@vancexentan So I've got a few ideas for a servant to use.
Diomedes - Rider - The one who wrestled with Heracles, and owned the Mares of Diomedes. AKA: One of Hercs Noble Phantasms, which are fire breathing/Man eating mares. He's mostly a savage, running around and causing trouble. He'd be the team's wild-card.
Ma Chao - Avenger - Famous general from the Three Kingdoms Era. He sought revenge against Cao Cao, is a major hypocrite, and is famous for his horse combat. But in this case, we're focusing on his Avenger stuff.
Ruggiero - Lancer - A hero from the Matters of France. He fought with Roland, slew a sea monster, and his spear is anti-magic. He's got enough combat feats to be pretty decent.
Huanhpu and Xbalanque - Assassin(s) - Mayan Hero Twins, slew the Gods of the Underworld and are pretty big deals. They mostly just sit around playing soccer. Go team.
_________________________________________________________________________________________ Name: Ashurbanipal Title: King of the Universe Class: Rider Gender: Male Birth and Death Dates: Mesopotamian Era Alignment: Lawful Evil Attribute: (Not Given/Maybe Star) _________________________________________________________________________________________ Personality: The King of Neo-Assyria, who ruled as the last great king of the era. Beyond him, the concept of a great king just ceased to exist. Loved by his populace, who ruled over an empire that had never been seen before. To his enemies, he was a demon, but to his people he was a saint. With one hand, he gives salvation, in the other, he strangles a child. An evil emperor who ruled over a populace that craved war. He drove his enemies before him, humiliated them and stripped them of human rights. Because what he cared for was not love... But knowledge. An obsession with collecting knowledge that caused him to put aside the notion of human value. To strangle life from others if for a moment it meant he could learn something he did not. This relentless, cruel search for knowledge... Is the mark of an evil king.
Bio: He was not the crown prince. He was not chosen to lead, and thus was not expected to matter. As such, little concern was given in teaching him the way of kings. Rather, he was allowed to seek out his own path. The young Ashurbanipal, child of the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire chose to learn... Everything. He learned how to ride upon a horse. He learned how to wield a spear. He learned divination and the mystical arts. He learned to cook, to clean, to speak in all languages even those that had died long ago. All so he could set about learning even more. But he did become king, when his elder brother died pre-maturely, the title of kingship fell to him. The young king Ashurbanipal chose to take this oppurtunity to spread his quest for knowledge beyond himself. To spread it out amongst all nations, and to create an empire with one purpose. The purpose of knowledge so that he might quench himself upon it. Even though he drowned in knowledge, he craved it more by each passing sunrise, and by sunset he would have consumed various masterworks and not felt satisfied. The Neo-Assyrian Empire stretched out to consume all lands known in his time, creating the largest empire of that era. He created a library for knowledge, and invited others to donate their wisdom to it. Those that refused to share their kingdoms with him... Were tortured. Kings, noblemen, all would be chained up like dogs. Tormented by the cruelty of the Assyrian king. All until they spilled worth all the knowledge and wisdom in their bodies. Once drained, they would be discarded, and the king would move on. His life was long. His rule popular. His people viewed him as an all knowing king who could write any wrong. When he died, his child Ashur-etil-ilani became king of Assyria. But his child did not have the same spark of his father, and was killed in battle by a rival king. Then that king was killed. And then that king was killed. No rule after Ashurbanipal lasted a year. For he was the last great king of his world.
Weapon: The Primary Weapons of Ashurbanipal are his noble phantasms. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Parameters: Strength: B Endurance: C Agility: B Mana: B Luck: B _________________________________________________________________________________________ Class Skills: - Riding A: A Class Skill of Rider and Saber class Servants, denoting the ability to ride mounts and vehicles. Rider-class Servants will typically possess a high rank. All vehicles and all creatures but those of Phantasmal Beast and Divine Beast-rank can be used as mounts.
- Magic Resistance C: Cancel spells with a chant below two verses. Cannot defend against magecraft on the level of High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals.
Personal Skills: - Charisma of Wicked Wisdom A+: A Charisma associated with one who stands at the top of an evil organization rather than one who manages a nation. Except, in the case of Ashurbanipal. For he was as comfortable sitting on a throne and dictating the wills of a nation, as he was in a torture chamber, or weeding out traitors. He was adored, despite his clear atrocities, and his butchering of citizens. Simply put, this is a rank for one who runs an 'Evil Empire.'
- Collector B: The "talent" to collect high quality goods—a "luck" that draws rare items into the possession of the Servant. However, because it is the Servant that owns this Skill, the Servant's Master derives no benefit from this Personal Skill. For Ashurbanipal, this skill is the collection of knowledge, writings, and other such things.
- Torture Techniques A: A Skill that represents one's possession of outstanding torture techniques. Plus modifiers are added when using torture tools to deal damage. Because it strengthens bloodshed and agony, further damage is continuously added after the ordinary damage. Ashurbanipal was known for his cruelty to his enemies. In particular, he would often humiliate them. An Arabian King chained up like a dog and forced to live in a kennel. Or another where he forced his enemies to witness horrible tortures afflicted upon their king. His savagery was highlighted even by kings of the time, as he would even drag the dead from their coffins to humiliate.
- Vile Stratagems B: The mindset of an individual who proposes the complete destruction of his enemies. It is different from military tactics, or even planning, as unlike both it is unconcerned with devastation and suffering on a grand scale, as long as the target is also destroyed. This skill naturally increases the risk of collateral damage, but in exchange it greatly increases the destructive power of Anti-Army or Anti-Fortress attacks. _________________________________________________________________
NOBLE PHANTASMS
Title: Yankaicin Ubanni - Siege of the Evil King's Empire Rank: C NP Type: Anti-Unit (Anti-Fortress) Range: 1-65 Maximum Number of Targets: 500 Description: Once upon a time, there was a kingdom known as Elam. Twice it had offended him. The first time, he conquered its kings, destroying its armies, and leaving the rivers red and their leaders headless. But, he took pity, and left the people with new leaders, in the hopes that they would have learned the lesson from the first offense. The second time... Offended him again when they allied with his brother to try and overthrow him. First, he had his brother immolated, and then he turned his attention to Elam, and it's capital Susa. He turned siege weapons upon the city, and tore it apart brick by brick. He dragged the dead from their tombs, he opened the foundations of the city to the sun, and like a horrible storm, he left nothing behind. What had once been Susa, had been dragged away from its home, and kept as trophies. Every bronze pot, crown, and leaf of grass was a trophy, laid in the king's treasure vaults as a reminder of what happens to those who fought him. This noble phantasm is that very action. Portals open up around Ashurbanipal, and from them are fired horrible spears. Spears the size of men, tipped with bronze. At the end, long spiked chains that slice the flesh, still connected to the portals. The spears act like claws, and dig into the earth, or into whatever they have struck. Suddenly, they are yanked back towards the portals, dragging them into the king's treasury, or in the case of any living captives, the king's second noble phantasm, Dakin Karatu na Halittar. The size of the spears can vary, along with the scale at which they are fired. Upon using its true name, Ashurbanipal can unleash the full fury of his attack, tears apart the enemy with a flourish of chains and weapons that can pull an entire city into his treasury.
Title: Dakin Karatu na Halittar - Thin Line of Torture and Knowledge Rank: B+ NP Type: Fortress Range: - Maximum Number of Targets: 200 Non-Mages / 2 Heroic Spirits or Masters Description: The Library of Ashurbanipal... Or Perhaps the torture chambers of Emperor Ashurbanipal. A kind of fortress he created that housed knowledge he sought. But there is a thin line between a pursuit for knowledge, and a pursuit for knowledge stolen from the lips of the screaming damned. It is a fortress that can be layered upon an existing structure. After layering it over a building, an extra wing is added to the building. Always just out of sight to all but Ashurbanipal and those he wishes to see it. These extra rooms are the torture chambers he has created, each existing to house and torment a victim captured by Yankaicin Ubanni. These chambers are connected to the king's wishes, and if desired he can adjust any of the torture parameters present in the rooms. Even going so far as to try to execute the victims inside. Though, he would never do such a thing unless it was for a greater purpose. Usually to push an ultimatum. Pain dealt to victims is converted into magical energy, sustaining Ashurbanipal a bit longer, and allowing him to remain manifested for longer even if his initial anchor is broken. Ashurbanipal often used his victims as a way to torment others, with the pain of others being used to hurt the will of his enemies. As such, he can generate images through magic, presenting each of the victims, their tortures, and their suffering. It's also how he can monitor his torment without having to personally be there. These projected images can even be communicated through, a usual method that Ashurbanipal can use to easily communicate with his victims, and prescribe more intense tortures if needed to break their wills. The library accumulates the pain of those captured in it, collecting into a 'Knowledge of pain and death.' The library is able to weaponize that knowledge. The knowledge and pain, and fears of the victim can be manifested into reality. Forming monsters depending on the density of fears used in its manifestation. While most fears are metaphysical, fears directed at a specific person or monster can be influenced to direct the form of the chosen monster that can be manifested. Such as, a hero slain by a monster, it is possible to form that monster. Its creations can be manifested individually. A great number of weaker creatures can be manufactured in short order, but a greater amount of fear and pain may be required for a greater being.
Additionally, the building need not be static. Rather, it can be made to move, becoming a mobile siege engine in the form of the great library. Utilizing Yankaicin Ubanni, Ashurbanipal can drag in nearby buildings, pulling them into and adding to the pre-existing library. Opening more and more wings to torture his enemies. While it can be settled once more, it shall become more and more of a fortress. A floating fortress that consumes the weak, and brings forth its horrors upon nearby foes. Pouring monsters out upon the world, as an endless fortress of torture and knowledge is born. A true 'Final Boss Fight.'
@PKMNB0Y - So on the A+ agility, I kind of meant the + to be more a manuverability thing, but I'm fine dropping it to A, or further to a B, and tie a speed boost into a true name release or something. As for the EX, it's strictly related to a suicide bomber attack. Literally, going EX kills him dead. It's kinda like Stella in a "This leads to my death, so it's gotta be cool." kinda deal. So if you're worried that he's gonna be EX speeding around constantly, can't happen. It's literally tied to his death NP. - Riding A is the base for Riders. I mean, I have the choice of either going with EX with some kind of flying thing, or doing some Marie and Bonny stuff where it gets replaced with a personal skill. Your choice on which you'd prefer. - I can drop Rosy-Cheeked down to C if the issue is rank. There doesn't really seem to be an exact anecdote required for it, since neither Alexander or Gilgamesh (child) have any particular info that says "Only they have it" or "They have it because of this." Generally seems to be a "Cute kid" kinda deal. - For Instinct, I gotta agree. I was spinning wheels on the 3rd general skill, so I might look into other defensive stuff so he doesn't get sniped out of the air by an archer like instantly in every encounter. Since he's not exactly a fighter. - I mean, I can make them robo-wings if you want. Since they specifically have feathers, and the feathers falling off is why he falls, I could probably do some kind of "Robotic under the feathers" thing if that's the angle you want me to take. Really seems like a weird request, since Daedalus made the wings specifically with whatever he could find in his tower.
Another option, though it wasn't my first pick, is that I can scrap Icarus for now, and go with Cu Chulainn Alter. Since I've been wanting an excuse to play as my favorite Berserker.
Personality: What can be said about Icarus that isn't clear? He's charming. He's polite. He's Helios worst enemy. Full of joyous spirit, he can't be slowed, stopped, or bother to listen to the rules left out for him. A bad combo, especially if his master is some sort of prude. Worse? As soon as the going getting gets tough, he's out of there. Fast as a bullet. He's not a fighter, he's a boy who wants to enjoy his life and fly high. So if you're thinking "Well at least he'll fight for me..." Wrong. He'll show up, maybe fight a little, and then dine and dash with all the food from the food court. But, that's only part of who Icarus is. He's a sweet boy, who will sit with you and discuss your troubles. He'll help you through you're hardest struggles, and carry you when you need the help. All in all, he's a lover, not a fighter, and he'll fill your days with the best experiences as long as you don't ask for more than that.
Stats:
Strength: E
Endurance: E
Agility: A+
Mana: C
Luck: D
Noble Phantasm:A
Class Skills: - Rider A: All vehicles and all creatures but those of Phantasmal Beast and Divine Beast-rank can be used as mounts. This rank is high enough to have an aptitude for the Rider Class. - Magic Resistance D: Cancels Single-Action spells. Magic Resistance of the same degree of an amulet that rejects magical energy.
Personal Skills: - Rosy-cheeked Adonis A: The disposition as a pretty boy who charms people. A fascination magic-like effect that works on both men and women, but one can abate it so long there is a will to resist. Complete evasion by means of a Magic Resistance Skill is possible. - Mana Burst (Flame) C-: A version of Mana Burst that infuses weapons with Magical Energy that imparts a flame effect. In the case of Icarus, the flames come from his 'Being too close to the sun' and as a result the more he uses the skill, the more it backlashes and hurts him as a result. - Instinct B: The ability to instantly identify “the best personal course of action” during combat. Because this Skill allows for the prediction of trajectory, it is possible to avoid attacks from firearms. Through this ability, it is possible to halve the penalties inflicted by visual and auditory interference. Icarus demonstrates this skill, because he was a born natural when it came to flying.
Noble Phantasm(s):
Name: Daedalus Paraskínia - Waning Wings of Wax and Wishes
Effects: The wings of Icarus, invented by Daedalus to free him and his son from a cruel king. These are wings that represent freedom from all restraints. Passively, they free Icarus from the very concept of gravity, allowing him to fly right into the air without a second thought. These wings act on Icarus' own wishes, and are like an extension of his body. As such, using them is second nature to him. They are remarkably durable, except in two cases. Icarus can use them to block sword strikes, or even attack. The downsides? Heat, and water. He can utilize his Mana Burst (Flames) through the wings, though overuse can cause damage to the wings that will need to be repair later. When the true named it called, the wings release the concept of freedom onto Icarus. Releasing him of any bonds that might be holding him back. If he's trapped in a room, or being held by chains, this concept of freedom will destroy his restraints, allowing him to fly once more. Notably very useful when dealing with a certain king of Uruk. ________________________ ________________________
Name: Helious Fthínon - The Descending Sun of Flight
Effects: The finale of Icarus Myth. The boy flying too close to the sun... And burning. Crashing down to the sea in a ball of fire. His life's journey short... Sweet... Tragic. A noble phantasm that represents this fall, and brings sorrow to all who watch. Upon calling out the true name, Icarus soars rapidly towards the sky, and the sky erupts into a blazing light. To all around, it can be considered the light of the sun, dragged down to Icarus, and wrapping around him. His body and wings consumed in the light of the sun, before crashing down upon the enemy. It reaches EX speeds, and destroys everything that it comes into contact with. At the end, Icarus dies. His body enveloped in flame, and sacrificing everything for his victory. The tragedy of youth...
Well, since no assassins are up yet, how about folks give a look at some easy going boys who just wanna play soccer to the death.
_________________________________________________________________________________________ Name: Hunahpu and Xbalanque Title: Mayan Hero Twins Class: Assassin Gender: Male (Both of them) Birth and Death Dates: Age of Gods Alignment: Chaotic Neutral _________________________________________________________________________________________ Personality: In the advent of the streaming/digital era, the best way to describe the Hero Twins would be as Influencers. Think about the Paul Brothers if they could raise the dead. Certainly not as bad, but their less concerned about fighting, and more with this idea of 'enjoying life.' Sure, stabbing somebody can be seen as a prank, but they're never really serious in life. Offer them a good time and that takes priority. Naturally though, they aren't idiots. They're actually the sharpest pair of twins you'll ever meet. As such, they never underestimate an opponent, on or off the field. They're good sports about it, and have no interest in causing meaningless kurfuffles. So expect them to go "Wow, that was a good hit." If you ever manage to strike one of them. They hold no grudges. Living by the moment. As such, they never made a vow of revenge, even against the gods who had killed them. Though, they did outwit them in the end. It was all a game to them. Still is.
Bio: To know the story of the Hero Twins, you must first know the story of their father. Hun. He played games with his brother, but the noise from the world above annoyed the gods of Xibalba. The gods invited Hun and his brother to the underworld, where they killed the two of them. Unknown to the Gods, Hun had met with the goddess Xquic, and a short but passionate relationship was forged. Though they didn't know it at the time, Hun had impregnated her, and she conceived the two hero twins in her womb. Though, as a goddess of death, it was improper for her to care for life, and sought out Hun's mother. Leaving the two boys with her, they were treated poorly, out of fear that they might grow up to be just as reckless as their father and uncle. Named Hunahpu and Xbalanque, the boys were seen as gifted, but unwanted. Their two half-brothers were the most angered by them, and worried they they would steal the attention they had worked to gain. After failing to kill the two boys as infants, they instead made them labor. Neither boy had ill will towards their half-brothers, but also knew that if they did not deal with them, they might attempt to kill them again. So, during a game of ball, Xbalanque kicked a ball high into the air, landing it in a tree. When the half-brothers climbed to retrieve it, they were caught. Transforming into howler monkeys as they climbed. Thus, in shame, the half-brothers never left that tree. This is the first of many feats Hunahpu and Xbalanque would demonstrate, and eventually they were challenged by the gods of the underworld to a game of ball. Despite winning, the gods put the two boys in an oven, and burned them to death. But, clever Hunahpu and Xbalanque were reborn, breaking the chain of the underworld over their existence. Thus, they began to travel around, using new powers to kill and restore life. A power that no god had ever possessed. Intrigued, the gods of Xibalba invited them to the Underworld again, hoping to see such a feat themselves. Xbalanque killed Hunahpu, and Hunahpu killed Xbalanque. Both returned to life, demonstrating their power over life and death. Then, the gods wished to join in the trick, but after slaying the gods of the underworld, the two brothers did not bring them back to life. Instead, they let the gods die, and the remaining gods were so full of fear that they bowed to the brothers. The Authority of the Underworld became theirs, and they returned to the world above. They performed other miracles in life, before becoming the ancestors of the Mayan kings. A civilization forged, the two bothers finally allowed their mortal bodies to expire, and turned the shells into the sun and moon.
Weapon: The twins possess many weapons. In particular, two bows they used to fight Seven Macaw, and slings they used to trap their prey. Their greatest weapon though is the ball they use to play games as children. This ball was used to play against the gods, where it was covered in poisoned razors that would slice anybody who didn't know how to return a serve. They are still children at heart, so of course they'd keep it. Beyond their weapons, the twins can easily qualify for the Caster class of heroes with their 'miracles.' Talents such as healing, creating trees, or striking foes with magical energy are all possible. Just at a lesser level their their caster equivalents. At this point, the twins can be compared to generalists in many magical skills. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Parameters: Strength: C Endurance: C Agility: A Magical Energy: B Luck: A++ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Class Skills: - Presence Concealment B: This skill hides one's presence as a Servant. Suitable for spying. It is possible to disappear completely and become almost impossible to be detected, even against a Servant's perception. However, efficiency will decrease once preparations to attack are taken.
Personal Skills: - Combination A: A Skill that displays how much one's combat power increases when on a united front with a specific person. At A rank, it denotes the the status of two who are inseparable. The sun and the moon, rising up and falling together. One without the other is meaningless. They inherently know what the other is thinking, and any action they take together is certain to achieve victory. - Divinity A: 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. As the brothers are children of a death goddess, and later ascended to become the sun and moon, they possess this rank. - God-Slayer A: The most famous action of the hero twins lies in their revenge against the gods of Xibalba, or perhaps in their challenge against the false god Seven Macaw and his children. Divine beings all of them, and all of them dead at the hands of the two brothers. The odds against them, they won either way. This Skill is super effective against Divine Spirits. A "plus" modifier is gained when attacking Divine Spirits, wraiths, and Servants with the Divinity Skill or a protection from a divine being. - Black Arts (Mayan) B: There is a story of Hunaphu and Xbalanque seeking the aid of an elderly lady during their first encounter with Seven Macaw and his family. In it, Xbalanque had lost his arm, having it bitten off by the demon. The two brothers sought aid from the dead, and performed a ritual to raise this elderly lady from the grave. They sent her to apologize to Seven, allowing the two brothers to sneak in and steal back Xbalanque's lost arm. This is one of many stories of the two brothers usage of necromancy. As such, in the arts of raising the dead, or communing with spirits, the two brothers are considered geniuses. Their magecraft can be considered the pinnacle of necromancy in the mayan hemisphere of the world for good reason. Where they summoned as Casters, their usage of the black arts would be even higher.
Title: k Pruebas ti' Xibalba - Land of Fear, Trampling Hope and Devouring Light Rank: A NP Type: Anti-Unit Range: 10~999 Maximum Number of Targets: 1000 Description: Xibalba. The land of Fear. The Land of the Evil Gods. Xibalba has many names. Many cursed stories spoke of it and the horrible existences that once lived there. The stories have done so much to downplay the true horrors that a single night in Xibalba would deliver upon its victims. But the gods that ruled Xibalba with their authority were killed by the Hero Twins. Who, in doing so took over the authority of Xibalba, and made it their own. As the new Gods of the Underworld, they moved on, letting their bodies fade so that they could become the Sun and Moon. Protecting humanity. This noble phantasm is their authority over Xibalba. The Authority to pour it from the caves of fear, and to turn the very land around them into Xibalba. But, because they're natural showmen, the two brothers recreate not just Xibalba, but the arena that they fought the gods inside. As the underworld is a place that naturally holds spirits, it keeps others from escaping, and forces them to play by the rules of the hero twins. In particular, a game to score as many points as possible. Playing the game is advised. When playing, each point the twins score against the enemy lowers their force of providence. Effectively decreasing their ability to resist the pull of the underworld. If they score a point, then their force of providence rises by the same amount. The more the enemy loses, the lower their natural defense, and combat power drops. The game is won when either team scores 13 points, which is the number of heavens the mayans believed in. Because this is a challenge of souls, and Xibalba is a land that claims souls, the losing team must offer one soul to Xibalba. It is possible for the game to end early if either team is killed early. Thus acting as a forfeit and granting the winner their prize. Their life.
Title: Witso' Kíinsik Veneno - Silt of the Underworld Rank: B NP Type: Anti-Unit Range: 1-99 Maximum Number of Targets: 1 Description: The two brothers faced one of their greatest challenges at an early age when they faced Seven Macaw and his children. One of which was a titan known as Cabrakan. The brothers, realizing they could not defeat the immortal Cabrakan, relied on trickery and their own magical power to defeat him. Pulling upon the essence of the underworld, they created a poison, and sprinkled it over chicken that they fed to Cabrakan. When devoured, the poison spread through his body. The poison acts as a pseudo bounded field, applying the concept of "In the Underworld" to the victim. Those who are afflicted with "In the Underworld" will find their Force of Providence rapidly dwindling away. Even beings like gods will find their existence rapidly dwindled away. The greater the existence, the greater the punishment, as even a divine being shall find themselves stripped of their authority and power. Their god's light does not shine here, and nor do their great feats free them of the underworld's curse. Here they shall whither, here they shall fall.
Title: Teene' mando kuxtal - The Broken Chain of Life and Death Rank: B NP Type: Anti-Unit (Self) Range: 0 Maximum Number of Targets: 1 Description: Death found them in the land of Xibalba. A massive furnace of fire that billowed from the depths. The two boys sat there, unafraid as the fires burned their bodies too ash. Their bodies consumed, and death guaranteed. But, they did not. Rather, the ash of their bodies found its way to a river, and the two brothers were reborn in new bodies. The Force of Providence of the underworld had broken inside them. They had died, fulfilling the force of providence, only to be reborn in the Underworld of Xibalba. With this chain of existence broken, they controlled their own death and life. In life, they had used this power to cut each other into pieces, and then undo the damage done to their own bodies. Restoring life, even after being 'killed.' They used this trick to gain an audience with the lords of the Underworld, and killed the immortal gods who lived there. As Servants, this cannot reach the same level they possessed in life. Where they could rewrite the very concept of death upon themselves and others. Instead, it can be compared to the curse of restoration that a vampire might possess. Though the brothers will claim it's much better, which it is. Their bodies regress through time, returning to a kind of 'default' from before the injury was dealt. This is an internal power, and as such is not affected by the cycles of the moon. If one of the twins is slain, the true name can be called upon. The twins are the sun and moon. As such, one and the other is proof that the other exists. The heavenly bodies up high are proof that they cannot be separated, even by concepts like death. The true name calls upon this double existence, and forces the return of the slain brother. By doing this though, they tap into their own existence, permanently lowering their luck with its usage.
