The night had passed, but that didn’t stop the Caster from working. If anything, Caster seemed to have been working at an increased rate. Whatever it may have been, something had caused the Empress to go into full Total War mode. There wasn’t such a thing as too many preparations for someone like Caster, so it should have been no surprised to still see her working. Still, the amount of vigor she still possessed was remarkable.
Working throughout the night had yielded many results, and the information she desperately desired was delivered. The carelessness of others was certainly the greatest of boons.
Still, that did not mean she could lighten up yet. If anything, what she did gain only made things appear worse. Truly understanding the hand in which she was dealt was the goal, but she wasn’t expecting to receive what she was dealt. Certainly, it was something that would induce a terrible despair upon those who were given it.
But in the hands of someone like Caster, it was something that would be forced into an advantage. That was the very nature behind the woman known as Julius Agrippina. Turning something which would surely be disadvantageous to someone else, into something that would guarantee her success. While the Holy Grail War wasn’t the same as a Roman Politics, the same level of intensity were the same.
It was this kind of atmosphere that Caster thrived in.
Which was a blessing since the situation could only be accurately described as “insane.”
Despite Caster’s diligent work taking priority at the moment, there was something she wanted to inform her Master about. He likely, no, he absolutely already knew about it. However, if it wasn’t something directly addressed, it would just linger without resolution. The only unresolved lingering thing Caster wanted with her Master was his undying love for her.
“I’m sure you’re aware, but it appears other Servants have set up around us. They don’t seem to have the ability to detect us, so we can continue observing them. If you prefer something else, that will be acceptable for now.”
Caster had given the terms to her Master, and it was up to him what he decided to do with the information. Normally, she’d move without any consent of her Master. To her, finishing up what she was working upon was more important. Especially in this case, as, well…
The first night had ended, and a new dawn rose upon Japan. Nothing eventful was done to conclude the night, just further preparations around the base. Magic Circles, effigies, playing with limbs, and the rest of what what you’d expect how a witch would spend their evening. It certainly wasn’t the most luxurious system, but it was an effective one that Katarzyna understood.
With a yawn, Katarzyna celebrated her work by laying on the floor, and letting her body have some form of rest. Staying up for extensive lengths of time wasn’t the most uncommon thing, and the added adrenaline of a war helped. Still, she understood that it wouldn’t be right to push her body beyond its limits. At least for now, she would work on resting her physical body. The mind can receive rest later, once she was sure she could afford to do that.
Her still active thoughts began to repeating the words her Servant spoke to her throughout the night. Their pledge for fighting for their beliefs was understandable given the Servant’s legend, but it wasn’t enough to whittle away what doubts there were within her mind. This was probably to be expected given the circumstances surrounding a war, but it was something she needed to overcome if she wanted her chance of victory to remain.
While she was skeptical in her chance of victory, she would choose to believe in the Servant who had belief in her. Rider would fight for her beliefs, and if her belief was Katarzyna, then that meant victory was surely something she could achieve.
Definitely.
“Rider, something has been bothering me.”
It was something insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but it did bother her. While her Servant was trying her best to alleviate the Polish girls worries, the magus couldn’t even give the same hospitality to her Servant.
“I apologize for not letting you last night, but if you wish to explore today, then I will gladly oblige. I will make sure you enjoy your time within this World to your utmost ability, no matter what the conclusion of this conflict was."
It was wrong to keep one’s comrade locked up within a cage, wasn’t it?
“...Eh? Trying to keep my love caged up? If you wanted to keep me all to yourself, you should have just asked ~★!"
This was certainly going to be a rejected offer.
The man who had summoned her was but a tool created for his specific goal. He simply couldn’t care about anything beyond his precious numbers, and his foolish goal to avoid Humanity’s inevitable destruction. If he did, he would be nothing more than a useless tool to be tossed aside to the trash heap. A tool has no need for the type of lifestyle favored by Caster, nor would a proper tool even have aspirations for such a thing. In reality, he was likely the perfect tool for the niche he was meant to fill. While his niche certainly wasn’t a Grail War, he’d be a most valuable tool.
A near perfect tool for a Caster who excelled in using tools to their fullest extent.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t the one. He couldn’t even be a candidate. If anything, Peregrinus was the absolute worst candidate to be her child. What was the point of a child who couldn’t enjoy a cuddle? A child who couldn’t enjoy the warmth you gave to them? A child who couldn’t feel every ounce of love you’ve poured into them? A child who wouldn't place your needs above their own? A child who wouldn’t crack under the overwhelming tide of your love? A child who would replace you with a random hussy who cared little about them?
There wasn’t a point in such a disgusting child.
They were useless, absolutely useless.
Which is why Peregrinus could never become her child in the first place. He wasn’t useless at all, so he’d remain just a precious tool for Caster. It was a fairly high honor, only belonging to a select few during her life. More so than that, he was just a fitting partner. He himself had no aspirations, and likely wouldn’t interfere with her goals. The Alchemist made up for whatever few shortcomings she truly had, and of course, the most important thing of them all.
He wasn’t a hussy who would take her child away from her.
Which was the ultimate crux for why she had been spending the entire day setting up, and why she’d ultimately agree to be on the defensive for now. Even if she could acquire a good child, what was the point if there wasn’t a good place to protect them? She needed to make sure she had everything she needed to give her future child the best kind of upbringing! For that, she would spend all of the day working towards this goal.
Her territory was built right after she had been summoned earlier in the day. A workshop was the most important piece to any kind of magus, and even one from nearly 2000 years ago was no different. With a territory established, the rest of her setup could be complete.
Familiars were built, and the city was scouted. Mystic Codes were forged, and the territory was expanded upon
Leylines were detected nearly instantly considering how much mana they radiate.
Information.
War was a game of information. Even if others had been summoned prior, Caster wouldn’t allow herself to fall behind. Every action that occurred within this city would be under either her own, or her Master’s watchful eye. A method to not only find a suitable child, but one that would allow her to make sure that the child would stay protected.
Katarzyna Jadwiga Kinga Latalski
Forest Near The Coast, North Moor, Shinto
With a tired sigh, Katarzyna looked, and marveled upon the work she had done.
The day itself was certainly a tiring one. Finding a place to reside for the duration of the war proved to be a challenge in of itself. She was told that Japan was a beautiful land brimming with nature, and while that was completely incorrect, Fuyuki itself was definitely heading towards becoming a city like she would find in Western Europe. Which meant that she would need to search for a location more suitable for her needs.
She did find a nice forest near the coast of Fuyuki on the Eastern Side, but even with that, Japan would never be the optimal place for it. Her magecraft was tied to the land, Slavic Lands to be specific. Japan wasn’t Poland, so no matter how hard she tried, it wouldn’t be an optimal place for her. Of course, she came prepared. She brought things from home specifically because of this.
It wouldn’t do too much, but in creating a Shrine, the situation could be remedied a bit. At the very least, it would be more useful to set one up than to not set one up.
Following that, the rest of the day was spent with Katarzyna setting up her workshop, and scrounging together whatever familiars she could create. It wasn’t too much, but she really only had a day to work with. At the very least, she had the Ghost of a legendary hero beside her during most of the day’s activities.
“Rider, how do you feel this war will unravel?"
It was a simple question, but one that likely needed answering.
“There are many magi present for this war. There are several magi with higher ranks than myself, and I’m sure many of my rank can defeat me with little issue. Given all of that, do you think we even have a realistic chance of winning?”
The answer was already decided in Katarzyna’s mind, and while she was sure of what her Servant would say next, she wanted to hear the words from Rider’s mouth.
Title(s): Shaman/Priestess, Head of the Latalski family
Gender: Female
Age: 25
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Rank: Cause
Objective For Grail: N/A, is hoping this experience will give her valuable insight.
Personality: As the head of a relic of a family barely trying to keep up with the modern world, Katarzyna finds herself a mirror of the family. She tries to cling onto the ways and proper behavior of a Shaman, alongside adapting the behavior a “proper” magus should have. To place one’s lineage, and the pursuit of the root above one’s self, and one’s own belief. A shaman is to prioritize their connection with the spirits above all us, so at the very least, there is a conflict between these ideas. There is always an attempt to balanced them, but for the way of a magus will usually one if the two ideas meet directly in conflict.
Katarzyna herself avoids most of the outside world, preferring to live within the family’s plot of land. While she is away of the innovations that have come with the modern world, she has little to no experience with such things. There is a glimpse of pride she has for humanity when she sees such innovations, but they serve as a reminder of how near obsolete her family are as Shamans. They also serve as a peak into the future, and how magi themselves might one day become obsolete, putting all the sacrifices her family have done to survive in vain.
Outside of her life as a magus and Shaman, there isn’t much to the girl. She acts fairly polite when dealing with others, and does her best to refrain from improper language. Katarzyna has immense pride at what her family has done over the years, and being part of said family has granted Katarzyna some level of self pride. Even if she views herself as someone slowly growing obsolete, she can at the very least say she was part of a proud lineage of Shamans. More than that, she can say she was good Shaman in her own right.
But that doesn't mean a good Shaman is a good magus, and that is something she is trying to rectify.
She surprisingly has a bit of a sweet tooth.
The invasion of those unlike you.
The rise of something new and great.
The fall of traditions and the old way.
What is there to do when time passes you by?
This was the dilemma of the Latalski family.
A family of Shamans from Polish lands stretching back far beyond than what the family remembers. The land that would become Poland was filled with firm believers in the ways of Rod, Perun, and the old faith. A mysticism rooted deeply with the land, and one's connection with the world around it defined how well they'd do in life. To have the blessings of the Gods meant success in every avenue of life, and it was the job of a Shaman to make sure the Gods were appeased. Unfortunately, this way of life didn’t last forever, as upon the region being united, and the state of Poland being formed, Mieszko I converted to Christianity. It would be right to say that ever since its formation as a nation, Poland was always a Catholic country on a national level.
Yet, the beliefs of the king was not the belief of the people. While the constant efforts of both Mieszko I and his heir Bolesław I the Brave were making progress, Catholicism wouldn’t become the faith of Poland until the 13th century. Many different outbreaks would occur during this era, and it was clear that the people during the time would not submit. Those who clung to the old faith fought hard, but that just wasn’t enough. This new faith, and the unstoppable wave of Jesus was finally enough to topple over many of those with held onto the traditions. Unfortunately, the Latalski, known by a different name at the time, were part of the losing party in this war of faiths.
Of course, this wasn’t enough to make them give up. In response, those who clung to the old ways practiced their traditions in secret. Their old temples would be destroyed, but a new temple can be built. Their old sacred groves would be cut down and used for something else, but they can make more. The Slavic Faith would continue on for as long as those who held the faith close to them continued to hold to these traditions. But, for how long can these traditions live on for?
As time passed, those who once clung to the faith desperately either dropped it entirely, or converted to Catholicism. More and more, those who still believed in Rod were becoming relics of a bygone era. What was a family of priests meant to do in a world without their Gods? They became members of a dying breed, and were becoming obsolete as time kept moving by. The family would need a revolution if they wanted to survive, and that is what the official first head of the Latalski family managed to do in the late 1500s.
The faith didn’t need to be abandoned, but they couldn’t proceed as they currently were. The longer the family waited, the faster they would become obsolete. A Priest always needed a purpose, and if it was not to just lead the people in spiritual matters, where would it be? A solution was found, and that was to become a family of Magi. If a goal of Magus was to reach the Root, then truthfully, it was no different from what the family was currently doing. Shamans were already about invoking the gods, and becoming one with them. To become one with the Origin was already the goal of both groups.
The origin from which all came from was known to the Slavic Faith as Rod. He encapsulated the origin, and absoluteness. He was the primordial existence from which all came from. Rod shares similarities to the Nordic Ymir, but this only reaffirmed the family’s believe in becoming one with Rod was the path to the root. After all, a European term of the Gate of Akasha is Ymir’s Entrance. Since then, the family has focused its efforts on becoming one with Rod.
As they were now a family of Magi, becoming one with the Mage’s Association was the only proper course. Considering the family was filled with Shamans, the only logical branch of the Association to work with was within the Sea of Estray. At the very least, they were an organization that looked fondly upon Magecraft of the far past. Finally, as the family were now Magi instead of being simple Shamans, a Magic Crest was created. Of course, it was far more symbolic than anything. A shaman was something that needed to be experienced, not something that could be merely passed down in a Crest. In later generations however, their current work in Black Magic has added to the crest.
For roughly 300 years the Latalski family have been magi. Despite all the odds, the family has survived, as well as their grasp on their own faith. They’re still spiritual leaders to those who follow the faith, but their main focus has become the Root. This is fitting, considering the family this has been the priority of the family since they became magi. They’ve remarkably been able to keep their old roots while working as magi.
During this time Russia had taken over their former Polish land, but it wasn’t like they’d lose their identity. Plus, Russians were also Slavs? Different language, but it was something they'd adapt too. The family had come much too far to let a minor setback like this stop them now.
Before she had been born she was designated as the next heir to to the Katarzyna magus lineage, and as the next Priestess. Calling her a Priestess sounds much better than it actually is, considering their “temple” can hardly be called such. It is the bare minimum needed for a temple, but it would do considering the current state of their near non-existent family. The more relevant thing, of course, was that she'd be a magus. At this point, the family had already adapted quite a bit to the traditions of the Modern era.
Her name was a reflection of that. A family of Shamans trying their best to be magi, even to the point of adopting a naming scheme that was more customary. No part of her name was actually Slavic in origin, but were merely different names of Saints. A worshiper of the old ways stained with the name of those who tried only to destroy it. It wasn't a thought Katarzyna could indulge much in, as the deeper implications of it would only unearth things she didn't care too.
After the years of training to not only become a magus, but a Priestess, she accepted the honor of the family crest. However, she has yet to take over for her Mother as a spiritual leader. This was preferable, as it would allow Katarzyna to focus her efforts on more important things, like research. Despite being a member of the Sea, Katarzyna has little to do with the inner workings of it, and tends to act like a hermit. Not that her research has gotten her anywhere meaningful.
Why would it? She wasn't much of a magus, no part of her family really was. No matter how hard they would try, they'd all be Priests trying their best to be Magi. It is a painful fact to accept, but one she would need too. In order for the family to make meaningful progress, it had to be accepted that they would start from an inferior place. This did not mean they could not achieve the heights of other families, it just meant they'd be working from a disadvantage. They might just be idiotic priests pretending to be Magi, but they were still skilled priests at the end of it.
During her research, she had come upon a ritual in the East. Normally, it wasn't like her to ever take part in such a thing. However, once she had heard other prominent magi would be attending, she thought it would be a valuable experience to see how they would perform. Could following their example show her how to be a proper magus?
Probably not, only an idiot would actually show up to this Monkey Paw ritual.
Magic Circuit Switch: Remembering the pain of being shocked
Number of Magic Circuits: C
Quality of Magic Circuits: C
Elemental Affinity: Earth and Wind
Magecraft:
Slavic Shamanism - A school of magecraft dedicated to the invoking, and communing with spirits and gods. It is also worth noting that it allows one to open their body to spirits. As a Shaman from Poland, she relies on the faith and customs of traditional Polish Slavic Faith, so healing both physically and spiritually is crucial to it.
Katarzyna herself is quite gifted in imbuing objects, and people with boons. For example, blessing a vial of water to heal curses is well within her power. This is not to say she is lacking at the other aspects, but this is where her skill truly begins to shine. She is one of the last remaining priestesses of the faith after all
It has ties to both Formalcraft and Black Magic on principle.
Formalcraft - A method to do Magecraft using Mana instead of Od. A caster make contact with mysteries through processes established in ancient time such as sacrificing a chicken, or praying in a magic circle all night. It plays an important part in the ritualistic nature of Shamanism. Doing a dance around a magic circle for the rain goddess to bring a light rain around your house, and things of that nature.
Black Magic - Another fundamental part of Shamanism, considering the European ideas of Black Magic partly stem from the works of Shamans. Things that fall along the lines of potions, medicines, spirit exorcism, hexes, and so forth fall under this. In general, things you would commonly associate with a Witch can be found in this school, such as broom flight. Katarzyna’s witchcraft in particular is about repurposing parts of the body.
The Fundamentals - The basics you would expect from just about any magus.
Crest: Around 300 years old
Equipment:
Materials to make potions/effigies
Broom, and Anti-Gravity Ointment.
The limbs of someone who was wearing the Jarilo Outfit kept in suitcases to preserve them, and have a weight reduction spell upon them.
A series of objects that can create a temple to the Slavic Gods.
A pile of stones sacred to the God of Lightning and War, Perun. They were believed to be the remains of the weapons fired by Perun. If kept under the earth for 7 years, they are said to return back to Perun. The actual use of these stones are to act as Magic Resistance amulets equivalent to D rank MR, and to bring luck. Despite their protective properties, they can still be used as simple lightning projectiles.
In Slavic faith, the ultimate weapons of the god Perun are his arsenal of Golden Apples. For this reason, a Golden Apple has become a talisman of ultimate destruction. While the Latalski family could never create something akin to a Divine Weapon, they have tried to make these talismans as close to the original as they could. The family has grown apples in an orchard located in a sacred grove dedicated to Perun. If they can’t possess the actual ones of Perun, at least they could have “fruits of Perun” instead.
The true use of these apples is for a Grand Ritual to create an explosive surge of lightning.
They also make an incredibly tasty snack.
A piece of traditional garb that has been in the family since around the start of it. When the faith was more prominent, it was used during one of the most important festivals of the year, the Jarilo. It was named after the god Jarilo, a trickster god of fertility, health, rebirth, and springtime. One person was chosen to become Jarilo, and would wear this outfit, becoming a physical representation of Jarilo himself.
As the faith has been mostly purged from Slavic lands, it has been nothing more than a simple family heirloom. Being built from objects found in the sacred groves, it is very in tune with the Shamanism of the family. It has been used a few times in the past for purposes relating to their Shamanism. Katarzyna herself has used it very recently in preparation for this war…
Katarzyna herself will only wear it in specific situations. Simply put, it allows the wearer to become a physical manifestation of Jarilo. It makes for an easier connection with the god, and makes the body more compatible for his influence and power. It allows for a shard of the powers of Jarilo to be bestowed upon her, such as his ability to sprout life from where he walks over, and his healing abilities.
Personality: Caster is someone who is fundamentally a power hungry tyrant, but one who naturally covers it up with a motherly disposition. At no point could she be called a good mother, but she is naturally inclined to act like one to those she likes. Those she is fond of are still tools to her, but those are "special" tools to her. They are "precious" and require a special type of care. Even when her child killed her, she couldn't help but smile as a proud mother would. After all, she had crafted a wonderful tyrant, a monster who would kill their own mother in cold blood.
Outside of her special "tools", Agrippina comes off as you would expect from a bloodthirsty Empress. Arrogant, domineering, but still has the charm to wrap you around her finger. She is a notorious plotter, backstabber, and a hedonist who has no shame in hand holding in public. It was a powerful enough of a combination for strike fear in the Roman Senate, who were ultimately pleased by her death. However, it isn't much of a slight against her, the senate hated most people.
Comes off as a bit of an "ara ara bouya" type.
Her wish is to go back, and hold a tighter leash on Nero.
The fourth child, and first daughter of the union between Germanicus and Agrippina The Elder. Her father was an influential general, and politician, a man who would become part of the main Julio-Claudian Dynasty by being adopted by Tiberius, and proceed to marry the granddaughter of Augustus. At one point, Germanicus was the heir to the Roman throne, though his death would put an end to any hopes of that. Still, his life served as a stepping stone from which Agrippina launch herself off from, and for that, she thanks her father, despite having no real memories of him.
After her father passed at the age 3, Agrippina was raised by her mother Agrippina The Elder, her grandmother Antonia Minor, and her great-grandmother Livia Drusilla. Three of the most powerful women in Rome’s history raised her, showing her how she could survive the brutal world of the Roman Politics, especially as a woman. In a sense, she was raised to become the power hungry monster she would become. They showed her a path to glamor, glory, power, and riches, and it was all Agrippina would ever want. It could be said that creating a monster was the only type of parenting Agrippina knew, given she was too was raised in a similar vein. A monster was produced, and one who was already well on her way to raising an even greater one.
At the age of 13 Agrippina was married off to Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, her first cousin once removed. It wasn’t much of a relationship, considering Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus was a detestable man, even amongst Roman standards. Still, he was a wealthy, powerful man, who had all the making of a Consul, which he would become in 32 A.D.. As he was a despicable politician, Agrippina felt somewhat drawn to him. It was by him that Agrippina would have her only child, nearly a decade after they had gotten married. The child was named Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, named after Gnaeus’ recently deceased father. This child would become Emperor Nero. Despite being congratulated by many on the birth of his child, Gnaeus would only reply
“I don't think anything produced by me and Agrippina could possibly be good for the state or the people.”
The child of two monsters was born, though a girl, it was something that Agrippina was fine with. After all, a cute girl in cute dresses was the best thing for a mother? A mother should also make sure their child understands how the world works? A mother should teach their child how to efficiently rule over the people, right? Even from her birth, Lucius was being piloted to becoming Rome’s most vilified tyrant, though it was unknown if this was Agrippina’s initial intent, or a result of how she was raised.
It was the same year that Tiberius had died, and Caligula had rose to power. Being the sister of the Emperor had many perks, such as sharing the viewing rights of the Vestal Virgins. However, this was also around the time that Agrippina’s true colors would become to show. Her brother was a weak ruler at the time, one whom Agrippina, as well as her sisters, had an easy time manipulating. Coins were printed with their faces on them, something unheard of before. It was Caligula’s fondness of his sisters, especially Drusilla, that would create rumors of an incestous relationship between them, though Agrippina denies such a claim. After all, he was so easy to manipulate, why would she need to rely on her body? Caligula would treat Drusilla like his wife, not Agrippina. Though, Caligula had a habit of admiring Agrippina’s beauty, so maybe the claims were justified?
Of course, it was the death of Drusilla that Agrippina believed to have sparked Caligula’s descent into madness. He isolated himself away from his sisters, and no longer could Agrippina manipulate the Emperor. It was around this time Agrippina, along with her other sister, and the former husband of Drusilla, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, hatched a scheme to kill Caligula. It ultimately ended in failure, the three were accused of sleeping with each other, Lepidus was executed, and the two sisters were exiled to an island.
It was the first time Agrippina had been away from her child, and it truly did eat away at her. Lucius was only 3 at the time, and surely couldn’t remember her mother leaving her, but it still bothered her. Being away from her precious child, the one who she poured all of her love into. It was during this period of being away that Agrippina had hardened herself into achieving the Roman throne. It was always her goal, but this was truly the time Agrippina would devote all that she could into reaching it. Her child Lucius would be the means to achieving this goal, and it was for that reason Agrippina would follow the path she ultimately would. In being seperated from her child, both of their fates would ultimately be cemented.
Upon Caligula’s death, and Claudius’ ascension to Emperor, Agrippina, as well as her sister, were allowed to return to Rome. The first thing Agrippina did upon returning was hug her child, and talk on end how much she missed them. Coincidentally, her husband had died the same year. Seeing this as new potential to move up the social ladder, she tried striking up a relationship with the designated heir of the throne at the time. It resulted in failure when the man’s mother-in-law slapped Agrippina in a crowd of other people. This woman’s name has been lost to time...who knows why?
With that failure, Agrippina found a new target for her affection. A man named Gaius Sallustius Crispus Passienus had caught her eye, and through some convincing, he divorced his wife and married her. He was a powerful, and wealthy politician at the time, even serving as a Consul twice. The man even adopted her little Lucius. He didn’t last very long, as Agrippina poisoned him, so that when he died, Lucius would gain his wealth. A marriage not at all made from love, but a ploy so that Agrippina could make her child powerful at a young age. The true viper that was Agrippina was finally revealed, and she would make no restraints in holding back her fangs.
The sudden wealth and power that Lucius had gained very quickly made him a threat. Emperor Claudius’ wife at the time, Valeria Messalina, found Lucius to be a threat towards her own child’s claim for the throne. Messalina hired a group of Assassins to strangle Lucius as he slept. Of course, Agrippina predicted such a thing would occur, and planted snake-skin near Lucius’ pillow as she slept. The Assassins believed it to be a real snake, and ran away out of view of being bit.
Later that year, Agrippina and Lucius attended a pageant, with both Messalina and her son present. Agrippina and Lucius received more praise, and applause than the Empress and her child. She was viewed as a pitiful character, one who has those close to her constantly ripped away from her. It wasn’t an incorrect assessment. Agrippina’s entire life story had been about those who were close to her betraying her, or dying on her, or anything like that. The only thing that remained close to her was child Lucius. After this event, she began writing a memoir, as well as a biography on her mother.
Soon afterwards, Messalina was executed for conspiring to overthrow Claudius. An Emperor needed an Empress, and Agrippina was lacking a true husband, though she was currently serving as a mistress to one of Claudius’ advisers. Claudius was easy to manipulate, and it didn’t take very long for Agrippina to have him wrapped around her finger. She even managed to convince him to change the laws of incest in order to allow their marriage. It was immortal for an uncle and niece to marry, but Agrippina was quite good at manipulation by this point, and there was little trouble in convincing him.
Even after being married to Claudius, Agrippina had issues. There were several other women who were trying to take her place, so Agrippina did what she was really good at, and them either executed, or poisoned them herself. Earlier, she had caused a man to commit suicide in order to get Lucius betrothed to Claudius’ daughter Octavia. Those within the palace weren’t even safe, as those who Agrippina deemed threatening, or were close to Messalina were removed. A good mother must make sure their home is safe for their child.
Once ascending to the role as Empress, Agrippina immediately demonstrated the power, and prestige she held. The Celtic king Caratacus bowed before her in the same was as Claudius, a sign of respect towards her power. The title of “Augusta” was given to her soon later, a title only 2 other women before her had been given. Claudius had formed a new colony near where Agrippina was born, which was named Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensis, or modern day Cologne. It was the only Roman colony named after a woman, which shows the full control Agrippina held over Claudius. She was granted a sacred chariot only the Vestal Virgins could ride in, and was given the power to appoint leadership, such as when she replaced the head of the Praetorian Guard.
Claudius soon adopted Lucius, changing her name into Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus. However, this was still little Lucius to Agrippina. A precious child that she was perfectly molding, one that would someday rule Rome with an iron fist. To make sure that this would be the result of her child, Agrippina visited a famous Astrologer, one who could predict the future. She had come to ask about the future of the child she so cherished. The Astrology told Agrippina that her child would surely become the Emperor, but in result of that, he would be the one to kill her. Her only reply before leaving was,
“Let him kill me, provided he becomes emperor.”
For a child to kill their Mother would be breaking one of the greatest taboos in Roman society. Legally, and culturally, it was up there with Patricide, but always a step below it. However, as the only consistent parent Lucius had been with, would it be unfair to say that killing his Mother wouldn’t be on the same scale? One’s familia was everything, and to kill the familia you had been with since the beginning? It was a sin that was uncleansable.
Still, it wasn’t like Agrippina to actually sit there, and let her child murder her. The ultimate goal was to puppet Lucius, not actually have him kill her. It was around this time that Agrippina would begin to make Lucius drink from a silver cup, and poison her, giving her the antidote in tandem. The goal wasn’t to kill her child, Agrippina would never do that. It was to break her, and made her more dependent on Agrippina. A puppet who doesn’t need you isn’t much of a puppet after all. Never once was it done with the malicious ill of trying to kill her child, just an attempt to make sure the child loved, and needed their mother.
Her relationship with Lucius as a child was fairly standard by Agrippina’s definition. She would praise her child, spoil them, play games with them, and as they were trying to sleep, whisper into the ear all the things Agrippina needed them to hear. It was her direction, and affection that could cause Lucius to be the self-obsessed egomaniac they became. She also ended up causing Lucius’ style of dress to be the way it was, claiming that attire like that was the “cutest thing.” All of the dresses Lucius would wear in life were hand crafted by Agrippina herself.
Agrippina did want the best education possible for Lucius, so she brought back the exiled Seneca The Younger to teach her child, as well as employ Simon Magus to teach Lucius the magical arts. Could Agrippina have taught Lucius herself magic? Yes, she could, but a mother must bring the best instructors for their child.
And Agrippina needed to focus on killing off more people.
With Lucius will on their path to becoming a learned, but slightly deranged individual, all Agrippina needed to focus on making sure Claudius stayed away from his biological son, Britannicus. For example, she ordered the execution of Britannicus’ tutor, as he insulted Lucius, not believing them to be a worthy heir. Despite her best efforts at keeping the father and son appart, they would eventually reconnect. There was a rumor starting that Claudius was planning on actually making Britannicus is heir. Her grasp over Claudius was beginning to slip, just like it had was Caligula. However, Agrippina vowed to herself that she wouldn’t let what happened to Caligula happen again.
On October 13, 54 A.D., Emperor Claudius was killed. Agrippina had prepared him a meal with poisoned mushrooms. He died before he got the chance to announce Britannicus as his new heir, making Agrippina’s child the new Emperor. Finally, what Agrippina had spent the second part of her life aiming towards had been reached. Her child, Lucius, was Emperor, and she could manipulate her child all that she wanted. A bright future was meant to be all Agrippina had, and for the first part, it was certainly true.
Upon her husband’s “untimely” death, Agrippina was elevated to the high priestess of Claudius’ cult. Within the first year, Agrippina’s control over Lucius was going perfectly. However, once Lucius got into some sort of relationship with a freedwoman named Claudia Acte. Somehow, this wench was able to gain some control over her child. How could a former slave even begin to control the child she had so expertly raised? There wasn’t a misstep, nothing of the sort. At best, Agrippina assumed that this Claudia Acte was merely a Witch trying to take away her child. She would begin plotting with Lucius’ wife, Octavia for a plan that to kill Claudia, but it was a plan that Agrippina wouldn’t see to the fullest.
As years past, the divide between Agrippina and Lucius grew. The manipulative temptress who had charmed so many before couldn’t gain control over her son. They began to bicker, argue, and get into destructive spats with one another. The once happy Mother-Daughter relationship they once shared was already destroyed. They were now political rivals, one that ultimately broke the heart of Agrippina, but a challenge she accepted. Despite Lucius taking complete control over the empire, and removing all of her mother’s titles, Agrippina was still able to hold a substantial amount of control over the empire.
She was exiled to her estate at Misenum, but even there, her influence over Rome remained. Just like her daughter, she was beloved by the people, and the senators she had manipulated remained as loyal as they could. Agrippina was never someone who needed the titles she held, after all she made herself until the Empress, the Augusta, and so forth. It was through her own manipulation that she gained the titles, and it was through her own manipulation that she would still possess control over Rome.
During her exile, she had several meetings with Lucius. It was quite common, every few weeks or so. Despite their relationship being torn apart beyond all repair, the two would act just like they once did. They’d play games, talk about recent drama, and so forth. They were rivals for sure at this point, and even with their relationship torn, they were still “Mother and Child.” It is a powerful bond, one that something as silly as politics wouldn’t shatter. A mother that truly loves their child, and a child that truly loves their mother. At least, this was the fallacy that Agrippina wanted to believe deep in her heart. All she had left was Lucius, so at the very least, she wanted this fantasy to live on.
It didn’t.
Nero would hire a series of Assassins to try to eliminate Agrippina. Each one tried a different type of poison, but miraculously, Agrippina knew these attempts were coming, and took the antidote ahead of time. Once it was clear that poisoning Agrippina wouldn’t work, Lucius hired someone to construct a machine that would drop her ceiling tiles on her as she slept. Once again, Agrippina was aware of this, and slept elsewhere that night. With these failed assassination attempts, Lucius had but one more idea. She offered a public meet up with her in the middle of a lake between two boats. Agrippina, seeing this as her daughter’s attempt to reconcile with her, accepted. The boat Agrippina was one was meant to collapse, and if that failed, there was a group of Assassins ready to stab her. Such a plan could never fail, until it did.
Once more, Agrippina knew what was going to happen to this boat. She brought along a friend of her’s, and once the boat was about to collapse, she dragged both of them into the sofa, the one place that would be safe. The boat was still sinking, but lucky, they didn’t have to deal with the debris collapsing onto them. Agrippina, and her friend, were now in the middle of a lake. Agrippina’s friend screamed, claiming that she was Agrippina, in an attempt to get assistance. The Assassins mistook this person as Agrippina, and assassinated her. Agrippina herself merely swam back to shore, but these tired assassination attempts were enough. Without even drying herself off, Agrippina went back to Rome to face her daughter directly. It was dangerous, and she was almost certainly going to die. At the very least, she would die at the hands of Lucius, and not some poor assassin.
It was a public event in the center of Rome. Agrippina called out for her child, who did appear. The woman standing before Agrippina wasn’t the child that she knew, and Agrippina knew that her time was up. Rome was a world of intrigue, where Assassinating someone behind the scenes was commonplace. However, for an Emperor themselves to cut down their own mother in front of the public? It was something that never happened before, nor was it something to be repeated.
Even as her child’s sword struck her down, Agrippina had a smile on her face. She had failed, wonderfully at that. Her child had not only broken free from her control, but they had stuck her down, in the face of many onlookers. However, it wasn’t a complete loss. She had raised her child into something great. Lucius, no, Nero was something beyond even Agrippina herself. A true tyrant who could lead Rome with an ironfist. Agrippina’s years of hard work had some sort of pay off.
At the very least, her role as a mother to the Tyrant Nero was something she did exceptionally well.
Weapon: A dagger
Parameters:
Strength: E
Endurance: E
Agility: C
Mana: B
Luck: B
Class Skills:
Item Construction: C+
It is the Skill to manufacture magical items, from implements of war to items for daily use. Also, this Skill requires time to gather components and manufacture items.
Agrippina specializes in poisons, and things of that nature. However, her greatest skill lies in her ability to make dresses, which applies a modifier to this skill.
Territory Creation: A
It is the Skill to build a special terrain that is advantageous to oneself as a magus, such as for the purpose of collecting mana.
She can create a 'Temple', which is superior to a 'Workshop'.
Personal Skills:
Danger Prediction: -
A skill gained through having a natural intuition towards harmful situations. It is in a similar vein to Revelation. It is a form of mental pollution gained from being incredibly paranoid, as opposed to hearing voices from a higher being. Her paranoia has reached the level of "future sight."
In the case of Agrippina, her paranoia alerts her whenever a “dangerous situation” will be occurring. As someone who properly predicted, and took countermeasures for every time she was to be Assassinated, Agrippina could be called an expert in “predicting danger.”
Acquisition of this skill has lowered her rank in High-Speed Incantation
Divinity: D
The measure of whether one has Divine Spirit aptitude or not. At high levels, one is treated as a mixed race of a Divine Spirit, and the level declines when the Heroic Spirit's own rank as a Monster or Demonic Beast raises. It can also decrease due to one's dislike for the gods.
Agrippina was believed to be an incarnation of several different Goddesses, such as Ceres, and Fortuna.
High-Speed Incantation: B
The ability to speak magical incantations at an accelerated speed.
Agrippina is able to perform High-Thaumaturgy at the speed of a One Line spell.
Manifests at B as a result of Agrippina's paranoia. She has a habit of worrying if she has casted the spell correctly or not.
Incitement (Temptation): A+
A Skill that functions as the acquisition of the words and gestures to lead the citizens and the masses. Especially, when employed against an individual, it functions as a sort of mental attack. This form of Incitement is specialized towards individuals. If used against a single individual, she doesn't even need to "speak" to them in order for them to hear her voice.
Agrippina was a master manipulator, and with Claudius alone, she was able to convince him to remove the laws on incest, marry him, as well as talk him into making her son with another man his heir over his own.
Noble Phantasm:
Name: Birth of a Tyrant
Title: Creating the Beast of Babylon
Rank: B
NP Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 1
Maximum Number of Targets: 1
Description: Agrippina herself was a powerful Empress of Rome, but that wasn’t the feat that gained her the glory of being within the Throne of Heroes. Instead, it was how she raised her child Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, more famously known as Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. From birth, she was raised specifically to become a Tyrant, one whom Agrippina would control. The results created something greater than Agrippina could ever guess, as future generations would relate Nero with The Beast of Babylon.
In essence, it works by Agrippina designating someone as her “Lucius,” or someone who Agrippina can raise to eventually become “The Beast of Babylon.” Once someone has been designated as her “Lucius,” they gain the skill Migraine at C rank. They hear the sweet, melodious, motherly voice of Agrippina constantly speaking to them, distracting them and tempting them to do things. The voices tell them things uncharacteristic of their behavior, such as “disobey your Master”, “eat that civilian”, and “put on that dress.” The nagging can last hours at a time, and can only be relieved by following these actions. Agrippina herself has no direct control over these voices, but the voices are types of things Agrippina would actually say.
Agrippina can apply the status of “Lucius” to several individuals, as Agrippina manipulated many people on her way to the Roman Throne. However, only one, Agrippina’s personal favorite, can become the “Tyrant.” Agrippina will need to spend a lot of personal time with them, as a proper mother should. She needs to raise this child into a tyrant after all, and a mother who never spends time with her child couldn't achieve that. She’ll cook for them, dress them up, comfort them, and whisper sweet nothings into the ear. A doting mother is what she’ll become, but one who is ultimately raising their child into a monster.
After Agrippina has chosen her favorite, and spending some time with them, their personality will begin to distort. If one was a proud knight, their loyalty towards chivalry may begin to sway. If one was against the killing of innocents, the idea may no longer appear as bad as they once thought. Changes like this will start happening to them, and the longer they spend with Caster, the greater the distortion will become. Even their body will begin to distort, little by little, becoming closer to the true monster Agrippina aspires to raise. At the end of it all, their personality, and body will become fit for the “Beast of Babylon.” A rampaging “Tyrant,” one who can only listen to the sweet words of their loving mother. A marvelous creation that Agrippina has put time, effort, and a whole lot of love into. They too will love their mother, as that is the only right thing in the end, isn’t it?
Even if Agrippina is to die, the damage she has done to her victims will remain. In death, Agrippina’s voice will continue haunt those she has tainted. Instead of the sweet, motherly voice heard prior, it is now scornful remarks. The voices will berate them, calling them failures, and mention the horrible monstrosity they have turned for failing to protect their mother. A terrible distraction, and one that could break the hearts of even the greatest of monsters. After all, the death of your mother isn’t something tragic, isn’t it?
Her death will also cause the skill Migraine to go from C to B
Name: Laurel of The Emperor
Title: The Path to Kingship
Rank: C++
NP Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 1
Maximum Number of Targets: 1
Description: Agrippina’s path to the title of Empress was one filled with murder, betrayal, and manipulation. Caligula, Claudius, Nero, and many others were all her puppets at one time during her climb to the top of Rome. However, at no point was her puppeting then something that lead to something disastrous. Remarkably, the best parts of both Caligula, and Nero’s reigns are highlighted by Agrippina playing an active part in them. It was only when Agrippina didn’t play a part in their reigns that they both fell from their previous grace, leading their legacies to be demonized over time. Claudius, who is considered one of the better Emperors of Rome still had Agrippina’s influence, even before they were married. In the end, Agrippina was always able to bring out the best in those she manipulated.
This Noble Phantasm is a crystallization of this ability to take over another, and bring out their full potential as a ruler, morphing them to be the ideal Emperor of Rome. It manifests as a laurel wreath, one that she could theoretically place onto anyone. However, the true purpose of this Noble Phantasm is to place it on the one Agrippina cares for the most, as they are the most fitting to be crowned Emperor. Being crowned Emperor is akin to being crowned as a God, meaning this is a right belonging only to those most cherished by her. Agrippina can only love those who are have some sort of kingly attributes about them, but the more Agrippina cares for them, the more they ultimately need to be Emperor. It could be said that Agrippina’s love is strong enough to morph someone into being the Emperor of Rome.
It has the ability to bring out, and maximize the kingly attributes of those who wear the crown. As the Noble Phantasm morphs someone into being the ideal Roman Emperor, they recieve changes befitting of it. As an Emperor of Rome, they are given a divine protection, as all roads lead to the “God” of Rome. Their offensive, and defensive capabilities increased, and the target will also be cursed by Agrippina’s affection, granting them an ability similar to a curse of restoration. Oddly enough, they seem to grow quite fond of Rome. These boons will continue in power as Agrippina’s love of the one wearing it continues to develop. If Agrippina holds no affection towards the one wearing the crown, it would do nothing. Of course, as it is an effort of love, Agrippina needs to put in effort into raising them to be the perfect, kingly versions of themselves envisioned by Agrippina.
If someone wearing the crown has all of Agrippina’s affection, they will become a “perfect” Emperor, though ultimately a tool for Agrippina. Alongside the previous buffs, which will cap out at this point, the wearer will gain a rank in all of their parameters, and an increase in their Magic Resistance. It is a bonus granted to only those willing to give Agrippina control of their destiny. After all, those who end up in Agrippina’s care were brought to the height of the reigns. Ultimately, by becoming the “mount” of Agrippina, one is bestowed with the gifts to reach their greatest potential.
As it is a Noble Phantasm based around lifting others up, she can't place the crown on herself.
"How do you do, fellow magi?"
Name: Katarzyna Jadwiga Kinga Latalski
Title(s): Shaman/Priestess, Head of the Latalski family
Gender: Female
Age: 25
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Rank: Cause
Objective For Grail: N/A, is hoping this experience will give her valuable insight.
Personality: As the head of a relic of a family barely trying to keep up with the modern world, Katarzyna finds herself a mirror of the family. She tries to cling onto the ways and proper behavior of a Shaman, alongside adapting the behavior a “proper” magus should have. To place one’s lineage, and the pursuit of the root above one’s self, and one’s own belief. A shaman is to prioritize their connection with the spirits above all us, so at the very least, there is a conflict between these ideas. There is always an attempt to balanced them, but for the way of a magus will usually one if the two ideas meet directly in conflict.
Katarzyna herself avoids most of the outside world, preferring to live within the family’s plot of land. While she is away of the innovations that have come with the modern world, she has little to no experience with such things. There is a glimpse of pride she has for humanity when she sees such innovations, but they serve as a reminder of how near obsolete her family are as Shamans. They also serve as a peak into the future, and how magi themselves might one day become obsolete, putting all the sacrifices her family have done to survive in vain.
Outside of her life as a magus and Shaman, there isn’t much to the girl. She acts fairly polite when dealing with others, and does her best to refrain from improper language. Katarzyna has immense pride at what her family has done over the years, and being part of said family has granted Katarzyna some level of self pride. Even if she views herself as someone slowly growing obsolete, she can at the very least say she was part of a proud lineage of Shamans. More than that, she can say she was good Shaman in her own right.
But that doesn't mean a good Shaman is a good magus, and that is something she is trying to rectify.
She surprisingly has a bit of a sweet tooth.
The invasion of those unlike you.
The rise of something new and great.
The fall of traditions and the old way.
What is there to do when time passes you by?
This was the dilemma of the Latalski family.
A family of Shamans from Polish lands stretching back far beyond than what the family remembers. The land that would become Poland was filled with firm believers in the ways of Rod, Perun, and the old faith. A mysticism rooted deeply with the land, and one's connection with the world around it defined how well they'd do in life. To have the blessings of the Gods meant success in every avenue of life, and it was the job of a Shaman to make sure the Gods were appeased. Unfortunately, this way of life didn’t last forever, as upon the region being united, and the state of Poland being formed, Mieszko I converted to Christianity. It would be right to say that ever since its formation as a nation, Poland was always a Catholic country on a national level.
Yet, the beliefs of the king was not the belief of the people. While the constant efforts of both Mieszko I and his heir Bolesław I the Brave were making progress, Catholicism wouldn’t become the faith of Poland until the 13th century. Many different outbreaks would occur during this era, and it was clear that the people during the time would not submit. Those who clung to the old faith fought hard, but that just wasn’t enough. This new faith, and the unstoppable wave of Jesus was finally enough to topple over many of those with held onto the traditions. Unfortunately, the Latalski, known by a different name at the time, were part of the losing party in this war of faiths.
Of course, this wasn’t enough to make them give up. In response, those who clung to the old ways practiced their traditions in secret. Their old temples would be destroyed, but a new temple can be built. Their old sacred groves would be cut down and used for something else, but they can make more. The Slavic Faith would continue on for as long as those who held the faith close to them continued to hold to these traditions. But, for how long can these traditions live on for?
As time passed, those who once clung to the faith desperately either dropped it entirely, or converted to Catholicism. More and more, those who still believed in Rod were becoming relics of a bygone era. What was a family of priests meant to do in a world without their Gods? They became members of a dying breed, and were becoming obsolete as time kept moving by. The family would need a revolution if they wanted to survive, and that is what the official first head of the Latalski family managed to do in the late 1500s.
The faith didn’t need to be abandoned, but they couldn’t proceed as they currently were. The longer the family waited, the faster they would become obsolete. A Priest always needed a purpose, and if it was not to just lead the people in spiritual matters, where would it be? A solution was found, and that was to become a family of Magi. If a goal of Magus was to reach the Root, then truthfully, it was no different from what the family was currently doing. Shamans were already about invoking the gods, and becoming one with them. To become one with the Origin was already the goal of both groups.
The origin from which all came from was known to the Slavic Faith as Rod. He encapsulated the origin, and absoluteness. He was the primordial existence from which all came from. Rod shares similarities to the Nordic Ymir, but this only reaffirmed the family’s believe in becoming one with Rod was the path to the root. After all, a European term of the Gate of Akasha is Ymir’s Entrance. Since then, the family has focused its efforts on becoming one with Rod.
As they were now a family of Magi, becoming one with the Mage’s Association was the only proper course. Considering the family was filled with Shamans, the only logical branch of the Association to work with was within the Sea of Estray. At the very least, they were an organization that looked fondly upon Magecraft of the far past. Finally, as the family were now Magi instead of being simple Shamans, a Magic Crest was created. Of course, it was far more symbolic than anything. A shaman was something that needed to be experienced, not something that could be merely passed down in a Crest. In later generations however, their current work in Black Magic has added to the crest.
For roughly 300 years the Latalski family have been magi. Despite all the odds, the family has survived, as well as their grasp on their own faith. They’re still spiritual leaders to those who follow the faith, but their main focus has become the Root. This is fitting, considering the family this has been the priority of the family since they became magi. They’ve remarkably been able to keep their old roots while working as magi.
During this time Russia had taken over their former Polish land, but it wasn’t like they’d lose their identity. Plus, Russians were also Slavs? Different language, but it was something they'd adapt too. The family had come much too far to let a minor setback like this stop them now.
Before she had been born she was designated as the next heir to to the Katarzyna magus lineage, and as the next Priestess. Calling her a Priestess sounds much better than it actually is, considering their “temple” can hardly be called such. It is the bare minimum needed for a temple, but it would do considering the current state of their near non-existent family. The more relevant thing, of course, was that she'd be a magus. At this point, the family had already adapted quite a bit to the traditions of the Modern era.
Her name was a reflection of that. A family of Shamans trying their best to be magi, even to the point of adopting a naming scheme that was more customary. No part of her name was actually Slavic in origin, but were merely different names of Saints. A worshiper of the old ways stained with the name of those who tried only to destroy it. It wasn't a thought Katarzyna could indulge much in, as the deeper implications of it would only unearth things she didn't care too.
After the years of training to not only become a magus, but a Priestess, she accepted the honor of the family crest. However, she has yet to take over for her Mother as a spiritual leader. This was preferable, as it would allow Katarzyna to focus her efforts on more important things, like research. Despite being a member of the Sea, Katarzyna has little to do with the inner workings of it, and tends to act like a hermit. Not that her research has gotten her anywhere meaningful.
Why would it? She wasn't much of a magus, no part of her family really was. No matter how hard they would try, they'd all be Priests trying their best to be Magi. It is a painful fact to accept, but one she would need too. In order for the family to make meaningful progress, it had to be accepted that they would start from an inferior place. This did not mean they could not achieve the heights of other families, it just meant they'd be working from a disadvantage. They might just be idiotic priests pretending to be Magi, but they were still skilled priests at the end of it.
During her research, she had come upon a ritual in the East. Normally, it wasn't like her to ever take part in such a thing. However, once she had heard other prominent magi would be attending, she thought it would be a valuable experience to see how they would perform. Could following their example show her how to be a proper magus?
Probably not, only an idiot would actually show up to this Monkey Paw ritual.
Magic Circuit Switch: Remembering the pain of being shocked
Number of Magic Circuits: C
Quality of Magic Circuits: C
Elemental Affinity: Earth and Wind
Magecraft:
Slavic Shamanism - A school of magecraft dedicated to the invoking, and communing with spirits and gods. It is also worth noting that it allows one to open their body to spirits. As a Shaman from Poland, she relies on the faith and customs of traditional Polish Slavic Faith, so healing both physically and spiritually is crucial to it.
Katarzyna herself is quite gifted in imbuing objects, and people with boons. For example, blessing a vial of water to heal curses is well within her power. This is not to say she is lacking at the other aspects, but this is where her skill truly begins to shine. She is one of the last remaining priestesses of the faith after all
It has ties to both Formalcraft and Black Magic on principle.
Formalcraft - A method to do Magecraft using Mana instead of Od. A caster make contact with mysteries through processes established in ancient time such as sacrificing a chicken, or praying in a magic circle all night. It plays an important part in the ritualistic nature of Shamanism. Doing a dance around a magic circle for the rain goddess to bring a light rain around your house, and things of that nature.
Black Magic - Another fundamental part of Shamanism, considering the European ideas of Black Magic partly stem from the works of Shamans. Things that fall along the lines of potions, medicines, spirit exorcism, hexes, and so forth fall under this. In general, things you would commonly associate with a Witch can be found in this school, such as broom flight. Katarzyna’s witchcraft in particular is about repurposing parts of the body.
The Fundamentals - The basics you would expect from just about any magus.
Crest: Around 300 years old
Equipment:
Materials to make potions/effigies
Broom, and Anti-Gravity Ointment.
The limbs of someone who was wearing the Jarilo Outfit kept in suitcases to preserve them, and have a weight reduction spell upon them.
A series of objects that can create a temple to the Slavic Gods.
A pile of stones sacred to the God of Lightning and War, Perun. They were believed to be the remains of the weapons fired by Perun. If kept under the earth for 7 years, they are said to return back to Perun. The actual use of these stones are to act as Magic Resistance amulets equivalent to D rank MR, and to bring luck. Despite their protective properties, they can still be used as simple lightning projectiles.
In Slavic faith, the ultimate weapons of the god Perun are his arsenal of Golden Apples. For this reason, a Golden Apple has become a talisman of ultimate destruction. While the Latalski family could never create something akin to a Divine Weapon, they have tried to make these talismans as close to the original as they could. The family has grown apples in an orchard located in a sacred grove dedicated to Perun. If they can’t possess the actual ones of Perun, at least they could have “fruits of Perun” instead.
The true use of these apples is for a Grand Ritual to create an explosive surge of lightning.
They also make an incredibly tasty snack.
A piece of traditional garb that has been in the family since around the start of it. When the faith was more prominent, it was used during one of the most important festivals of the year, the Jarilo. It was named after the god Jarilo, a trickster god of fertility, health, rebirth, and springtime. One person was chosen to become Jarilo, and would wear this outfit, becoming a physical representation of Jarilo himself.
As the faith has been mostly purged from Slavic lands, it has been nothing more than a simple family heirloom. Being built from objects found in the sacred groves, it is very in tune with the Shamanism of the family. It has been used a few times in the past for purposes relating to their Shamanism. Katarzyna herself has used it very recently in preparation for this war…
Katarzyna herself will only wear it in specific situations. Simply put, it allows the wearer to become a physical manifestation of Jarilo. It makes for an easier connection with the god, and makes the body more compatible for his influence and power. It allows for a shard of the powers of Jarilo to be bestowed upon her, such as his ability to sprout life from where he walks over, and his healing abilities.
Personality: Caster is someone who is fundamentally a power hungry tyrant, but one who naturally covers it up with a motherly disposition. At no point could she be called a good mother, but she is naturally inclined to act like one to those she likes. Those she is fond of are still tools to her, but those are "special" tools to her. They are "precious" and require a special type of care. Even when her child killed her, she couldn't help but smile as a proud mother would. After all, she had crafted a wonderful tyrant, a monster who would kill their own mother in cold blood.
Outside of her special "tools", Agrippina comes off as you would expect from a bloodthirsty Empress. Arrogant, domineering, but still has the charm to wrap you around her finger. She is a notorious plotter, backstabber, and a hedonist who has no shame in hand holding in public. It was a powerful enough of a combination for strike fear in the Roman Senate, who were ultimately pleased by her death. However, it isn't much of a slight against her, the senate hated most people.
Comes off as a bit of an "ara ara bouya" type.
Her wish is to go back, and hold a tighter leash on Nero.
The fourth child, and first daughter of the union between Germanicus and Agrippina The Elder. Her father was an influential general, and politician, a man who would become part of the main Julio-Claudian Dynasty by being adopted by Tiberius, and proceed to marry the granddaughter of Augustus. At one point, Germanicus was the heir to the Roman throne, though his death would put an end to any hopes of that. Still, his life served as a stepping stone from which Agrippina launch herself off from, and for that, she thanks her father, despite having no real memories of him.
After her father passed at the age 3, Agrippina was raised by her mother Agrippina The Elder, her grandmother Antonia Minor, and her great-grandmother Livia Drusilla. Three of the most powerful women in Rome’s history raised her, showing her how she could survive the brutal world of the Roman Politics, especially as a woman. In a sense, she was raised to become the power hungry monster she would become. They showed her a path to glamor, glory, power, and riches, and it was all Agrippina would ever want. It could be said that creating a monster was the only type of parenting Agrippina knew, given she was too was raised in a similar vein. A monster was produced, and one who was already well on her way to raising an even greater one.
At the age of 13 Agrippina was married off to Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, her first cousin once removed. It wasn’t much of a relationship, considering Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus was a detestable man, even amongst Roman standards. Still, he was a wealthy, powerful man, who had all the making of a Consul, which he would become in 32 A.D.. As he was a despicable politician, Agrippina felt somewhat drawn to him. It was by him that Agrippina would have her only child, nearly a decade after they had gotten married. The child was named Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, named after Gnaeus’ recently deceased father. This child would become Emperor Nero. Despite being congratulated by many on the birth of his child, Gnaeus would only reply
“I don't think anything produced by me and Agrippina could possibly be good for the state or the people.”
The child of two monsters was born, though a girl, it was something that Agrippina was fine with. After all, a cute girl in cute dresses was the best thing for a mother? A mother should also make sure their child understands how the world works? A mother should teach their child how to efficiently rule over the people, right? Even from her birth, Lucius was being piloted to becoming Rome’s most vilified tyrant, though it was unknown if this was Agrippina’s initial intent, or a result of how she was raised.
It was the same year that Tiberius had died, and Caligula had rose to power. Being the sister of the Emperor had many perks, such as sharing the viewing rights of the Vestal Virgins. However, this was also around the time that Agrippina’s true colors would become to show. Her brother was a weak ruler at the time, one whom Agrippina, as well as her sisters, had an easy time manipulating. Coins were printed with their faces on them, something unheard of before. It was Caligula’s fondness of his sisters, especially Drusilla, that would create rumors of an incestous relationship between them, though Agrippina denies such a claim. After all, he was so easy to manipulate, why would she need to rely on her body? Caligula would treat Drusilla like his wife, not Agrippina. Though, Caligula had a habit of admiring Agrippina’s beauty, so maybe the claims were justified?
Of course, it was the death of Drusilla that Agrippina believed to have sparked Caligula’s descent into madness. He isolated himself away from his sisters, and no longer could Agrippina manipulate the Emperor. It was around this time Agrippina, along with her other sister, and the former husband of Drusilla, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, hatched a scheme to kill Caligula. It ultimately ended in failure, the three were accused of sleeping with each other, Lepidus was executed, and the two sisters were exiled to an island.
It was the first time Agrippina had been away from her child, and it truly did eat away at her. Lucius was only 3 at the time, and surely couldn’t remember her mother leaving her, but it still bothered her. Being away from her precious child, the one who she poured all of her love into. It was during this period of being away that Agrippina had hardened herself into achieving the Roman throne. It was always her goal, but this was truly the time Agrippina would devote all that she could into reaching it. Her child Lucius would be the means to achieving this goal, and it was for that reason Agrippina would follow the path she ultimately would. In being seperated from her child, both of their fates would ultimately be cemented.
Upon Caligula’s death, and Claudius’ ascension to Emperor, Agrippina, as well as her sister, were allowed to return to Rome. The first thing Agrippina did upon returning was hug her child, and talk on end how much she missed them. Coincidentally, her husband had died the same year. Seeing this as new potential to move up the social ladder, she tried striking up a relationship with the designated heir of the throne at the time. It resulted in failure when the man’s mother-in-law slapped Agrippina in a crowd of other people. This woman’s name has been lost to time...who knows why?
With that failure, Agrippina found a new target for her affection. A man named Gaius Sallustius Crispus Passienus had caught her eye, and through some convincing, he divorced his wife and married her. He was a powerful, and wealthy politician at the time, even serving as a Consul twice. The man even adopted her little Lucius. He didn’t last very long, as Agrippina poisoned him, so that when he died, Lucius would gain his wealth. A marriage not at all made from love, but a ploy so that Agrippina could make her child powerful at a young age. The true viper that was Agrippina was finally revealed, and she would make no restraints in holding back her fangs.
The sudden wealth and power that Lucius had gained very quickly made him a threat. Emperor Claudius’ wife at the time, Valeria Messalina, found Lucius to be a threat towards her own child’s claim for the throne. Messalina hired a group of Assassins to strangle Lucius as he slept. Of course, Agrippina predicted such a thing would occur, and planted snake-skin near Lucius’ pillow as she slept. The Assassins believed it to be a real snake, and ran away out of view of being bit.
Later that year, Agrippina and Lucius attended a pageant, with both Messalina and her son present. Agrippina and Lucius received more praise, and applause than the Empress and her child. She was viewed as a pitiful character, one who has those close to her constantly ripped away from her. It wasn’t an incorrect assessment. Agrippina’s entire life story had been about those who were close to her betraying her, or dying on her, or anything like that. The only thing that remained close to her was child Lucius. After this event, she began writing a memoir, as well as a biography on her mother.
Soon afterwards, Messalina was executed for conspiring to overthrow Claudius. An Emperor needed an Empress, and Agrippina was lacking a true husband, though she was currently serving as a mistress to one of Claudius’ advisers. Claudius was easy to manipulate, and it didn’t take very long for Agrippina to have him wrapped around her finger. She even managed to convince him to change the laws of incest in order to allow their marriage. It was immortal for an uncle and niece to marry, but Agrippina was quite good at manipulation by this point, and there was little trouble in convincing him.
Even after being married to Claudius, Agrippina had issues. There were several other women who were trying to take her place, so Agrippina did what she was really good at, and them either executed, or poisoned them herself. Earlier, she had caused a man to commit suicide in order to get Lucius betrothed to Claudius’ daughter Octavia. Those within the palace weren’t even safe, as those who Agrippina deemed threatening, or were close to Messalina were removed. A good mother must make sure their home is safe for their child.
Once ascending to the role as Empress, Agrippina immediately demonstrated the power, and prestige she held. The Celtic king Caratacus bowed before her in the same was as Claudius, a sign of respect towards her power. The title of “Augusta” was given to her soon later, a title only 2 other women before her had been given. Claudius had formed a new colony near where Agrippina was born, which was named Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensis, or modern day Cologne. It was the only Roman colony named after a woman, which shows the full control Agrippina held over Claudius. She was granted a sacred chariot only the Vestal Virgins could ride in, and was given the power to appoint leadership, such as when she replaced the head of the Praetorian Guard.
Claudius soon adopted Lucius, changing her name into Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus. However, this was still little Lucius to Agrippina. A precious child that she was perfectly molding, one that would someday rule Rome with an iron fist. To make sure that this would be the result of her child, Agrippina visited a famous Astrologer, one who could predict the future. She had come to ask about the future of the child she so cherished. The Astrology told Agrippina that her child would surely become the Emperor, but in result of that, he would be the one to kill her. Her only reply before leaving was,
“Let him kill me, provided he becomes emperor.”
For a child to kill their Mother would be breaking one of the greatest taboos in Roman society. Legally, and culturally, it was up there with Patricide, but always a step below it. However, as the only consistent parent Lucius had been with, would it be unfair to say that killing his Mother wouldn’t be on the same scale? One’s familia was everything, and to kill the familia you had been with since the beginning? It was a sin that was uncleansable.
Still, it wasn’t like Agrippina to actually sit there, and let her child murder her. The ultimate goal was to puppet Lucius, not actually have him kill her. It was around this time that Agrippina would begin to make Lucius drink from a silver cup, and poison her, giving her the antidote in tandem. The goal wasn’t to kill her child, Agrippina would never do that. It was to break her, and made her more dependent on Agrippina. A puppet who doesn’t need you isn’t much of a puppet after all. Never once was it done with the malicious ill of trying to kill her child, just an attempt to make sure the child loved, and needed their mother.
Her relationship with Lucius as a child was fairly standard by Agrippina’s definition. She would praise her child, spoil them, play games with them, and as they were trying to sleep, whisper into the ear all the things Agrippina needed them to hear. It was her direction, and affection that could cause Lucius to be the self-obsessed egomaniac they became. She also ended up causing Lucius’ style of dress to be the way it was, claiming that attire like that was the “cutest thing.” All of the dresses Lucius would wear in life were hand crafted by Agrippina herself.
Agrippina did want the best education possible for Lucius, so she brought back the exiled Seneca The Younger to teach her child, as well as employ Simon Magus to teach Lucius the magical arts. Could Agrippina have taught Lucius herself magic? Yes, she could, but a mother must bring the best instructors for their child.
And Agrippina needed to focus on killing off more people.
With Lucius will on their path to becoming a learned, but slightly deranged individual, all Agrippina needed to focus on making sure Claudius stayed away from his biological son, Britannicus. For example, she ordered the execution of Britannicus’ tutor, as he insulted Lucius, not believing them to be a worthy heir. Despite her best efforts at keeping the father and son appart, they would eventually reconnect. There was a rumor starting that Claudius was planning on actually making Britannicus is heir. Her grasp over Claudius was beginning to slip, just like it had was Caligula. However, Agrippina vowed to herself that she wouldn’t let what happened to Caligula happen again.
On October 13, 54 A.D., Emperor Claudius was killed. Agrippina had prepared him a meal with poisoned mushrooms. He died before he got the chance to announce Britannicus as his new heir, making Agrippina’s child the new Emperor. Finally, what Agrippina had spent the second part of her life aiming towards had been reached. Her child, Lucius, was Emperor, and she could manipulate her child all that she wanted. A bright future was meant to be all Agrippina had, and for the first part, it was certainly true.
Upon her husband’s “untimely” death, Agrippina was elevated to the high priestess of Claudius’ cult. Within the first year, Agrippina’s control over Lucius was going perfectly. However, once Lucius got into some sort of relationship with a freedwoman named Claudia Acte. Somehow, this wench was able to gain some control over her child. How could a former slave even begin to control the child she had so expertly raised? There wasn’t a misstep, nothing of the sort. At best, Agrippina assumed that this Claudia Acte was merely a Witch trying to take away her child. She would begin plotting with Lucius’ wife, Octavia for a plan that to kill Claudia, but it was a plan that Agrippina wouldn’t see to the fullest.
As years past, the divide between Agrippina and Lucius grew. The manipulative temptress who had charmed so many before couldn’t gain control over her son. They began to bicker, argue, and get into destructive spats with one another. The once happy Mother-Daughter relationship they once shared was already destroyed. They were now political rivals, one that ultimately broke the heart of Agrippina, but a challenge she accepted. Despite Lucius taking complete control over the empire, and removing all of her mother’s titles, Agrippina was still able to hold a substantial amount of control over the empire.
She was exiled to her estate at Misenum, but even there, her influence over Rome remained. Just like her daughter, she was beloved by the people, and the senators she had manipulated remained as loyal as they could. Agrippina was never someone who needed the titles she held, after all she made herself until the Empress, the Augusta, and so forth. It was through her own manipulation that she gained the titles, and it was through her own manipulation that she would still possess control over Rome.
During her exile, she had several meetings with Lucius. It was quite common, every few weeks or so. Despite their relationship being torn apart beyond all repair, the two would act just like they once did. They’d play games, talk about recent drama, and so forth. They were rivals for sure at this point, and even with their relationship torn, they were still “Mother and Child.” It is a powerful bond, one that something as silly as politics wouldn’t shatter. A mother that truly loves their child, and a child that truly loves their mother. At least, this was the fallacy that Agrippina wanted to believe deep in her heart. All she had left was Lucius, so at the very least, she wanted this fantasy to live on.
It didn’t.
Nero would hire a series of Assassins to try to eliminate Agrippina. Each one tried a different type of poison, but miraculously, Agrippina knew these attempts were coming, and took the antidote ahead of time. Once it was clear that poisoning Agrippina wouldn’t work, Lucius hired someone to construct a machine that would drop her ceiling tiles on her as she slept. Once again, Agrippina was aware of this, and slept elsewhere that night. With these failed assassination attempts, Lucius had but one more idea. She offered a public meet up with her in the middle of a lake between two boats. Agrippina, seeing this as her daughter’s attempt to reconcile with her, accepted. The boat Agrippina was one was meant to collapse, and if that failed, there was a group of Assassins ready to stab her. Such a plan could never fail, until it did.
Once more, Agrippina knew what was going to happen to this boat. She brought along a friend of her’s, and once the boat was about to collapse, she dragged both of them into the sofa, the one place that would be safe. The boat was still sinking, but lucky, they didn’t have to deal with the debris collapsing onto them. Agrippina, and her friend, were now in the middle of a lake. Agrippina’s friend screamed, claiming that she was Agrippina, in an attempt to get assistance. The Assassins mistook this person as Agrippina, and assassinated her. Agrippina herself merely swam back to shore, but these tired assassination attempts were enough. Without even drying herself off, Agrippina went back to Rome to face her daughter directly. It was dangerous, and she was almost certainly going to die. At the very least, she would die at the hands of Lucius, and not some poor assassin.
It was a public event in the center of Rome. Agrippina called out for her child, who did appear. The woman standing before Agrippina wasn’t the child that she knew, and Agrippina knew that her time was up. Rome was a world of intrigue, where Assassinating someone behind the scenes was commonplace. However, for an Emperor themselves to cut down their own mother in front of the public? It was something that never happened before, nor was it something to be repeated.
Even as her child’s sword struck her down, Agrippina had a smile on her face. She had failed, wonderfully at that. Her child had not only broken free from her control, but they had stuck her down, in the face of many onlookers. However, it wasn’t a complete loss. She had raised her child into something great. Lucius, no, Nero was something beyond even Agrippina herself. A true tyrant who could lead Rome with an ironfist. Agrippina’s years of hard work had some sort of pay off.
At the very least, her role as a mother to the Tyrant Nero was something she did exceptionally well.
Weapon: A dagger
Parameters:
Strength: E
Endurance: E
Agility: C
Mana: B
Luck: B
Class Skills:
Item Construction: C+
It is the Skill to manufacture magical items, from implements of war to items for daily use. Also, this Skill requires time to gather components and manufacture items.
Agrippina specializes in poisons, and things of that nature. However, her greatest skill lies in her ability to make dresses, which applies a modifier to this skill.
Territory Creation: A
It is the Skill to build a special terrain that is advantageous to oneself as a magus, such as for the purpose of collecting mana.
She can create a 'Temple', which is superior to a 'Workshop'.
Personal Skills:
Danger Prediction: -
A skill gained through having a natural intuition towards harmful situations. It is in a similar vein to Revelation. It is a form of mental pollution gained from being incredibly paranoid, as opposed to hearing voices from a higher being. Her paranoia has reached the level of "future sight."
In the case of Agrippina, her paranoia alerts her whenever a “dangerous situation” will be occurring. As someone who properly predicted, and took countermeasures for every time she was to be Assassinated, Agrippina could be called an expert in “predicting danger.”
Acquisition of this skill has lowered her rank in High-Speed Incantation
Divinity: D
The measure of whether one has Divine Spirit aptitude or not. At high levels, one is treated as a mixed race of a Divine Spirit, and the level declines when the Heroic Spirit's own rank as a Monster or Demonic Beast raises. It can also decrease due to one's dislike for the gods.
Agrippina was believed to be an incarnation of several different Goddesses, such as Ceres, and Fortuna.
High-Speed Incantation: B
The ability to speak magical incantations at an accelerated speed.
Agrippina is able to perform High-Thaumaturgy at the speed of a One Line spell.
Manifests at B as a result of Agrippina's paranoia. She has a habit of worrying if she has casted the spell correctly or not.
Incitement (Temptation): A+
A Skill that functions as the acquisition of the words and gestures to lead the citizens and the masses. Especially, when employed against an individual, it functions as a sort of mental attack. This form of Incitement is specialized towards individuals. If used against a single individual, she doesn't even need to "speak" to them in order for them to hear her voice.
Agrippina was a master manipulator, and with Claudius alone, she was able to convince him to remove the laws on incest, marry him, as well as talk him into making her son with another man his heir over his own.
Noble Phantasm:
Name: Birth of a Tyrant
Title: Creating the Beast of Babylon
Rank: B
NP Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 1
Maximum Number of Targets: 1
Description: Agrippina herself was a powerful Empress of Rome, but that wasn’t the feat that gained her the glory of being within the Throne of Heroes. Instead, it was how she raised her child Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, more famously known as Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. From birth, she was raised specifically to become a Tyrant, one whom Agrippina would control. The results created something greater than Agrippina could ever guess, as future generations would relate Nero with The Beast of Babylon.
In essence, it works by Agrippina designating someone as her “Lucius,” or someone who Agrippina can raise to eventually become “The Beast of Babylon.” Once someone has been designated as her “Lucius,” they gain the skill Migraine at C rank. They hear the sweet, melodious, motherly voice of Agrippina constantly speaking to them, distracting them and tempting them to do things. The voices tell them things uncharacteristic of their behavior, such as “disobey your Master”, “eat that civilian”, and “put on that dress.” The nagging can last hours at a time, and can only be relieved by following these actions. Agrippina herself has no direct control over these voices, but the voices are types of things Agrippina would actually say.
Agrippina can apply the status of “Lucius” to several individuals, as Agrippina manipulated many people on her way to the Roman Throne. However, only one, Agrippina’s personal favorite, can become the “Tyrant.” Agrippina will need to spend a lot of personal time with them, as a proper mother should. She needs to raise this child into a tyrant after all, and a mother who never spends time with her child couldn't achieve that. She’ll cook for them, dress them up, comfort them, and whisper sweet nothings into the ear. A doting mother is what she’ll become, but one who is ultimately raising their child into a monster.
After Agrippina has chosen her favorite, and spending some time with them, their personality will begin to distort. If one was a proud knight, their loyalty towards chivalry may begin to sway. If one was against the killing of innocents, the idea may no longer appear as bad as they once thought. Changes like this will start happening to them, and the longer they spend with Caster, the greater the distortion will become. Even their body will begin to distort, little by little, becoming closer to the true monster Agrippina aspires to raise. At the end of it all, their personality, and body will become fit for the “Beast of Babylon.” A rampaging “Tyrant,” one who can only listen to the sweet words of their loving mother. A marvelous creation that Agrippina has put time, effort, and a whole lot of love into. They too will love their mother, as that is the only right thing in the end, isn’t it?
Even if Agrippina is to die, the damage she has done to her victims will remain. In death, Agrippina’s voice will continue haunt those she has tainted. Instead of the sweet, motherly voice heard prior, it is now scornful remarks. The voices will berate them, calling them failures, and mention the horrible monstrosity they have turned for failing to protect their mother. A terrible distraction, and one that could break the hearts of even the greatest of monsters. After all, the death of your mother isn’t something tragic, isn’t it?
Her death will also cause the skill Migraine to go from C to B
Name: Laurel of The Emperor
Title: The Path to Kingship
Rank: C++
NP Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 1
Maximum Number of Targets: 1
Description: Description: Agrippina’s path to the title of Empress was one filled with murder, betrayal, and manipulation. Caligula, Claudius, Nero, and many others were all her puppets at one time during her climb to the top of Rome. However, at no point was her puppeting then something that lead to something disastrous. Remarkably, the best parts of both Caligula, and Nero’s reigns are highlighted by Agrippina playing an active part in them. It was only when Agrippina didn’t play a part in their reigns that they both fell from their previous grace, leading their legacies to be demonized over time. Claudius, who is considered one of the better Emperors of Rome still had Agrippina’s influence, even before they were married. In the end, Agrippina was always able to bring out the best in those she manipulated.
This Noble Phantasm is a crystallization of this ability to take over another, and bring out their full potential as a ruler, morphing them to be the ideal Emperor of Rome. It manifests as a laurel wreath, one that she could theoretically place onto anyone. However, the true purpose of this Noble Phantasm is to place it on the one Agrippina cares for the most, as they are the most fitting to be crowned Emperor. Being crowned Emperor is akin to being crowned as a God, meaning this is a right belonging only to those most cherished by her. Agrippina can only love those who are have some sort of kingly attributes about them, but the more Agrippina cares for them, the more they ultimately need to be Emperor. It could be said that Agrippina’s love is strong enough to morph someone into being the Emperor of Rome.
It has the ability to bring out, and maximize the kingly attributes of those who wear the crown. As the Noble Phantasm morphs someone into being the ideal Roman Emperor, they recieve changes befitting of it. As an Emperor of Rome, they are given a divine protection, as all roads lead to the “God” of Rome. Their offensive, and defensive capabilities increased, and the target will also be cursed by Agrippina’s affection, granting them an ability similar to a curse of restoration. Oddly enough, they seem to grow quite fond of Rome. These boons will continue in power as Agrippina’s love of the one wearing it continues to develop. If Agrippina holds no affection towards the one wearing the crown, it would do nothing. Of course, as it is an effort of love, Agrippina needs to put in effort into raising them to be the perfect, kingly versions of themselves envisioned by Agrippina.
If someone wearing the crown has all of Agrippina’s affection, they will become a “perfect” Emperor, though ultimately a tool for Agrippina. Alongside the previous buffs, which will cap out at this point, the wearer will gain a rank in all of their parameters, and an increase in their Magic Resistance. It is a bonus granted to only those willing to give Agrippina control of their destiny. After all, those who end up in Agrippina’s care were brought to the height of the reigns. Ultimately, by becoming the “mount” of Agrippina, one is bestowed with the gifts to reach their greatest potential.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Barnabas, I am Father Niccolo! I am the Priest of the Church on top of the hill. "
The Priest gave a smile. It was rare to actually interact with people outside of shopping. Nobody ever actually visited his church, so it wasn't like he spoke to people in such a casual setting. The Father was going to accept the other's handshake, but as he was reaching in, he noticed that his attention was diverted. Niccolo placed his gaze over to where Branabas put his.
They were giving out some sort of missions? Fine by him, it wasn't really like him to intervene with others. However, his curiosity did make him head towards the board. A little curiosity wouldn't be the end of him, however, two of these missions seemed to be of the utmost importance to him. The disappearances, as well as the ghost mansion, seemed to have been hurting the people of Dangeki the most. This meant that the Priest needed to intervene, and make sure that whatever was causing this needed to be stopped. Sadly, he couldn't go to both, so which one would he take?
One seemed to be a bit more direct, but it did have the Police working on it. This means that there was a lot more attention towards it, so it was possible that it could be figured out by the Police alone. While it wasn't the Father's best reasoning, it seemed as though it had better odds of being dealt with. This meant that the mansion was the remaining choice, and the option Niccolo was going to choose. Whoever was behind this mansion was going to be stopped, Niccolo promised the Lord that he would never let harm come to innocents.
"If it isn't too much of a bother, I'd like the special mission. I refuse to let innocent people get hurt just by discovering a mansion. "
Of course, if just discovering the mansion meant you went missing, how did Chikage know about it? It was something that the Priest could figure out later, after dealing with whatever was inside of this mansion. It also seemed like his new friend Branabas was also going to the Mansion. This would surely mean more human interaction!
Niccolo wasn't really the type for socializing, seeing as he spent a majority of time on top of his hill. The man never seemed to ever leave his Church, and if he did leave his Church, it was only late at night. Many cashiers could attest to seeing him shopping for himself, and the local officials have seen him roaming the streets of the city. This alone has made him out to seem like a very odd guy, and this probably doesn't help him get more visitors to his Church.
Then again, if you were a Shinto Buddhist, would you want to go to a Church where the Priest walks around at night all by himself? That is the kind of writing for a horror story! The Creepy Priest who lives on in the creepy church on top of the creepy hill! Yet, none of this ever seemed to bother the priest. There were those who would see past it all, and those would be the ones who truly deserved the light of the Lord.
Well, his nightly patrols never really brought him much. He just seemed rather unlucky when it came to actually running into Youkai, that or other Chasers had probably dealt with them. He hoped it was always the latter, as evil Youkai running a muck would be terrible for the people within the city. Thankfully, it seemed like the Chasers of the city were skilled enough to handle the problems within the city, and for that, Father Niccolo was truly thankful.
Speaking of other Chasers within the city, it appeared that Niccolo was walking past the Café. He rarely visited it, but he would pop in from time to time whenever the loneliness caused by being a Priest in Modern Japan was a bit too much to handle. The people there were mostly young, and speaking to the youth was a decent change of pace. Even when he was back home, the only kind of real conversations he had were with fellow Clergymen. A majority of members were also fifteen or so years older, so being a bit of an "old man" was interesting.
The Father entered the cafe, deciding that taking a short break was fine. The number of other Chasers in there also seemed to verify his point. If there was truly any trouble, he doubted that this many of Chasers would be able to peacefully stay. At least, he hoped. Niccolo liked to believe that anybody who was blessed with the powers to be a Chaser would place a priority on Mankind. Of course, this was a silly idealistic dream, but you can't blame an old man for dreaming.
It took him a few moments to notice that ghosts seemed to have been residing within the Café. A bit unfortunate, but they didn't seem to be causing direct harm. Other Chasers were already handling them, so it wasn't exactly necessary for him to intervene. Plus, he wasn't exactly the best person to deal with ghosts. Unless, of course, these ghosts were weak to the Good Word, but that was something he needed to try out on his own time.
The Father began to walk over to an empty table, but it appeared that someone had beat him to it. He continued to walk towards the table, and he gave the man a small smile.
" Hello! Would you mind if I sat at this table with you?"
Powers Psychic: The ability to influence the world with the mind, as well as use the mind of a receptor instead of physical senses. Niccolo can use this power to access the mind of others, alter their perception, and manipulate physical objects with his mind. This allows for Niccolo to use self-hypnosis.
Weapons N/A
Equipment The Bible
"The moon is truly lovely tonight"
Simple words were muttered by the Father was he descended the hill his Church was on. It was another day without visitors, though that was nothing new for Niccolo. This was Japan, there weren't going to be massive people heading to a Church, especially his. Resting on top of a large hill that was already decently isolated from the rest of the City wasn't going to be good. However, this meant that Niccolo had more time to patrol the City at night, in search of Youkai.
The wind was slightly stronger than usual, blowing the Father's hair around. It didn't seem to faze him, but then again, nothing really seemed to bother him. Risking his life by patrolling every night against powerful Youkai bothered him as much as running low on sweets. He was likely to have a larger reaction if he ran out of Wine, but he made sure that was never the case. Even Priests need a little bit of relaxation, especially when they're dealing with Youkai.
This wasn't exactly his job, he had no connection to the Association. He was sent to Japan to proselytize Dangeki, so the Church wouldn't have been mad at him if he left the Youkai alone. This was nothing more than excess burden to the Priest, however, the Priest believed that protecting the citizens within Dangeki was more important than anything else. While not every Youkai bothered with humans, and Niccolo made sure not to bother those, Youkai who had ill intentions to humans were Niccolo's greatest enemy. He found it his job to be a bit of a medium between the Physical World and the Spirit World, and he would not tolerate Youkai bothering mankind.
However, he wasn't a fan if Chasers were harming harmless Youkai, who merely wanted to go about their lives. This fear was probably his biggest issues with the Association. However, as long as they left him alone, he would mind his own business. His place was simply to protect God's people, and that would forever be what he found the important.
Eventually, the priest reached the base of the hill. He still had much more distance to cover, but he found the base of the hill to be a marker of sorts. That could be because everything past the hill was no longer his territory, or it could have been because this is where most of the graves were. The wind began to pick up as he stepped off the hill. It was getting surprisingly violent, to the point where some of the surrounded trees were beginning to bend.
.png/revision/latest?cb=20121228072246])
.png/revision/latest?cb=20121228072246)