Fate/Crossed Souls

[GasMaskie]

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<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><span style="font-size:36px;">Fate/Crossed Souls</span></span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"> </span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><span style="font-size:18px;">Live or Die by the Sword</span></span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"> </span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><span style="font-size:12px;">What power do you hold in your hands...? Dancing flames, decaying Earth, withered ocean </span></span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"> </span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><span style="font-size:14px;">Episode 0</span></span> <strong><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';">"Oi, oi. It's time to wake up now. It's time to fulfill your pact." </span></strong></p></div>


<p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';">That strange, ethereal voice pulls your consciousness back into reality as a wave of sensations floods your head. The bright lights of the city street peeking out from the dirty alleyway. The rough texture of the back alley asphalt. The rancid odor of the dumpsters nearby wafting into your nose. You tilt your head up and see a man clad in clothing as black as the night looking down upon your prone form with a sneer. He moves to light a cigar as his one-eyed gaze remains squarely on you.</span> </p>


<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"> </span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><img src="<___base_url___>/proxy.php?image=http://static.zerochan.net/The.M.full.184137.jpg&hash=bec8756792293b635634a5ca3a92381f" class="ipsImage" alt="proxy.php?image=http://static.zero" /></span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"> A Rude Awakening</span></p></div>


<p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';">Slowly, you move your mouth to respond to his strange words, yet no sound comes. You struggle to stand yet the weakness that plagues your arms weighs them down like lead. As your mind fights against your body, the man runs a hand through his spiky hair. He sighs as he pulls the cigar away from his lips and begins to speak. </span> </p>


<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><strong>"Tch. It looks like you're one of those people who laze about for an eternity after waking. I suppose I've got no choice but to start from the beginning with you."</strong></span></p></div>


<p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"> He taps off the smoldering ash from the tip of his cigar. An immediate look of disgust settles on his face as he glances at the implement before taking another puff from it. The man takes a brief look up at the night sky before continuing. </span> </p>


<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><strong>"You. You're someone who's been chosen to fight in a ritual called the Holy Grail War. A foreboding name, isn't it? It's a simple affair really. Summon the long-dead spirits of humanity's heroes as your Servant and eliminate the six other Masters and their Servants. Those who win... well, they get their wish granted by the Grail."</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"> </span></p></div>


<p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';">The man drops the cigar on the ground, barely finished, and stomps it out. The strength in your neck gives out and your head drops to the black asphalt once more. It's uncomfortably wet, perhaps it rained earlier? You've got no time to ponder it though as you feel a strong grip on your sides as the man pulls you straight up and begins to carry you over his shoulder. You drift back into unconsciousness as he begins to move.</span> </p>


<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"> </span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><img src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/095/5/1/abandoned_warehouse_by_sarahmon-d3db7ut.jpg&key=d7730203a9ac54c51ec48a6410c4e5caa825e5bb280a9cb53e47b644f04b15b7" class="ipsImage" alt="abandoned_warehouse_by_sarahmon-d3db7ut." /></span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"> A Change in Scenery </span></p></div>


<p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';">When you wake once more for the second time in the middle of the night, you find yourself sitting in a sturdy chair and staring out at the dark interior of a long-abandoned warehouse of sorts. From the dark shadows, the man in black slowly reveals himself. He rolls his shoulder before turning to speak with you once more with that condescending voice of his. It comes slowly, but you soon begin to regain some control over your body. You can speak now, though your voice will be little more than a hesitant whisper in the darkness. </span> </p>


<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><strong>"Unfortunately for you, the Holy Grail War has already begun - the other six have a head-start on you. Luckily for you, it's in my best interest that you survive the next six days. You still look useless, but I'm sure you can talk now. Tell me, what's a girl like you doing in a place like this? Why do wish to fight?"</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"> </span></p></div>


<p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><strong></strong></span><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';"></span>

Character Creation Choice 1: Background and Magecraft

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<ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li>


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<div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';">"I... I come from Japan, my Magecraft is the ancient school of Onmyōdō. I'm confident in my archery, ofuda, and my paper shikigami. My family, they despise my existence. I've come here to win the Holy Grail War - and prove that I am a worthy successor."</span></div>


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<div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';">"T-This... We're in America, aren't we? I lack the support or the recognition of the Mage's Association. My power comes from the contract I've forged with the Thunderbird - a Nature Spirit. Yet, even with these powers, the Mage's Association will only recognize my family if I do something truly amazing - I must access the Root with the power of the Grail."</span></div>


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<div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';">"W-What are you talking about? The Holy Grail, Wars, Masters and Servants? I'm just so lost right now..." [Non-Magus Background, Write-In Backstory option]</span></div>


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[SunlitWorld]

2 has the most raw power. A nature spirit can draw endless magical energy from being backed by the earth as well as being an existence that likely has an immense amount of resistances to meager modern mysteries. The only issue is that there is a lack of versatility since I am assuming the magus himself doesnt have much knowledge.


I'm a sucker for pet companions though' so there's me vote.

 

[Kalin Scarlet]

2

 

[SunlitWorld]

Also if this is in American a magus or monk that uses Onmyoudo and other magecraft that is based on magical foundations carved in Japan will be considerably nerfed in America. It takes a while for a magus to "naturalize" foreign spells and stuff to a land (like Gandr not losing power in Japan in Rin's case) and I don't think this magus has the time.

 

[White Masquerade]

2 for USA!


USA!


USA!


USA!

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

3


Underdogs win always.

 

[SunlitWorld]

[QUOTE="The One Eyed Bandit]3
Underdogs win always.

[/QUOTE]
"Write-In Backstory option"


Do you have a backstory in mind for the mystery non mage?

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

"Write-In Backstory option"
Do you have a backstory in mind for the mystery non mage?

The most everyman thing imaginable.


...So it's a good job it's an option.


Unless, I'm reading that wrong, and thinking about it, I might have.


x_x i've brought shame to my family


Still, everyman is bestmangirl. Average fam, average school, and probably works as a pencil pusher or a till operator. Like Waver, but even less useful o wo)=b Probably just wants to wish a way out of My Boring Everyday Life™

 

[Life.]

1 gotta have some variety~

 

[GasMaskie]

<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_07/Tesla.png.5722a6340fe37f10359bd6f4051f74a4.png" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="147036" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_07/Tesla.png.5722a6340fe37f10359bd6f4051f74a4.png" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>


Looks like Option 2 wins the vote. Looks like we're going Gahkthun in this quest.
​

​

That's right. The power of the storms is within your grasp. As you slowly re-awaken your dormant form, raw energy surges through the magical circuits that run through your body. Memories come flooding back into your head. About a decade ago, your family was closest to being considered a legitimate bloodline in America. You recall the joy on your father's face when he received a summons by the Mage's Association - they deemed him a candidate for admissions. And you also recall the pain plastered on his face as he returned empty-handed. The very next day, you were welcomed home by the haunting image of a piece of meat swaying gently on a rope.


Pain courses through your right arm and your concentration breaks. For one reason or another, it doesn't seem as if you can fully utilize the Elemental's power. It's either the emotional trauma that has suddenly resurfaced or (somehow) damage to your already middling amount of magic circuits. You remain stone-faced, however. You're the last hope of your family, and the only one who will take revenge on that awful man - Lord Sophia-Ri. Anger briefly clouds your vision as you turn to look at your strange companion.


It's quite difficult to read the man's face as you give your answer. There's a sneer plastered on his face, but his eyes look upon you as if he's inspecting meat. The dark man's brow raises slightly before he turns his attention to the window. He wrings his gloved hands as you slowly stand from the chair and glance about the abandoned structure. The hum of barely functioning fluorescent lights catches your attention first - it seemed that at the very least the generators were still on. Your eyes focus in on the surge of electricity that flows into the lights. The path leads to wires that extend under the floor - it's more than likely that the generators are in the basement. Your eyes immediately shift to something barely visible in the dimly lit complex.

A Hero's Cradle
"Ah. It seems like my timing was off. What a shame. I suppose I'll leave you with these. Now, now, don't look too disappointed. I'll always be watching you."



​

The man's attention is drawn to a dirty window as he seems to produce three sets of papers from thin air. They seem rather ancient and their musty smell forces you to take a step back. There's a brief flash of red before a projectile shatters the window. It's an arrow burning with a bright, ethereal flame and its buried itself a few inches away from your feet. In situation like this, your connection with the Thunderbird would have granted you reflexes to easily dodge the projectile. No such luck here, unfortunately. Your strange companion glances at the hole in the glass with his one eye before laughing once more. He rolls around a strange, almost inconceivable black stone in his hand as he speaks just one more time.

"You don't have much time, so you'll have to improvise the ritual. In your current state, you normally wouldn't be able to do much at all. Use one of those manuscripts as the catalyst. Those other two relics should automatically transfigure into a Saint Graph that can sustain their existence while your useless self recovers. I look forward to seeing where this leads you."



​

And with a brief glint of the man's white fangs, he just vanishes. It seemed for a moment, that the air twisted and warped before being reconfigured into something that was conceivable. Another flaming arrow smashes in the wall, tracing a red hot path in the air just an inch away from the tip of your nose. You can feel a strong presence approaching as the magical flames from the last arrow begin to spread across the wall. And slowly, it seems the air is being consumed by the flames. The sounds of rats suffering and the ever-increasing heat in the room is enough to get you moving to the three manuscripts and the inscribed diagram on the floor. Your hand hovers over the three prepared catalysts as you break into a cough.

Character Creation Choice 2: Servant

1. Use the 17th Century Manuscript as a catalyst [The Heroic Spirit of the Lance. A Courageous, if Delusional Servant.]
   
2. Use the 14th Century Manuscript as a catalyst [The Heroic Spirit of Spells and Sorcery. A Romantic, if Unorthodox Servant.]
   
3. Use the 16th Century Manuscript as a catalyst [The Heroic Spirit of Madness. A Harsh, if Innocent Servant.]
   

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

Probably going to regret this, but...


1


who even needs luck

 

[Life.]

3


3


3


Let's go insane guys~

 

[QuirkyAngel]

#2. I wanna see Caster win.

 

[White Masquerade]

#3!


ytCropper | Saber & Archer VS Berserker

 

[GasMaskie]

Soon enough, you find yourself short of breath as the smog chokes the very life out of you. But, you grit your teeth. What would the Thunderbird think if you died so quickly into the Holy Grail War, and without a Servant at that. Fumbling, your trembling fingers wrap around the 16th Century Manuscript and toss it into the center of the circle. As soon as the faded pages make contact with the inscribed diagram, the world begins to shake. The other two manuscripts are drawn into the magical field and slowly, each page begins to come together and compress. Leylines pulsate as the smoke begins to clear out. A white light smothers everything in the abandoned facility as you find yourself forced to shut your eyes. It's a brilliant light that rivals even that of the Elemental.

"Tch."



​

An unfamiliar voice is the first thing you hear as you slowly readjust. Standing in the middle of the circle is an armored man clad in black plate. What once was a heraldic sash is now nothing more than a bloodied and worn rag. An unmatched sword is sheathed at his side. His eyes are narrowed and focused on you. The mad knight's sharp features almost make him rather dashing - though it helps that for a brief moment, you think that his critical gaze softens. His black hair is flecked with drops of dried blood and as messy as a crow's nest. A flaming arrow pierces through a nearby wall before the two of you can exchange words. He grits his sharp, almost fang-like teeth as he draws the rather plain looking sword at his side. Your eyes can barely follow the man's movements as his blade flashes through the air and splits the arrow into two.


He seems to brace himself for another volley - yet nothing comes his way. The apparently maddened knight stays vigilant for a few more moments before turning to you once more. You brush off your clothes and cough into your sleeve. The grimace remains plastered on the Servant's face as you check yourself over. Your pale skin is covered in soot but everything still looks to be there. The motorcycle racing suit you've converted into a Mystic Code to strengthen your Magecraft has a few tears, but should still be serviceable for now. You pull off your singed and worn right glove to reveal three Command Spells. The pattern they form is a branch-like symbol with three lines on one side and two on the other. With a slight smile, you stare at the symbol of a Master before a boisterous voice grabs your attention.

"Hey, you're the one who summoned me, right? Don't bother asking me to call you Master or anything. As far as I'm concerned, you're just another face I'll forget once this farce is over."



​

...And it seems that you've been paired up with a rather troublesome Heroic Spirit. You rub your temples and take a deep sigh as you try to read your Servant's status with the clairvoyance granted by your bond. However, no strangely game-like screen fills your mind's eye. Rather, you find yourself grasping a small card with a beast-like creature and the title Berserker underneath it. You turn it over and slowly you find yourself able to decipher the arranged lines of unnatural script.

The Heroic Spirit of Madness​

Strangely, it seems like his True Name is missing along with any of his Noble Phantasms. This guy really is your Servant, however as your name is displayed right over his on the 'Master' slot. His only Class Skill is Mad Enhancement (D), meaning that he's still retained his capacity to think and speak, for the most part. Perhaps his crude speech and harsh personality are the effects of the skill? They're certainly don't fit his image as a (black) knight. You memorize his Personal Skills: Trouble with Women (A), Eternal Arms Mastership (B), and Disengage (A). His stats seem rather exceptional, aside from his E Ranks in Magical Energy and Luck. And as you expected from a Berserker, his alignment has been set as Lawful Mad. As your Servant fidgets and stamps on the ground, you speak.

Character Creation Choice 3: Name and Personality

1. "Look who's talking E-Rank Luck! And don't look down on me, I'm [insert Name], the avatar of the Thunderbird and the lightning incarnate!" [Prideful]
   
2. "...I know you're a Berserker, but try to calm down. Regardless of what you think of me, I am [insert Name] and I am your Master. Now, can you tell me why I'm unable to see your True Name or your Noble Phantasms for that matter?" [Rational]
   
3. "Heeeeeeeh. Trouble with Women is one of your Personal Skills? You're one of those tsundere types aren't you? ...This might actually be sort of enjoyable. My name is [insert Name] and I'm your new Master whether you like it or not. Though I think you will~." [Troll]
   

​

[QUOTE="The One Eyed Bandit]who even needs luck

[/QUOTE]
Ironically, the Playable Lancer actually had the highest luck out of the three choices. Regardless, you've ended up with an E-Rank Tsundere.

​

 

[White Masquerade]

2.


"...I know you're a Berserker, but try to calm down. Regardless of what you think of me, I am [sheila Twain] and I am your Master. Now, can you tell me why I'm unable to see your True Name or your Noble Phantasms for that matter?" [Rational]

 

[Life.]

2


"...I know you're a Berserker, but try to calm down. Regardless of what you think of me, I am [Riley Parker] and I am your Master. Now, can you tell me why I'm unable to see your True Name or your Noble Phantasms for that matter?" [Rational]

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

3: [Anessa Caldwell]


Summoned bahzahkah, might as well embrace the crazy.

 

[White Masquerade]

@LifeNovel


Life, show me one girl named Riley.

 

[Dugym]

3.

 

[GasMaskie]

Alright, I'll give it a day before I tally up the votes and write up the next post. With a tie like this, I'll be rolling a D2 to determine the choice. Same will go for the name if Option 2 ends up being the one.

 

[GasMaskie]

Tiebreaker:


[dice]24980[/dice]


1 [Rational], 2[Troll]


[dice]24981[/dice]


1 [shiela Twain], 2 [Riley Parker]


Writing...
​

 

[GasMaskie]

You take a deep sigh as you fold your arms and raise your eyebrow as the Servant continues to stamp the ground, clearly confused by something.

"...I know you're a Berserker, but try to calm down. Regardless of what you think of me, I am Shiela Twain and I am your Master. Now, can you tell me why I'm unable to see your True Name or your Noble Phantasms for that matter?"



​

As an effective avatar for the Thunderbird, approaching things with a calm mind and a total awareness of the situation has always been your MO. There have been times where your stoicness and cold adherence to logic has led to others accusing you of being heartless. Regardless of their words, you decided a long time ago that allowing yourself to give in to passion while wielding the powers of nature itself was a terrible idea for everyone involved.


Berserker stares at you, apparently put-off by your response. He sighs and folds his arms, apparently taking a moment to try and figure out what's going on himself. His gaze moves to the card in your hand and a grimace appears on his face.

"...Nothing like her at all. It looks like you've fucked up the Summoning Ritual by doing something weird. Though I guess you wouldn't be able to handle me without using that card. In any case, it looks like I can't even dematerialize because my existence is bound to it. And shouldn't you know my identity if you've handled the catalyst?"

​

You take sometime to explain your situation to the Servant and the strange occurrences that led to his summoning. Throughout the brief summary, his grimace remains on his face. As you finish recounting the events thus far, a rumbling sound loudly interrupts your train of thoughts. Berserker's cheeks redden softly as he glances aside. From your previous research into the Subcategory Holy Grail Wars, you've read accounts of Masters going bankrupt over their Servants' appetite.

"Guess I'm stuck with you for now. Of course, I don't trust you at all in the slightest, especially with how you've managed to fuck up my summoning and the fact that you're buddies with some weirdo in black. You don't need to know my name and history, I'll get the job done."



​

It seems like he's relented, or at the very least he's come to realize that he'll actually starve if he leaves you. He's rather crude, though it seems like his strength will make him a valuable asset. It dawns on you that as a result of your late start, you actually haven't met with the Overseer from the Church, assuming that one has even been called out to Mayhunt. As for the attacker from earlier, it seems more than likely that it was an Archer given their use of flaming arrows. It also seems like you'll need to make contact with the Thunderbird and sort out this whole mess. However, for now it seems as if you've been granted a brief moment of calm before the coming storm. You extend a hand out to the black knight.

"Very well, though I will endeavor to learn your name myself. I've always been one for a challenge like that. As for that rumbling stomach, I suppose we should stop by a diner. After which, we'll return to the hotel room I'm currently residing at. We have a lot of catching up to do Berserker."



​

The young man in black plate glares at your hand before looking once more to the side with a distinct blush on his face. Could he really be that much of a prude? You shake your head with a small smile on your face as you begin to navigate out of the abandoned warehouse with Berserker in tow. At the entrance, it seems that someone has left a duffel bag full of clothing. With nothing else to do, you stare at the Command Spells on your right hand as Berserker changes into the clothing in the building. As you look up the nearest diner on your phone, it slowly dawns on you that this may prove to be the longest week of your life.

Side: ???


​

The Servant sighs as he takes a seat against a greenhouse window and dematerializes his chosen weapon. Engaging the enemy Master from a safe distance should have been an easy affair that should have ended in her death. His orders were simple: "Observe our prey and test their Servant." It should have been doubly as easy since that woman lacked a Servant in the first place. Though, with his affinity, it was rather difficult for the Heroic Spirit to maintain a low profile - especially at night.


As he dematerialized, his thoughts lingered on the black knight's blade. A holy blade of a simple design, that much was clear. But something familiar about it continued to gnaw at him. For one reason or another it felt as if he had encountered that weapon before during his lifetime. Unseen and untouchable, the long-dead hero gaze up at the changing sky as he prepared to return to his Master. The sun was rising now, he'd have to report his findings to his Master now.

Fate/Crossed Souls


Episode 0 - END


[media]
​

[/media]


And with that, Character Creation is done. Please look forward to the continuing (mis)adventures of Shiela and Berserker during the Fourth Holy Grail War. Next Episode will begin this Friday. Any current thoughts on the Quest thus far though? This is as much of a new experience for me as it is for you guys.

 

[GasMaskie]

And here we are on Episode 1. Ariadne's Thread by Do as Infinity is the opening to this Quest, though I won't be posting the video every time a new episode starts. Consider this a calm before the storm and perhaps an attempt at more world-building before we get into the nitty-gritty of the Holy Grail War.

Fate/Crossed Souls


Episode 1 - START



​

You are Sheila Twain, 20 year old American Magus and a Master in the Fourth Holy Grail War. Currently, you are sitting across from a young man in a studded leather jacket who looks like he walked off the set of some post-apocalyptic movie. In fact, that's what you've been telling passersby who have approached you and asked about your strange companion. In reality, this man who is currently scarfing down a stack of pancakes with an unmatched fervor is the Heroic Spirit of Madness, Berserker. Every time he opens his mouth and reveals those razor-sharp teeth, you wince a little.

Breakfast at Tom's​

The plate in front of you is filled with scrambled eggs, hash browns, and two strips of bacon. None of which you've actually gotten around to eating. If anything, you're struggling to stay awake after spending all of the previous night trekking back to the city after a perilous summoning ritual. There's still much to do, and it's entirely likely that you'll encounter many Servants today. As Berserker finishes off the last of the hot cakes, you reach over the table and remove a stray piece of batter with a napkin.

"W-What do you think you're doing idiot? I-I'm a trained warrior, I could have easily cut your arm off for being too close!"



​

You sigh softly as the black-haired man's face turns a deep shade of red. Though you remain as stoic as ever, you struggle to suppress a smug grin. He just seems like someone you'd want to tease until they cry. Though, you know better than to antagonize a Heroic Spirit who may or may not even respond to your Command Seals.

"You had something on your face Berserker. I can't have my Servant looking like that in the middle of combat. Having our opponent keel over in laughter is a sound strategy but one that isn't likely to satisfy either of us."





"Tch. At least warn me next time..."



​

He pouts and folds his arms as he stares out the window of the corner diner you two finally settled on after about an hour of quarreling. Though, it was rather one-sided as a result of your calm approach to all of his eccentricities. You look down at your plate before passing it across the table to the black knight. You're not hungry at the moment and you've decided that you need to get ready to act as soon as you're out of the restaurant.

Current Plans

1. Head over to the hotel room and summon the Thunderbird to sort out your contract. You haven't been able to tap into the full extent of the Nature Spirit's powers since last night.
   
2. Travel to the St. Jeanne Cathedral and look for the overseer. You might as well get acquainted with the Church's agent.
   
3. [Write-In]
   

 

[Life.]

1


Must contact Thunderbird!