Name: Tsukahara Bokuden

Title(s): Sword Saint

Class: Saber

Gender: Male

Attribute: Human

Alignment: Neutral Good

Personality: Bokuden is a warrior who has fought in many battles, defeated multiple famed opponents, and who feels he no longer has anything to prove. The adventurous spirit he had in his youth has been sated, having travelled the country three times over on pilgrimages, and his desire to prove his strength and his skill has been replaced by a calm and assured confidence in his own abilities.

He is a warrior who seeks to avoid unnecessary conflict, a rarity for a samurai born and raised in a tumultuous time of war and bloodshed, who would rather talk his way out of a fight that draw blood if possible.

Objective for the Grail: “It’s a small and somewhat selfish wish, but I’d like to see the school I created restored to its former glory. My techniques were given to me by Takemikazuchi , so to see them lost to time and war saddens me.”

Biography: Bokuden was born in 1489 as the second son to Yoshikawa family, Shinto priests of the Kashima shrine who were in the service of the Kashima clan. The Kashima shrine was considered to be a holy place of Budo, or Japanese martial arts, as a thousand years prior a priestly celebrant named Kuninazu-no-Mahito built an altar at Kashima Shrine and by praying day and night he attained the secret techniques of the Divine Sword; these techniques were passed on mainly to the Yoshikawa family by the Shinto priests of Kashima Shrine. These secret techniques are called Kashima-no-Tachi (the Sword of Kashima) and, as the time passed, their name was changed from Kashima Jōko-ryū to Kashima Chuko-ryū. As a child Tsukahara Bokuden was taught the family heirloom of Kashima Chuko-ryū by his father Akikata.

At the age of 10 he was requested for service and adopted by the Lord of Tsukahara Castle, Tsukahara Tosanokami Yasumoto. This man was the advanced student of the founder of Tenshinshouden Katori Shinto-ryū, and he taught Bokuden the style called Katori Shinto-ryū. From his early life Bokuden was taught two styles of Kashima and Katori by his fathers and, during his early years, he already distinguished himself as the one having outstanding skills in swordsmanship.

At the age of 17 Bokuden set out on his first of three pilgrimages, during which he found his first real taste of combat against the renowned swordsman Ochiai; Bokuden defeated him easily and chose to spare the man, only for his humiliated opponent to try and ambush him later in revenge. Bokuden killed the more skilled opponent with a single cut and was then forced to take the Ochiai’s place in the armies of the local daimyo as a result. He spent the next few years fighting in fierce battles, often on the front lines, and didn’t return home until nearly thirteen years after his departure.

Upon returning home the first time, he isolated himself for prayer as Kashima shrine at the advice of his master to repair the spiritual damage of many life-or-death encounters. It was a rigorous ascetic practice that lasted about 1000 days, during which he stayed at Kashima Shrine and practiced the art of the sword, praying to the deity of warfare, Takemikazuchi. Through this ascetic training Bokuden acquired the secret techniques of “Hitotsu-no-Tachi”, or “One Stroke”, from Takemikazuchi who appeared to him in his dreams. Combining these techniques with his existing style, Bokuden then began to call his style Kashima Shinto-ryū from then on.

Tsukahara Bokuden became the lord of Tsukahara Castle at the end of his second pilgrimage at the age of 45, taking a wife who unfortunately died only ten years later. By the time of his third pilgrimage he was famous enough to be followed by a large retinue on his travels, attended to by eighty followers and bringing along multiple spare horses and three large hawks which flew at the head of his procession. It was at this point that he decided to take on a student in order to pass on his techniques and experience to the next generation.

In his later years, Bokuden handed over his place at Tsukahara Castle to his son in order to convert to Zen and become a Buddhist priest. He died at the age of 83.

Weapon: Odachi and Kodachi (long sword and short sword)

Parameters:
STR: B
END: C
AGI: A
MGI: E
LCK: A

Class Skills:
Magic Resistance (B) – Aside from being a famed Samurai, Tsukahara is also the latest in a long line of Magus; his family, in their service of the Kashima shrine, were diviners practiced in the art of Urabe fortune telling. Although never trained as a Magus himself, Tsukahara still possesses magic circuits and has some innate protection against Magecraft. 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.

Riding (C) – Most vehicles and animals can be handled with above average skill. However, cannot ride the likes of Phantasmal Species such as Monstrous Beasts.

Personal Skills:
Eye of the Mind (False) (A) – Eye of the Mind represents a natural talent to foresee/sense and avoid danger on the basis of an innate 6th sense, intuition, or prescience that has been further enhanced by experience and skill. In life Tsukahara was a preternaturally skilled swordsman, one who was able to defeat many famed opponents and take part in multiple battles at the site of the fiercest fighting without once being injured by his opponents.

From his first duel with live blades at the age to 17 to his retirement from combat in old age, defeating all challengers and surviving ambushes and assassinations, Tsukahara killed over 200 men without once feeling the sting of a blade. It could be said that Tsukahara’s swordsmanship is at the level where trying to attack him with a melee weapon of any kind of pointless. He doesn’t have the best of luck with arrows however.

Kashima Shintō-ryū (A++) – A school of traditional Japanese swordsmanship created by Tsukahara Bokuden after spending 1000 days training at the Kashima Shrine and praying to the deity of warfare, Takemikazuchi. It was said that Takemikazuchi appeared to him in a dream and taught him the secrets of “Hitotsu-no-Tachi”, or “one sword/stroke”, after which he renamed his style Kashima Shintō-ryū after the shrine. As the creator and first master of this style, Tsukahara has a rank above A in this skill.

Created during a time of feudal war, the school's techniques are based on battlefield experience and revolve around finding weak points in the opponent's armour, thus giving Tsukahara an advantage against armoured opponents that he might otherwise have difficulty fighting. The style also contains a number of iaijutsu techniques that allow for striking as the sword is drawn.

Disengage (B) – In his later life Tsukahara grew tired of constantly feeling the need to prove himself against strong opponents as he was already extremely confident in his abilities and he began to see the merit in avoiding conflict as opposed to having to constantly show himself to be the best. This mentality culminated in the creation of the “No Sword Style”, where Tsukahara defeated an arrogant younger opponent by tricking him into jumping off of the ferry they were on to have a duel and then promptly leaving him on an island alone. Has the effect of returning battle conditions to what they were at the beginning of the match (1st turn) and restores the condition of this Skill to the initial value.

Noble Phantasm:
Name: Divine Sword Style - One Stroke
Title: Strike Without Fear of Reprisal
Rank: A
NP Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 1-2
Maximum Number of Targets: 1
Description: The ultimate technique granted to Tsukahara Bokuden at Kashima Shrine; taught to him in a dream by the God of Warfare Takemikazuchi at the end of his 1000 days of ascetic training. A counter attack delivered at the last possible moment before an opponent’s attack reaches, avoiding all damage and striking the opponent with an unavoidable swing of Tsukahara’s sword. However, while powerful this Noble Phantasm can only be used when Tsukahara has had a chance to view his opponent’s fighting style or techniques.

The essence of this technique lies in the wielder’s ability to accurately judge the distance between oneself and the opponent’s blade and in choosing the right moment to strike; if done correct the swordsman has nothing to fear as the enemies blade will never reach them and they are therefore able to devote all of their energy towards attacking at the moment they commit to an attack and leave themselves open. It was this technique that allowed Tsukahara to defeat his toughest opponents without receiving so much as a scratch in return.

It can also be used defensively, as even if Tsukahara’s sword cannot reach the enemy this Noble Phantasm can be used to parry or deflect attacks, as was done during his duel with a master of the naginata where he was able to intercept and destroy his opponent’s weapon before winning the duel with his next strike.

Name: Hijikata Toshizo (AKA Demon of the Battlefield, Wicked Shinsengumi, Wolf of Mibu etc.)
Class: Berserker
Personality:
A demonic vice chief feared even among peerless swordsmen of the Shinsengumi. Hijikata displays a strict and disciplined attitude toward his master and allies typically considering them as an ordinary regimental soldier unless he has known of there deeds and character in life and dubs it worthy of the likes of his closest friends. Contrary to his demon-like fighting style, on the battlefield, he is a pragmatist who also has the flexibility to employ any means necessary to win. That being said, he doesn't endorse the ruthlessness of characters such as Nobunaga. But he venomously hates cowards and traitors and believes them to be the lowest scum in existence, deserving of nothing but a curt, silent death from his blade or a sudden explosive death from his rifle. His title as a Wolf of Mibu also symbolizes his unbreakable resolve as he will not retreat from battle even when confronted with imminent death. Nor will he give mercy to any who challenges him.

He is not fond of younger girls especially those who are childish regarding them as nothing more than children that do not know how to be women. However, the opposite is also true as he has a deep fondness for mature women and often shows the personality he had in his younger days by flirting with them regardless of their status as his master, ally, or enemy even whilst trying to kill them whole heartedly.

Stats:
Strength: C
Endurance: C
Agility: C
Mana: E
Luck: D
Noble Phantasm: B

Class Skills:
- Mad Enhancement D+: Although a Berserker, normal conversations are possible, and he even retains his rational aspect as a tactician. A rare type of berserker who can be considered sane except for his reasoning being unable to grasp that he and the Shinsengumi have already perished.

[Effect:] Ranks up Strenght and Endurance by 1.

Personal Skills:
- Demon of the Battlefield B: A personal skill related to not only Saber's moniker but also how he fights, it acts as a form of pseudo-charisma that greatly bolsters a force's physical parameters and negates instances of Charisma. Hijikata was often referred to as the Demon Vice Commander by others, often enough feared as a merciless man as he had imposed absolute order in his company, down to even killing members on the battlefield that had attempted to retreat.

[Effect:] At any instance of combat, this skill activates, boosting Hijikata's Strength Parameter as well as the Strength parameter of others that fight on his side by one rank. Not only that, but it also negates any instance of Charisma that is of B rank and below.

- Laws of the Shinsengumi EX: A Skill that places compulsory restraints upon oneself. He would receive damage should he breach those prohibitions; however, his statuses would rise in exchange. Breaching all prohibitions would render him immobile.
Normally, breaching the prohibitions that which a Shinsengumi regimental soldier would have never been allowed to breach would gradually render one insane. It is the embodiment of his resolution and madness; of one who still aspires to be Shinsengumi, even after he threw away his pride as a warrior.

One is to not go against the samurai code (prohibition of combats unworthy of a warrior)
One is to not to escape from the office (prohibition of rescinding one’s contract)
One is to not raise money on their own accord (prohibition of furnishing materials from others)
One is to not handle litigations on their own accord (prohibition of rescinding combat status by means of negotiation)
One is to not engage in personal battles (prohibition of battles outside of the Master’s instruction)

[Effect:] For each first instance the law is broken, his physical parameters rise by a single letter rank until they reach A to which they become + modifiers. During each first instance of a law being broken, the damage is incurred to his vessel as a result (This is immediate, and can be healed off normally). Breaking all five laws procs a command seal-like effect that roots Hijikata in place. This can be counteracted via using a command seal to break the rooting effect or for waiting for the effect to run out (Roughly a day's worth of time). Command seals can be used to reverse the effects of the skill itself, resetting the counter

- Disengage C: The ability to withdraw from battle, or to reset the state of affairs. It also returns disadvantageous battle to its initial state and skill condition to its starting value. Simultaneously, several bad statuses are compulsorily canceled. When he was alive, every time he thought of losing he would always rise again and continue to fight.

[Effect:] Bonus effect of returning battle conditions to what they were at the beginning of the match. Allowing Hijikata to retreat from a fight after gaining a certain distance or come back from a disadvantageous position.

- Military Tactics D: A tactical, instinctive ability in regards not of one-on-one battle, but of battle involving large numbers. Often the tactician and military leader during large scale battle, he is well versed in both one-on-one and army battles. grants advantageous correction in the case of using one’s own anti-army Noble Phantasm, or when dealing against the enemy’s anti-army Noble Phantasm.

[Effect:] Applies a rank up to single Anti-Army Noble Phantasm but not exceeding A to oneself or an ally, or a rank down (as long as it is not A rank or higher) or - modifier (as long as it has a +) to enemy Anti-Army Noble Phantasm.

Noble Phantasms:
Name: Shinsengumi - Undying Sincerity
Rank: C+
Type: : Anti-Unit (Self)

-The sword of carnage of Hijikata Toshizou - the war-demon that made all the soldiers of the master swordsmen-filled Shinsengumi say “I may not lose, but I don’t think I can win against Hijikata either.” Those circumstances are truly a reproduction of his lifetime of continuous battle; while invoked, his surroundings turn into a battlefield where bullets fly and signal guns roar. While this may appear to be similar to an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm that summons a large number of people, its true nature is completely different. Everything is a manifestation of his madness about how “the Shinsengumi is here, even now.”

Effects: When invoked, it acts as an advance form of battle continuation. This renders Hijikata's body as undamageable during its duration allowing him to continuously fight without being hindered by the damage he has taken even if fatal as long as it is still in use. However, it is a double-edged sword that bursts out at once all the damage accumulated by the time the effect is over. Lasts 8 posts.

Name: Makoto no Hata – Flag of Sincerity
Rank: B
Type: Anti-Army

-It is the Shinsengumi troop flag with the Japanese kanji "sincerity" inscribed on it. Once the flag is raised the Shinsengumi troops are summoned in a certain radius around it. They are classified as independent servants each one possessing E-rank Independent action. However, none of them can truly compare to their prime and aren't as strong as they would be if summoned on their own. Depending on whom is using this flag the members of the troop will appear differently as they are summoned with the user's mental image of them imposed.

Effects: Roughly ten servants are summoned and they remain for up to five posts as only his closest friends and staunches followers would heed his call due to his reputation.

Alignment: Lawful Evil
Changes: None

Name: Costante Angelozzi (the brother) and Karizma Angelozzi (the sister)
Age: 18 (both)

Personality:
Costante is a quiet, thoughtful, anxious boy, kind enough at heart but often barely able to work up the courage to raise his voice. In some ways he is the ideal heir for a Mage family: he has a good head for numbers and symbols, exceptionally deep focus and concentration, and a great deal of patience. On the other hand, he's fainthearted, and completely lacking in social and political skills. Though exceptionally gifted, his lack of self-confidence holds him back from ever achieving his full potential.

Karizma, on the other hand, is flighty, easily distracted, and a bit of a wild dreamer, more often thinking about 'what could be' than the actual reality around her. She's also a social butterfly, with a self-assured demeanor and an easy charm that lets her get along with just about anyone. Though her magical ability and research skills are only somewhat above average, things like reading people and determining their true intent come naturally to her, and she can navigate even a toxic political environment such as the Clock Tower with almost casual ease. Though not as clever as her twin brother in terms of long-term strategizing, she outmatches him completely when it comes to making decisions in the heat of the moment.

As twin siblings, they've kept a strong bond throughout their lives, neither one ever straying too far from one another. Karizma tends to take the lead, and Costante mostly goes along with what she says, but when he does raise a serious opinion she'll always listen with trust and respect. She does like to tease him sometimes, however, in response to which he'll become grumpy and sarcastic.

Abilities:
Thanks to their deep connection, Costante's dedicated study, and the disorderly nature of this particular Grail War, the twins have pulled off a similar trick to what Kayneth El-Melloi managed in the Fourth Holy Grail War. Namely, they are a 'two-person team' Master, with Karizma holding the Command Spells and Costante supplying magical energy to their Servant.

In terms of general Magecraft, Karizma is slightly above the standard for modern mages, while Costante has been hailed as a genius by many mages of the Clock Tower. Her Magical Circuits are decent enough, but his are exceptional among mages. They both have Air as their elemental affinity, and are proficient in Alchemy and Spiritual Evocation, with notable expertise in various kinds of Bounded Fields and the use of reflective lenses and crystals. Their family's magic specifically focuses on the generation and manipulation of light, both as a concept and as a physical force.

Karizma is more specialized in single-action spells, and magecraft that can be used in combat or times of crisis. Though not overwhelmingly strong, she's quick and cunning and able to keep a cool head even when her own life is under threat. Costante holds their family's Magic Crest, and is much more powerful in nearly all fields, but focuses mainly on long-distance spells and time-consuming rituals. His preference is to manipulate a situation from a safe distance rather than take part in it directly.

History:
A pair of twins from an esteemed family of Mages. Shortly after they were born, it was determined that Costante would inherit the family's Crest and knowledge due to his superior Magical Circuits. From a young age he was secluded away from the world and pushed to study magecraft in preparation for his inheritance, while Karizma was largely left to her own devices, deemed a largely inessential person who could be married off to some other family at a convenient point in the future.

In spite of their different fates, however, or perhaps because of them, the twins became fast friends. Conniving to meet wherever they could, they secretly exchanged parts of their lives with one another, with Constante passing on magical knowledge while Karizma told him everything she knew about the outside world and the friends she'd made. Though their bond was initially seen as an unnecessary distraction for Costante, the family head noticed that his motivation and mental acuity seemed to increase around times he was able to meet with his sibling, and as such they were allowed to grow closer together over time.

Before long they were studying in the Clock Tower together, with Karizma helping her brother navigate the complex world of modern mage society. He had the talent and the prestige, and she had the social acumen; together they made for an unstoppable pair. However, things went awry when the head of their family was struck down by a curse. The Angelozzi Magic Crest had fortunately been passed down by this time, but with the main authority figure in their lives suddenly gone, the twins found themselves left with a freedom they may not have been quite ready for.

It didn't take long for the fun-loving Karizma to start proposing all kinds of wild projects and travel opportunities, and more often than not Constante would simply go along with her reckless plans. Sometimes this would earn them glory and prestige, other times it would get them both into massive trouble; overall they started to gain a controversial reputation in the Mage Association.

Their participation Grail War is simply the latest of Karizma's madcap ideas: as soon as she heard about what was going on in Japan her curiosity simply wouldn't allow her to let it go. Though Costante protested at first, he eventually went along with it, due to a fascination on his part with the mechanism of the Grail itself. Really they're both more interested in participating than necessarily winning, though each has their own idea of what they want to get out of this War...

Other: When cross-dressing, each can plausibly pass themselves off as the other.