Mordred

February 20, 2020February 20, 2020 / Animania404

Saber Of Red

Lore

As much as I want to do King Arthur, I recently finished the Fourth Singularity in Fate/Grand Order. So I decided to do those focused around Saber first. I’ll like to note that in Fate/Prototype, both King Arthur, and Mordred appeared as males. Mordred the treacherous nephew, or bastard son depending on which work your reading. For now I’ll focus on later variants of his story. Born from a incestuous relationship from Arthur’s halve sister, the Queen of Orkney. Mordred’s fiasco is a wild ride, from slaying his father, to exposing Arthur’s wife Guinevere affair with Lancelot that brought ruin to Camelot. He’s ultimately the main reason for Arthur’s downfall, in which during war, he made himself High King of Britain. If treason had a persona, Mordred would be the personification of it.

History

Sir Mordred was born the youngest son of Queen Morgause, halve sister of King Arthur, an raised as the son of her Husband King Lot. King Arthur was told by his Prophet Merlin, that one day his child would destroy his realm. Once he realized that Anna Morgause was his halve sister, he planned to have every child born on the same day as Mordred birth set adrift. The large boat would later sink, an every child would die on this day. This day would be called would be called May day, or the May Day Massacre. Mordred, on the other hand would survive this day, an wash ashore on a island to be taken care of by Lord Nabur. Once Mordred was an adult he travelled to Camelot, an capitalized off his brother Sir Gawain fame, an was made the 13th Knight of the Round Table. From there he would accompany Sir Lancelot, who he promptly did not like, whatsoever. Although Lancelot, was considered an ideal Knight. Mordred would spend his time, raping married women, an killing their husband’s. Along with his brothers Gawain, Gaheris, and Aggravayne, he took up the name of Orkney, slaying the son of Pellinore, Sir Lamorak. Mordred conspired with Aggravayne to expose Lancelot, an Guinevere’s affair which pretty much started a war. This war would be the downfall of Camelot. Mordred recieved an Oracle from a Prophet, telling him of his true origin, that he’s King Arthur’s heir. This sent him into a frenzy ultimately killing the prophet, an the Knights that was with him. Favoring Mordred, King Arthur, made him the Regent of his Kingdom while he was at war with Lancelot. That plus he was out of the continent campaigning against the Roman Empire “Umu”. While he was away, Mordred made Alliances with Saxons, Pics, & the Scots and faked the news of King Arthur’s death. Mordred declared himself King, an he seige Arthur’s wife, Guinevere. She must’ve been a loose beauty, than again Arthur was lusting after his own sister. The Queen’s reaction is pretty debatable, an it varies in each form of literature. In one story she fled, an barricaded herself in London, an another she agreed an had his children. When news finally reaches Arthur, he immediately returned to retake his throne. 3 major battles soon followed, 2 of which was won by Arthur. The battle of Dover, than Barham Down. The final battle of Camlann also would 2 possible endings, both of which would leave Arthur, an Mordred as the last warrior’s standing. This is mainly influenced by if Guinevere, flees or agrees with Mordred. If Guinevere flees, King Arthur kills Morded but suffers a fatal wound. Just before dying he begged one of his Round Table Knights to toss Excalibur in the lake. If Guinevere agrees, she steals Excalibur, loses the sacred Scabbard, and gives it to Mordred, for the final battle. Mordred would use this weapon to kill Arthur, after which he was mortally wounded by the holy spear Rhongomyniad. Mordred would survive, an be prosecuted by Lancelot, who stilled deeply admired King Arthur. Lancelot would go on to kill Guinevere, than bury Mordred in the dead Queen’s tomb. Mordred would soon eat the remainder of her body, just before dying of starvation. His 2 son’s would later continue the rebellion of their father. One thing is for certain in each version of the story. The once proud Round Table, was now dead, along with the era of the Knights.

Fate Lore

Now Mordred in the Nasuverse like her father, is predominantly women. So her birth, an story takes a few different routes compared to the Arthurian Legend. Although she keeps her status as The Treacherous Knight, she was born as a Homunculus Clone. If Fullmetal Alchemist taught me anything it’s how well these stories tend to go. But just like her father, Mordred would be raised as the next heir to the throne. Who started a rebellion just to here Artoria call her son just once. S/N: Although Fate Grand Order uses Altria Pendragon, I’m going to stick with calling her Artoria Pendragon.

Birth Of The Rebellion

Mordred was born between the union of Artoria, an her sister Morgan Le Fay. A little background knowledge first, Morgan was a evil fairy witch who hated Artoria’s very being. Mainly for taking her spotlight from her family. Morgan enchanted Artoria a pseudo-male at the time, because that’s a thing, an stole her sperm to develop a Homunculus in her ovaries, because that’s also a thing. Morgan became obsessed with Mordred, telling her every day that was the rightful heir to the throne. Although her life was short spanned thanks to being a Homunculus, she believed it was her right to kill Artoria, an take the throne. Raised in secret, an told to obey the King until it was time, to never take her mask off. Like her mother, Mordred would also become obsessed with Artoria, but instead of hatred, it would be admiration. If you played the 4th Singularity in London, you’ll run into Mordred. You’ll realize she would randomly lash out at you, but starts to accept Mash. This would be because Mordred was ashamed of her twisted birth. She would unconsciously become violent, but start to feel sympathetic towards Mash, similar to Solomon’s reaction. As she began to rapidly age, Mordred started to worship King Arthur, as the perfect king. At Morgan’s behest, and a display of her suburb swordsmanship, she was named the 13th Knight Of The Round Table, an given a Sword of Legend. Unlike her counterpart in the legend, Mordred was the ideal knight of chivalry. Spent her duties trying to impress her king, even when she had a huge disdain for other humans. Morgan being the bitter sister she is, used this opportunity to tell Mordred of her unorthodox birth. Telling her that the King doesn’t know, neither would he care to know, nor love a filthy child. Instead of feeling hatred, she felt joy, alive for the first time. That she actually felt she was the true successor of the King of Knights, mind, body, and soul. At this point Mordred is ecstatic, happy that her godlike father figure is actually her father. She decided to tell Artoria of this, but instead of open arms, she was immediately rejected. Telling her that she would never accept Mordred as her legitimate child, or make her successor to the throne.

Camelot Downfall

At this point Mordred believed she was rejected all due to her mother. She believed Artoria’s hatred for Morgan was the reason she was seen as a dirtied child. The words Morgan spun in her mind, turned her deep seeped love for King Arthur, into unfathomable hatred. Soon after the Round Table began to distrust Artoria, an a rebellion broke out. Mordred became the leader of this Rebellion, an she seized Camelot for herself while Artoria was on a expedition towards Rome. After returning from a prolonged battle, Artoria returned to a ruined Camelot. Mordred declared she never loved King Arthur, an that Artoria threw Camelot into ruin because of her unnatural personality. The battle went on for a few years until the final battle in Camlann. The Knights that stayed with the King died, leaving only the two on them on a pile of corpse. Which is in fact, the scene Artoria reminisces about when she becomes Saber. So the pile of dead bodies she’s standing on in the opening of the Fate/Stay Series with Excalibur, was this moment. Mordred claimed everything was pointless, now since the country was destroyed. She blamed Artoria for not making her the rightful heir, an how much she lamented her birth. She asked if her rejection was due to Morgan being her mother. Artoria simply stated that Mordred just didn’t have the ability to run a country. Since she actually didn’t genuinely care for people. She was ultimately defeated while pierced with the Holy Spear Rhongomyniad. Upon collapsing she reached to touch Artoria hands just once, but she was rejected once again being denied to even die in peace. Still bound by a curse her mother placed on her, she continued to swing her sword even after death. She fatally wounded Artoria who died, soon after having one of her knights permanently discard Excalibur. Camelot an the Era of the Knights came to a end. Makes you wish for the reunion of the two as servants. Only fair, since Gilgamesh got to see Enkidu again, even though he was actually Kingu, sent to help Beast II. (Tiamat) In the end Mordred even despised those who sided with her. Confused as to why they would follow her, someone who only cared for herself, over her father, who devoted her life to her country.

Holy Grail Wars

Fate/Apocrypha

London Murders

Mordred was summoned by Kairi Sisigou, as a Saber apart of the Red Faction. Her wish was to simply pull Excalibur, an prove to her father that she’s the rightful heir to Artoria once an for all. That Morgan being her mother didn’t matter. Kairi, & Saber eventually hear of murders going on that could be linked to the war. They run into a strange poisonous fog, that ends up being the Noble Phantasm of Assassin of Black, Jack The Ripper. Saber’s overwhelming strength immediately destroys the fog. Just before they could fight Archer of Black, Chiron interfered. Since they were also investigating the murders, assassin immediately retreated. Saber in the process attacked Archer, while her master attacked Fiore. Although they were equally matched, they both soon retreated also.

Yggmillenia Castle

Mordred, & Kairi arrived to their first large scale battle a little later than the others. This battle between the Red, & Black faction would control the ongoing war. Mordred encounters a injured Rider Of Black, Astolfo. Mordred easily overwhelmed Astolfo, she also goes on to defeats Seig, Saber Of Black, who tried to protect Rider. Surprised to run into another Homunculus, she get’s ambushed by Frankenstein, the Berserker Of Black. Frankenstein is also unable to overpower Mordred, as she was beaten to the point of disappearing. Fran attempts to use her Noble Phantasm as a suicide bomb, which also fails thanks to Kairi. Seig, and Mordred, battled one more time using their Noble Phantasm with Mordred being the victor. Before she could kill him, Spartacus, Berserker Of Red interrupts the battle an Seig escapes. Later on Mordred killed Astolfo master, Celenike. Who tried to force him to kill Seig, since he seemed to care for him. At this point the Black Faction is clearly losing this war. But looks can be deceiving, since Mordred end up forming an alliance with the Black Faction, after saving Jeanne De Arc, and Astolfo from Hanging Gardens Of Babylon controlled by the Assassin Of Red, Semiramis. Mordred despises Semiramis, saying she has the same disgusting smell as her mother Morgan. Jeanne manages to convince Mordred to help them stop Avicebron Noble Phantasm. With the help of Seig, they destroyed his golem. Afterwards along with Jeanne, they attended a meeting with the Black Faction, creating an alliance between them to stop Shirou.

Final Battle

Mordred storms the Hanging Garden, to confront Semiramis, overwhelmed even with the use of her Noble Phantasm. When Mordred believed she was about to die, she realized her wish isn’t to simply replace her father, but just to see her smile once. At this moment Mordred came to realize the reason she started her revolt against Artoria, was to simply relieve her of her burden. Kairi manages to save Mordred, only to get fatally wounded in the process. Afterwards Mordred somehow dealt the final blow to Semiramis. Unfortunately once the smoke cleared out, they both died in the process. With both of them stating their true wish for the grail. One to bring happiness to her emotionless father, an the other to revive his dead daughter.

Fate/Grand Order

London Fiasco

Modred plays a key part in the 4th Singularity she appears in. She mysteriously appeared along with several other servants. Unprecedentedly majority of the ones that appeared, were the same one’s that appeared in Apocrypha. She even battles with Artoria Alter, her evil father, or who she claims was her true self. Really wish they dove farther into this meeting, but we all know Artoria will never accept Mordred. Unfortunately she was badly injured in the final battle with Solomon, so badly that Anderson sacrificed his life to save her’s.

Camelot/Zero

Mordred was summoned once again in the 6th singularity. This story w Ias a pretty interesting twist, with a fated reunion. But first an explanation, Mordred was summoned along with the Knight’s of the Round Table by the Lion King. The Lion King looks pretty identical to a Lancer Artoria. But if your hoping for a reunion between Mordred, an her father you won’t find it here. Especially since Mordred also had no memory of her time in London, or her time with Mash. So the tearjerking moment she had about her father, she don’t remember. The Lion King is a Divine Spirit who took the appearance of Artoria. So in shorts she’s the Goddess Rhongomyniad, who is basically a Divine Ghost with a Holy Spear. She told the Knights they had a halve a day to decide, rather to side with or against her. Mordred, along with Gaiwain, Lancelot, Agravain, Tristan, and Gareth, decided to side with her. They killed the remaining knights, than formed Knights of the Lion King, with each recieving a gift, Mordred would recieve the “Gift Of Rampage,” an annoying little skill that allows her fire off her Noble Phantasm every turn. They rampaged through the Holy Land, killing everyone that opposed them. During her battle with the False Crusaders, Gareth sacrificed herself to beat Richard I. Mordred begged her saying it was no need, but Gawain killed both of them anyway. From here the Holy City was established, with Rhongomyniad as King. Mordred was the only Knight who wasn’t granted citizenship in the city. Remaining forbidden from staying due to the events with the False Crusaders. Needless to say she didn’t care much, as long as the Lion King had a need for her. Up til Mash finally killed her, Mordred had undying loyalty towards the Lion King.

Relationships

Artoria Pendragon

Mordred’s Father, an her greatest sin ever committed.

Artoria Lily

Princess version of her dad who carries Caliburn, the sword Mordred used against her.

Lancelot

Mordred, & Agravain used Lancelot’s affair with Guinevere to bring ruin to Camelot under Morgan Le Fay orders. Although Mordred had no idea her mother manipulated her.

Gawain

Mordred’s halve brother, who was also killed by Mordred during the war of Camlann. Gawain believes he’s the reason for Artoria’s death, due to him forbidding Lancelot from fighting in the final battle against Mordred’s betrayal.

Agravain

Mordred’s halve brother, who worked as Morgan’s assassin. He manipulated Mordred under her orders to expose Guinevere, which ultimately got him killed by Lancelot in a fit of rage. Which explains why Lancelot shows up as either a Berserker or Saber.

King Solomon

January 16, 2020January 16, 2020 / Animania404

King Of Magic

Lore

Solomon really takes many people by surprise, especially anime only watchers. Since all that’s really made clear is that he’s the end boss. Not really any foregoings on when, or how he appears. You just get random scenes with him on the throne. Unless you played the game, Fate/Grand Order, you don’t really know much about him. Well he’s easily the top servant in all of the series, even the Divine Gods or Top 7 Servants (each class has a representative servant that surpass the others) pale in comparison. Though the anime only shows Goetia, his Demonic Counterpart.

History

Solomon actual history predates to 990 BCE, son of King David, Fun Fact: Star of David is named after him. Solomon would eventually take over an become the next King of Israel. With over 700 Royal wives, an 300 concubines, he only manages to have 3 children. Many of his concubines were foreigners, who would later split his kingdom in two. Solomon was the head of 48 Prophets, and 7 prophetesses of Judaism. Once the 1st century Apocryphal is established, The Testament of Solomon would later become the subject of many anime lore. Even appearing in the New Testament of Jesus. In fact, major series that involves magicians would use this Testament as the beginning of how magic started.

Legends

Solomon legends reaches deep within the community, one of my favorites being Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic. Which is based on the story, One Thousand and One Nights. Which speaks of a Genie who angered Solomon, so he locked in a bottle with his seal. Who would later be freed by a fisherman, an was forced to travel the world looking for other Seals of Solomon. Most of his medallions are still talked about, an used as lore material, as items that carries vast potential.

Other Legends

Angels & Magic
Seal of Solomon
Solomon & Asmodeus
Angels
Book of Deadly Names
The Palace without Entrance
Throne Legends
Free Mason

Fate Lore

Most legends has a Dark version to it, Solomon Apocryphal is no exception. Solomon sent out an army of demons to find a virgin who fled from him. Majority of his legends speaks of him controlling demons, others him being a demon himself. Type Moon, uses the Old Testament as their source material.

Grand Order

Ars Nova

Solomon is a Grand Caster summoned by Marisbury Animusphere, during the First Fuyuki Holy Grail War. Who would later win, an use his first Noble Phantasm, Ars Nova. This Phantasm is the Legend of which Solomon’s, first an only act as a human hero. He returned his 10 rings back to the heavens. This Phantasm is in short, him letting go, an getting rid of every medallion, magecraft, miracle, and accomplishment he ever obtained. Which is extremely vast amount that surpasses even Gilgamesh. He returns God’s Gift, and losses his Clairvoyance, resulting in his death. As described Solomon legend is the very birth of magic. So in case magic was to ever become evil, his death would mean the end of the 72 Demon Gods, an even the erasure of the Throne of Heroes. Every miracle, mention, or even concept he brought forth would have never existed. Although this didn’t particularly erase him from existence, it erased the need to involve him any farther. There was no longer any need to defeat him, to seek him, his death was no longer the sought out, his accomplishments was no longer the pinnacle of magic. With this even the Throne Of Heroes was no longer needed. Every Hero was released from Duty. Solomon would send his last actual ring to the future, so Goetia was unable to know the True Name of his Noble Phantasm, thus making him unable to cancel it’s effect, when he would eventually use it.

Goetia

Origin

Goetia is the personification form of Solomon’s 72 Demons he released, due to his Noble Phantasm. Contrary to their name, these demons were actually a system created by Solomon. This system was to promote proper reason with humans. They were to properly look after mankind after his death. But like all systems created with benevolence, they start to despise humans because of their relationship with their creator. Similar to Lucifer, they began to rage effectively becoming a curse to conquer humans instead. The system would eventually gain it’s own will due to the imperfections of humans, an turn into a Incineration Ritual. It’s goal is to obtain True Enlightenment, an reach the Origin, using human history as a stepping stone.

Purpose In Life

After Solomon uses Ars Nova, these demons awakened from within his corpse, with their own ideology, took his name, took on adventure to turn mankind into energy. Thus Goetia turned Solomon’s corpse into it’s nest, an resumed activity as Solomon. Similar to Obito pretending to be Madara, after his death. Without the whole, you know, living inside his corpse. Each demon has their own personality, so when talking to someone a specific demon comes forth to converse. That’s 72 different personalities in a single body. Goetia is indeed almighty, so mighty he forces the universe’s logic to obey him. Goetia feels nothing but animosity towards Solomon. Solely because he feels Solomon pointlessly created them to watch over mankind. He believed mankind can only suffer until their deaths. Since Solomon failed to correct humans, they felt it was necessary to call forth the extinction of mankind, since they had no value to life. Although being omnipotent, Goetia still couldn’t exist without humans. the sole and greatest “waste of resources” in this universe – despite being life forms of a higher dimension. Goetia could not accept these contradictions and unfaithfulness, and set out on a quest of reach the apex. This apex would be a quest that Solomon himself couldn’t reach, becoming the sole existence of the universe. Reset their existence to serve humans, an for instead all life serve them. In short, becoming the One True God.

Awakening

Goetia would eventually ultimately take on the name, Solomon, after becoming a single form. This form would label themselves as the King Of Magecraft. He would began to create Holy Grails, an turn them into Singularities, that distorts human history. Which makes him the sole reason Mash, embarks on her journey with her Master/Senpai. He would than create mages with the purpose of turning into Demons. (Lev Flauros being one) These mages would detonate at 7 cornerstone points, an end mankind in 2016. Fun Fact: Zouken Matou grandfather of Shinji, and Sakura, serves him.

Appearance

Once Fugimaru defeat Nicola Tesla, and Altoria Alter (Alter form of King Arthur) Solomon appears with 4 Demon Gods. He immediately defeats, Shakespeare, Kintoki, Tamamo no Mae, (Hurts my heart to even say) an nearly killed Mordred just before she was saved by Anderson. Who would later also be killed. After this he withdrew from battle seeing Chaldea as just a pebble with no real threat. Goetia would later confront Fujimaru, at the Time Temple, in which he attempts to Kill him, but is blocked by Mash. She would eventually defeat his Grand Caster Solomon form, in which he than turns into his Demonic Form, Goetia. Goetia tries to convince Mash to join him, since he sympathizes with her, but she firmly rejects his offer, seeing that she saw great potential in humans, while he only saw them as inferior beings. He uses his Noble Phantasm: Ars Almadel Salomonis on Fujimaru. Mash in turns blocks it with her Phantasm: Lord Camelot, but the price of this was her own life.

Ending

Warning
Huge Spoiler Ahead, on top of the bombshell that was just dropped

After Mash death, Goetia sympathizes with Fujimaru, an allows him to punch him, though he explains that both of them would he destroyed when that happens. Just before he can Romani Archaman interferes. An reveal that he’s the real Solomon, which disgusts Goetia. Goetia prepares to kill Romani, expressing that he’s to late to stop him, just before he can, Romani uses Ars Nova, removing Goetia immortality. This enrages Goetia, an he attempts to finally kill everyone. He was dealt the final blow by Fujimaru command spells, thanks to Romani sacrifice. With that the collapse of the Demon God Pillars, & Time Temple began. During Fujimaru escape, Goetia appeared again in front of him in human form, to stop his escape so they could perish together. Goetia, now mortal finally comes to an understanding with humans, saying he now understands why Romani sacrificed himself. Goetia uses the last spark of his life he has to finally kill Fugimaru. Stating as he vanishes “That brief life of humans is actually surprisingly interesting.”