Holy Grail War Meme

[lostinlaundry]

The HOLY GRAIL WAR Meme

Seven Masters, magi of the present day. Seven Servants, heroes of days past.
One Holy Grail, granting whomever claims it a wish. Only one team of Master and Servant may claim it.
Who will it be?
For those unfamiliar with Fate/Stay Night or Fate/Zero, you can find a better explanation of the Holy Grail War here. (Note: The Holy Grail War in Fate/EXTRA functions in a dramatically different way, and one not followed for purposes of this meme.)
Instructions
1. Comment with your character. In the subject line, put that character's name, canon, and which role (Master, Servant, or either) you would like them to fulfill. Add other preferences if you would like. (NOTE: If your character can fill the role of Servant, I suggest you state which class(es) -- Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, or Berserker -- they fall into.)
2. Reply to others' comments. Pick your character's role (and the other character's if they list "Either" as their preference), then use the RNG to pick a scenario that fits the two characters' roles.
3. Enjoy! Though there might be triggers, depending on how the prompts are interpreted.


TWO MASTERS


1. Battle. Who says that Servants get to have all the fun? After all, most Masters try to kill each other, too. Whatever the circumstances, the two of you are locked in a fight. Neither of you are willing to use your Command Spells just yet, so no Servants here. Just two magi duking it out.

2. Alliance. There's a bigger threat out there. Either one Servant is exceptionally powerful, or the situation has changed and the participants need to take action aginst it. One way or another, you're teamed up with one of your rivals for the Holy Grail. How long will this last before you try to stab each other in the back? Or, will something more develop?

3. Protection. Uh-oh! One of you has lost your Servant! Unfortunately, there's no way you'd get to the church safely on your own, so the other one will help you get there! Or maybe you don't trust the priest presiding over the Holy Grail War and are giving shelter to them yourself? Given their track record, no one would blame you.

4. Death. One or both of you lay dying. It might have been by the other's hand, or by someone else's entirely. How will you spend your last moments in the presence of one of your rivals?

5. You, Too? Surprise! You may have been friends before, but you've just discovered that you're both Masters! How will you handle this revelation?

6. Wild Card. Roll again, pick one of the previous options, or make one up!


MASTER AND SERVANT


1. Are You My Master? The summoning is complete. Whether intentional or not, catalyst or not, a magus has summoned a Servant. What kind of meeting was it? Was everything totally under control, or did a hitch occur? Or maybe it happened in the middle of a life-or-death situation!

2. Identity. Either the Servant has flat out told the Master their identity, or they unleashed their Noble Phantasm. Either way, the cat is out of the bag. How will the Master react, now that they know their Servant's name and legend? Will anything change between the two?

3. Battle Aftermath. A battle has just ended. Who participated? Are either of you hurt? Did the Master have to use a Command Spell? Any number of things could have happened here.

4. Discord. Uh-oh. It looks like the Master and the Servant don't get along. Here come the arguments! Don't do something stupid, like waste a Command Spell over a triviality...

5. Love. And then, there's the opposite. Sometimes Masters and Servants fall in love with each other. How will this affect things?

6. Wild Card. Roll again, pick one of the previous options, or make one up!


TWO SERVANTS


1. Battle. This is what usually happens when two Servants meet -- they duke it out. This probably says enough as it is.

2. Alliance. There's a bigger threat out there. Either one Servant is exceptionally powerful, or the situation has changed and the participants need to take action aginst it. One way or another, you're teamed up with one of your rivals for the Holy Grail. How long will this last before you try to stab each other in the back? Or, will something more develop?

3. The Grail Dialogues. Maybe you're not interested in fighting just yet. Maybe you just want to sit down and talk with the other Servant. Find out what they want, what makes them tick. Get some wine while you're at it -- nothing like good wine to go with good talk!

4. Death. One or both of you lay dying...again. It might have been by the other's hand, or by someone else's entirely. How will you spend your last moments in this War in the presence of one of your rivals?

5. Identity. Congratulations, you've just learned each other's identities! Will this change the situation, or will you press onward?

6. Wild Card. Roll again, pick one of the previous options, or make one up!

Comments

Theseus | Hades

[deltastrike]

[Servant/Lancer, as, uh, Theseus.]

Belial | Granblue Fantasy

[carnalizes]

[Servant. Probably Lancer.]

master and servant...something

[unmessianic]

[ It's snowing. The chill of this far-east city reaches his bones as he walks on the streets of its shopping district, looking for a cafeteria that has available seats inside. He stops by the window of a quaint coffee shop, exterior wood layout with a tasteful golden signboard, staring at the interior to see yet another pack-full lost case. Lucilius sneers and places his gloved hands in the pockets of his grey cashmere jacket.

Eyes drifting to study the crowd again. He stands out with his silvery blond hair and icy blue eyes, but other Masters wouldn't foolishly attack him in broad daylight. Scouting seemed sensible when his Servant proposed it, but not with this cold. Truthfully, he has no intention to even engage in this farce of combat for long. He only decided to participate for one reason alone: knowledge. The whispers of a supposed wish granter seem completely without reasonable proof of its existence. What a sham. It was the process he has wanted to learn about, as both specialized in Creation and Evocation. Even a lesser Heroic Spirit answering his summon would be good enough. He could have just ordered his quick death, and he will remain in the Church for the remaining of this war...

That's why he hasn't even bothered to look for an antique treasure. After receiving his command spells, he thought it would be amusing to see what type of Servant would appear if he used his half-eaten apple as a catalyst, and then---

.....

He halts before he crosses the street, sucking his warm breath and suppressing a shiver when he feels the cold scales tightening around his neck. Impossible. There are about two layers between his Servant and his body -- a pale blue turtlenecked sweater, and the black wool hoodie placed between it and his coat, where the snake has made his nest --

Assassin, I told you to remain still. He sends a brisk message to his Servant. Dematerialize if you can't follow simple instructions. ]

[carnalizes]

[the flick of a forked tongue on his human's ear is accompanied by a soft, sibilant laugh coursing through their link.

Stay still? In this cold? the serpent of eden - no relation to the one who shares his name in that cursed colony still writhing around - lazily nuzzles a sliver of pale neck peeking above layers of fabric. You know snakes are cold-blooded creatures, and I'm the coldest of them all. Care to rub your poor Servant back to life before he freezes to death? Otherwise, I might just make a trip down south and find a hot, tight cavern to bury my tail in.

the mage brought this upon himself by gambling with his catalyst, but that's not why assassin's here instead of killing the one currently in possession of his contract. it's not everyday someone manages to get ahold of him instead of the other one, you know? (an intentional setup on his part, but that's neither here nor there.) and when a mortal does succeed, it doesn't take long for them to meet their end after the serpent gets bored of playing with them.

this time, it's different.

little cilius sweetens the poisoned pot by not being easily swayed with devilish charms or the simple fact that magecraft, in its current form, can be utilized to attain any possibility that has been previously accomplished --- including the creation of an all-powerful receptacle of desire. cilius the mage is the kind of skeptic with an apparent allergy to mystery, making him far more interesting and dangerous than your average eccentric. dear, sweet cilius tempts the tempter by continuing to be unimpressed by anything less than his vain, personal observations, going so far as to deny the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil --- on the premise that its information is outdated. outdated! as if!

never before has the serpent laughed that hard, and he's seen tragedies aplenty over several thousand years.

"That's not how it works," he'd said at the time after catching his breath, "but ooookay, suit yourself and follow what strokes your interest. I'll be here, shadowing your every step and licking the tears from your cheeks once it's all over."]

[unmessianic]

[ Lucilius reaches out to push down the snake's head when he peers out his clothes. What is the absolute clod doing?! What happened to its Assassin's stealth?

You are a Servant, Snake, he counters pitilessly; unimpressed voice dripping all over his message. Those threats of bestiality aren't going to make him flinch. He renews his walk, crossing to the other side of the street, feeling his skin crawl each time the serpent wiggles. Your corporeal manifestation is made of magical energy; the weather shouldn't affect you. It's also him who insisted on staying like this instead of canceling his materialization as any sound Servant would do to follow their Master outside.

His quest for a decent cafeteria continues, but Lucilius decides to take a short detour, halting in front of a male clothing store. He stares at the garbs displayed, neither too formal nor casual, with a reasonable price tagged. Mmmm. Assassin's only available clothes --- the ones he wears when he takes a human shape --- make him look like an expensive gigolo. Not the sort of thing he could dress in this city. And he is too broad and tall to borrow from his Master's wardrobe. This will be one way to get rid of his unwanted passenger. The Grail must have supplied you some useless modern trivia, he starts as he enters the shop, Does that include your measurements?

He hadn't been amused with his summon, his absurd offer, and his Servant's reaction to his rejection. According to that ridiculous legend, aren't all the children of Eve carrying the sinful consequences of her defiance? No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't find the idea appealing. Fruit of Knowledge of Good and Evil means merely discernment, which he is already equipped with. If it offered some sort of revelation from the mysteries of this universe, how could he attest to its accuracy when its last update was the Age of Gods? It could be some nonsense that would rewrite his usual judgment and make him trail after falsehoods like a simpleton. He still believes that there is no logical gain to accept a single bite of this tempter's apple. The knowledge he can't grasp by his own conclusions is useless to him.

"Two weeks are not enough to get sentimental for your departure," Lucilius had answered blandly, ignoring his Servant to start writing a log about his observations of the summoning procedure he just carried out. Unless one of them perished before the time limit, this scam would end in fourteen days at most. Past that date, the Servants' materialization couldn't be sustained without the surplus of mana. "You won't be my problem for long."

True, if he wants to keep him, he probably can find a way around it. As a genius in evocation and creation, he already thought of ways to perfect the vessel he had witnessed come forth the magic circle. But he is too irritating and untamed to tolerate as a familiar. ]

[carnalizes]

[Oh, fine, you got me. the serpent noses his way up the mage's neck, a sensual slide that curves behind the shell of a delicate ear and ends atop like a reptilian hook earring. The metal ones are all the rage these days. It's just so boring otherwise. I like being up and about, and your fingers are perfect for stroking my length. Feeling up my girth, too, if you're that eager to get my three sizes.

his human's preoccupation with looking dignified hasn't gone unnoticed. the serpent eyes the various articles of clothing on the racks and finds a lack of spice. while he's yet to decide whether or not this change of attire suits him, one thing is clear: his attractive mage blooms when indignation stains his cheeks.

But why ask? Are you taking me out for dinner and a mana transfer? Because you can let me have my fill while I feed you.

Far from the first time he's propositioned the human since his summoning. Making him tear up and cry from endless pleasure's become an increasingly attractive prospect, between the mage's incensed disdain and his prideful views on knowledge.

the fruit, after all, is more than just a symbol of discernment, just as the serpent himself used to be more until he teased eve a little too much. it's self-awareness. it's all that which is good and evil. it's everything that creation is, neatly wrapped in one juicy package that one can't help take a bite of and stain their lips, their senses, their soul. it's the seed of both good and evil filling up the mortal psyche until it oozes into every deed, thought and word: the sloppiest creampie in existence.

following a snake's wiles is not the real transgression committed all those centuries ago, but the human daring to attain divine knowledge for themselves and become as gods.

now, doesn't that sound like a familiar tale? one that the serpent will gladly see unfold right before him, laughing all the while at the omnipotent's wicked deeds.]

[unmessianic]

[ Lucilius manages to narrowly stop his body from overtly reacting to his Servant's sensuous slithering by the sheer grip of his rationalization. A snake is trying to seduce him. His highly logical-guided conduct is enough to transform any unbecoming pleasure-induced shiver into disgusted shudders. He knows where he is and reaches out to try to grab his head to unwrap him from his ear and push him down to his hoodie nest. But the urge to choke him and hurl him toward the traffic is a very tempting one.

Hmph. He gives a long-suffering sigh. Two days have passed, and he's wearing down his nerves enough to consider wasting a Command Spell in stopping his sexual harassment. He realizes that's probably his plan and refuses to rise to the bait. It's bad enough when his twin brother's --- Lucio, the imbecile who gave up the Family Crest to him and went to become a world-famous actor--- adoring fangirl crowd mistake them and surround him to try to shower him with their misplaced adoration.

Ohoh, you must not know that snakes brumate during winter, Lucilius says matter-of-factly, determined to ignore his insidious ploys to strip him of his Command Spells. He pauses as he browses jackets selection, picking up a pastel cream --- so pale, almost white--- wool coat with red buttons from its hanger. Mmmm. From his discerning perspective, its shoulder' width seems to match his Servant's. However, if you are afflicted by the uncontrollable urge to rut, we can visit the Serpentarium next. There must be one in the city's zoo. I am sure you can find a suitable mate there.

If he does not shut up, Lucilius will have him become part of that exhibition.

You know why I'm asking, he sneers, annoyed he has to explain himself. He knows he's not unintelligent to guess his rather transparent intentions. Carrying you around is tiresome.

Good and evil are preachy judgments that ill-fit any mage's research. If he were interested in some moralistic religious viewpoint, he would have joined the Holy Church and pretended like those self-righteous cowards that their sacraments aren't just their way to mislabel magecraft. Lucilius still hasn't found what exactly he wants to do at the end of his thirst for knowledge, but whatever will be, he does not foresee caring about any judicious "divine" approval of his work. ]

[carnalizes]

[ooh, feisty. unfortunately, the serpent feels the shift of muscles beneath him before he even sees cilius' hand and takes the first opportunity he gets to coil around the man's wrist, lightning fast, and slither up that arm, poking his head out once more beneath the gap of the grey jacket.

his smugness is apparent on his features before he even speaks. There. Nice and tight.

he'd laugh, too, were he aware of that planned use for a command seal. that's just not going to work as well as the human thinks it will, no? of course, the serpent can't fault him for being unaware of just how else he can demonstrate his s-rank stamina: being a notorious seducer tends to make others believe it's all about sex, and assassin has not once disabused them of the notion.

case in point - this conversation.

Oi, oi, I'm not waiting until spring to get any. The zookeepers, on the other hand... his tongue flicks out. Bet they're gonna love having wet dreams when their work gets too much for them and waking up to find themselves freshly fucked. Sure you want to explain that to your human agencies keeping a close eye on this war?

poor little mage, unable to keep his servant in his pants. new ones, apparently, unless cilius wants to stick to tops, but the serpent tickles the shell of the the mage's ear with is tongue.

Black's better on me, Cilius, says the serpent with albino coloring. Otherwise, you're taking me out in my birthday suit.]

[unmessianic]

[ He grounds his teeth when he feels him slipping from his grasp and climbing up his sleeve once again. This bastard is so exhausting. Lucilius is too obstinate to take the easy path: go to the Church, ask the supervisor in charge to remove his command spells, and give up the war for good. Then this irritating familiar can choose between fading away or searching for a new Master to establish a contract. It's not responsibility or any dull sense of duty that still bids him to Assassin, but a chance to cut him open and closely study what Servants' insides are made of.

Hmph. There will be other explanations than those involving magecraft if you do, Lucilius says dryly, sounding wholly indifferent to the fate of those people enduring his Servant's attentions. As long is not him, it's not his problem. He can have his zookeeper orgy. He won't stop him. Does he mistake him for someone who worries about ethics? He is a mage. The only guideline is discretion about their craft. Unless you are concerned that you would leave traces to incriminate you and become a shame of your class, Assassin. He clicks his tongue to ridicule his sloppiness.

That's why I chose this color, his Master informs him, the neutral line of his mouth twitches downward into a frown when he feels the serpentine tongue close to his ear again. He ignores the stimulus and walks toward the trousers section, carrying the folded-up jacket. I thought it might suit your tastes. His sharp eyes scan the tags with seizes, but he's lost in which one to purchase. Don't waste our limited time and tell me which one will fit. Stop being so needlessly troublesome. He, the great seducer, must know that this juvenile behaviour is the opposite of tempting. ]

[carnalizes]

[their conflicting expressions of obstinance aside, it'll be advisable for the human to take all due precautions should he proceed with that experiment. his servant is far from your run-of-the-mill heroic spirit, no? his origins as both serpent and demon may have evolved over time, but that which sought to cast him out of paradise failed to utterly eradicate all memory of the orphic egg.

Let them see the peep show and get their rocks off, is the serpent's reply, quite amused. his reputation as an insatiable fornicator's so well known that a slight against his apparent lack of stealth doesn't matter. It's always the uptight ones who can use a little stress relief, and I've nothing to lose. Can you say the same for your precious reputation?

after all, isn't being unable to control one's familiar the equivalent of getting caught in flagrante delicto?

and. really. suit his tastes the pretty boy says, knowing full well he's playing the passive-aggressive dom card. instead of responding immediately, the serpent pokes his head beneath the collar of cilius' shirt. scales sliding over one layer of fabric less as he hunts down the nipple he wants to lick.

Look: if you really want to give me a boyfriend shirt, all you've got to do is ask nicely and wear something I pick in exchange. Do remember how flexible his tongue is. Doesn't that sound like a good deal?]

[unmessianic]

[ As if concerns of those kinds would stop Lucilius' thirst for learning more. If he brings it up, it may only encourage him to proceed with vivisection once they return to the hotel room he rents under a false name --- one of his idiot brother's aliases he has put in good use for this travel. If he weren't such a useless Servant, he would bring him another specimen for a comparative study.

I see, then we will stop by the zoo, comes in the unflinching answer. Does his Servant think could threaten his way into his pants? 'Pay attention to me, or I'll ruin your standing as a mage.' If he is too lazy as he presents himself to be, Lucilius can always do the clean-up; hypnotizing those guards wouldn't be too complicated. He is unconcerned about any ethical problem regarding that. The alternative is hiring a hooker to come to his room, but he does not want his resting quarters smelling of sex. He considers the conversation over and turns his attention to the stack of folded pants, waiting for the answer.

What do you think you are doing? he keeps his voice from yelling when he slithers a layer closer to his bare skin. His already pale face seems to ashen in displeasure. He has a foreboding feeling about this. Rather than stand around and negotiate when Assassin is being difficult, he blindly grabs two seizes of pants that are bigger than his and, on his way to the dressing room, he picks up a bourbon-colored top to complete the ensemble.

He will physically wrench away this serpent out of his body. He ignores the clerk lady that is trying to helpfully suggest those clothes are too big for him, opens the door, and gets into the stall. Could he undress in time? ]

Merlin | Fate/

[myrdd]

[Caster.]

HI Lore linked me here :D (and rng gave me 4!)

[lightningbearer]

"Absolutely not."

Geddoe leveled a one-eyed stare at his Servant. Generally speaking, he was a fairly patient, even-tempered fellow, perfectly willing to tolerate other people's quirks and shenanigans. However, there were some things he held an especially strong distaste for, anything that drew attention to himself was one of them.

Doubly so if it drew a lot of attention.

"I don't care how effective you think it will be, I'm not doing it."

hi! not familiar with suikoden, but feel free to spoil away

[myrdd]

"Not even a liiittle bit?"

With one eye closed and the tip of his tongue sticking out from the corner of hsi mouth, Caster holds up a hand, the gap between his index finger and thumb the span of a hair's width. See how tiny that is? Inconsequential in the grand scheme of things? Absolutely harmless?

Alright, alright, maybe the last one isn't guaranteed, but still!

"C'mon, Master. You've got to admit that between the two of us, you strike a far more imposing figure. Whereas I," and he proudly places places a hand on his chest as he says this, "don't. At all. Aren't you thankful I've taken into account your natural assets instead of asking for something outlandish?"

As if a Servant asking his Master to go on decoy duty isn't already unorthodox enough.

'tis an old canon, but a good one~

[lightningbearer]

"No."

Unorthodox, Geddoe can do. It's just all this ridiculous notion of deliberately drawing attention to himself that he's not on board with. He doesn't exactly blend in well to begin with, and the thought of even more people staring, watching him is enough to give him the chills. No, thank you.

His own expression as unmoved as if it were stone, Geddoe's good eye continues to stare down Caster.

"Aren't you supposed to be good with illusions? Use an illusion for yourself."

And leave him out of it!

[myrdd]

Caster nods with amicable understanding, hand drifting back to his hip. That's a reasonable point, indeed.

"Certainly, I'm good. The best, as a matter of fact." Please praise him more once he uses them, and don't be shy about it! "However, that's exactly why they mustn't be applied liberally. Don't you think it's too early in the game for spoilers? And believe me, they'll do they're best to take us out once they know the trick, particularly the seasoned warrior types."

Squishy Caster, easy target. Or something like that.

Of course, that's not Caster's only motivation here: he really isn't cut out to be front and center, you know? Plus, sleights of hand are easier to pull off when they aren't noticed or being watched out for.

If he also wants to test what else his Master's capable of, well. That's for him to know, and for Geddoe to figure out.

[lightningbearer]

To say Geddoe still doesn't like this plan would be like saying the ocean is a little damp. Even setting his personal distaste aside (he's going to regret letting slip just how much he hates being put in the spotlight, isn't he?) he's still largely unconvinced that it's truly strategically sound.

Also, he's old and stubborn, crossing his arms as he continues to give his unamused glare.

"Then don't let them know. Or are you saying you can't outwit them?"

[myrdd]

Boo. His Master's determined to have him exercise, huh.

"This is part of outwitting them." Caster gestures at Geddoe. "Your inaction won't change the fact that you already stick out like a sore thumb, so we may as well capitalize on that. Besides, I'm sure you're more than capable of keeping them busy while I put the finishing touches on my trap. Having two sets of eyes on you will soon be the least of your worries."

He knows a trained fighter when he sees one, okay? And Geddoe moves like he knows what to do with the sword on his hip even if Caster hasn't seen the man draw it. In any case, the more he knows about his Master's capabilities, the better he can gauge how to stack the deck for both their battles and the war in their favor.

.........

Really, it's a shame that the nature of this war means negotiations between parties will break down at some point or another. This whole ritual's such a nasty piece of work that way.

[lightningbearer]

"Usually I find it better to lay low in places like this," Geddoe points out stubbornly. Which is mostly true; ordinarily he doesn't spend a lot of time in big, modern cities if he can help it, preferring both the easier time finding work and fewer questions asked of less civilized regions. Alas, he has no control of where the Grail War is held, unfortunately.

"Just what makes you think this plan of yours will work without exposing our hand, anyway?"

Or exposing his hand. It wouldn't surprise him if the Servant has sniffed out his trump card, but that didn't mean it was fair game to broadcast to their opponents.

[myrdd]

The urban jungle is its own special kind of terrain and neither of them have home field advantage. So much for getting a fame bonus..!

"I'm afraid that's a secret."

If Geddoe knows the full extent of his plan, that'll lessen its overall effectiveness. The Caster class has plenty of things going against it, you know, so this is something that has to be handled delicately. (No, not absolutely --- any finesse is incidental to Caster's haphazard way of cobbling things together.) Mind, getting an already suspicious guy dead set against this plan to trust him is a tall order, so Merlin relents. A little.

"But here's a hint: by the time we're done, they won't even remember what hit them."

Is that even a hint when part of his end goal's right there and marked in highlighter? No? Oh, well, he can't fuss too much if this is what ultimately convinces his Master to go along.

Alvin Svent | Tales of Xillia

[returncoat]

[Servant: Archer or Assassin.]

kirschtaria wodime ♔ fate/go

[cryptant]

[ Master. May contain Olympus spoilers about his background and personality. ]

marisa kirisame | the touhou project | master

[lovecolouredmasterspark]

[ or servant caster, if you'd prefer. ]

Felix Fraldarius | Fire Emblem: Three Houses | OTA

[bestswordmaster]

[Servant - Saber, obviously XD castmates & crosscanon welcome!]

Reimu Hakurei | Touhou Project | Master

[haxsignburneverything]

[ Reimu most likely got dragged into this mess unwillingly. ]