#fanservant; conall cernach

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Fanservant: Conall Cernach (Rider)

(Art by me, I liked this sketch so much it motivated me to finish this profile)

Conall Cernach

Class: Rider

True Name: Conall Cernach 

Gender: Male

Source: Irish Mythology (Ulster Cycle)

Region: Ireland (Ulster)

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Height: 6’3ft/182.88cm

Weight : 212lbs/96.16kg

Parameters

Strength: B

Endurance: A

Agility: C

Mana: C

Noble Phantasm: B

Luck: E

Class Skills

Riding B

While skilled from fighting in a chariot as a warrior of the Red Branch was expected to be. However, he is at his best whenever he is riding with only his most famous steed, the monstrous Derg Drúchtach. 

Magic Resistance D

Magic Resistance that cancels single action skills. Conall is not particularly experienced in regards to magic, so his rank in Magic Resistance is not particularly high.

Personal Skills

Battle Continuation A

A skill based entirely around survival. Even when one receives deadly injuries, they may continue to fight on so long as they do not receive a decisive fatal blow. No matter how severely injured, Conall Cernach will continue to fight on.

There is a slight difference between Conall’s “Battle Continuation A” and the same-ranked skill possessed by his cousin -- Cu Chulainn. If Cu Chulainn’s Battle Continuation represents “Never giving up no matter what”, Conall’s simply represents a man blessed with overwhelming toughness.

Bravery B

Gives one the ability to negate any type of mental interference, as well as increase one’s melee damage. A simple, but effective skill.

Headhunter A+

One of the most pervasive aspects of Conall Cernach was his claiming of the heads of his enemies. This penchant has been engraved into Conall Cernarch’s legend, manifesting as a skill that decreases the defenses surrounding an enemy servant’s neck when faced with Conall Cernarch. 

Noble Phantasms

Derg Drúchtach: Bloody Hound of SidheRank: B+

Classification: Anti-Unit

The dog-headed horse of Conall Cernarch. Its name means “Dripping Red”, likely a tribute to the gore it would frequently end up covered in. It ran fast enough that the debris it kicked up appeared to be a flock of ravens, and drooled so ferociously that when it ran it looked like a snowstorm followed Derg Drúchtach. In battle, Derg Drúchtach would viciously maul Conall’s opponents and aid his rider, acting as one being at times.

By revealing Derg Drúchtach’s true name, Conall imbues another ability into his mount: the ability to [consume] opponents. While Derg Drúchtach is no stranger to biting or mauling opponents, [consuming] an opponent will lead to Conall gaining the abilities of whatever Derg Drúchtach consumed. If Derg Drúchtach is killed, Conall will lose the abilities he gained from Derg Drúchtach’s [consumptions].

Derg Geis: Oh Brother, Vengeance Shall be Mine

Rank: A

Classification: Anti-Army

The promise made by Conall Cernarch and Cu Chulainn to avenge each other if one died. It ended up being Conall Cernarch who had to fulfill that promise. Fueled by duty and rage at the passing of his cousin alike, Conall rampaged through Ireland, killing every man involved in the conspiracy to kill Cu Chulainn (only its organizer, Medb, was spared his wrath) -- taking the head of each and every one. By the time the sun set on that day, Conall had killed thousands.

A Noble Phantasm made by swearing a promise with another being - they can be human or servant. Thus, the Noble Phantasm is activated, and its power is technically bestowed onto both parties. When one party in the promise dies, the other is granted the power to [avenge them].  An adaptive ability that allows someone to track down the killer of whoever the other person who swore the promise was, and gain abilities best suited to killing them. The avenging party also gains an EX ranked [Battle Continuation] skill until their promise is completed. The longer the promise goes without being fulfilled, the more ranks in [Mad Enhancement] will slowly be gained, until the user of [Derg Geis] becomes little more than a beast focused slowly on vengeance.

Personality

Shockingly businesslike. While somewhat flippant in attitude and manner of speech, Conall is at his core a “professional”. He approaches situations with his own talents driving his thought process and his objective driving his decisions. In spite of his professional demeanor, his sense of timing is horrid and he has a tendency to be late when it matters the most.

A trait he did not have in life but possesses now as a servant is a violent aversion to not keeping track of your allies, and a cautious hesitation to allow allies to go into situations alone.

For all his attempts at professionalism, Conall loves a good brawl just as much as his cousin, and is prone to losing himself in the thrill of a fight.

Motive and Attitude towards Master

Fitting with his professional personality, Conall is courteous and loyal to his master, willing to follow any orders as they come without much complaint. In spite of his obedient nature in regards to masters, he’ll still maintain his casual speech pattern and will not wait to be asked for advice before making his thoughts on how things should proceed to be known.

Conall admits that his wish is a foolish one. He wants to make a wish on behalf of a person who he knows well enough to know doesn’t care. But even so, Conall wishes that his chariot would have been just a bit faster that day, that he could have climbed that hill earlier. That just once, he had not been late when it had mattered.

Historical Depiction

The second greatest hero of the Ulster Cycle in Irish Mythology, and the last surviving member of the Knights of the Red Branch.

When he was born, the druid Cathbad (who would later go on to prophesy the short and glorious life of Conall's young cousin Cú Chulainn), prophesied that Conall would sleep every night with the head of a Connachtmen under his knee. For this prophecy, his uncle, Cet Mac Magach tried to kill the baby Conall by stamping on his neck. The attempt failed, but Conall bore a crooked neck as a reminder of Cet's actions for most of his life.

Conall Cernarch was reared alongside Setanta on the plans of Muirthemne, and, being the older of the two, left to join their uncle Conchobar in Emain Macha earlier. There, he quickly endeared himself to the Knights of the Red Branch, and rose through their ranks -- although not with the speed his cousin later would. 

Conall’s life was one marred by failure.

One of his first great adventures would be carried out alongside his uncle and soon to be lifelong enemy Cet. He was set to defend the High King of Ireland Conare, but failed, although he fought valiantly and killed many of those who wished to attack Conare.

Later, Conall would stumble upon the battle between Conchobar and the sons of Uisliu over Deirdre of the Sorrows. In the confusion of the battle, Conall dove into it and ended up killing the son of Fergus who was protecting the sons of Uisliu and Deirdre. In a panic, Conall killed one of Conchobar’s sons, and hurriedly fled the scene.

It was after fleeing that Conall encountered Cu Chulainn, returning back to Emain Macha after both his training with Scathach and retrieving Emer from her father, and explained to him what happened.

Conall’s life would not entirely be one of failure. He showed outstanding performance in skirmishes against Connacht, easily fulfilling the prophecy about “sleeping every night with a Connachtman’s head under his knee”, and even upstaged his rival Cet Mac Magach at a feast turned dangerous competition between Connacht and Ulster, tossing the head of one of Cet’s comrades Anulan at him in order to counter Cet’s assertion that Conall would have surely been defeated if Anulan were there.

Eventually, Conall took to traveling, seeing the rest of the British Isles outside of Erin. During one of these travels, the conspiracy to kill Cu Chulainn was put into action. Conall, sensing something was amiss, hurried back to Ireland, and only just did not make it in time to aid Cu Chulainn in his final battle. It was at this point that Conall would enact his grand vengeance for his cousin, slaughtering his way across Erin in pursuit of everyone involved in the conspiracy. He returned the heads of his victims to Emer, and then erected a grave for Cu Chulainn and Emer.

Eventually, Conall would meet Cet Mag Macach in what would be their final battle, and Conall Cernach defeated his rival at long last.

With nothing else to do, Conall would, in a great irony, seek hospitality from Medb and Ailill of Connacht to house him in his final days. The fire for adventures had burned out in Conall, and he spent most of his days maintaining the equipment of Connachtment and entertaining the youths by telling them how he killed their fathers. Medb would eventually enlist Conall in order to kill Ailill for both his scheme to kill Fergus, and also for taking lovers aside Medb. Conall did the deed, and was promptly chased down by Connachtmen. Conall made a great last stand, killing many Connachtmen, but was eventually forced to cross a tainted river, violating his Geass, and causing him to be paralyzed until the Connachtmen could chop Conall to pieces.

Relationships

Cu Chulainn

Conall’s younger cousin and foster brother. The two are quite close friends, having made a promise to avenge the other in real life. Although Conall feels a strong sense of protectiveness towards his younger cousin, amplified by his failure to save them during their lifetimes, Conall respects Cu Chulainn as a fellow warrior and champion enough to not let it show too much.

Setanta

He has no such restraint when it comes to his cousin's younger self, openly acting like a protective older brother to the younger Irishman.

Medb

The queen who housed Conall in his final days. Conall treats Medb like a former client, respectful, but not too eager to continue interacting with her if she cannot provide him with incentive.

Bibliography

The Tain, translated by Thomas Kinsella

Early Irish Myths and Sagas, translated by Jeffery Gantz

The Wooing of Emer, translated by Kuno Myer

Cuchulainn of Muirthemne, Lady Augusta Gregory

Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, James Mackillop

Myths and Legends of the Celts, James Mackillop

Goire Conaill Chernaig i Crúachain ocus Aided Ailella ocus Conaill Chernaig, Translated by Kuno Myer, via celt.ucc.ie

The Deaths of the Sons of Usnach, translated by Eleanor HullThe Last Hero of Ulster: An Alternative to the Heroic Biography Tradition of Conall Cernarch, by Emmet Taylor

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Fanservant: Naoise

Old Art of Naoise by me

Naoise

Class: Saber

Title: Deirdre’s Hero 

Gender: Male

Source: Ulster Cycle

Region: Ulster

Alignment: Neutral Good

Height: 6’2

Weight 175lbs

Parameters

Strength: C

Endurance: C 

Agility: B+

Mana: C

Noble Phantasm: E-EX 

Luck: E

Class Skills

Magic Resistance C

As a saber servant, Naoise possesses the ability to nullify magic used against him. A rank of C allows him to nullify a spell of less than two verses, but he is still susceptible to Greater Rituals.

Riding E

Another skill that the Saber class comes equipped with. While chariots were popular during the time of the Ulster Cycle, Naoise himself preferred to fight on foot, and thus has the minimum rank in this skill.

Personal Skills

Single-Mindedness (Love) A

The ability to devote oneself to one cause above all others. Naoise’s legend is inseparable from his role as Deirdre’s lover, and they are the most famous pair of lovers in Irish Mythology. For the sake of Deirdre, Naoise went against even his king, Conchobar. As long as the memory of Deirdre exists in Naoise’s heart, his determination and grit will be unfailing.

Mind’s Eye (True) B-

No matter how serious the danger, Naoise will be able to calmly assess the conditions of a battlefield in order to navigate through it, and keep himself out of danger.

Its efficiency is dulled somewhat by Naoise’s tendency to single-mindedly focus on specific objectives when in the throes of emotion.

Combat Attunement C

Legends speak of how talented the sons of Uisliu were at fighting together, and this talent carries over to Naoise as a servant. When fighting in a group of two or three, Naoise can work alongside any partner(s) with minimum need for adaptation.

Noble Phantasms

Deirdre Scaith: Although Ruin Awaits, Let Not My Heart StillRank: D-EX

Classification: Anti-Deirdre

A noble phantasm that could only be described as a “bane” in the scenario of a Holy Grail War, due solely to the fact that it can only reach its true power in the presence of another Holy Spirit.

In its most basic application, it merely unleashes a blast of darkly colored magical energy from Naoise’s sword. Compared to similar Noble Phantasms, it only has the advantage of being low cost.

The true power of [Deirdre Scaith] is only revealed in a scenario in which Deirdre is present. Naoise is ultimately a side-character in Deirdre’s legend. He was her lover, and the spark that allowed Deirdre’s destiny to finally set itself into motion.

This Noble Phantasm should be a crystallization of that truth. However, it also serves as a crystallization of what Naoise was to Deirdre: her hero. The activation of this Noble Phantasm will then give Naoise [the ability to be Deirdre’s hero]. Make him strong enough to fight an opponent, make him durable enough to see her one final time, etc. However, no ability given by this Noble Phantasm can be a “guarantee”: it can only give him a chance.

Personality

A servant who can, at best, be described as cripplingly bland. A blank piece of paper on a man, lacking so powerfully in distinctive features that if one saw him on television or read of him in the pages of a novel, one could not help but begin filling in the gaps of Naoise’s personality with their own.

His personality is agonizingly typical. He talks of honor and prefers fair fights. He displays token excitement at fighting strong opponents. He detests evil-doers. He is plainly accepting of his allies at face value. To try and judge Naoise amongst the powerful personalities that surrounded him; valiant, bloodstained heroes like Cu Chulainn and Conall Cernarch, conniving and ambitious rulers like Conchobar and Medb, or the alluring and endearing damsels such as Emer or Deirdre, Naoise looks utterly forgettable by comparison.

Bond 1

One of the three sons of Uisliu, who, prior to the rise of Cu Chulainn and Conall Cernach, were the greatest warriors of Ulster. Be it battle, hunting, or even arts such as singing and poetry, the three sons of Uisliu were beyond reproach in the ways of a warrior, and were celebrated and beloved by the province for their heroism and friendly natures.

Bond 2

Such was the life Naoise lived. He ate, fought, and slept alongside his brothers. They moved amongst the Ulstermen, never without praise far from their ears. Yet Naoise drew no joy from this life. In spite of the excitement the life of a hero would bring to anyone else, to Naoise, his life felt akin to one of drudgery. A meaningless grind, day in and day out, fighting wherever the King told him to fight, and taking part in celebration with a token grin. 

The phrase “robotic” comes to mind when thinking about how Naoise lived during this time period. He had no desire for more, no desire for less. He was empty, and simply did as the wind told.

All would change when Naoise left his siblings to go on a hunting trip alone, and was caught in a snowstorm.

Bond 3

There once was a young maiden by the name of Deirdre. Today, her fame rivals that of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and Cu Chulainn. And just like those two, she was equally famous in her own time. Or, perhaps infamous may be a better turn of phrase. The mysterious betrothed of King Conchobar, prophesied since before birth to cause ruin, hidden away until the King could claim her. None sought her out for fear of invoking Conchobar’s wrath, some did not even wish for her to come out of hiding at all, fearing the prophesied ruin.

And Naoise found her. During his trip away from his companions, he came across the hiding place of Deirdre and her nurse, and it was love at first sight…

For Deirdre.

Of course, Deirdre had been told tales of the Three Sons of Uisliu, but seeing Naoise in person bewitched her. And, perhaps, she saw the “emptiness” of Naoise’s character. Deirdre, who had no freedom in her life, seized upon the chance to craft a hero for herself, and begged Naoise to take her away from Ulster.

Naoise, who had inclination towards betraying Conchobar, refused. Deirdre, desperate, used every method in the book to get him to oblige her. Crying, begging, threats of shame, slapping and clawing at him, even threatening to use a geass to make him oblige. Naoise, eventually, obliged. Was he moved by the threats Deirdre made towards him and his brother's honor? Or was he genuinely sympathetic towards her, and needed only a little push to overcome his fear of the king’s retribution?

Not even Naoise could answer.

Bond 4

Just as he played the role of a Warrior of the Red Branch perfectly, Naoise played the role of Deirdre’s hero perfectly. After escaping with his brothers and Deirdre, Naoise was faultlessly courteous, attentive, and gentle with her. When she received unwanted advances from the King of Scotland, Naoise did not hesitate to leave immediately, even though the King had paid him and his brothers well for their services.

Eventually, Conchobar desired to retain Deirdre, and developed a clever ruse to lure her back to Ireland. He sent Fergus Mac Roich to retrieve them under false promises, making sure to have Fergus waylaid on the journey back to Ulster so he could protect Naoise and Deirdre when they returned.

Deirdre had objected to returning, still fearing Conchobar, but something had stirred within Naoise. He was oddly insistent on returning home. His passion for the prospect startled even his brothers. Convinced by Naoise’s sudden show of passion, Deirdre begrudgingly agreed to return to Ulster.

That night, they were ambushed by the forces of Eogan Mac Durthacht, who had come at Conchobar’s behest, and a great battle was fought upon the fields of Ulster. All three of the sons of Uisliu died, and Deirdre was seized by Conchobar, where she would soon meet her own tragic fate.

However, it is said of that night that Naoise had looked more alive then he had ever been before. That he had fought as if he were a savage animal, enduring countless blows, slaying countless men. He fought with an even deeper desperation than that of a cornered animal. In the end, it was only through a dishonorable blow from behind that Naoise fell.

Bond 5

It had been night, soon after Deirdre and the sons of Uisliu fled from Ulster. While Naoise was unfailingly courteous to Deirdre, he was still distant, as he was to everything. Even as Deirdre’s hero, the one she tried to shape herself, he still only “fulfilled the role”. But, that evening, he came across Deirdre crying.

As a lover should, he asked “why?”.

Deirdre stayed silent for a long moment, hiding her face from Naoise, before answering.

“It's…frightening. I’m glad to be gone…I wanted nothing more than to be gone…but now that I am gone…I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what happens next.”

“I’m scared.”

Naoise had no response at the time, only taking off his cape, draping it over Deirdre’s shoulders, and sitting back-to-back with her until she fell asleep. Naoise had no strong emotions towards Deirdre at this point. He had no reason to, and in fact, it would have been justified for any emotions he did have to be negative.

And yet, at that moment, Naoise came to a conclusion.

“This is someone I don’t want to see cry again.”

It would have been hard to see Naoise’s behavior change after that. He was still courteous, honorable, and attentive to Deirdre, without fault. But perceivable to only Deirdre…it had become far more genuine. As though the hero she had been trying to mold came to completion without any effort on her part. 

For the first time in his life, Naoise’s heart had come alive.

And yet, it would be that very birth of passion that would lead to tragedy.

When Conchobar sent Fergus, carrying those fateful false promises, Naoise’s newfound passion made him feel homesickness even stronger. But even more so than homesickness, the idea of working back into the King’s good graces, to benefit from Conchobar’s great wealth in order to give Deirdre the best life he could, to give her a life better than the life on the run they had been living. So, he insisted they return to Ulster.

He only realized his mistake when the ambush came, and so fought against Eogan’s forces not with the desperation of a man fighting for his life, but with the unmatched conviction of a man who sought to repent for his greatest sin. Every warrior was just another body between him and seeing Deirdre to safety. Nothing mattered other than her. There was no choice other than to fight on, no matter how many wounds he took on. He would save her, no matter what--

Naoise only stopped thinking of Deirdre when he could not think any longer.

And so ends the tragic tale of Naoise, whose newly awakened heart only succeeded at breaking itself.

Motive and Attitude towards Master

Naoise serves his master loyally, not dissimilar from a servant such as Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. He views his master as his lord, and fights with an appropriate amount of loyalty. That being said, as a result of Naoise’s experiences with Conchobar, he cannot take a “my master, right or wrong” attitude. Although loyal and polite, Naoise will not hesitate to speak out when he believes his master has stepped out of line or acted dishonorably.

His wish, the one that motivates him to fight for the Holy Grail, is to apologize to Deirdre. To apologize for the mistake that led both of them to their tragic fates.

Even deeper than that, however, is Naoise’s desire to truly save Deirdre. To be the hero she had wanted so much.

Relationships

Cu Chulainn

The hero who rose to prominence soon after Naoise's death. Naoise recognizes Cu Chulainn from the brief period Cu Chulainn was in the Boy Troop while Naoise was still in Ulster. He’s happy that Ulster got such a wonderful hero to replace him and his brothers.

Conall Cernach

Another hero who rose to fame after Naoise’s death. Although Naoise holds the death of one of Fergus’ sons against Conall, he acknowledges Conall wasn’t fully aware of the situation. Naoise is happy Ulster had such reliable heroes after his death.

Fergus Mac Roich

When it comes to Fergus, Naoise regrets not being able to protect the man’s sons. Fergus, thinks Naoise's stance is utterly ridiculous, and if it ever comes up, will remind the younger man that the blame falls solely on Conchobar’s shoulders. In spite of both of them typically having friendly attitudes, their shared history leads to Naoise avoiding Fergus and vice-versa.

Paris

Naoise notes something of a common thread between he and Paris’ legends, and thus attempts to act as a brotherly figure to the Trojan Prince. How Paris’ actual big brother responds to this seems to vary based on the day.

Bibliography

The Tain, translated by Thomas Kinsella

Early Irish Myths and Sagas, translated by Jeffery Gantz

Cuchulainn of Muirthemne, Lady Augusta Gregory

Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, James Mackillop

Myths and Legends of the Celts, James Mackillop

The Deaths of the Sons of Usnach, translated by Eleanor Hull

[oddnub-eye]

I am an indecisive fucker so I'm booting this question here instead.

Which of my fanservants should I write out the "material" for next?:

Iphigenia

Diomedes

Patroclus

Conall Cernach

Laeg Mac Riangabra