Otto von Habsburg



Head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine
Archduke of Austria, Royal Prince of Hungary, Bohemia and Croatia
Sovereign and Knight of the Austrian Order of the Golden Fleece
Sovereign and Knight Grand Cross of the Imperial and Royal Order of Saint George

Age: 41
Alignment: Neutral Evil

Elemental Affinity: Heart
An affinity whose spells relate to dreams, emotions, and states of the body and mind

Origin: Reclamation

Magic Circuits

Number: A

Quality: B

Magecraft:

Mesmerization
The Habsburg family has used this magecraft to great effect over the centuries. Allowing the user to sweeten their voice, and twist their words to become the most persuasive to their target.

Bounded Field Creation
Mainly used for, by the Habsburg, as a way to set detection fields, and to help with the various amounts of charms and illusions the House has become known for.

Command
While not as subtle as Mesmerization, the Habsburg have had great success applying this magecraft to their reporitore, practically writing the books on it’s application.

Shared Perception
Through this, the Habsburg have been allowed to have eyes and ears everywhere, and has been attributed to a large part of the House's success. Historically possessing familiars that spied across the court, unknowing to onlookers.

Jewel Magecraft
Primarily used by the Habsburg House as a way of storing mana, and one-use way of storing some basic spells.

Other Abilities:
Wealth had always been a major asset to Otto’s House, but now even more so. Not only being an expert mage and possessing a great pedigree, but Otto is also a shrewd businessman. Leveraging what remaining wealth and clout the House had left, Otto snatched his family from the fate of becoming mere footnotes in modern events. Propelling his House to new heights, through sheer force of will and shrewd tactics, Otto often draws upon his assets he has carefully cultivated over the years.

Nearly always traveling with a small entourage, Otto also has a vast web of connections in order to call in favors, or leverage the right pressure on the right person. While far from being household name, Otto’s titles carry a significant amount of weight to the right people.

Mystic Codes:

Habsburg Jewel Magecraft

Various sapphires containing the stored mana and basic spells that have allowed the House to become known as top rated mages.

Austrian Crown Jewels

The regalia and vestments worn by the Holy Roman Emperor, and later by the Emperor of Austria. The regalia acts a conduit for the mage, allowing them to amplify the intensity and power of their abilities, particularly when related to the Command Magecraft. The regalia is not normally worn, not only for the absurdity of it’s appearance in the modern day, but also because of the weight of the items. Despite the appearance, the regalia all seems to be made of extremely heavy fabrics and metals, adding nearly 45kg to a mage’s weight. If not worn with all pieces assembled, the regalia’s effects do not materialize.

The Imperial Sword

Only one piece of the Imperial Regalia of Holy Roman Emperors, and the only one in possession of the House. The Imperial Sword possesses a blade of approx. 95cm, and has an overall length of 110cm. The inscriptions on the crossguard read “Christ triumphs, Christ reigns, Christ rules”, with the lower edge of the pommel also reading “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to fight, and my fingers to war”

The scabbard of the sword is adorned with 14 gold plates engraved with depictions of monarchs.

When drawn from the scabbard, the blade releases a loud ringing noises, not to unakin to that of church bells, and seems to be readily heard even through obstructions and barriers. The secondary effect of the Imperial Sword allows the user to effectively use it as absorption method on incoming attacks of magical nature, that are presently known and identified by the user. The blade absorbs the mana expended into the spell, and stores it within itself. The upper limits of blade and it’s absorption are not known, but it is unlikely the artifact would sustain a Servant-Level magical attack. Upon return to its scabbard, the absorbed mana from the blade is then transferred to the scabbard.

The scabbard of the Imperial Sword projects a personal shielding of its wearer, but only while the blade is sheathed. This personal shield does not fare well against attacks of the magical nature, it does fare well against attacks of the physical nature. Proportionate to the amount of mana stored inside, the scabbard can protect the user from all forms of physical attacks, even though those the user is not aware of. The scabbard itself can hold much more mana than the blade itself could store, allowing a stronger shielding to be built up over a short time. However, if the stored mana is not used within a short order, it will begin to seep from the scabbard at a fast rate, and taking the personal shielding with it.

Personality:

The state of Otto’s earlier years has formed him into the hard and calculating man he is today. Cold in his dealings, and ruthless in his executions, Otto paints the picture of a prototypical high ranking mage.

Always pragmatic, Otto has dedicated his life and efforts towards furthering the agenda and prestige of House Habsburg.

Short History:

Even though his birth lay far from the fall of his once noble family, Otto felt the sting of defeat and defamation from a young age. While his grandfather and father were content to simply adapt to the House’s condition, never considering further ambitions, Otto was of a different coat.

Being the first real mage of the House for centuries, Otto made family and values with the tales of the old Habsburg rulers more than his living family, pouring himself over those tomes of old. Largely self taught, Otto became his own master fast enough, taking charge of the House’s financials from a very young age. Showing himself to be a valuable member of the once-royal House, he quickly began to immerse himself in the political climate of Central and Eastern Europe.

By the time his grandfather had passed, Otto had brought windfall on his House, establishing the family as a political player and wealthy businessmen. With his father taking the position of Head of House Habsburg, all of the fortune Otto had brought was in danger of being blundered away.

Otto’s father had long ago taken to the luxuries of a life of wealth, becoming a wine soaked fool who more aptly caused Otto’s carefully laid plans to come to ruin, rather than fruition. In the hands of his father, the estates and assets of House Habsburg began to deteriorate and decay. Fruitful political alliances soon became open disgust of the House, despite Otto’s best efforts. With his weak father burning a hole in not only pockets, but prestige, of the House, Otto took action.

Otto’s father had only been Head of House Habsburg for a scant 3 years, before succumbing to a tragic car accident while vacationing in the Alps. There had been no witnesses to the tragedy, and the cause was determined to be driving while under the influence. What news the death of Head of Habsburg had broken, was quickly forgotten about and swept aside, as the ascent of the prodigal son took the stage.

In the years of Otto’s reign, House Habsburg has been mentioned alongside names of German politicians, and European corporations, as the family has only gain more wealth and regaining lands that were previously stolen from the House.

Marrying the daughter of a wealthy banker, Otto in short order produced heirs and daughters, and continued his work on the meteoric rise of House Habsburg, working closely in line with the Mage’s Association.

With the appearance of the visions, and vivid dreams, it did not take much conference with the Mage’s Association for Otto to determine his next course of action. With the arrival of the letter, and the manifestation of his command seals, Otto could only smile as his mind whirled with plans and possibilities.

His true destiny had come. His House’s destiny had come.

True Name
Catherine the Great

Appearance



Class
Rider

Alignment
"Lawful Good"

Stats

Strength:D
Endurance:D
Agility:C
Magical Energy:B+
Luck:A

Class Skills

Riding C+
Rider is capable maneuvering most mundane animals and vehicles without problem. She is incapable of riding Phantasmal or Divine Beasts, and extremely complicated modern vehicles might prove difficult. Rider can temporarily increase her riding ability through the use of Autocrat’s Privilege.

Item Creation D+
Ordinarily a skill of the Caster class, Rider has replaced the Magic Resistance of her own class with one more suited to her ability. This skill allows Rider to create the weapons that expanded the territory of the Russian Empire, ranging from swords and firearms to cannon and ships. In addition, it can produce various pleasantries, oddities, and even a host of spectacular outfits!

Personal Skills

Charisma A
It was Catherine’s way with words that elevated her from inconsequential German princess to Empress of the Russian Empire. Her ability to maneuver flawlessly through social situations allowed her not only to take her throne, but to keep it. This incredible social ability has coalesced into a powerful skill that causes her will to radiate onto those around her. She appears well-spoken, confident, and beautiful to those who hear her speak, and has a remarkable ability to inspire those who believe in her.

Catherine’s reign was not without its problems, rather, it was rife with them, but she persevered through them, maintaining an astounding sense of composure. Even in the darkest periods of her rule she strove to style herself as a perfect queen. Her charisma is unyielding, and one would be hard pressed to find an opponent who could match her in a war of words.

"Power without a nation's confidence is nothing."

Autocrat’s Privilege B+
A variant of Imperial Privilege borne from Rider’s mental image of the absolute autocrat. In life, the Empress threw herself into matters of a wide assortment to better herself as a ruler. This ability allows Catherine to temporarily gain expertise in skills that she ordinarily would not have access to.

In terms of martial matters, Catherine can access knowledge regarding Strategy, Riding, Marksmanship and Swordplay.

Because of her interest in matters of the court, Rider also has access to Eye for Art,History, Golden Rule, and a host of philosophical knowledge.

It should be noted that while the abilities gained from this skill grant a certain level of expertise, the confidence they grant Catherine in her ability to execute them is immeasurable.

“God, grant us our desires, and grant them quickly.”

Favored of the Empress C+
During her rule, Catherine took a number of lovers. These men, Catherine’s favorites, quickly found their stations heavily elevated, being granted wealth and power they likely would’ve otherwise never known. This favoritism has crystallized as a skill that allows her to bestow blessings upon a chosen ally.

Rider’s Favorite is granted a powerful boon to their physical abilities, making even an average person capable of incredible things. She can grant this blessing only to a single individual at a time, and can revoke it at will. In addition, while within the territory of Rider’s Noble Phantasm they gain access to a lesser version of Autocrat’s Privilege.

“I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster.”

Innocent Monster E-
Despite her best efforts, Rider was no perfect ruler, and in the years after her death her failures and atrocities were inflated to a level of prominence that threatened to eclipse her achievements. To many, she became an icon for licentiousness and excess, to others a hypocritical tyrant masquerading as an “‘Enlightened” ruler. In her own mind, Catherine did the best she could to style herself as a perfect Empress. As such, if someone mentions the criticisms of her rule, or, more particularly, the dreadful rumors about her personal life, she is likely to become deeply offended. Such talk might even overcome her royal composure…

“You philosophers are lucky men. You write on paper and paper is patient. Unfortunate Empress that I am, I write on the susceptible skins of living beings.”

Weapons
Cavalry Saber, Flintlock Firearms, Cannon, Artillery

Noble Phantasms

Zimniy Dvorets
Throne of Winter/The Dream of Empire

C+

Fortress

This Noble Phantasm constructs a replica of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, the seat from which Catherine ruled for most of her reign. The palace stands as a monument to the might of the Russian Empire, a gleaming emblem of yellow and white, with glittering gold appointments. The palace itself is massive, covering roughly 60,000 square meters, and requires a large amount of magical energy to create. The interior of the palace is lavishly decorated, an extravagant testament to the wealth of Imperial Russia.

The palace was not only Catherine’s royal seat, but her refuge. As such, the interior of the palace creates a sanctuary for Rider and her allies. A constant healing aura permeates the palace, rapidly mending the wounds of those who reside within. This healing is by no means instant, but is powerful enough to repair even potentially fatal wounds within a day. The benefits of Autocrat’s Privilege are greatly boosted within the walls of the Winter Palace.

The territory upon which Zimniy Dvorets is deployed is immediately considered Russian territory, and its latent magical energy is drawn into the palace. Rider can expand this territory given ample time and focus. As such, the larger the territory grows, the more magical energy the palace draws in. The boost to Autocrat’s Privilege remains on the outside territory, though the healing aura is limited to the palace itself.

While Zimniy Dvorets is active, the palace and its surrounding territory experience a constant, light snowfall, regardless of the climate into which it is summoned.

“I have no way to defend my borders but to extend them.”

Korona Vechnosti
Resolution of the Tsars

A++

Anti-Unit(Self)

A Noble Phantasm borne from the amalgamated wills of all Russian monarchs, Korona Vechnosti embodies the unshakable fortitude necessary to declare oneself an absolute sovereign. The tsars ruled over an unwieldy expanse of territory while facing the horrors of war and rebellion, all the while retaining their supremacy. This Noble Phantasm crystallizes that stubborn, unbending audacity into a shape symbolizing the right to rule: a great crown. The head that wears the crown bears a heavy weight indeed, and there are few worthy to wear it. For those who can bear this burden however, it grants immeasurable power and a connection to a dynasty hellbent on the absolute authority of its own will.

From her earliest years, the symbol of the crown glittered brilliantly in Catherine’s dreams, and she became possessed by the singular need to make herself worthy of it. Rider immersed herself in a culture that was not her own, and threw herself wholeheartedly into the task of learning and accumulating the knowledge she would need to bear the title of Empress. This effort, however, was not enough to claim the crown on its own. No, all her efforts would’ve been for naught if not for the spark that drew her to the allure of the crown in the first place: ambition. Born without a single drop of Romanov blood, it was Catherine’s ambition that led her to vy for her husband’s crown, and it was this ambition that would allow her to claim it. While she had no blood-right to the throne, her ambition and iron-clad determination would carry her into the ranks of the tsars. So it was that a foreign-born princess came to be Empress of Russia, shouldering the weight of a title and dynasty that few could bear. The crown that was placed upon her head was new, the blood the flowed through her veins was foreign, but her will alone marked her among the ranks of the tsars.

When the true name of the crown is declared, Rider calls upon the force of not only her own will, but the collective willpower of every tsar that preceded her. Their names, histories, and legends coalesce with her own, if only for a single moment, into the steely image of the absolute sovereign of Russia. In that moment, the tsaritsa becomes a symbol of absolute authority. The resolution of the tsars is given physical form in the body of the one with the right to wield it, and she becomes the image the tsars created within their own minds: the invincible sovereign, untouchable and immovable. In the few moments that Korona Vechnosti is active, Rider’s body is invulnerable to nearly all manner of attacks, a denial of the possibility that the will of the tsars could be challenged. If used in defense of territory or subjects designated as “Russian” by Rider, the power of Korona Vechnosti is increased, with usage within the territory of Zimniy Dvorets granting it an absolute defense against all but the most powerful attacks. The deployment of this Noble Phantasm requires an incredible amount of magical energy, and it is not to be used lightly.

“The title of Queen rang sweet to my ears, child though I was. ... This idea of a crown began running in my head then like a tune, and has been running a lot in it ever since.”


Personality
Bold, beautiful, and charismatic, Rider carries herself with the utmost poise and grace… or at least that is what she would have you believe. In truth, Rider’s practiced, regal demeanor is a bit of a facade, a visage manufactured to give off the appearance of the “perfect ruler”. When she is not portraying herself as such, Catherine is very easily drawn in by her own whims. She has a deep love for spectacle, whatever form it might take, and is easily fascinated by art and fashion. If she has the option, she prefers to make herself the center of attention, relishing in the acknowledgement of others. The thought of being unpopular or disliked is an unsettling prospect to Rider, and she tries her best to draw the admiration and praise of those around her. While she tries her best to be likable, there are limits to her kindness. Slanderous talk and other callous disrespect is met with the methodical cruelty of a tyrant, though after the deed is done she has no problem returning to her ordinary gleeful self. Prone to excess and jealousy, any Master willing to summon the Empress will certainly struggle with the more extravagant parts of her personality. Those capable of overcoming Catherine’s difficult side, however, will be rewarded with an unwavering loyalty and dedication.

Legend
Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg, the girl who would become Catherine the Great, was born the daughter of a minor German prince. During her dull and suffocating childhood, few would have predicted her meteoric rise to power. But even in those early years there was a spark within her, an ambition and desire that could not be quenched or smothered by her uneventful upbringing.

This spark would carry Sophie to Russia, where she would meet the Empress Elizabeth and Peter of Holstein-Gottorp. Peter was to be her husband, though the two shared no love for one another. Elizabeth, however, was taken with the Princess’ boundless dedication and enthusiasm. Sophie would deny herself rest to immerse herself in the language and culture of her new home, at one point even becoming quite ill. It was during this time that she converted to the Orthodox faith and took on the name Catherine. The spark that had burned quietly within Sophie became a brilliant flame in Catherine, her ambition finding its true desire in the glittering jewels of the crown.

Catherine and Peter were married, and the ambitious young woman finally had her crown… but perhaps the not crown she truly desired. Peter quickly ruined his reputation as Emperor, as well as his relationship with Catherine. A deep disgust flourished within the Empress, but not because of her husband’s personal failings, no, those she had learned to endure. Her true disgust came from Peter’s utter disrespect for his own position as a ruler. Catherine had thrown herself wholeheartedly into understanding Russia. She had constructed an ideal of the perfect ruler in her head, shaped from endless study of philosophy and the machinations of her own imagination. She had shaped a dream for herself, and yet Peter saw fit to besmirch it. The thought would eventually occur to her: If Peter will not respect his position, then why should I? Why should anyone? Whispers abounded. The people had already grown tired of their belligerent ruler. Nobles spoke of deposing Peter. Catherine heard these whispers, and set herself to the task of shaping them in her favor. Peter was doomed to overlook the warning signs until the end. Catherine would be crowned to thunderous applause, a beloved usurper and an absolute autocrat. Peter, crownless, would die shortly thereafter in a tragic misunderstanding.

With the Imperial Crown on her head at last, Catherine set to work making herself into the “perfect ruler”. Such a thing was, of course, impossible. The Empress would struggle to balance her ideals with her ambition. She would make innumerable mistakes… but her mistakes were not to define her. Russia expanded greatly under Catherine’s reign, not just in territory but in matters of culture, art, and education as well. Philosophers lauded her as “The Semiramis of the North”. Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst had her crown, and with it she was destined to become Catherine the Great, one of the greatest rulers Russia had ever known.

Name
Rocco Moretti

Age
46

Elemental Affinity
Wind

Alignment
Lawful Evil

Origin
Erasure

Appearance



Magic Circuits

Number
C
Quality
B

Magecraft/Abilities

Healing Magecraft
Basic but effective healing magecraft allowing the user to rapidly heal injuries. Rocco isn’t a particularly skilled healer, but he knows enough to get by.

Bounded Field Creation
A speciality of the Moretti family, Rocco is capable of rapidly creating Bounded Fields. In his previous work, Rocco most often used this ability to create a zone of silence or to conceal himself. He’s also quite capable of creating a detection field, however, and has made much more use of this ability since his “retirement”.

Wind Manipulation
A rather simple ability to manipulated airflow. Rocco tends to use it mostly to adjust wind resistance when shooting. Though other uses are possible, they are mostly mundane, and Rocco doesn’t possess enough ability to use his manipulation of wind offensively.

All as it Was/Without a Trace
A peculiar ability unique to Rocco that allows him to mentally recreate a place as it was before he entered it, down to the most minute detail. He can then place the model over the current state of the room and use magecraft to remove all evidence of his time there. This ability was extremely useful in his previous occupation, allowing him to baffle police with a spotless crime scene.

Lock/Unlock
The ability to force locks using magecraft. All non-magical locks can be cracked with this ability. In addition, doors can be magically locked, making them immune to mundane lockpicking.

Interrogation
The use of magecraft to extract information from a person. Rocco is somewhat proficient at this technique, having used it often in the past. While its success rate is high, this ability can require a considerable amount of time against a strong-willed target.

Forgettable Face
A consequence of Rocco’s origin, those who meet him have difficulty recalling details about him. This memory degradation begins instantly after they’ve lost sight of him, with most people forgetting his description within a day. This ability can be greatly reduced if Rocco gives his name. It would seem his tendency to be forgotten is tied to his physical being, rather than his identity.

Miscellaneous Magecraft
Rocco knows a number of simple spells for things like cleaning, repair, and other mundane tasks.

Other Abilities

Sharpshooter
Rocco is very skilled with most firearms.

Professional Criminal
Rocco knows the ins and outs of the criminal lifestyle, and is capable of maneuvering comfortably amongst unsavory folk, as well as avoiding the authorities.

Getaway Driver
Rocco can make a luxury sedan maneuver in ways it was never meant to.

#1 Dad
Rocco is capable of A-rank parenting techniques. Despite his gruff exterior, he’s really quite good with kids!


Mystic Codes

Dust of Lethe
A Mystic Code made from drying and powdering Rocco’s blood. Rocco carries the dust around in a sealed flask that he keeps magically locked. The dust contained within, when ingested by others, completely erases their memory of the last 24 hours. Typically Rocco uses his wind manipulation to disperse the powder so that it will be breathed in by his target, though mixing it in with food or drink is also an option.


Weapons/ Other Belongings
-CZ 75 SP-01 Handgun
-Remington CSR Rifle w/ Suppressor
-AK-105
-2003 Lincoln Town Car(Black)
-Double-Edged Combat Knife
-Zip-Ties
-Smart Phone
-Far too many cigarettes
-A Gold Zippo Lighter, a birthday present from his daughter


Personality
Rocco comes across as a solemn, quiet man to most. He usually keeps his thoughts to himself, and isn’t particularly fond of small talk. When he does speak, he is usually curt, gruff, and to the point. When necessary, he knows how to conduct himself as a professional, and places a special focus on “getting the job done right the first time”. Rocco is not usually a very emotional man, keeping his feelings close to his chest. As a professional killer, he did terrible things, and while he does somewhat regret getting into that line of work in the first place, he sees little use for remorse over things that are already done. His occupation has also desensitized him to most things grisly and gruesome, and few sights faze him. Having perpetrated terrible crimes himself, Rocco is also not quick to judge the morality of others, living by the old adage of “you do what you gotta do”. Rocco does place emphasis on “what you gotta do” however, viewing indiscriminate killing as the mark of a crazy person. In the same vein, excessive pain and suffering is distasteful to him. There is one notable soft spot in the ex-hitman though, one chink in his armor: children. Despite the violent life he’s led, Rocco has never harmed a child, seeing it as one of the only unforgivable acts a person can commit. In addition to this, he cares deeply for his daughter, and the two of them have a surprisingly good relationship.

Short History

Rocco was born in Newark, New Jersey to a rather poor and unsubstantial family of magi. The Moretti family were relatively skilled at the rapid deployment of Bounded Fields, but not much else, and had long ago cut any ties they had with the Association. Rocco’s father was a decent enough teacher, and imparted his knowledge to his son as well as he could, but the boy was less interested in the study of magecraft than in its practical applications. Of those practical applications, the idea of using his abilities to put money in his pocket took the greatest precedence. Rocco became involved in petty crime in his early teenage years: shoplifting, robbery, a bit of casual grand theft auto. This reckless hobby drew the attention of the Marciano crime family, who controlled much of the illegal activity in the city. They (rather forcibly) recruited Rocco into their fold, where he took on a variety of different jobs. It soon became apparent, however, that the young man’s skill set made him excellent at dealing with individuals that the Family found… problematic.

Rocco became well-respected within the Marciano family, and in a few short years the poverty that had troubled his childhood was nowhere to be seen. Despite this, Rocco found that high society wasn’t to his liking. The stuffy atmosphere of uptown parties made him uneasy, and he usually spent more time outside smoking than inside enjoying himself. Nevertheless, it was at one such party that he met Janet Harrington, the woman who would become his wife. Janet was a waitress with no connection to the Marcianos, though she was aware of them. The two dated for quite some time, and were eventually happily married. Throughout this time, Rocco kept quiet about the details of his job, and Janet didn’t pry.

Rocco and Janet had a daughter named Bianca. Rocco doted over his daughter, and did everything in his power to ensure she had a happy, comfortable life. To afford this, of course, it was necessary for him to continue his work for the Marciano family. Janet became more and more suspicious as time went on, and began questioning Rocco about his work much more frequently. Rocco kept quiet, but eventually, on the eve of Bianca’s fifteenth birthday, she uncovered the truth. She cursed Rocco as a monster, and left with Bianca. The pair of them moved away to Massachusetts, despite Rocco’s best efforts.

For the first time in his life, Rocco felt true regret. He retired from his work with the Marcianos in an attempt to show Janet that he was willing to change. Alas, to no avail. For a time Rocco spent most of his nights in the darkest corner of his local bar, drowning his sorrows in hundred-proof whisky. He had attempted writing and sending money to Bianca, but Janet had refused his “blood money” at every available opportunity. One day, however, Rocco received an email from his daughter. According to Bianca, her mother had prevented her from contacting him, but she herself had wanted to stay in touch with him. She told him about all the goings on in her life, including her application to Harvard University. Rocco was ecstatic, and began travelling to see her on a regular basis, as well as helping to fund her education.

For a time, all was well. Rocco had reconnected with his daughter, and was happy to see her growing into an honest, intelligent young woman. Such happiness was not meant to last, however. Bianca fell ill quite suddenly, and had to be hospitalized. Rocco paid for her to receive the best medical care available, but it quickly became apparent that all the money in the world would be of little use. She had been diagnosed too late, and her cancer was rapidly spreading. Rocco was rapidly running out of hope, grasping at straws… that is, until a mysterious seal appeared on the back of his hand. He got into contact with an old acquaintance of his father’s, a man with ties to the Mage’s Association. This man informed Rocco of an interesting letter, a bizarre ritual, and, of course, a wish.