bakerstreet | A holy war

A holy war

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 against 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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[a rider with low self-esteem due to the trauma of losing really badly. open to both gen and shipping.]

[can be a master or saber-class servant.]

(assassin-class servant. hope you're not afraid of bugs; his schtick revolves around them.

info | permissions. cross-canon and ocs both a-okay, hmu. 👍)

[ i'm already ready for this. he's a caster class as servant, but i'm also happy to play him as a master. info in journal! ]

[Saber or berserker class servant.]

[Saber or Berserker.]

[Assassin class.]

[Caster or Archer.]

[Master. Better suited to neutral or evil servants. ]

[She can be a Master, or we can talk classes she'd fit into as a Servant.]

[ lancer es her default class, but could also be summoned as a berserk for a proper grail war scenario because i say so. open to gen and shipping, although only f/f will get you something remotely reciprocal. ]

[ master c: ]

[assassin, caster, or foreigner servant but happy to play as a master. big alien mecha but might just downsized him to 7-10ft tall and has a human form to disguise in.]

[Akechi is either the secret master of berserker or the assassin servant]

[servant, voyager-class. can also appear in a (marginally) more conventional foreigner-class container, if so preferred! ...somebody might have bent the rules a bit to summon this little guy. on purpose, or perhaps by terrific accident?]

[Master. Also aged up to late teens/early 20s for memes/psls for obvious reasons.]

[She can be either a Rider or an Archer.]

( master. m/f if shipping, ota for gen. )

[A Master who while isn't from any known mage families has some surprising power. Ambitious, greedy, and arrogant she's in the War for one thing: her own fortune. However, since she does come from fairly humble means and from an unknown bloodline it might be easy for her to be a sudden upstart in the War. She might be hard to take as a Master but she does have some good qualities... she might just make some bad decisions, though.

Alternatively, a Caster who likely won't be honest about her identity until it's needed. And even then, she'll likely exaggerate it. Her negative traits will be tempered with experience and she'll be wary of letting her Master follow in her footsteps. Open to gen but F/F only for shipping, please.]

Edited 2023-11-04 07:40 (UTC)

[ In terms of Masters, Elise is... admittedly not ideal. She's not a terrible person by any means, but she's a rather troublesome girl... that is to say, she's a piece of work. Upon first being summoned, the girl had all but burst into haughty laughter, declaring her victory upon having summoned a Servant from the "strongest class", and a knightly one at that. Her intent to wish on the Holy Grail for fortune and riches beyond her wildest dreams was also... questionable, but Saber felt not a single shred of malice from the girl who was to be her Master.

Thus, Saber swore her sword to Elise... though upon quickly realizing that Elise is quick to stick her foot in her mouth without thinking, a strategic decision was made to not actually tell Elise her true name.

They've had to do battle a few times since then, with Elise being remarkably quick on her feet and able to narrowly avoid danger, a good trait to have when dealing with Servants... though Saber has still adamantly refused to divulge her true name, existing simply as "Saber" to Elise and her friends, a supposedly distant relative of Elise's late grandmother... a cover story that Saber is fairly certain is already being seen through, but neither Freya nor Lebkuchen have spoken up about it. Saber has particularly grown fond of them both, now.

Speaking of... today, her Master has requested that Saber join her for a picnic, just the two of them so that they can discuss things in private. Saber had asked why it required a picnic, of course... but any questions were promptly dealt with as Elise revealed that Freya and Lebkuchen provided the food for the picnic. ]

[Admittedly, she wasn't sure if the ritual was going to work. Rozenmarine had told her all she could about the War and Servants but Elise wasn't a ~~witch~~ mage like Rozenmarine was. She wasn't even sure how the catalyst she used even summoned Saber, considering it was just an old heirloom from her grandmother not tied to any particular Heroic Spirit. That concern was filed away for 'later Elise's problem' and she decided it didn't matter. The knightly Servant was proof her goal for riches and glory were soon to be hers.

She had spoken to Rozenmarine in private before the picnic. She needed to find out who the other Masters were at the very least. A small rural area like Kieferberg meant that the Masters had to stay close to the village for the War, after all. When Freya and Lebkuchen made them food... well, she knew what she had to do.

Setting out the food at the scenic spot, Elise dusted off her dress and sat down with a sigh.]

I've been asking Leb if she's heard about any other strangers showing up in the inn... she hasn't. [Her voice is almost dejected as she picks at some of the food.] Either the Masters are staying in the city over and sending their Servants over or some of the villagers became Masters, too.

[If she's honest, she's not sure which is worse.] Ugh, I don't like having to wait for them to make the first move!

[ Saber is dressed lightly herself... an almost surprising sight considering her usual equipment, but it was necessary due to Saber's inability to enter spirit form, something that surprised Rozenmarine at least, since she was the only actual mage in the room.

To Elise's credit... the spot that she picked was actually quite nice. Beautiful view, nice open field... the latter being a good thing both because of the relaxing atmosphere and the fact that nobody could sneak up on them in an open field. As Elise talks, Saber has already started to dig in... eating politely, sure, but she puts away a single sandwich in a matter of seconds. ]

Our enemies will be careful not to leave traces of themselves behind... but in a small village such as this, word of change spreads quickly. If information of new strangers has not come in yet, then I believe this place is safe. I cannot speak as to the other villagers, however.

[ The second sandwich is finished, onto the third... ]

However while I agree we cannot act defensively forever, we cannot act rashly either. Nor can I recommend separating from me while Assassin is still on the loose.

[ That was their first confrontation... an encounter with the Assassin Servant, who had immediately gone for Elise's life. Fortunately, they were easily repelled by Saber... but with how quickly they retreated, it was almost certainly just a case of scouting for information on other Servants. ]

We are still in the early stages of the war, Master. The information gathering phase. Unfortunately, I am not skilled in recon, so the best I can recommend is that we continue to fortify ourselves until an opportunity reveals itself to us.

[ It's all genuine advice that she's giving to her Master... though she is also now on her fourth sandwich, and a crumb is stuck on her cheek, so she doesn't look nearly as serious as she sounds. ]

[Rozenmarine had said Servants could stay hidden but the situation was... odd even to her. Still, at least that meant Elise didn't have to talk to herself when trying to talk to Saber.]

Leb likes to gossip with Miss Welma at the inn. If anyone new stopped by she and all the village would know.

[Wait, oh no. She's eating faster than Rozenmarine's goat! She picks up a sandwich and begins to chew on it so she at least doesn't starve!]

Rosmarine said that Assassins can travel far away from their Masters, right? So there's no proof that Assassin's Master is close by to find, anyway.

[Elise just grabs her plate and pulls it closer. It's rare that she gets to eat so much and she's not going to let her Servant eat everything! Most of it, probably. Lebkuchen seemed to know that someone had a big appetite and packed more than Elise could eat on her own.]

I'd rather not get ambushed in the woods again so I guess I'll keep close. I can't exactly hide behind you. [Is that a short joke? Yes. Dammit, Elise. And also...] Oh for goodness's sake, Saber!

[She takes a napkin and just swipes the crumb off her cheek.]

Edited 2023-11-05 10:12 (UTC)

Yes, it likely means that Assassin's Master has fortified themselves someplace safe if they are willing to send their Servant away for long-distance reconnaissance. In any case, if it is 1-on-1, I cannot picture myself losing to Assassin. They will not attempt another frontal assault.

[ Was that little tidbit of information that Servants don't require food a lie? Saber makes it seem that way. ]

Hm? I don't understand, there should be no problem in hiding behind—mn?

[ Saber looks up, confused at why Elise is suddenly upset... which makes it easy for Elise to reach over and brush the crumb off of Saber's cheek. ]

Ah... you have my thanks, Master.

[ Then, as unbelievable as it may seem, Saber smiles at her... breaking her perpetual stoicness in order to show gratitude. ]

That just means we’ll have to be even more careful… good Lord, I thought walking home was supposed to be peaceful!

[Elise, naturally, assumes that’s where she’d be attacked. The idea that an Assasin might try to wait for her to be away from Saber doesn’t cross her mind. At least not at the moment.

She does wonder about Sevants and eating… but honestly she’d eat that much if she had a choice. Still.. she gives a small smile.]

You’re welcome, of course. [Granny Holle taught her good manners as best as she could.] Here… take it so you don’t get more all over yourself. I don’t want to have more laundry to do.

[Elise’s words were always like that. Kind at times but clear that she never thought too long about them.]

I know you’re strong but you’re almost my size! Isn’t one of the Servants supposed to be a marksman?! I could get hit!

[Ah, there it is. Foot in mouth.]

[ Elise could stand to have a bit more thought put into them, but the logic checks out, so Saber takes the napkin gratefully.

That said... she does frown (or is she actually pouting?) at Elise's words about her size. ]

The Archer Servant, yes... and should we be in danger of being attacked from afar, height will hardly play a part in protecting you, Master! Unless it is a Noble Phantasm, I should easily be able to repel any long-distance attacks so long as you are nearby.

[ It might sound foolish to claim that, since that would require reacting on instinct remarkably well... but Saber is very confident in hers. For good reason as well, as it's A-ranking has already proven itself with the way Saber seemed to react to Assassin's first attempt on Elise's life before either of them were even aware of their presence.

...all of that aside, though, Saber is definitely pouting now. She's not that short... ~~yes she is.~~ ]

[Oh, that’s kind of cute—no, Elise! She blinks. Right, of course. Saber is better at combat even without her skills as a Servant. Elise could tell that by how she handled herself in the ambush with Assassin.

It was hard to admit but Elise knew she’s basically in a whole new world. She crosses her arms, even if she definitely looks a bit like a scolded dog.]

R-right. Sorry, Saber… [Elise apparently used her own instincts not to follow the path of teasing her more.] Last week my biggest worries for my safety was falling apples. This is just hard to adjust to.

[She definitely wouldn’t back down, though. Her ambition was too strong.]

Hmph...

[ Seeing that Elise has accepted her scolding, Saber huffs and calms down. ]

I understand, Elise. Still, you are right to be concerned. Should we be attacked by an Archer who specializes in long-range, we would be at a disadvantage. Still...

[ Saber finishes off her sixth sandwich (when did she finish the fifth?) and smiles at her Master. ]

I swear to protect you with my life and bring you victory, my Master.

[ Truth be told, Saber is still skeptical of her Master's wish. To make use of the Holy Grail, an omnipotent wish-granter, to gain fortune is quite possibly the height of greed and hubris. In comparison to the selfless ambition that Saber pursued during her lifetime, it clashes right from the get-go...

But as far as wishes go, it's hardly the worst wish in the world either... and she has continued to pursue it even after having her life targeted on multiple occasions already. ]

You saved my life already, Saber.

[It’s a quiet admission but Assassin’s knife would have killed her in that first encounter had Saber not blocked the attack. The fact that the enemy was so confident they’d attack her right in front of Saber was terrifying. Elise managed to act quickly in the moment but it had shaken her.

Still, she needed the Holy Grail. She wouldn’t die obscure in poverty in some rural rathole! Elise couldn’t accept that future. Saber was different than her—even someone as selfish as Elise could sense nobility in her Servant.

She blushes as she turns her head away from the crumbs of the picnic.]

And I’ll do my best, too! I can’t let my future be taken away by some shady guy in a skull mask! If we can beat Assassin then Archer will be no trouble!

[ In that sense, perhaps she and Elise couldn't be more different... even if Elise doesn't fully realize it by virtue of not knowing Saber's true name. From the moment of Saber's birth, she was meant to be a King. Nay, it would be more accurate to say that she was only born for the sake of becoming King... and yet the decision to become king was a purely selfless one... for better or worse, that is.

For Elise, leaving Kieferberg is her selfishness. For Saber, if she had chosen to remain in her hometown and live out the rest of her days as an ordinary girl, that would have been her selfishness.

Still, Elise had no such burdens, it was only natural for her to be selfish. Saber has long since accepted this, whether she agrees with it or not. ]

But of course... and I will continue to do so, however many times as necessary. Thus, I shall continue to rely on your support, Master.

[ Both in terms of magical energy... and in keeping her well-fed. ]

[She had been content with her life with Granny Holle. She had her friends and a loving presence at home. It had been humble but they made do with what they had from the garden. After her grandmother had passed and she became a maid-of-all-work that had changed. Elise wasn't afraid of hard work but hard work alone seemed incapable of freeing her.

Rozenmarine's appearance had been a miracle. The War would be her way to save herself. She understood that Saber wasn't like her but... as long as they agreed for the same goal she didn't think it would be a problem.

...And there's a blush.]

O-of course I'll do my share of the work! This war can't last forever.

[ Saber can't help but giggle. For better or worse, Elise clearly wears her heart on her sleeve... or maybe in this case, she's wearing it on her face? Because her blush is just as red as Saber heard. ]

Heh... Lebkuchen was correct, your face does go red as a beet, Master.

[ And she's fun to tease too... ]

She said what—

[Oh, that stupid nun! Her face grows even more crimson.]

I keep telling her gossip is a sin!

[ Saber just giggles again at her reaction. ]

While I am not one to debate how one practices their faith, she claimed that it was fine so long as it was true.

[ And clearly it is. Therefore, Lebkuchen gets off scot-free? Yes, definitely. ]

Of course she said that! Leb has always been mischievous. She probably thought it’d be hilarious…

[It sounds exactly like her.]

Some people never change.

Edited 2023-11-11 11:09 (UTC)

Perhaps, but she cares deeply for you, I can tell.

[ She knows Elise so well that Saber can’t imagine that not being the case. The same can be said for Freya as well. ]

You are blessed with true companions, Master.

[ She only hopes that in Elise’s ambition, she doesn’t take that blessing for granted. ]

[Look, Leb cares for everyone in the village!

Is what she wants to say but... she just focuses on the food suddenly. She knows Saber is right. Her two friends would go through hell for her and she doesn't deserve that.

Still.]

Those two are the only good parts of Kieferberg.

[Elise!!!]

[ Can be either master or servant!

As a Master, she's a powerful magus from a family that tends to lean more towards unsavoury activities. Grandmother is questionably human, and Lapis is basically taking part in the war to help fulfil some plan of hers. Which are likely very sketch. Her magecraft tends to focus on having spirits/demons assist her both in and out of fighting - she also gets stronger when there's a full/new moon as well.

As a servant, she would be a Foreigner. As the granddaughter of something eldritch, she basically takes on her powers and becomes... the vessel of the moon, basically, if the moon also had a lot of sway over death and malicious/dark-aligned supernatural. Aka moon's haunted ~~Moon Cancer could also apply here but how tf does that class classification work-~~. Probably lowkey terrifying, but still loyal... Though she can and will turn on her master if she doesn't agree with them.

More info in journal! ]

(master. could handle any alignment servant most likely.)

[As a Master, she is someone from a distant branch of a low-ranking family who likely got involved in the HGW by mistake, either by being in the wrong place at the wrong time to end up as someone's Master or by defying the odds and summoning a Servant without any clue of the consequences. Definitely an atypical Master who will care greatly for her Servant.

As a Servant, she can be either a Saber, Archer, or Caster. If the HGW is set in a modern setting, Akko can be AU'd into a Heroic Spirit from a medieval or Athuriran age. A loving and cheery Servant who will prioritize her Master's happiness over the war.

Hit me with that Master/Servant shipping dynamic. F/* for any characters around her age (17-20) but f/f only for any older characters.]

( might be a Master who is more likely to throw hands alongside his Servant than to hang back, using a magic sword inherited from his family alongside with his familiar/ring, Zaruba.

or

a Saber servant [natch] with his armored mode being his Noble Phantasm. good times.

ota to gen/shipping, sure )

[ either berserker or assassin servant. feel free to confuse him for fgo!roland's spirit origin. ]

[Servant; canonically a Rider, but could also be a Ruler.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A holy war

mandricardo | fate/grand order

kougyoku ren | magi | ota

dahn tsukigata | dsrk | ota

SCP-073 / Cain ( scp foundation )

Maedhros | the silmarillion | ota

Nie Mingjue | Mo Dao Zu Shi

Mikasa Ackerman | Attack on Titan

Wei Wuxian | Mo Dao Zu Shi

Mori Ougai | Bungou Stray Dogs

Makima | Chainsaw Man

lancer alter ; fate/grand order

miyamoto iori / fsr

soundwave | transformers idw | ota

goro akechi | persona 5 royal | ota

voyager | fate/requiem

Hiwatari Satoshi | DN Angel

Enterprise (CV-6) | Azur Lane

kiritsugu emiya ( fate/zero )

Elise | Little Goody Two Shoes

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lapis de fiore | original | ota

integra hellsing / hellsing

Atsuko 'Akko' Kagari ☄ Little Witch Academia ☄ ota

ryuuga dougai | garo

roland / library of ruina

Quetzalcoatl | Fate/Grand Order