Player Information

Name: Christy
Personal Journal: swagu
Age: 21
Contact Info: swagu or PMs to this journal.
Other Characters Played: I'm a newbie!

Character Information

Character Name: Rider (Alexander the Great)
Character Series: Fate/Zero
Character Age: 2,364: Appears to be in his late twenties/early thirties.
Character Gender: Male
Original Canon
Canon Point: Post-death
Background Link: yeah yeah yeah

Personality:
"Let the good times roll."

This short phrase sums up Alexander's ambitions, and his general temperament. Alexander as a historical figure is controversial because opinions of the man's character are divided between a tyrant and a fundamentally good ruler. However, in public opinion, Alexander the Great is considered no less than a hero, and perhaps the first foreign diplomat despite his aggressive campaigns.

As a character, the first thing that shines about Rider's character is that he's a even tempered and good natured person. Rider is so bold to declare that he has little interest in the grail itself, but when asked about his wish for the grail, Rider says that he would wish to have a true body once again, and to be human. Rider's ambitions have not changed in the two millenia of rest in Akasha, for he still has such high ambitions as to conquer the entire world, which has grown in his absence. The fact that his wish is to be human rather than to simply have the world just like that, though, demonstrates an important part of his personality. Rider does not want what he has not rightfully earned, through battle or otherwise. He does not wish to take what is not rightfully his, or what he has not earned. Rider would rather relive the glory of his conquests and take the world with his own hands rather than have it with just a wish.

His general attitude towards the Grail War and other Servants is what demonstrates that phrase most clearly. If there were one world to describe Rider, it would simply be "bold". In his first meeting with the other Servants of the 4th Grail War, he proudly declares his name, which is considered a near taboo for the war. He is bold enough to not only storm into Saber's castle for hope of drinking with her, but to even invite the dangerous and haughty Gilgamesh, known to everyone but Rider as Archer. It's a demonstration of Rider's pure intentions of good will, and something that he considers very important. Rider isn't the type of person to strike a weakened enemy, but would rather face them honorably and have a fair fight.

Now, the one thing you wouldn't want is to make Rider mad. I mean, he's seven feet tall and could crush you with a finger, probably. Still, it's rather hard to do. Rider is a patient guy, despite being loud and haughty, and puts up with others much more than they put up with him. When he is angry, though, it's something to be feared. So don't try it.

In his free time while Waver works tirelessly to gain an advantage, Rider simply lazes around, watching military videos and reading books of conquest. While the inaction annoys Waver, Rider strongly disagrees, calling it important for conquering this new world. In fact, no matter where Rider goes, he carries an atlas with him at all times. Well, that and something else. Rider always carries a copy of The Illiad as well. Even the historic Alexander loved this book, so Rider holds the epic poem in high regard. It also shows a less recognized aspect of his personality. Rider appears more than anything to be a brute, loud, boisterous, and excitable, but he is a wise person, and an intellectual person, though he rarely demonstrates it. The fact that he hasn't been present for the past 2,000 years, though, makes him seem ignorant or naive.

But speaking of that, Rider, unlike Gilgamesh, is fascinated with the modern world and excited by all its wonders. He is especially fond of airplanes (he says that to conquer the world, he'll need 9 stealth bombers, for example) but is fascinated by everyday aspects such as television. He knows of them because of the fact Servants are provided with minimal information when summoned, but he likes to try them out himself. Though, some modern marvels are not so welcome. Like trousers and underwear. A mighty warrior does not need trousers.

Rider is indeed a mighty warrior, after all. Though unlike other kings of his time, Alexander valued all of his subjects, even those from foreign lands. Even more so, he valued his soldiers, and was known for not separating himself from them. He slept, ate, and laughed with his army, and because of that, his soldiers followed him loyally, even in death. Rider is a social person, as such, and is willing to drink and joke with anyone willing to bear his presence. Not that it's a bad thing! Rider is an agreeable fellow, and probably the kind of person that you would want to rule your country, really. He thinks of his people and seeks prestige and prosperity for all of them, and even to his newest subjects, he is accepting of their cultures.

It's another thing that Alexander was well known for. He is an accepting person who has a strong interest in other cultures, rather than trying to force his own. Especially with his residence in Akasha, there is little that is strange to Rider, for since he has realized the potency of magic, he believes that nothing is truly impossible.


Abilities:
As a Servant, Rider possesses a multitude of natural abilities. Since Servants are closer in existence to ghosts, normal means cannot harm them. It's said that the only thing that can harm a Servant is another Servant or extremely powerful magic. So even a highly skilled person would be unlikely to be able to harm Rider. The other outstanding quality of a Servant is a weapon or ability owned by a Heroic Spirit called a Noble Phantasm. Most Heroic Spirits only possess one Noble Phantasm, but Rider possesses two very powerful ones.

Gordius Wheel
This is the Noble Phantasm that Rider reveals more often and more carelessly. This is the Noble Phantasm that gives Rider his class: a grand chariot led by two divine bulls. The bulls themselves are abnormally large, but that is because they are divine. In fact, Rider even says that these bulls are the offspring of Zeus himself, and indeed the chariot is a gift from the King of Gods. Both the chariot or bulls are able to create powerful lightning strikes with a tremendous amount of magical force. Rider summons the chariot by cutting the air with his Chypriot sword, and the chariot emerges from the torn space. The chariot and bulls cannot be damaged.

Ionioi Hetairoi
Though the chariot is impressive, this Noble Phantasm is more impressive, and a testament to Alexander's triumphant rule as a king. This is a power called, in Nasuverse, a reality marble. Meaning, it transforms reality so that the people exist on a separate plane of existence. It's simpler to say that the people are transported, though. This reality marble contains the warriors who vowed their loyalty to Alexander even in death, and as such became Heroic Spirits along with Alexander. As such, each soldier has their own Noble Phantasm, and even Alexander's legendary horse is a Heroic Spirit.

But fancy magics aside, Rider is as physically powerful as you would expect from his stature. He was very strong and hardy as a mortal man, and this carries over as a Servant. He can pick up a (admittedly tiny) person with no strain at all and other feats of strength that he just sort of kanyeshrugs at.

Sample Entry:
[The feed is at first filled with static and the sounds of the device being knocked around. But eventually, words start to filter through.]

―nteresting. Hou, ――something that he may k―Ah!

[And the person seems to figure it out, so the deep, resonant voice laughs jovially]

Aha, here we go! What an odd little thing indeed... I admit, it's taken me almost a full day to find one of these rooms that I had heard about, but I suppose it is worth it? Surely it is not the same as meeting someone in person, but to gather an audience here... Ahh, that would be rather difficult, would it not?

[He laughs again. Cheerful guy, for just getting dumped in a weird tower.] Well! It seems a new day has risen for me, and it still remains. I suppose that crosses out the possibility of it being a strange dream, eh? So hello, those of you that may hear me! I confess that I do not know to whom I speak, but I suppose it matters little! I am Alexander III of Macedon, though I would prefer to be called Rider for now. It is something of a habit at this point, you could say...

Though still, what a strange place! It reminds me of a story I once heard from a Persian in my army, of the great babil, though I doubt it is one and the same. [And cue more laughter] Not quite enough Persians here, after all!

Ah, but that said, I am curious and pose a question to all of you--I have seen quite a few strange ones wandering around, so what sorts of places do you all hail from? From the looks of you, it seems like quite the variety!

[His voice quiets to...a normal level] Now, how to turn―[There's a crack, then the feed cuts to static]