girl."
Creator's Notes
- What happens when you try to write a relatively normal person into a very rare Class known for opposing Human Order itself? This is the result. Not sure if I've fully pulled off the Class properly, but I did enjoy writing this one.
- Big thanks to Delrey for helping me with the Archer --> Pretender transition. My formatting skills still need some work, though.
- I read Lucky Luke and played the first few hours of RDR II to get the atmosphere for the sheet. That counts as research... right?
- Honestly I'm still confused on how to rank Anti-Human Order due to our singular canon example. Oberon "bears no hatred or resentment toward humanity. He merely wants to eradicate them, an action as instinctive as breathing". He got the Skill at rank D. Starr here has a legitimate hatred towards the Human Order (though only in a very specific aspect, and for a reason as stupid as "the laws ruined my fun"), but the scale of destruction she could cause is nowhere near what Oberon could do. Rank E felt too weak, while anything above D sounds too high for me.
- I wonder if that second NP is a bit too convoluted, and that maybe I should've split them into two separate NPs, if they should exist at all. It's one of my most far-reaching NP idea developed from a relatively mundane concept (her mysterious death and ambiguities surrounding her legend). Hopefully that's not stretching it too far.
- She came pretty close to being my second contest entry, but I decided against it. She certainly has a sense of style, but this sheet focuses less on that and more on her thrill-seeking obsession, and her hatred towards law-enforcement for ruining her fun.
- Surprisingly, this sheet did not contain that much edge or angst compared to most of my previous sheets. She's undeniably a monster, but unlike Hong Xiuquan's over-the-top messiah complex, her evil feels... more grounded, somewhat.
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Originally Posted by Comun
