Part 127: Week 2 Information Matrix - Archer
Information Matrix: Archer (True Name Revealed)
Yew Bow: Holy Bow of Supplication posted:
The wood used to make the yew bow wielded by this Servant was taken from a specific tree located in the forest he used as his base of operations. It has the power to identify and amplify any impurities (both physical and mental), causing them to explode with incredible force.
Yew trees have many mystical and religious connotations attributed to them by Celtic beliefs, and the act of making a bow from the wood of a yew was seen a contract to "become one with the forest." It was also believed the yew trees served as signpost for the deceased to guide them to the afterlife. It was this connection between the yew and death that caused this Servant to remark that he wanted to be buried where his final arrow fell. To nobody's surprise, it landed at the foot of the yew tree where he first got the wood to make his bow.
Sherwood Forest posted:
In the distant past, it was the forest said to be the place where a famous chivalrous thief fought against the tyranny of John, Richard the Lionheart's younger brother and ruler in absentia while Richard was away on the Crusades. It is also a forest that, according to Druid beliefs, is where the fairies dwell.
Faceless King posted:
A king without form who, according to Celtic tradition, appears in the May Day festival that follows the Festival of Beltane. He is also seen as a personification of nature who used copious amounts of green and brown in his clothing in order to completely blend in with his surroundings.
Anti-Magic (D) posted:
Cancels single-action spells. It also bestows magical resistance equal to that normally provided by a physical talisman such as an amulet.
Independence (A) posted:
This ability allows him to remain independent by rejecting any kind of support from his Master. When this skill reaches rank A, he can remain in the world for a a full week, even if his Master were to be defeated.
Subversion (A) posted:
This skill allows one to seriously reduce their enemy's might before facing them in battle. It is an ability used by those who've mastered the art of setting traps. Upon achieving an A rank in this skill, one can disable almost 60% of their enemy's forces before they get the chance to advance. However, the higher the ranking of this skill, the lower one's reputation as a hero becomes.
Character Background posted:
While the origins of the legends of the chivalrous thief who dwelt in the Sherwood Forest are a subject of constant and spirited debate, it is generally acknowledged that there was an actual person who held the name Robin Hood and that he died at the hands of his aunt, the prioress of Kirklees, who is believed to have bled him to death in the guise of administering aid for his wounds. However, many of the exploits attributed to him are a curious amalgamation of Celtic, Greek, and Druid mythologies.
One of the most persistent of the Robin Hood legends identifies him originally as a faceless hero who was born from the prayers of residents of the British Isles. Weary of the seemingly endless incursions and invasions of their country, they asked the heavens for someone to fight off the foreign invaders. A concurrent legend pegs Robin Hood as a representation of the "Green Man", a spirit of the woods who would carry out the actions and deeds that the common layperson could not. It was this belief that transformed the name into a title assumed by a number of nameless, faceless heroes who took up the mantle of protecting the people.
Those who assume the identity of Robin Hood tend to be very conflicted young men. Incredibly virtuous and honorable, yet always working out of the shadows like an assassin or thief, there seems to be a slight tinge of cowardice to their makeup. To cover the self-loathing that also seems to be part of every Robin Hood's personality, they all uniformly adopt a somewhat combative and derisive attitude. And though every person to adopt the Robin Hood persona truly values life above all else, they have little appreciation for their own.
Like the original Robin Hood, he is under the protection of the fairies and is well-versed in the archaic lore of the Druids. And like all "defenders of the forest" his knowledge of naturally occurring medicines and poisons is second to none.
Robin Hood posted:
Just one of the many young men to take up the title, this particular incarnation was a virtual outcast, living on the fringes of the village located near the spot where his parents had died. Almost against his will, he was caught up in a battle to repel and attack by a nearby lord's army and successful led those who fought by his side to victory. As he never identified himself during the course of the fight, he was referred to as the mythical "Green Man" by the villagers he had helped save.
The only child of a wandering Druid, he was orphaned at a very young age when both of his parents died suddenly. As the son of a Druid, he instinctively knew how to survive in the forest and was able to comnunicate with the spirits known as fairies. It was this ability that made him an outcast in his village, as the villagers were suspicious of his powers and accused him of being possessed. Although the villagers held no love for him, nor he for them, he felt obligated to help them in any way he could.
With his successes against the tyranny of the local lords to spur him on and the hopes and wishes of the villagers pinned to his deeds, he took up the bow and mantle and became the latest incarnation of Robin Hood. And like those who came before him, he dressed in clothes of Lincoln green, armed himself with a bow of yew, and surrendered his identity and true self for the good of others.
However, no good deed goes unpunished, and the villagers quickly turned on him in hopes of channeling the anger of the local nobility away from themselves and on to this mysterious rogue who rampaged through the forest, claiming that they had no knowledge of who he was nor did they ever claim to be thankful for his help in preserving the village. Even though the people he vowed to help turned on him, he continued to protect and assist them from the shadows. With every poisoning, every ambush, his reputation as a coward and criminal grew, despite his honorable intentions.
After two years of almost constant fighting, he was eventually betrayed and assassinated by one of the local lords whose ire he had raised. It was this young man, who fought so that others could lead the quiet life he dreamed of, that joined the ranks of Heroic Spirits found worthy to fight in the Holy Grail Wars.
Battle lines
Battle start
Right, guess we can get this show on the road.
Commence battle.~~
Command select
Ha! This'll be a cinch, Master! Don't get cocky. Keep your finger on the trigger until the very end. (High health)~
Let's carefully finish this up. (High health)~
How pitiful… They're wide open. (High health)~
Hmm, maybe this'll be a good match after all. You're looking worse for the wear, Archer. (Low health)~
Ahh, this isn't working out. (Low health)~
Are we trapped fighting on the beach? (Low health)~
Master! It's time. Shoot them down with your magic shot. (NP ready)~
You bastard, you survived my trap! Calm yourself, Archer. The fight is just beginning. (NP survived)~~
Round start
Leave it to me, master!~~
Normal attacks
Take that! (Attack)~
Too obvious! (Guard) Payback! (Guard)~
You're too slow! (Extra turn)~
Well done! Nothing personal. (Extra attack)~
That really helped! (Buffed)~~
Hit reactions
Shit! (Damaged)~
Bastard... You've got good instincts. Get back up, Archer. (Enemy Extra attack)~
Ugh. They can completely read us, Master. Do they have us figured out...!? (Consecutive enemy Extra attack)~
Sorry... Master... (Defeated)~~
Skills
Living things will die with just this much. (Poisoned Arrow)~
Here it comes, don't die! (Wall of Thorns)~
Goddess of the forest, become one with my poison against the tyrants. (Yew Bow)~
Let my grave be where this arrow falls. (Yew Bow)~
I'll give you firepower. (gain_str(16))~
This'll be a long battle. (add_regen(8))