Sucal
The Devil’s Cut
- Location
- Bottom of the barrel
Yeah, only Morgan can do that
Fate/Hollow Order
Vanargand
So tired.....
MHX is a gigantic April's Joke
Or its Takeuchi going all Only True Saber is Ahoge Saber
- Location
- Italy
Anyone with the term "dragon" somewhere in their legend would be welcome for me. Even Kiyohime, I'm that desperate.
I'm personally hoping we will summon Vlad in the future (as a Lancer, from what I know as a Berserker his personality changes) or either Nursery Rhyme or Saint Martha because they summon the Jabberwocky and the freaking Tarrasque respectively.
I'm personally hoping we will summon Vlad in the future (as a Lancer, from what I know as a Berserker his personality changes) or either Nursery Rhyme or Saint Martha because they summon the Jabberwocky and the freaking Tarrasque respectively.
LostDeviljho
Flame Dragon Princess
- Location
- The glorious Pacific Northwest
- Pronouns
- Any
As I understand it, If you summon Vlad in Romania, you get him as his dashing Lancer self. If you summon him anywhere else, you get the bugfuck nuts, Legend of Dracula version instead.
Sucal
The Devil’s Cut
- Location
- Bottom of the barrel
Or it depends on what you use as a Catalyst.
I mean you could theoretically get LoD by using an original copy of Stokers Novel, while you might need one of his Battle Standards to get the dashing one.
- Location
- Italy
B-but I w-was hoping...
Another hope crushed, whatever. Poor Vlad though, remembered by anyone as the version of himself he hates more... He was actually was worse if we go by historical facts but lets ignore that for a moment.
There's still hope then! I just have to convince everyone to search for an old Romalian heirloom just to summon my favour- Wait, not happening in a million years.
LostDeviljho
Flame Dragon Princess
- Location
- The glorious Pacific Northwest
- Pronouns
- Any
I'll help if you agree to help me summon Fankie as Bestzerker.B-but I w-was hoping...
Another hope crushed, whatever. Poor Vlad though, remembered by anyone as the version of himself he hates more... He was actually was worse if we go by historical facts but lets ignore that for a moment.
There's still hope then! I just have to convince everyone to search for an old Romalian heirloom just to summon my favour- Wait, not happening in a million years.
- Location
- Italy
Deal! Forged by tears and as sacred as an oath!
I actualy have a weakness to tragic monsters who suffered in lives due to reasons above their control (and cute waifus but that's not as profound) so I would have approved her summoning nevertheless.
Omegahugger
Inattentive Idiot
Only 60? Kirei's feeling merciful today.
Sucal
The Devil’s Cut
- Location
- Bottom of the barrel
The rest is Saber Gilles
- Location
- Italy
Let us dream in peace, you.
Chapter Twelve: Assassin of Black
ZerbanDaGreat
Daemon Noble of D E M O G R A P H I C S
- Pronouns
- They/them
You're far from comfortable with engaging Olga Marie like this, but it has to be done. It's as Luvia said - finding survivors is the first priority, beyond even re-establishing contact with Einzbern. Quantity is a quality of its own and all that. You cover your mouth with your fist and cough to clear your throat.
"Lady Animusphere? Olga Marie?" you ask in what you hope is a gentle tone. "Did anybody else Leyshift with you? Are there any more survivors?"
"No. No no," Olga Marie snaps with such venom that you flinch. "Nobody Leyshifted with me because I did not Leyshift because I cannot Leyshift. I know I cannot I tested myself thrice over it is impossible therefore this must... some sort of dream or illusion, a trick, it can't be real..."
"Couldn't you have been wrong?" Marche asks.
"I'm never wrong." The words aren't meant for her or any of you. Olga Marie repeats them to herself. "I'm never wrong."
"Did you at least see anyone go into the Leyshift room before the bomb went off?" you press on. "Anyone still alive before you wound up here?"
"No." Olga Marie shakes her head, screwing her eyes shut tight as no doubt another burst of pain goes off in the forefront of her mind. "No they were all dead, dead and dying, that's how I know this is a dream. It's just like all the others, all I have to do is endure it and get back to work..."
"You're enduring nothing," Rider says. "All I see is a madwoman babbling to herself. Far cry from the leader I was shown in my summoning."
"Rider!" you exclaim. Luvia doesn't echo your outburst, but from the look on her face you'd think Rider had just flashed Lady Animusphere. Marche just seems bemused. Olga Marie gapes momentarily at the sheer gall of your servant. She grits her teeth, jaw clenched tight, her fists balled up so hard her knuckles whiten. You're sure she's only seconds away from striking the man, a Servant's invulnerability be damned. But then, against all odds, the anger fades. Her stance relaxes. She tugs off her glasses, grinds the heel of her palm against her eyes, and puts them back on. Now her amber eyes are clear.
"You are correct, Servant. My conduct was... unbecoming." There's still tension in her voice. She sounds as if she's been awake for seventy-two hours and keeping herself conscious through willpower alone. "But speak to me like that again and I'll have Hargrave order you to commit suicide. Are we clear?"
"Crystal," Rider replies lightly.
Olga Marie snaps her focus squarely to Luvia. "Tohsaka-Edelfelt, report."
"The bomb caused critical structural damage to the Chaldea facility. Hargrave, Kyrielight and I Leyshifted when cut off by the emergancy bulkheads to escape the fire. Hargrave was critically injured, but has since become a Demi-Servant under as-yet-unknown circumstances. von Einzbern briefly contacted us to ensure that the facility was not completely lost. Rider is here to ensure our safety. Our current plan is to secure a ley line and re-establish contact." The response is rapid, clipped and efficient. Military, you'd hazard a guess. The change in Luvia boggles the mind. Olga Marie nods sharply.
"Good. You have local knowledge, I was informed?"
"From nine years ago," Luvia admits. "But yes. I would strongly advise against the Ryuudou Temple ley line, as the Greater Grail is concealed in a cavern beneath. Venturing there without information or backup would be suicide. Fumbling blind through the forest to Castle Einzbern is equally foolhardy. The other most suitable place I can think of is the site of the old community centre, where the Lesser Grail appeared in the Fourth War. It's further, but less risky."
"Then it's settled." Olga Marie casts her eye on you at last. She's taking the whole 'Demi-Servant' thing pretty well. Then again, she's taking a lot of things in stride at the moment. "Hargrave and Rider will lead the way across the bridge. Kyrielight and I will do our best to keep out of the way. Tohsaka-Edelfelt, I'm afraid I have to ask you to to protect us. Best to leave any fighting to the Servants."
Luvia glances at you. You meet her gaze. You wonder if she'll bring up your first fight, say that it would be so much more efficient for her to fight beside your Servant while you sit back with the noncombatants. She keeps her silence. You feel less grateful and more puzzled. It seems an odd time to be handing out second chances. Not that you're inclined to squander it. You let the moment pass without comment and she looks away again.
"Well?" says Olga Marie. "Lead on."
Rider gestures. 'After you'. You don't do anything as juvenile as scowl at him in front of your boss, but you do think harsh thoughts at him.
<I can hear you, Master.>
You sigh heavily and start walking.
Your bearing is roughly southeasterly, sketching an oblique path towards the bridge. Luvia is your guide - she reassures you all that for all that the bridge acts as a choke point, swimming across the river would be an incredibly terrible idea. You avoid the streets where you can, skirting the worst of the packs of roaming skeletal warriors by picking your way through the rubble. You encounter one or two here and there, lost or perhaps just newly-created and yet to join the main horde. Against these, Rider offers no help at all. Unwilling to waste a Command Seal so early, you take care of them yourself. You're starting to get a hang of your shield's balance, or at least you think you are. You find that the soldiers are quicker to dispatch as your fear of them lessens. A good hard swing or charge can shatter them to pieces without so much as a chance to retaliate. When their strikes land on your shield, they always rebound as if striking a cliff face. Your speed doesn't seem to have increased to the same degree of your strength - you're fast, but not that fast. This must be what it's like at the lowest possible end of the Servant scale. After a moment's thought, you hope you don't have to witness the higher end any time soon.
Olga Marie calls for a break halfway to the bridge. You almost question the decision, feeling not a hint of fatigue beyond the sheen of sweat that you imagine would come from a good day's exercise. It's then that you remember that there are three full humans tagging along. If the heat of the ever-present fire raging all around is uncomfortable for you, you can't imagine how torturous it must be for them. Luvia's breath comes hard, deep and slow in an attempt to regulate her body heat. Olga Marie is cradling her head as subtly as she can manage - dehydration can't be good for whatever injury she's nursing already. Marche seems far more preoccupied with Four. He must be boiling alive with all that fur. No wonder he still hasn't regained consciousness.
Luvia shuffles over to you, conserving her energy. Beckoning you with a crooked finger, she takes you a little way aways from the rest of the party. It's a short meeting.
"Hargrave, let me make one thing clear. I understand why Rider gets under your skin so much," she says. You think you can hear the heat making her voice scratchy already. "Believe me. I have personal experience. It's that experience that makes me qualified to say this too; don't make an enemy of your Servant. It's not worth it. However hard you push, they can push back harder, and in the end it doesn't do anybody any favours."
"But Servants are meant to be obedient, aren't they?" you ask. "That's what the Command Seals are for."
"Command Seals are complicated. They're intended to be shackles, that's true. But they can be more as well. A Command Seal is a... densely-concentrated 'packet' of refined magical energy, and when that's applied to a consenting Servant it can accomplish great things. So even if you think getting 'buddy-buddy' with Rider is impossible, it's still something to think about. Alright?"
You can see the sense in it. You'd be a fool to ignore her for the sake of pride. No matter how much the wounds you have to suffer sting. "I understand."
The break lasts only a handful of minutes more. The second leg of the journey is somewhat slower as the route curves to avoid the main road and the shambling undead that crowd it. As impressed as you were by Luvia's showing outside the estate, you fear a second might end in her collapsing from heatstroke. And you doubt the river is a safe source of water to rouse her, or anyone, with in that eventuality. You find yourself dropping back a little, first level with Rider and then slightly behind him, to keep an eye on the other three. He notices, but neglects to comment. A small miracle. At last, you find yourselves at the foot of the bridge. The asphalt seems not to be entirely solid any more from the constant heat, dotted with cracks and potholes, and the causeway is sagging noticeably from the damage to its struts, but it seems like it'll be safe to cross. Maybe. Possibly.
You skirt the burnt-out shell of what used to be a car. Rider rounds the other side, scanning his surroundings for any sign of movement. He still hasn't drawn a weapon or mount yet. You begin to wonder if he'll do anything without an explicit order. You know you should be trying to keep a more positive frame of mind, what with Luvia's advice and all, but words are one thing and reality is quite another. You just hope that-
You're moving and you don't know why. Pivoting and leaping, shield sweeping up as you shout at the others to get down. You nearly take Luvia's head off with the rim of the shield as it slices over her, casts its shade over Olga Marie and Marche too. You didn't see anything and you didn't hear anything. But you feel something. You feel at least a dozen missiles hit your shield with a ratatatatat, so rapid it has to be gunfire of some kind. You lower the unmarked shield slightly, looking around. You see the handle of a shattered dagger lying on the ground, dissipating into ash-like flecks of black energy. Throwing knives? Those were thrown!?
The one responsible alights on an I-beam above, squatting like a bird on the peeling scarlet-painted steel. A living oil-slick, a patch of writhing shadow torn free of anything that could possibly be casting it. On closer inspection it's a black cloak, but the cloak is moving entirely contrary to what an earthly wind could justify. Veins the colour of fresh blood twist and crisscross the jet-coloured 'fabric'. The only other colour is the bone-white skull mask within the hood. Even then, the eyes that peer through the empty sockets are glowing pinpricks of bloody scarlet. When the shape speaks, it's with the voice of desert wind whistling through the bleached bones of a carcass long picked clean.
"Sneak attack denied again and again. Funny if not so sad. But then funny again! Now Hassan can play with his food." Hassan.. giggles? "Would you like that, little dust-devils? Yes, yes you would! Not many get to see Hassan's work! Hassan's work is art! At last Hassan can sign his name in your blood!"
Hassan disappears. One moment he's there, the next you sense nothing but an elongated black smear. You move again, swinging your shield up and into position before you consciously register a thing. Again you hear that far-too-rapid rattle and clang of a stream of dirks shattering against the shield, punctuated by Hassan's mad laughter. It's the second stream you didn't plan for. Even you have limits, it seems. Three dirks embed themselves in your exposed right leg. You cry out with pain, your head jolting down to look at the wounds. They seem... shallow. The hooked tips aren't even in properly. You brush them out of your leg with the lip of the shield. Proof of your Endurance, it seems. Proof of Hassan's vastly-superior Agility, too.
"Dammit," Luvia snarls. "Assassin of Black, and Blackened to boot. This is going to be a lot harder than I thought."
You catch a glimpse of Hassan alighting on another beam, drawing back a flap of his cloak for more knives. He leaps away just as quickly as three streaks of light melt tracks through the steel like hot knives through butter. You look at their source. Rider is standing his ground, a golden bow in his hand. He has a shaft of pure white sunlight rimmed in gold nocked, yet when he looses you see five streaks. Or is his arm simply moving too fast for you to see? Once again you see the telltale black smear of Hassan's dodge, hear the Assassin cackle madly with triumph. A metre-and-a-half length of blued steel is stuck in the ground to Rider's right side, ready to snatch up at a moment's notice.
"Are you some kind of triple-class?" you ask, your thoughts immediately leaping to Lancer and Archer, as you hover near the others with your shield raised.
"No self-respecting chariot-back warrior would neglect either one of these weapons," Rider replies calmly, even as his next volley briefly blows a hole in the oppresive layer of ashen smog that hangs above. You glimpse darkness and stars - it really is night.
"How do you have enough hands to drive too?"
"What do you think charioteers are for?"
"Hargrave, don't let him catch you off-guard!" Luvia shouts. "Hassan-i-Sabbah's Noble Phantasm, it crushes your heart! He makes a copy out of ether and curse yours to die when he crushes the one in his hand! Don't let him unbind his right arm!"
"Orders, Master?" Rider asks as he fires another volley. This time the arrows spread out, targeting and shattering Hassan's own volley. Rider's missiles fly on, forcing Hassan to drop to a lower beam or risk being winged by the scattershot. From the sounds of it, he's far from displeased by the fight. You look at the impossibly fast Servant. You look at Rider with his awful parameters. You look at the heavy shield in your hand. You look at Luvia and Marche and Olga. You need to choose, and fast.
You order Rider to...
--[ ] Chase after and engage Hassan in melee. Even if he can't catch up, at least it'll throw off the Assasin's aim.
--[ ] Remain where he is and continue to shoot at Hassan. It's worked so far, hasn't it?
--[ ] Use a Noble Phantasm, any Noble Phantasm. You don't want this fight to last any longer than it has to.
--[ ] Watch and wait for the right time to strike. When Hassan attempts Delusional Heartbeat, for example.
--[ ] Act independently. He'd know best, right?
You, meanwhile, decide to...
--[ ] Try to catch Hassan off-guard in melee. It could happen!
--[ ] Throw your shield at Hassan while he's distracted. It could work!
--[ ] Try to uh... use your... Noble Phantasm? It's better than nothing!
--[ ] Cast a force field around Olga Marie, Marche and Luvia. It worked on Marche, you can make it a bit bigger for three, right?
--[ ] Cast defensive Reinforcement on Rider. The safer he is, the better.
--[ ] Be patient and wait for an opportunity to arise. You're (almost) certain you'll see it when it happens.
"Lady Animusphere? Olga Marie?" you ask in what you hope is a gentle tone. "Did anybody else Leyshift with you? Are there any more survivors?"
"No. No no," Olga Marie snaps with such venom that you flinch. "Nobody Leyshifted with me because I did not Leyshift because I cannot Leyshift. I know I cannot I tested myself thrice over it is impossible therefore this must... some sort of dream or illusion, a trick, it can't be real..."
"Couldn't you have been wrong?" Marche asks.
"I'm never wrong." The words aren't meant for her or any of you. Olga Marie repeats them to herself. "I'm never wrong."
"Did you at least see anyone go into the Leyshift room before the bomb went off?" you press on. "Anyone still alive before you wound up here?"
"No." Olga Marie shakes her head, screwing her eyes shut tight as no doubt another burst of pain goes off in the forefront of her mind. "No they were all dead, dead and dying, that's how I know this is a dream. It's just like all the others, all I have to do is endure it and get back to work..."
"You're enduring nothing," Rider says. "All I see is a madwoman babbling to herself. Far cry from the leader I was shown in my summoning."
"Rider!" you exclaim. Luvia doesn't echo your outburst, but from the look on her face you'd think Rider had just flashed Lady Animusphere. Marche just seems bemused. Olga Marie gapes momentarily at the sheer gall of your servant. She grits her teeth, jaw clenched tight, her fists balled up so hard her knuckles whiten. You're sure she's only seconds away from striking the man, a Servant's invulnerability be damned. But then, against all odds, the anger fades. Her stance relaxes. She tugs off her glasses, grinds the heel of her palm against her eyes, and puts them back on. Now her amber eyes are clear.
"You are correct, Servant. My conduct was... unbecoming." There's still tension in her voice. She sounds as if she's been awake for seventy-two hours and keeping herself conscious through willpower alone. "But speak to me like that again and I'll have Hargrave order you to commit suicide. Are we clear?"
"Crystal," Rider replies lightly.
Olga Marie snaps her focus squarely to Luvia. "Tohsaka-Edelfelt, report."
"The bomb caused critical structural damage to the Chaldea facility. Hargrave, Kyrielight and I Leyshifted when cut off by the emergancy bulkheads to escape the fire. Hargrave was critically injured, but has since become a Demi-Servant under as-yet-unknown circumstances. von Einzbern briefly contacted us to ensure that the facility was not completely lost. Rider is here to ensure our safety. Our current plan is to secure a ley line and re-establish contact." The response is rapid, clipped and efficient. Military, you'd hazard a guess. The change in Luvia boggles the mind. Olga Marie nods sharply.
"Good. You have local knowledge, I was informed?"
"From nine years ago," Luvia admits. "But yes. I would strongly advise against the Ryuudou Temple ley line, as the Greater Grail is concealed in a cavern beneath. Venturing there without information or backup would be suicide. Fumbling blind through the forest to Castle Einzbern is equally foolhardy. The other most suitable place I can think of is the site of the old community centre, where the Lesser Grail appeared in the Fourth War. It's further, but less risky."
"Then it's settled." Olga Marie casts her eye on you at last. She's taking the whole 'Demi-Servant' thing pretty well. Then again, she's taking a lot of things in stride at the moment. "Hargrave and Rider will lead the way across the bridge. Kyrielight and I will do our best to keep out of the way. Tohsaka-Edelfelt, I'm afraid I have to ask you to to protect us. Best to leave any fighting to the Servants."
Luvia glances at you. You meet her gaze. You wonder if she'll bring up your first fight, say that it would be so much more efficient for her to fight beside your Servant while you sit back with the noncombatants. She keeps her silence. You feel less grateful and more puzzled. It seems an odd time to be handing out second chances. Not that you're inclined to squander it. You let the moment pass without comment and she looks away again.
"Well?" says Olga Marie. "Lead on."
Rider gestures. 'After you'. You don't do anything as juvenile as scowl at him in front of your boss, but you do think harsh thoughts at him.
<I can hear you, Master.>
You sigh heavily and start walking.
Your bearing is roughly southeasterly, sketching an oblique path towards the bridge. Luvia is your guide - she reassures you all that for all that the bridge acts as a choke point, swimming across the river would be an incredibly terrible idea. You avoid the streets where you can, skirting the worst of the packs of roaming skeletal warriors by picking your way through the rubble. You encounter one or two here and there, lost or perhaps just newly-created and yet to join the main horde. Against these, Rider offers no help at all. Unwilling to waste a Command Seal so early, you take care of them yourself. You're starting to get a hang of your shield's balance, or at least you think you are. You find that the soldiers are quicker to dispatch as your fear of them lessens. A good hard swing or charge can shatter them to pieces without so much as a chance to retaliate. When their strikes land on your shield, they always rebound as if striking a cliff face. Your speed doesn't seem to have increased to the same degree of your strength - you're fast, but not that fast. This must be what it's like at the lowest possible end of the Servant scale. After a moment's thought, you hope you don't have to witness the higher end any time soon.
Olga Marie calls for a break halfway to the bridge. You almost question the decision, feeling not a hint of fatigue beyond the sheen of sweat that you imagine would come from a good day's exercise. It's then that you remember that there are three full humans tagging along. If the heat of the ever-present fire raging all around is uncomfortable for you, you can't imagine how torturous it must be for them. Luvia's breath comes hard, deep and slow in an attempt to regulate her body heat. Olga Marie is cradling her head as subtly as she can manage - dehydration can't be good for whatever injury she's nursing already. Marche seems far more preoccupied with Four. He must be boiling alive with all that fur. No wonder he still hasn't regained consciousness.
Luvia shuffles over to you, conserving her energy. Beckoning you with a crooked finger, she takes you a little way aways from the rest of the party. It's a short meeting.
"Hargrave, let me make one thing clear. I understand why Rider gets under your skin so much," she says. You think you can hear the heat making her voice scratchy already. "Believe me. I have personal experience. It's that experience that makes me qualified to say this too; don't make an enemy of your Servant. It's not worth it. However hard you push, they can push back harder, and in the end it doesn't do anybody any favours."
"But Servants are meant to be obedient, aren't they?" you ask. "That's what the Command Seals are for."
"Command Seals are complicated. They're intended to be shackles, that's true. But they can be more as well. A Command Seal is a... densely-concentrated 'packet' of refined magical energy, and when that's applied to a consenting Servant it can accomplish great things. So even if you think getting 'buddy-buddy' with Rider is impossible, it's still something to think about. Alright?"
You can see the sense in it. You'd be a fool to ignore her for the sake of pride. No matter how much the wounds you have to suffer sting. "I understand."
The break lasts only a handful of minutes more. The second leg of the journey is somewhat slower as the route curves to avoid the main road and the shambling undead that crowd it. As impressed as you were by Luvia's showing outside the estate, you fear a second might end in her collapsing from heatstroke. And you doubt the river is a safe source of water to rouse her, or anyone, with in that eventuality. You find yourself dropping back a little, first level with Rider and then slightly behind him, to keep an eye on the other three. He notices, but neglects to comment. A small miracle. At last, you find yourselves at the foot of the bridge. The asphalt seems not to be entirely solid any more from the constant heat, dotted with cracks and potholes, and the causeway is sagging noticeably from the damage to its struts, but it seems like it'll be safe to cross. Maybe. Possibly.
You skirt the burnt-out shell of what used to be a car. Rider rounds the other side, scanning his surroundings for any sign of movement. He still hasn't drawn a weapon or mount yet. You begin to wonder if he'll do anything without an explicit order. You know you should be trying to keep a more positive frame of mind, what with Luvia's advice and all, but words are one thing and reality is quite another. You just hope that-
You're moving and you don't know why. Pivoting and leaping, shield sweeping up as you shout at the others to get down. You nearly take Luvia's head off with the rim of the shield as it slices over her, casts its shade over Olga Marie and Marche too. You didn't see anything and you didn't hear anything. But you feel something. You feel at least a dozen missiles hit your shield with a ratatatatat, so rapid it has to be gunfire of some kind. You lower the unmarked shield slightly, looking around. You see the handle of a shattered dagger lying on the ground, dissipating into ash-like flecks of black energy. Throwing knives? Those were thrown!?
The one responsible alights on an I-beam above, squatting like a bird on the peeling scarlet-painted steel. A living oil-slick, a patch of writhing shadow torn free of anything that could possibly be casting it. On closer inspection it's a black cloak, but the cloak is moving entirely contrary to what an earthly wind could justify. Veins the colour of fresh blood twist and crisscross the jet-coloured 'fabric'. The only other colour is the bone-white skull mask within the hood. Even then, the eyes that peer through the empty sockets are glowing pinpricks of bloody scarlet. When the shape speaks, it's with the voice of desert wind whistling through the bleached bones of a carcass long picked clean.
"Sneak attack denied again and again. Funny if not so sad. But then funny again! Now Hassan can play with his food." Hassan.. giggles? "Would you like that, little dust-devils? Yes, yes you would! Not many get to see Hassan's work! Hassan's work is art! At last Hassan can sign his name in your blood!"
Hassan disappears. One moment he's there, the next you sense nothing but an elongated black smear. You move again, swinging your shield up and into position before you consciously register a thing. Again you hear that far-too-rapid rattle and clang of a stream of dirks shattering against the shield, punctuated by Hassan's mad laughter. It's the second stream you didn't plan for. Even you have limits, it seems. Three dirks embed themselves in your exposed right leg. You cry out with pain, your head jolting down to look at the wounds. They seem... shallow. The hooked tips aren't even in properly. You brush them out of your leg with the lip of the shield. Proof of your Endurance, it seems. Proof of Hassan's vastly-superior Agility, too.
"Dammit," Luvia snarls. "Assassin of Black, and Blackened to boot. This is going to be a lot harder than I thought."
You catch a glimpse of Hassan alighting on another beam, drawing back a flap of his cloak for more knives. He leaps away just as quickly as three streaks of light melt tracks through the steel like hot knives through butter. You look at their source. Rider is standing his ground, a golden bow in his hand. He has a shaft of pure white sunlight rimmed in gold nocked, yet when he looses you see five streaks. Or is his arm simply moving too fast for you to see? Once again you see the telltale black smear of Hassan's dodge, hear the Assassin cackle madly with triumph. A metre-and-a-half length of blued steel is stuck in the ground to Rider's right side, ready to snatch up at a moment's notice.
"Are you some kind of triple-class?" you ask, your thoughts immediately leaping to Lancer and Archer, as you hover near the others with your shield raised.
"No self-respecting chariot-back warrior would neglect either one of these weapons," Rider replies calmly, even as his next volley briefly blows a hole in the oppresive layer of ashen smog that hangs above. You glimpse darkness and stars - it really is night.
"How do you have enough hands to drive too?"
"What do you think charioteers are for?"
"Hargrave, don't let him catch you off-guard!" Luvia shouts. "Hassan-i-Sabbah's Noble Phantasm, it crushes your heart! He makes a copy out of ether and curse yours to die when he crushes the one in his hand! Don't let him unbind his right arm!"
Class: Assassin Alter
Master: The Greater Grail
Noble Phantasm: Zabaniya - Delusional Heartbeat
Keyword: Blackened
Strength: B-->A
Endurance: C-->B
Agility: A
Mana: C-->A++
Luck: C-->E
Skills:
Presence Concealment: A+
The Assassin class skill governing the ability to hide from detection by enemy Servants. At this rank Assassin Alter is capable of becoming nigh-impossible to detect by any means. The effective rank drops sharply once the initial attack is made, however.
Projectile (Daggers): B++
Proficiency with thrown daggers. At this rank, Assassin Alter is capable of hurling his dirks at speeds comparable to automatic gunfire. His effective rank has been further boosted by both his increased Strength and Mana parameters - he hits harder, and is no longer constrained by ammunition limitations.
Self-Modification: C
A forbidden skill representing the ability to merge one's flesh with another's. Assassin Alter used this technique to sew the right arm of Shaytan to his shoulder for his Zabaniya technique. The higher one's rank in this skill, the further one is from being a hero.
Protection From Wind: A
A blessing learned by Assassin Alter to protect himself from deadly djinn in his many desert travels. At this rank, merely by chanting 'Allahu Ackbar' he becomes impervious to any kind of wind-based effect - even including Noble Phantasms of lower rank.
Noble Phantasm(s):
Zabaniya - Delusional Heartbeat: C
A deadly magician's sleight of hand. Using his stolen right arm, Assassin Alter is able to form an ether clump representing his target's heart and link them with a curse. When the ether clump is crushed, so too is the target's heart. With a touch to the chest, he may 'switch' the hearts and devour the real one for knowledge and power. This technique bypasses all possible methods of physical defence - only enough Mana or Luck to outrank the curse can sever the connection to the ether clump and render the target safe.
Master: The Greater Grail
Noble Phantasm: Zabaniya - Delusional Heartbeat
Keyword: Blackened
Strength: B-->A
Endurance: C-->B
Agility: A
Mana: C-->A++
Luck: C-->E
Skills:
Presence Concealment: A+
The Assassin class skill governing the ability to hide from detection by enemy Servants. At this rank Assassin Alter is capable of becoming nigh-impossible to detect by any means. The effective rank drops sharply once the initial attack is made, however.
Projectile (Daggers): B++
Proficiency with thrown daggers. At this rank, Assassin Alter is capable of hurling his dirks at speeds comparable to automatic gunfire. His effective rank has been further boosted by both his increased Strength and Mana parameters - he hits harder, and is no longer constrained by ammunition limitations.
Self-Modification: C
A forbidden skill representing the ability to merge one's flesh with another's. Assassin Alter used this technique to sew the right arm of Shaytan to his shoulder for his Zabaniya technique. The higher one's rank in this skill, the further one is from being a hero.
Protection From Wind: A
A blessing learned by Assassin Alter to protect himself from deadly djinn in his many desert travels. At this rank, merely by chanting 'Allahu Ackbar' he becomes impervious to any kind of wind-based effect - even including Noble Phantasms of lower rank.
Noble Phantasm(s):
Zabaniya - Delusional Heartbeat: C
A deadly magician's sleight of hand. Using his stolen right arm, Assassin Alter is able to form an ether clump representing his target's heart and link them with a curse. When the ether clump is crushed, so too is the target's heart. With a touch to the chest, he may 'switch' the hearts and devour the real one for knowledge and power. This technique bypasses all possible methods of physical defence - only enough Mana or Luck to outrank the curse can sever the connection to the ether clump and render the target safe.
"Orders, Master?" Rider asks as he fires another volley. This time the arrows spread out, targeting and shattering Hassan's own volley. Rider's missiles fly on, forcing Hassan to drop to a lower beam or risk being winged by the scattershot. From the sounds of it, he's far from displeased by the fight. You look at the impossibly fast Servant. You look at Rider with his awful parameters. You look at the heavy shield in your hand. You look at Luvia and Marche and Olga. You need to choose, and fast.
You order Rider to...
--[ ] Chase after and engage Hassan in melee. Even if he can't catch up, at least it'll throw off the Assasin's aim.
--[ ] Remain where he is and continue to shoot at Hassan. It's worked so far, hasn't it?
--[ ] Use a Noble Phantasm, any Noble Phantasm. You don't want this fight to last any longer than it has to.
--[ ] Watch and wait for the right time to strike. When Hassan attempts Delusional Heartbeat, for example.
--[ ] Act independently. He'd know best, right?
You, meanwhile, decide to...
--[ ] Try to catch Hassan off-guard in melee. It could happen!
--[ ] Throw your shield at Hassan while he's distracted. It could work!
--[ ] Try to uh... use your... Noble Phantasm? It's better than nothing!
--[ ] Cast a force field around Olga Marie, Marche and Luvia. It worked on Marche, you can make it a bit bigger for three, right?
--[ ] Cast defensive Reinforcement on Rider. The safer he is, the better.
--[ ] Be patient and wait for an opportunity to arise. You're (almost) certain you'll see it when it happens.
OOC Comments said:
Omegahugger
Inattentive Idiot
... Blackened Hassan reminds me of Ronnie for some reason.
--[ ] Use a Noble Phantasm, any Noble Phantasm. You don't want this fight to last any longer than it has to.
Makes this option look rather tempting.
--[ ] Use a Noble Phantasm, any Noble Phantasm. You don't want this fight to last any longer than it has to.
Makes this option look rather tempting.
Wade Garrett
Just trying to do the right thing
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Leaning towards letting Rider act independently and casting a force field around the squishy normal people.
Karna's whole deal was doing stuff on his own (as opposed to Arjuna not being able to tie his shoes without some god or another holding his hand) and we can work on trying to corner Hassan better if we don't have to worry about Luvia, Olga Marie and Marche getting Dirked to death.
Karna's whole deal was doing stuff on his own (as opposed to Arjuna not being able to tie his shoes without some god or another holding his hand) and we can work on trying to corner Hassan better if we don't have to worry about Luvia, Olga Marie and Marche getting Dirked to death.
Omegahugger
Inattentive Idiot
--[X] Act independently. He'd know best, right?
--[X] Cast a force field around Olga Marie, Marche and Luvia. It worked on Marche, you can make it a bit bigger for three, right?
Yeah, better go with the common sense option. Even if the shield's power is reduced.
--[X] Cast a force field around Olga Marie, Marche and Luvia. It worked on Marche, you can make it a bit bigger for three, right?
Yeah, better go with the common sense option. Even if the shield's power is reduced.
[X] Order Rider to
-[X] Hit Hassan with his arrows. Literally, order him to "Hit Assassin" with Command Spell
[X] You
-[X] Cast a force field around Olga Marie, Marche and Luvia. It worked on Marche, you can make it a bit bigger for three, right?
--[X] In general just makes sure that people don't get hit by daggers
This seems to be easiest way to do it. FATE CS's regen after some time so we should be liberal with use them as finishers.
-[X] Hit Hassan with his arrows. Literally, order him to "Hit Assassin" with Command Spell
[X] You
-[X] Cast a force field around Olga Marie, Marche and Luvia. It worked on Marche, you can make it a bit bigger for three, right?
--[X] In general just makes sure that people don't get hit by daggers
This seems to be easiest way to do it. FATE CS's regen after some time so we should be liberal with use them as finishers.
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Revlid
blob of bugs
- Location
- England
We've had our warning. Whatever we choose to do, these three options are suicide – Assassin can bypass defenses like these.
We've not yet been given any reason to believe it works the same way here.
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Wade Garrett
Just trying to do the right thing
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Nah. You don't just whip your Noble Phantasm out in the opening stages of a fight, from a narrative perspective that's just BEGGING for your brand of bullshit to be analyzed and countered by the enemy. There's also the small problem that we have no idea what Rider or Rostem's NPs actually DO, and the middle of a fight with a Blackened Servant is a bad place to just bust out super moves you don't understand.
Also, no Evil Dee/Evil Chanakya tea party...
Wade Garrett
Just trying to do the right thing
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
With Delusional Heartbeat, yes. However, as it stands he can wipe out all three of our Escort Objectives with a single volley of Dirks. Forcing him to have to charge up and unleash his NP in order to damage Olga, Marche or Luvia isn't exactly a wasted action, I think.
Sucal
The Devil’s Cut
- Location
- Bottom of the barrel
--[X] Throw your shield at Hassan while he's distracted. It could work!
--[X] Watch and wait for the right time to strike. When Hassan attempts Delusional Heartbeat, for example.
When Rostam Hargrave throws his mighty shield
All those that chose to oppose his shield must yield!
--[X] Watch and wait for the right time to strike. When Hassan attempts Delusional Heartbeat, for example.
When Rostam Hargrave throws his mighty shield
All those that chose to oppose his shield must yield!
- Location
- Italy
You order Rider to...
--[X] Watch and wait for the right time to strike. When Hassan attempts Delusional Heartbeat, for example.
You, meanwhile, decide to...
--[X] Try to catch Hassan off-guard in melee. It could happen!
--[X] Cast a force field around Olga Marie, Marche and Luvia. It worked on Marche, you can make it a bit bigger for three, right?
Lets try to be a tempting target for Delusional Heartbeat and trust our Servant to take advantage of the opening. We should also focus on keeping the others safe but a Barrier should be enough as Luvia is there to defend them in need be.
--[X] Watch and wait for the right time to strike. When Hassan attempts Delusional Heartbeat, for example.
You, meanwhile, decide to...
--[X] Try to catch Hassan off-guard in melee. It could happen!
--[X] Cast a force field around Olga Marie, Marche and Luvia. It worked on Marche, you can make it a bit bigger for three, right?
Lets try to be a tempting target for Delusional Heartbeat and trust our Servant to take advantage of the opening. We should also focus on keeping the others safe but a Barrier should be enough as Luvia is there to defend them in need be.
You mean besides this being based on FGO?
It was being explained in story how to use CSs correctly and then being able to use them was mentioned OOC as well. This is pretty much "use Command Seals you fuckwits" update.
Because, from now on, we are going to spam CS because that's how FGO rolls.
E: But baiting him into using Zabanaya and having Karna snipe him works just as well.
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Omegahugger
Inattentive Idiot
Unlike in GO, we appear to have individual Command Seals for each Servant. To me, that suggests that they're at least more limited than 'once a day'.