Saber (セイバー, Seibā?) is a Saber-class Servant summoned by Ritsuka Fujimaru in the Grand Orders of Fate/Grand Order.
Profile
Identity
Saber's True Name is RamaWP (ラーマWP, Rāma?), the protagonist of the "RamayanaWP", one of the two major epic poems from India.[1][2]
Granting the appeals of the gods, Vishnu reincarnated as Rama, born as the imperial prince of a certain countryWP, an ordinary human that had forgotten about everything.[1][2]
Such is Rama.[1]
Legend
Rama was naturally wise, but he ended up being deprived from his succession rights to the throne and was expelled from his country due to a scheme of a relativeWP.[1][2]
Having his beloved, queen Sita, who was travelling together with him, snatched away by the hands of Demon King RavanaWP, Rama boldly resolved himself to fight.[1] Ravana, who could enslave even the gods due to a power he acquired by deceiving a great godWP, was a Demon King famed for the fact that only humans had the qualifications to defeat him.[1][2]
Borrowing and receiving powers from the gods and the sages, Rama tried to take back Sita, the queen he loves, from the hands of Demon King Ravana.[2] Together with an army of monkeys that included the famous HanumanWP, Rama, who was bestowed with many weapons by a sageWP, continued to fight against Demon King Ravana and his army for over 14 years.[1]
But even someone unique such as Rama had committed a fatal blunder. Intervening into a fight between fellow monkeys to rescue his ally monkey, SugrivaWP, he performed a cowardly sneak attack on the enemy monkey, ValiWP. Unable to forgive that, Vali's wifeWP placed a curse upon Rama.[1][2]
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« Even if you were able to take back your queen, you will never share joy together with her again. » |
| (Vali's wife as she placed a curse upon Rama) |
That curse still continues on even after having rescued Sita and defeating Ravana. Rama, who is the reincarnation of the god Vishnu, will continue to pass by the queen he loves, Sita, for his entire lifetime. On the day the two can cuddle close together is when they must take back their original forms and ascend to the heavens.[2]
But on the other hand, that meant eternal separation from Sita until then. Even while recapturing her from the hands of Ravana, Sita left Rama's side during that situation as the nation's people voiced suspicions about her being unfaithful to him.[2]
Even after death and becoming a Heroic Spirit, the effects of the curse that keeps binding him, even now, has not grown dim. And that curse will continue on so long the two continue to love one another. One could say that such curse is, at the same time, a proof of their love.[1]
Appearance
The reason why Rama is summoned as a young boy is because, just like it was alluded to in the main scenario, the period when he fought in search of Sita is indeed in his golden age.[1]
A warrior in his younger years. Rama's eyes are crimson red and match the color of his hair for the most part, as it is blonde-white at the top section. It has bangs that fall over his face, parted between his eyes, and possesses a tall strand curved upwards at the very top (ahoge), while a long ponytail extends at the end of it, reaching past his waist. In addition, he wears a pair of earrings.
Rama is seen always carrying his Noble Phantasm, Brahmastra, his hands.
His clothes consist of a sleeveless top, exposing his shoulders, divided into three sections. The left and right ones' alignment and the decorative fashion of the top one make it resemble more feminine clothing. The top section connects to a tall collar around his neck. Rama also wears disconnected sleeves that go all the way down to his hands. They are black, with orange rings of metal at the start and ending on metallic-looking golden gloves with sharp ends for the fingers and orange pieces protecting the forearms. His stomach is protected by a golden sash-like piece of armour with an ornament on the front. Said piece holds two large pieces of cloth on either side, white and whittish-red sashes, the left one having an unknown object attached to it. Finally, he wears black trousers on his lower half that seemingly link with the boots of the same color. The trousers have red strips as a pattern, more prominent on the right leg compared to the left. The boots are addorned with a silver line by the centre of each one.
In his 2nd Ascension, Rama's sashes are replaced by a silky piece of cloth open on the front, golden mixed with white and adorned with a pattern of symbols. In addition, both the left and right section of his top gained two strips of cloth resembling his new 'cape' in both material and color. His sleves gained pieces of orange armour for the upper arm that extend outwards.
In his 3rd Ascension, his hair is freed from the ponytail, revealing its true length and volume. The left and right sections of his top, the pieces of armour of his fore and upperarms, trousers and boots change to white. His 'cape' turns into a black mixed with red.
Personality
Although he has somewhat an arrogant section for his personality, fundamentally, Rama is a young boy who keeps up his efforts everyday and is probably a splendid being as a “great king”.[2] Although Rama is gentle to his subordinates and animals, doing things such as curing squirrels with healing spells and helping others in creating a bridge, his attitude becomes quite obstinate towards Servants that are widely-known tyrants.[1][2] He hates evil, but he is aware of how dangerous such a line of thought can be. Even so, he thinks that people should still sing of justice.[3]
In regards to the Master, Rama will consider them as "a person who linked up as comrades-in-arms", but he will also fundamentally take a somewhat haughty behavior towards him or her.[1][2] Due to that, he might give off the impression of an impertinent brat. Even though he is like your average elder in terms of knowledge, his mentality simply does not catch up with it. Such peculiar circumstances as a Servant are probably making him have such an attitude.[1] Naturally with this attitude, he will not allow himself, a king, to be treated as someone of a lower rank even if he recognizes himself as a Servant and his partner as the Master, for he believes that is not how the way the world works, but he will put his trust in his Master as a brethren to the very end.[2][3]
Rama's wish for the Holy Grail is for the "undoing of the Curse of Separation with his wife Sita" and "a reunion with Sita", but up to the present time, that wish has not yet been granted.[1][2] He wants to see Sita. He wants to meet and talk to her. Just that is good enough for him.[3]
Rama is primarily not a Saber, and it would be better to summon him as an Archer. As far as he is concerned, Brahmastra is an arrow that eliminates all things demonic. However, an exemplary anecdote concerning Sita is her bow and arrows (her Noble Phantasm is Haradhanu Janaka). Considering the likelihood that she would be summoned, Sita would be unable to get the role of Saber, so Rama takes that Class instead so that Sita can get the Class of Archer.[2]
… But then, since the Saber Class is famed to be the most superior of all the Classes, it may not be known that it was inevitable for Rama to choose this Class because as a young boy, he would try to put on a show for Sita.[2]
Rama likes anything that he enjoys, such as dance, music, martial arts and meditation, while he is weary of depravity. However, the one thing that he abhor the most is himself for the time when he suspected his beloved wife of infidelity. Sometimes, he would like nothing more than to wring his own neck for that judgement.[3]
Back in his lifetime, Rama once saw war as a source of pleasure, where swinging swords and loosing arrows were mere amusement to him. But only when Sita was abducted by Ravana that the youth finally came to know the terrors of war. While he did not fear death or harm, he recognized that if he were to die, then he would lose his friends, his younger brother, and his beloved Sita. From the bottom of his heart, he was deeply afraid of throwing away the lives of his brother and his subjects. War was frightening, but Rama did not shrink from battle, nor did he flee. He would wound, he would kill, he would be hurt, and he might even be killed. He accepted all of this, and challenged the Demon King. Swallowing one's fear, stepping into the fray, and crying out the name of your love; he believes that is the essence which makes a hero.[4]
Relationships
Rama dreams of that one day where he meets with her.[2]
"Also, it is said that for a short time, you were sharing your wifeWP. Moreover, the reason for that is sort of comedic..."[2] Rama finds Arjuna sharing a wife something hard to overlook, even if they are countrymen.[3]
Rama notes his gaze that seems to pierce through anything. He wants to compete with Karna in archery.[3]
"I'm fine! I'm healed! My wounds are perfectly healed! So because it's good now, put that bag away!"[2]
Role
Fate/Grand Order
E Pluribus Unum: Grand Battle of Legends in North America
Rama is a member of the Resistance, an army that opposes both the American and Celtic forces. Prior to the arrival of Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight, Rama is badly injured in a battle with Cú Chulainn Alter, causing him to unable to fight effectively due to his injuries being unable to be healed until the curse of Gáe Bolg is removed.
Ritsuka Fujimaru's party later meet Rama and find out about his condition. They decide to set out to find Rama's wife, Sita, who could exorcise the curse. They eventually find out that Sita is being held in Alcatraz by the Celtic forces. They enter into Alcatraz, managing to defeat the prison warden Beowulf and find Sita. Together, Sita and Florence Nightingale cure Rama of his wounds with Sita sacrificing herself to remove Gáe Bolg's curse. Rama later assists Ritsuka's party on their journey, serving as one of the leaders of the southern United American and Resistance Army.
Salomon: The Grand Time Temple
Rama is amongst the "E Pluribus Unum" Singularity Servants assisting Chaldea against the Demon Gods Pillars.[5]
Interlude
Abilities
Rama is primarily not a Saber Class Servant, and it would be better to summon him as an Archer. However, in order to increase the possibilities of him reuniting with his beloved Sita, who has great compatibility with the Archer Class, he takes the Saber Class instead.[2] Even as a Saber, Rama still has access to the Brahmastra Noble Phantasm. Originally an arrow, something to be nocked on a bow and shot with, Rama, who wanted to become a Saber, forcibly remodeled it into a sword. However, its ability as a thrown weapon has not been discarded, and this sword can be violently thrown too.[1][2] He can also manifest other weapons (like spears or chakram) to use as projectiles.
Rama's second Noble Phantasm, Vishnu Bhuja, gives him access to the numerous weapons granted by the sage VishwamitraWP for opposing all kinds of gods and demons. Thanks to his Martial Blessing Skill, he can bring out his prided spear and bow from his Vishnu Bhuja Noble Phantasm with powers close to a Noble Phantasm while as a Saber. The higher his Divinity, the more his existence is regarded as something similar to Vishnu’s, and the maximum limit of the number of the many weapons he can bring outgrows. At Rank A, while being a Saber, it is also not impossible for him to operate as an Archer and a Lancer.[2]
In the E Pluribus Unum Singularity Geronimo claimed Rama at full power would be an equal match to Karna.[6] However, Rama's performance against Cú Chulainn Alter, who managed to destroy 80% of his heart with Gae Bolg and Arjuna,[7] who was strong enough to fight not only Rama but Nightingale and Mash at the same time puts into question the credibility of said statement.[8]
Class Skills
- Magic Resistance (A Rank): Thanks to the teachings he received from the sacred sage, all magic was rejected from Rama, canceling out all spells ranked of A or below. In fact, modern mages would not be able to wound him with magecraft.[2]
- Riding (A+ Rank): Rama possesses riding ability. In the case of beasts, he can manage any kind of them up to the rank of Phantasmal or Divine Beasts. However, this does not apply to members of the Dragon Kind.[2]
- Divinity (A Rank): Rama, the Hero-Saint who surpasses many legendary heroes, is one of the avatars of Vishnu, one of the Three Greater Gods of India.[2]
Personal Skills
- Blessing of Martial Arts (A Rank): Rama, whose fate is to defeat Demon King Ravana, not only excels in swordsmanship but also with all forms of martial arts. Also, due to this, he can bring out his prided spear and bow with powers close to a Noble Phantasm while as a Saber.[2]
- Charisma (B Rank): The natural talent to command an army. Increases the abilities of allies during group battles. A rare talent, it is possible to say that having Rank B in this is sufficient for one to lead a whole country as its sovereign. After the battle with Ravana and his triumphal return with Sita, Rama became a king who widely imposed his virtuous rulership, having devoted his life to protecting his country.[2]
- Curse of Separation (A Rank): Due to this curse that was put on him by the wife of the monkey with the name of Vali, all because of an incident where Vali was murdered by him, Rama can never meet with his wife Sita, who can possibly be said to be also his other half, for all of eternity. Simultaneously, the circumstances of this curse will, at the time of being summoned by the Holy Grail, result in “Sita” being summoned as a different side of Rama. In other words, it is but a sign that even being summoned due to the Holy Grail will not be able to make the two stand side-by-side.[2]
Development
Creation and Conception
Rin Kususaga is the character illustrator for Rama.[1][2] Yuuichirou Higashide is the scenario writer for his character.[2]
Comment from Illustrator
"The world’s number one for three consecutive years by being an androgynous pretty boy. For you, the finest handsome man one can think about right now! His concept is like the trailer of a western movie (there is no such western movie though). Drawing a shy expression, I thought “you are super cute!” When playing the game, during the great king’s tendencies, given that the contents of those tendencies are of a great princess-like character, does that hit a moe point too?"[2]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 This reference needs to be fixed. Use "FGOSP3" instead of "Grand Order".
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 Fate/Grand Order material III - Rama, p.254-263 translated by GundamFSN at Beast's Lair and Kinalvin at Reddit.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Fate/Grand Order - Rama's My Room Lines
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order - Rama's Bond Craft Essence: Indestructible Blade
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order - Salomon: The Grand Time Temple - Act 06: V / Arsenal Halphas
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order - E Pluribus Unum: Section 6 Rama Got His Sword
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order - E Pluribus Unum: Prelude
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order - E Pluribus Unum: Section 19 North American Myth War (Beginning)