Fate / Stained Inheritance

-Why is this happening

"Why". That's the first thing you want to know. "Why is all of this happening? Look I've seen enough I know this is something its not normal its big its dangerous so why?"

"Ahhh. If motive is the first thing you want to know, then very well," Kiara smiles from the lectern, spreading her arms wide. "Greed, desire, want. That's what it all comes down to in the end. For the prize of this war is a wish upon the manifest grail."

"A wish? Is that it?" You snap back. How many times have you wished that things were different for you. And how many times had it done nothing.

"Oh, don't mistake me. I do not refer to something so mundane as a wish on a falling star… or the cries of a helpless child." Kiara purrs, as you start back, your heart racing. There's a faint rustle from behind you as Ruler stands up straighter.

"After all, this is a wish to one of the greatest sources of magical power in this world. While I'm not privy to all the details, I do know that several people have put quite a lot of work in preparing this war, and some of them are in positions of considerable influence. These are magi after all; you don't think that they'd spend all this effort on something with nothing in it for them?"

"No-" You tremble. You know exactly what happens to things that are finally deemed useless. You've heard the roar of the incinerator enough times to burn away any doubt. The rooms spinning. It's hard to hear anything but Kiara's voice, whispering into your ears from right beside you. These mages- there's something in it for them. They believe in this wish.

"Of course… these magi would only get the chance to fulfill their deepest, greediest desires if they were to win. In this war, the winner takes all. And if you were to be the victor… then the wish would fall to you, and you could have it. A~ny~thing~ you could possibly desire."

Kiara claps, and everything snaps back to normal, her voice no longer coming from right next to you. You're panting, flushed. Ruler steps into the chapel, grabbing you by the shoulder. She's glaring at Kiara. You turn away from the nun, moving to stand in the chapel doorway. The air's cooler here, fresher. No incense smoke or candleheat. After a minute or so, and some deep breaths, you turn back and reenter the chapel. You don't know enough to leave just yet. That, and you're at least prepared for how this nun talks.

What's the next topic you move onto?
[] What is the grail war.
[] How did I get involved.
[] Who is Ruler.

-What is the grailwar
-Who is ruler.

Magi, with a wish? The thought makes you shudder. They're selfish, ruthless and don't care about what their wants cost others. Anything they'd wish for can't be good. You can't let that happen. You've got to stop this from happening. The idea of a wish of your own doesn't really register. If you stop them from getting a wish, you're safe from whatever they'd want.

"Easy there Master. Don't let her get under your skin." Ruler whispers to you as you head back towards Kiara, still standing beside you watchfully.

"So- if, if I was to properly take part in this 'Holy Grail War', what would that involve? What would I need to do? What even is it?" You meet Kiara's gaze, nails digging into your palm to distract from the incense scent.

"Now now, there's no need to be so tense. You can relax here. We're on the same side after all. After all, those of us in the Church aren't exactly fond of mages either." Kiara smiles, still playing with her hair, slowly and purposefully wrapping a strand around her finger.

"But, the Holy grail war. In short, seven mages are chosen by the grail, bearing command seals like the ones on your arm, and summon seven Servants, one from each of the seven classes. Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin and Berserker. The mage is that Servants Master; the command seals proof of their contract. If a mage loses or uses them all, then they are no longer a Master, and has no hold over their Servant."

Kiara pauses for a moment as you process that. You think you get it. This part at least, even though there's already a few things that seem off.

"A Servant is under no particular obligation to follow their Master, but the command seals can be used to force them to perform an action, or to simply give them a massive surge of power, though that is a particularly crude use. For example, a poor quality Master might need a command seal's power for their servant to unleash their noble phantasm. But if the command seals are gone, a Servant may abandon a disliked Master, so do try and keep ahold of them. At that point, you are no longer a Master, and your best option is to seek sanctuary here, in this neutral ground. " Kiara claps her hands briefly, taking a sip of water.

"But, enough of that talk- after all, you wouldn't plan on losing, would you. Onto the War itself, it is simple- find other Masters, and slay their Servants. Beyond that, there are no rules. Though we do advise that you try and keep your actions to the night-time; Us in the Church, and certain people in the Clock Tower don't take kindly to having to cover up breaches of secrecy. So do try and keep things as discreet as possible." A pause, Kiara biting her lip ever so gently as she briefly draws the veil aside to properly fix you with her gaze. "Otherwise, I might have to pun~ish you and we don't want that, do we?"

You flinch, stepping back as Kiara refixes the veil. She's serious about that part. But the rules are simple enough. Fight. Win. You can do that. You saw Ruler fight Caster- she had the upper hand the whole time; she would have had it there and then if you hadn't collapsed. You blink, forcing your mind to not think about what you saw there. But if that's all those mages can do, this'll be easy. Still, there's a few things that stick out in that explanation.

"You said 9 servants earlier though" You say- wait. That's not the most important thing here. There's another thing wrong here.

"No no- you said mages summon servants. How does that work then? I'm not- I can't-" You know all too well the disdain you got when you failed to perform even the simplest of magical experiments- you have no talent-no circuits-no-.

"But that's impossible." Kiaras voice snaps you out of it. "A Master needs to be able to cast the ritual to summon a Servant, and the primary duty of a Master is to supply their Servant with the mana they need to stay manifest.

"What? No no that can't be right my Master- I'm definitely getting mana from you. A decent amount… hmm… yeah, fairly average. Nothing special about it." Rulers voice, cutting in at the same time, her and Kiara glancing at each other as they interrupt each other.

"That is interesting, though. If you wish, there are ways of telling the truth in these matters. That would need some time… and now may not be the best time. Here- shall we change the subject?" Kiara steps out from behind the lectern, offering you a glass of water.

You nod, gratefully taking the glass and taking a sip. There's a bit of a flowery taste to it, but beyond that it does help.

"As you wish- you are correct in what you said before. Seven Servants should be summoned, but nine have been. I believe the second Archer belongs to a gatecrasher- her master certainly gave the impression of someone who forced her way into the war. Which means that this is unlikely to be a Great Grail war, where fourteen Servants fight. As for your circumstances…" Kiara ponders for a moment, turning to Ruler. "I don't know enough to comment. But, what class do you belong to? Do we have a second double, or are you a third Archer?"

"Wrong and wronger- Ruler." Kiara gasps as Ruler steps forwards and introduces herself, just a little smugness visible on Rulers face. "Hmm- And yet, I've been summoned when it is not a great war."

"Ruler- what- Yes, a Ruler should only be summoned for a Great Grail War, to act as an impartial judge, someone holy with no wish for the grail. My my, my my-" Kiara breaks off, clearly flustered, pouring some more water for herself.

"Hmm- That's moooostly accurate." Ruler shrugs. "If I had to say, I'm more used to being the one sought after than being the seeker. Maybe that's why you summoned me, my Master? Someone who doesn't know about the grail wouldn't want it, and if you summoned by affinity, as I didn't see a catalyst, that might have been enough. Though quite why you summoned me as a Ruler rather than any other class is beyond me."

So- you're an impossible Master, and you've summoned an impossible servant. Wonderful. "But Ruler- is that it? Who are you?"

"Do you not know anything about your servant? You haven't told your master anything about you?" Kiara's a bit confused by that, but Ruler just humms guiltily.

"Weeeelllll…." Ruler turns to you, dragging you off to a pew at the side, the pair of you taking a seat. "My true name- I am more than just Ruler. All of us servants are Heroic Spirits- people from history, summoned as Servants. Our class is just that, a descriptor. We all have a true name, one that we keep secret; if an enemy learns who we are, it's easier for them to find a way to defeat us."

She leans back, tapping her sandals off the ground. "For me though… it's complicated. A little embarassing really. So I'll be keeping that to myself for now- but, now we have a chance, I can get you all caught up on what I can do- so, you should be able to feel a link between us. Focus on it, and you'll get it."

You're kinda bowled over by all this, so just go along with what Ruler's saying. She's right. You can feel something there, a link flowing between you coming out of your chest. As you focus on it, you feel a rush of knowledge in your head, slowly clicking into place.


You blink a bit as you process this. "What is a noble phantasm?Why's that hidden as well?"

"Oh- right, that." Ruler glances around bashfully. "It's sorta how I don't really want to say just who I am. That, and it's kiiiinda useless as a thing. Every noble phantasm is something unique that relates deeply to who any Servant is- in my case though? You can't plan around it, I can't use it when I'd want to, so it's a bit useless. In an ideal war, we'd get through the entire thing without ever using it. But… if you do need it… you'll know when the time is- wait. Shh."

Before you can say anything to that, Ruler presses a hand over your mouth, pulling you to the side of the chapel.

There's voices coming from outside, getting closer.

"-Complete- I count seven watchers, Lancer." A male voice… on the younger side. A similar air to Rulers- cheerful, and lighthearted.

"Wrong- two of those were decoys. Let me guess- you merely checked the number of signatures, without looking further." A woman's voice. Somber, confident.

A groan, followed by a tired male voice. Older than the other man, but not old old. Sounds tired. "Why does this place have to be so out of the way? It's too late for this."

"Sir, you did say that these events are restricted to the night. You would have been woken up even if it was closer." A soft voice, much quieter.

"Yes, but if he'd got back sooner it wouldn't have been as late." The third voice again, grumbling.

More people- Lancer- the last Master and Servant. There's more people with them though.

Before you can do anything though, the chapel doors open, and in they come.

The first in is a younger man, short blonde hair and dressed… haphazardly. You can see the brands- the command seals on his hand. The skin around them is bruised, and the design of them looks… incomplete. Like the end's been cut off.

Second in is an older, gloomy looking man on the taller side. Dressed like a crow- smart looking black clothes, a heavy jacket, long, straight black hair and a pair of glasses. He's accompanied by a shorter girl? She's wearing a hooded cloak, so it's hard to tell, but you think she's a she.

Last into the room is a taller woman- raven haired- no, not black. Once the light hits it properly, it's purple. Dark yes, but not black. She's wearing something in that same black-purple colour, tight and figure-huggging. It's hard to tell just what type of clothing it is. She's carrying a long, red spear, tapping in on the ground as she walks. As she enters, she turns to look straight at you and Ruler, fixing the pair of you with a cold stare from bright red eyes. Lancer. "Too hasty, Master. We aren't the only ones here."

You freeze, the skin crawling on your back. She's terrifying. You'd yell if Ruler wasn't covering your mouth

"Welcome, oh final master, and Lancer. Remember, no fighting is to be done here. You are safe here." Kiara speaks up. That last bit is directed at you.

You can't run- Lancer's blocking the doorway.

You

[] Cower

[] Interact with this party
-[] Timidly
-[] Aggressively

[] Desperately try and ignore them, get back to a topic with Kiara
-[]Your involvement in the war and your magical ability.

QM note- well this update got out of hand a bit. Here we get our statsheet for Ruler, and the introduction of another Master and change. Initial infopost has been updated with Rulers stats.