Post by Bixir on Feb 17, 2023 17:22:12 GMT
“Shirou, I ask of you… are you my new Master?”
Class
Saber
Alias
Saber
True Name
Artoria Pendragon
Era of Legend
The Matter of Britain
History
The legend of King Arthur is among the most disputed and controversial legends in all of recorded history, much of which remains dubious and unknown to historians that continue to study the figure. In truth, Arthur Pendragon was not a man, but a woman. “The Once And Future King” of Great Britain, the famous King of Knights wielded the legendary blade Caliburn, the fabled sword in the stone. Though it was destroyed, this weapon was later replaced by the even more legendary Excalibur and Avalon, gifts to Artoria from the Lady of the Lake herself. Her two identities, the full Briton Arthur and the Roman Arturius, have since blended with one another over the course of history into the legend that it has become today.
In the wake of the collapse of the Roman Empire, the British Isles (or as they would come to be called) were among the many polities that dissolved into contained spheres of inner strife and conflict. The terrible era of war within these now desolate territories were defined as the “Dark Ages”, and for good reason. It was in this trying time that Artoria was born, under Uther Pendragon, a man among many who sought to unite Britain under a new, single banner, no longer of Roman dominion, but a new, British one. Uther handed Artoria to Merlin for him to raise into the successor that he desired for his new kingdom. However, as the legend claims, this exchange was Merlin’s price for insuring Uther’s success in his love with his beloved Igraine, telling the would-be uniter that “I will properly guide this child, one bearing a great destiny, and protect him from the crisis of the royal family.” However, Artoria was no boy, and so the king could not make such a child his successor even if it was her supposed fate. However, Merlin took mirth in this, as the sex of the heir had never mattered in the first place. As far as Merlin was concerned, the fact that Artoria was being separated from the castle until the day of prophecy was proof enough that she would indeed become king.
The first phase of Artoria’s upbringing was under a knight by the name of Sir Ector, who accepted her fondly as his adopted daughter for the time that she spent with him. Despite the certainly blatant expectations of females in this ancient society, Sir Ector felt that he was obligated to raise her as a knight, and did so with a great sense of duty. During this time, Artoria swore to bear her sword for the sole reason that “only a king can save a ruined country headed for death”, determined to fulfill the fate that was hers and no one else’s.
Artoria pulling Caliburn from the stone slab
When the fated day finally came, knights and lords from all the ‘British’ territories came to test their worth for the right to lead this new kingdom into the future. The only decoration to the gathering itself was a plain blade stuck in a stone with a golden inscription on the hilt that read “Whosoe’er pulleth out this sword of this stone is rightwise king born of England.” Countless men struggled to pluck the sword from the mythical slab, though none succeeded, and they soon returned to jousting. An only apprentice at the time, and thus barred from jousting, Artoria approached the sword while the rest of the attendants occupied themselves. However, before she reached for the sword, Merlin appeared before her to plead her to consider her course of action. Merlin warned her that upon taking hold of this sword, Artoria would no longer be human, and the irrevocable consequences of such an action. Artoria understood this, as she had since birth acclimated herself to the philosophy that “becoming a king means no longer being human”. Her ideal vision of the king that she would become was one who killed everyone to protect everyone. The sword was pulled out as if it was natural to do so, and the area became bathed in divine radiance. In that instant, Artoria transformed into something beyond any ordinary human, male or otherwise. No one cared or noticed the distinction of sex in Artoria, as so long as the king behaved like a king, and a good one at that, they would have no reason or desire to doubt or bring this to question. Her legend as a king had begun.
Artoria, with Sir Bedivere(right), Sir Gawain(far right), and Sir Lancelot(left)
Artoria’s new ‘Britain’ was led from Camelot, and becoming a feudal lord over this castle much like her father had been, she established the similarly prestigious Knights of the Round Table, among which were Sir Gawain, Sir Galahad, and Sir Lancelot himself. Together, these heroic figures built the foundations of the Kingdom of Briton, led by King Artoria, who could do no wrong, lose no battles, and was ever virtuous as a king. However, when it came to producing a heir, the fact that Artoria was a female, and that she was the acclaimed king, proved problematic. To remedy this, Merlin used magecraft that allowed her to produce sperm that would allow her to place her seed in women to produce an heir to the kingdom. During this time, however, Artoria's sister, Morgan le Fay, enchanted her, and using Artoria's sperm, developed within her own ovaries to give birth to Mordred, a homunculus and complete clone of Artoria. Through further deception on Morgan's part, Mordred joined the Round Table as one of Artoria's beloved knights, with her none the wiser to her true nature.
However, Artoria rebuked Mordred as soon as she claimed her heritage and right to the throne, refusing to recognize her as an heir, despite their haunting similarities. This transformed Mordred's love and admiration for her king into enerring hatred, earning Artoria the first of many enemies that she would make in her lifetime. Artoria went on to marry Guinevere, though she bore no love for her, doing so only out of the obligation to have a wife, for royal formalities and to produce an heir. Lancelot, however, loved Guinevere, and she him, the two struggling to remain in line with Artoria's kingdom without tearing it down for the great hubris she had brought between them.
Artoria carried herself as a man, as this was the only way a king could ever act, let alone the King of Britain. While some might have grown suspicious of Artoria's sexual identity over the years, only her father Uther, Merlin, and the aloof Sir Kay ever knew that the King was in reality a woman. She sealed herself in steel armor whenever possible to conceal this truth, and given her immortality granted from wielding Excalibur, no one questioned her more feminine features. Her knights viewed Artoria as a king who was simply captivating and inspiring in her appearance and presence, emphasizing that 'he' was the divine king that would lead their new kingdom into prosperity. Fair and selfless, Artoria always led the charge on the battlefield, and while many casualties were incurred as a result of Artoria's actions, the king was one who could do no wrong, with a will that was always considered correct and just; no one need doubt so long as the king held themselves to their virtue.
Under Artoria, the lost cavalry was brought to fruition again, ran through the battlefield unchallenged as they crashed through all resistance to pave the way for their king. No one deserved glory and victory greater than the king, Artoria being at the head of every conquest. It is said that no knight ever killed or destroyed more than she did, nor if she ever found this to be a burden or regret. Artoria subscribed to the oath that a king was not human, and as such could not protect their people with human emotions or rationale. She never consigned herself to grief while she ruled, committing herself wholly and entirely to the kingdom. She punished hundreds of criminals without reprieve or hesitation, and commanded citizens without any disorder or tumult for a majority of her reign. One of her knights sullenly remarked that "King Arthur does not understand human feelings."
Though no one can say for certain, it is quite likely that the more 'perfect' Artoria became as king, the more compelled they felt to question and doubt her. Many could not believe that a human without emotion could rule over others, many reputable knights leaving Camelot as a result of this growing tension. Artoria took this surprisingly well, accepting it as a natural process of government, all the while isolating herself from her honorable knights who might have otherwise stood by her side in the trials to come. Emotionally dissonant from the start, Artoria felt no different, nor did she change her mind or course of will when she was abandoned, feared or betrayed; there was no right or wrong to someone who did not understand such things.
Eventually, Lancelot's affair with Guinevere was revealed by knights and lords who hated Camelot, fully bringing them against Artoria's 'beloved' kingdom. However, she did not view this treachery as a betrayal, instead understanding Guinevere's sacrifice, since she had concealed her gender, not only to her wife, but to all of Britain. However, this changed nothing for Artoria, and Guinevere was to be executed for her treason. Unable to stand by any longer, Lancelot led the conspirators against Artoria in one final battle: a tragedy where no one was right, and no one was wrong.
Artoria, slaying Mordred after being mortally wounded
Excalibur's scabbard was stolen while Artoria was abroad defending a distant assault along Britain's borders. When she returned, she discovered that Britain was being torn apart by Lancelot and his constituents. Although Artoria slew Lancelot on the battlefield, and had seemed to begin to turn the tides of fate that had seemingly sealed her doom, only to be mortally wounded by Mordred at the Battle of Camlann. Her dying body was quickly escorted by Sir Bedivere to a sacred isle away from the conflict. As her kingdom burned, Artoria ordered Bedivere to send Excalibur back to the Lady of the Lake. Only now did Artoria grieve and regret, realizing the despair that she had wrought with her dream. Before death took her, Artoria appealed to become a Heroic Spirit, so that she may have an opportunity to seek the Holy Grail so that she might save the nation that she had doomed... through any means necessary.
Personality
Artoria's character was one of supreme virtue and moral character. She was so unlike most conventional rulers and their sets of cynical, pragmatic dogma that even her followers, loyal and awed by her as they were, came to become disillusioned with their shameful virtue by comparison. This shining righteousness often made Artoria blind or at the very least highly oblivious to the dissonance stemming from her own blinding light. Since realizing this, Artoria is remarkably humbled in how she may lead others, most importantly Shirou, though acts no less like herself while doing so. If anything, she is emboldened in this way, knowing that she must atone for the terrible fate her heroism brought upon her kingdom. Artoria is particularly resentful towards Shirou's (foster) father Kuritsugu for forcing her to destroy the Grail she so desired in the previous Holy Grail War, though she does not hold Shirou accountable for his father's misdeeds. Rather, she sees bright potential in him, a new hope to set things right, for his family as well as her own legacy. Among all of this, one thing remains clear: Artoria Pendragon is the King of Knights, and will always do what is right, whatever may yet become of her fate.
Weapon of Choice
Excalibur
One of the most legendary swords across all of history and legend, Excalibur is a Divine Construct tempered with some of the greatest power of all the Noble Phantasms. It is in itself a Noble Phantasm, and of the highest caliber, while at the same time an immemorial weapon that Artoria carried with her for a majority of her rule as King of Britain. While quite similar to Caliburn in appearance, Excalibur is indeed a separate blade, and a far superior one at that. Unfortunately, Caliburn, and Avalon, the mythic scabbard of Excalibur itself, have since been lost, but the blade that truly defined Artoria's judgment, remains at her side, ready to strike down anyone that would dare defy her dream.
Noble Phantasms
Invisible Air: Bounded Field of the Wing King | Strike Air: Hammer of the Wind King
Type: Anti-Unit
This technique is closer to a Bounded Field generated by magecraft more than an actual Noble Phantasm, though it is an invaluable asset in Artoria's arsenal as a Servant nonetheless. Invisible Air enshrouds Excalibur in an invisible sheath of air, concealing its identity, and in turn Artoria's, from her opponents, as well as making it difficult to discern the length, width, reach, or trajectory of her blade, which can make for devastating attacks where one might miscalculate. Combatants are forced to rely on Artoria's movements and attacks, placing them in an awkward position, offensively and defensively. Only for those that are either familiar with Artoria already, or have the insight to correct the visual disturbance, this ability is merely wind around a sword. While many would assume that this technique is only to conceal, Invisible Air actually increases the damage and cutting power of each attack, as the wind whirling about the concealed Excalibur is not a vacuum, and instead constantly whirling about like a razor gust. The prana released from each strike is also powerful enough that each strike through the air is visible to the human eye, and telling of the power behind the hidden sword.
While its use as a means of concealing Excalibur while retaining its capacity as a sword in combat, Invisible Air has many tactical uses as well. It can also be used to generate a wind barrier of sorts, something that she can maintain for several minutes, depending on how much prana she and her Master are able to provide. It can be applied on a much larger scale as well, able to envelop even an entire building in its invisible shield. It can also be used to maximize a vehicle's potential, such as reducing the air resistance around a motorcycle in motion to zero, substantially increasing the speed of said motorcycle to the vehicle's very limits.
When Artoria finally decides to dispel Invisible Air and reveal the identity of her sword, the compressed wind expunges itself from the back of Excalibur's hilt. The explosive resultant force propels Artoria forward at three times her normal speed. The wind that erupts like a vacuum is enough to send those within the area of effect flying, and shake heavy, rooted trees like a typhoon. Instead of releasing itself this way, Artoria can also use it to launch a single-use projectile weapon, Strike Air: Hammer of the Wind King. Acting like a hammer of wind force, this attack generates a gale that can easily blow and away and crush an army and fling a stone slab weighing several tons into the air effortlessly. This long-range attack delivers an incredible amount of constant damage, and is not affected by her physical state nor her prana levels at the time of activation. After releasing the wind barrier in either of these maneuvers, Artoria can 're-conceal' Excalibur by compressing the surrounding air around her blade, though doing so after revealing her identity to her opponent can prove somewhat useless at times.
Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory
Type: Anti-Fortress
While the legendary blade Excalibur is in itself one of the finest weapons out of all that the Heroic Spirits of the Grail Wars wield, it boasts greater power still. Excalibur is a sword shining with the virtuous ideal that all warriors, past, present, and future, hold and exalt, even in their final moments. Artoria carries the collective will of her own knights and soldiers that had believed in this ideal, bidding them remain steadfast in their loyalty as she unleashes their power in a devastating, ultimate attack. After gathering the energy required, Artoria raises Excalibur high, declaring the name of her weapon with divine passion, and swings her sword downward, unleashing a wave of overwhelming energy that tears through anything in its way, its range easily capable of reaching across a bay. It is indeed a Noble Phantasm worthy of King Arthur's brilliance as a Heroic Spirit, and the mark that her legend left on the world.
Skills
Class Skills
Magic Resistance: A
Artoria was a king who persevered beyond all odds, supernatural or otherwise. The fact that she was raised and developed by Merlin also made her resilient to all but the most powerful magic, and a fervent thorn in the side of Casters.
Riding: B
Artoria was as notorious on horseback as she was in direct combat, often riding into battle alongside her mounted knights against their enemies. While her swordsmanship by far exceeded her skill as a rider, Artoria's ability to ride and maneuver all manner of mount and vehicle is not a skill to be taken lightly.
Personal Skills
Charisma: B
As the founding king of what is now known as Great Britain, Artoria was an accomplished leader, whose followers were loyal to her cause for a majority of the great works that she wrought, and the ideal that she sought to enforce. While the dream faltered and fell apart in her waning days, Artoria is still remembered as a figure of famous leadership and repute among others like her in history.
Instinct: A
Artoria was a leader driven by near-divine inspiration and prowess, attuned to the battlefield as easily as a fish takes to water. Her skills and senses in battle were unparalleled, believed by many to be inhuman, the distant, isolated king that she was.
Prana Burst: A
Artoria is among the few Heroic Spirits that has mastered the art of Prana Burst, and is all the more powerful for it. Many of her techniques and attacks revolve around infusing Excalibur as well as her body with prana, then expelling it for a certain purpose. Normal weapons and objects that aren't on the level of a divine mastery are destroyed with a single blow from a Heroic Spirit as powerful as Artoria. Her uses of prana in this manner are primarily for defense and high-speed movement, with Invisible Air being the primary offensive capability of this skill.
Servant Appearance
Just as she did while she reigned as King of Britain, Artoria clads herself in a veritable suit of steel, concealing her sexual identity save for her fair facial features and pointedly feminine voice. It takes no master of observation to realize that she is a knight of some kind based on appearance alone, looking like someone directly out of medieval Europe. While not necessarily tall or physically imposing, Artoria still exudes an aura of power and charisma, one that often takes others by surprise, for how short and overly strong she might seem to larger and more muscular Servants. While her legendary sword Excalibur is constantly shrouded in Invisible Air, it is plain as day that she is of the Saber class, a blonde swordswoman peerless in skill and tenacity.
Casual Appearance
While Artoria certainly prefers the 'comfort' of her steel and mail in the heat of battle, she sports many other styles and regalia that, while still fitting for someone of her noble stature, are of a more relaxed and casual nature, for when she isn't fighting for her Master. This can manifest in a variety of forms, though the more 'formal' attire of Artoria's noncombat dress is just that, a flowing blue dress of designs indicative of her ancestry, though not in styles necessarily known or identifiable to anyone of the modern world. It comes in two main parts, the first being a budding white corset against her chest laid over with a flowing blue dress that covers the rest of her body save for a triangular area directly below her collarbone and above her breasts. A fashionable blue ribbon also adorns the back of her hair while also keeping it in place; of course, this is present in all of Saber's appearances, albeit to different degrees, depending on how she wants to present herself.
Artoria's most casual appearance is still surprisingly modest. The outfit is almost like a schoolgirl's, with a wrinkled white blouse and a blue ribbon tied around her neck, similar to the one tied at the back of her hair. Her bottom half is thoroughly covered by a long skirt that covers her from the abdomen down to the knees, with black stockings and formal shoes. Sometimes she changes the blouse for a white, buttoned-down shirt, with a blue scarf wrapped around her neck. This is Artoria's most common form, for whenever she is following Shirou around while not in combat, unable to dematerialize like most Servants.
Name:
Emiya Shirou
Emiya Shirou
Age:
16
16
Gender:
Male
Male
History:
Shirou remembers very little of his childhood, and less than that is known to his new guardian, Fujimura Taiga. He knows that he had been pulled out of the Great Fire of 1994 by Emiya Kiritsugu, the man who became his stepfather after the same fire claimed the lives of his parents. He remembers asking, practically begging Kiritsugu to teach him a magecraft as soon as he learned that the man was a magus, even if he was a fleeting one. Something had happened to him, and it didn’t seem like he could teach him much. But Shirou was undeterred, and consumed each lesson as best he could. He could hardly even be considered one, given the dismal state of his mana circuits, but that didn’t stop him from trying.
Eventually, Kiritsugu passed away, from whatever illness had come over him in the years since he took Shirou as his own. Afterwards, Shirou moved in with Fujimura Taiga, his new guardian and English teacher at Homurahara High School, where he went on to attend once he began staying at Fujimura-san’s house. There he met the likes of Tohsaka Rin, Ryuudou Issei, and the various members of the archery club he joined. Shirou did well enough in school, though it was clear that other things, seemingly more pressing, nagged at his mind. The boy hadn’t the foggiest idea what; only that it was something to do with his “greater purpose”, whatever that might be.
One night, Shirou heard a disturbance from nearby the school grounds. Against his fight or flight instincts, he went to investigate, running into a strange blue-haired man with a deadly spear. He was chased all over the school by this person, who was clearly more than any ordinary man. It wasn’t long before Shirou was cornered, and stabbed. When Shirou came to, he awoke in the same hallway where he had been attacked, but without the feeling (or bloodstain) of what he remembered happening. When Shirou went home, that same man came back, and it seemed like he was about to be killed all over again. Shirou ran to the shed, desperate to find something, anything to help him survive. He wouldn’t be murdered like some vermin. He was going to fight. This proved to be the catalyst for summoning Saber, who managed to fight off the spear-wielder to Shirou’s amazement. How was he going to explain this to Fujimura-san?
(RP Catchup)
Personality:
Emiya Shirou is a troubled young boy, and for good reason. He has suffered much for one so young, though has, for one reason or another, come to triumph in spite of his tragic origins. He is remarkably optimistic, often naively so. He is quick to defend others, even if he may not understand the situation at hand, or the person that he’s protecting. He is very much a person of action when he does act, though those moments of clarity are rather seldom. Shirou is quite distant most of the time, easily being mistaken for his head being full of clouds. While that is true some of the time, Shirou simply… lacks something, largely due to what had happened to him as a little boy. There is little he can do for it, or any of his faults, but to keep fighting, and forge a purpose for himself in this War he’s gotten caught up in.
Emiya Shirou is a troubled young boy, and for good reason. He has suffered much for one so young, though has, for one reason or another, come to triumph in spite of his tragic origins. He is remarkably optimistic, often naively so. He is quick to defend others, even if he may not understand the situation at hand, or the person that he’s protecting. He is very much a person of action when he does act, though those moments of clarity are rather seldom. Shirou is quite distant most of the time, easily being mistaken for his head being full of clouds. While that is true some of the time, Shirou simply… lacks something, largely due to what had happened to him as a little boy. There is little he can do for it, or any of his faults, but to keep fighting, and forge a purpose for himself in this War he’s gotten caught up in.
Magical preference:
Visual Appearance:
