Fate/Grand Order: Orleans

Plot Summary:

The story starts with a Caster-class Servant Gilles de Rais summoning Jeanne d'Arc with the power of the Holy Grail shortly after her death sentence. Unlike the pure Maiden of Orleans, this Jeanne is full of hatred and vengeance towards the country she used to protect. Then, Gilles uses the Grail to summon more Servants, but they are enhanced with Madness Enhancement.

(Jalter confronting Pierre)

Back in Chaldea, the MC and Mash are ready to deploy for Rayshifting. Before that, Dr. Roman briefs us on the objectives of our mission: retrieve the Holy Grail that causes the distortion or fix the source of the singularity. The First Singularity is located in France, the Year 1431 when the Hundred Year's War is still ongoing. When they reach there, France is already is a chaotic battlefield full of soldiers and dragons which are led by Jeanne Alter who earns the title of the Dragon Witch. The MC also team up with the original Jeanne d'Arc, who is summoned as a Ruler-class Servant. As much as she is mistaken as her evil counterpart, Jeanne is still willing to defeat the monsters that attack France.

The source of this Singularity is the murder of Charles VII by Jeanne Alter and her troops, causing the Hundred Years War to prolong further and Orleans being an English property. This would cause the 18th century French Revolution ceased to happen, an event that marked the end of the European monarchical rule and the beginning of the Republican rule. As Dr. Roman states, this Singularity would stagnate civilization with no progress in human history.

Along the way of defeating enemies, they encounter Jeanne Alter who is accompanied by three of her berserked Servants: the Lancer-class Vlad III, the Assassin-class Carmilla, and the Saber-class Chevalier d'Eon. Luckily, they are saved by two rogue Servants, who are known as the last Queen of France Marie Antoinette and the gifted musician Wolfgang Mozart. Jeanne and Marie soon form a close friendship due to their sense of respect towards each other and their love towards France.

(Whassup my homies!)

The Chaldea team also works together with other rogue Servants like famed dragon slayers Siegfried, the Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory, and the Japanese serpent Kiyohime. As well as defeating enemy Servants like Martha the Rider, Lancelot the Berserker, Atalante the Archer, and the Assassin-class Phantom of the Opera. As Siegfried is wounded badly and being cursed, it requires two Christian Saints to remove it. The Servants who are qualified are Jeanne and another Rider-class Servant, St. Georgios. After the Chaldea team encounter St. Georgios, they are attacked by Jeanne Alter and her other Assassin-class Servant, Charles-Henri Sanson. Marie volunteers to distract her old executor then sacrifices herself against Jeanne Alter after questioning about the witch's existence.

Once Siegfried has recovered from his injuries, they are all prepared to fight against Jeanne Alter's army and the legendary dragon she summons, Fafnir. Together with the human Gilles and his troop, the Chaldea team path their way to victory and successfully slain the witch. Watching Jeanne Alter being wounded badly and disappears in the Castle of Orleans, Gilles vows for vengeance by summoning his Eldritch monsters. He states the reason he creates Jeanne Alter because he could not understand Jeanne's forgiveness towards the people who betrayed her. Hence, Jeanne Alter is a creation from his own hatred. After defeating the Caster, Jeanne puts him in ease by telling him that her death brings a bright future to France. Full of regrets, Gilles disappears and thus the Singularity is fixed. Before departing back to Chaldea, the MC bid farewell to all of their allies who are returning to the Throne of Heroes. This concludes the end of their first mission.

(Jeane and Jalter)

Storytelling & Gameplay:

The Orleans has a very clear and straightforward storyline, which is fixing the singularity by searching for the Holy Grail and restore the origin of the Singularity. Fans who got into the Fate fandom through Fate/Zero (FZ) would immediately recognize some of the references, like Zerkerlot's mistaking Jeanne as King Arthur (call-back to Gilles claiming Artoria as Jeanne) and the infamous 'COOOOOL'. Besides, this chapter is highly character building and development based, with the high use of foils and parallels characters to highlight each character. The problem I have with this chapter is some of the characters can appear as underdeveloped, such as the Phantom and Martha who only have minimal lines and do not have much impact within the story.

The Hundred Years War (1337-1453) was the long continuous battle between France and England over the succession of the French throne after the death of Charles IV. Orleans is located in North-central France on the Loire River, a city that was still loyal to the French crown before the siege. It was considered as a major location for the English troop to conquer the French land as they had already gained control over Northern France and its Southwest coast. As many people thought France would be at the losing side of the war, until 1429 when Jeanne, a country girl from Domremy who claimed to hear the voice of God who directed her to aid the uncrowned Charles VII. Dressing in men's clothing, she led the army to break the English defense, causing them to retreat. After many expeditions against the enemy occupiers, Jeanne was captured by army the Burgundian army in 1430 during the war in Compiegne. In 1431, the 19 years old girl was accused as a witch and burned at the stake at Rouen.

The 1st Singularity happens shortly after the death of Jeanne; which Jeanne Alter makes Orleans as her base as she summons dragons to attack France cities as a punishment for the betrayal. She also kills Charles VII, the monarch whom she used to serve when she was alive. Why would this be a threat to humanity? As Dr. Roman points out in the game, the abolishment of the French monarchy and the establishment of a liberal government was the outcome of the French Revolution in the 18th century, causing many countries to follow France's footsteps. If the French monarch was eliminated in the 15th century, the society would still depend on the monarch system that benefits the clergy and the royals instead of the people. Thus, human civilization could not evolve but remain stagnant.

(Orleans Map)

This singularity is mostly made up of Rider-class Wyverns enemies. New players can utilize low-stars servants to defeat these enemies with Assassins like Kojiro (Regend) or Anti-Dragon trait Servants like St. Georgios. Besides, the NPC Jeanne support is helpful throughout the chapter since Rulers receives Half ATK from most Normal class Servants (except for Berserkers), and it is easy for beginner players to earn Friend Points (FP). However, the fight against Jeanne Alter can be tricky since she presents herself as a Ruler-class Servant. Hence, players should have a good Berserker support or backup.

Characters:

Jeanne d'Arc & Jeanne Alter (Jalter)

The maiden of Orleans is the main focus of this chapter. The newly manifested Heroic Spirit right after being burned at the stake. She manifested herself as a Ruler-class Servant, a special class which is to maintain balance within an unusual Holy Grail War (her class role and ability is more prominent in Fate/Apocrypha). Jeanne is a devoted Christian and a modest girl who refused to identify herself as a 'Saint' or 'Holy Maiden'.

The central idea of the story is about her road of self-discovery to find the purpose of her death, as well as what makes her apart from Jalter, who shares the same identity as her. As she meets with Jalter, she forms an understanding of her evil clone's rage and the injustice brought upon her. What makes Jeanne remains her composure is her memories and feelings with her family and her old allies, as she witnesses Jalter annihilate everything without mercy. This is more apparent in the manga FGO: turas Realta as Jalter attempts to kill Jeanne's mother along with the other French villagers without recognizing her.

Jeanne is not best applied as a defensive servant since she has a neutral attack towards most Classes except for Berserkers. However, she is best used as a support-based Servant for survivability. Besides, her role as the primary Support Servant in the chapter gives new players some advantages against most enemies.

Jalter is the darker counterpart of Jeanne, the other side of a coin. She is the embodiment of hatred which exists from Gilles' personal resentment towards France. She is known as the Dragon Witch, who can summon dragon-type creatures. In this story, Jalter presents herself as a Ruler-class Servant, same as her counterpart. Unlike Jeanne who constantly put a smile on her face and being nice to other people, Jalter has a permanent resting-bitch face and taking pleasure in killing the Bishop who sentenced her to death.

Jalter is more popular in the fandom than her original counterpart, in terms of her personality and her ability as a Buster meta in gameplay. She is one of the rare SSR servants that are only available in a limited gacha pool. Jalter's original sprite is a palette swap and the body flipped Jeanne. She has a new design during her as an Avenger-class Servant, which shows a more distinctive difference with the normal Jeanne. Her NP is a recreation of her burning at the stake, which she first impales the enemy then burns them in the inferno.

Homie Queen Marie Antoinette

"W-wassup My Homies", a famous quote for every FGO NA players, it gives the fandom a new perspective towards Marie Antoinette. Marie was the daughter of the Empress Maria-Theresa and the last Queen of the French monarchy. She is considered as an icon of hedonism and a controversial figure until today, despite some historians are putting their effort to clear her name.

In FGO, she appears to be helpful and friendly to her close peers and acts as a moral guidance towards people like Jeanne and Sanson. Marie has a charming personality who leaves impacts on the people who interacted with her. Mozart developed a crush on her when he was a six, and found her beautiful despite his disdain in humanity. Sanson, her executor, was impressed by Marie's gentleness towards him before her execution. Jeanne is also amazed by how Marie still having a passionate love for the country despite being an Austrian and loathed by her people.

In the chapter, Marie and Jeanne form a friendship despite their differences. One was known to save the French ruler, while the other was blamed for the downfall of the monarch. Marie had lived her life as a Queen who lives a luxurious life and a Romanticism seeker. However, as a person who is born with royal blood, she lacks the freedom to control her own life. Since youth, she had everything arranged for her, from her marriage to her execution. On the other hand, Jeanne born in a village, growing up without any privileges or riches, but she had the choice to live a common life or save her country. Instead of pursuing romance like most girls, Jeanne seeks friendship and alliances. One thing they share in common is their love for France and do anything for the sake of their country, even they have to sacrifice themselves.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart is a talented genius like Da Vinci, a prodigy who devotes himself in the world of music. In the world of FGO, he has the knowledge of magecraft which he can manifest himself as a Caster-class Servant. Mozart is a very carefree person who does things he enjoys without regarding others. He also likes to joke, especially dirty jokes which Marie has to refrain from blurting them out.

When he was 6 years old, he went to Vienna to perform for the Hapsburg family. It was the time when he met the 7 years old daughter of the Empress, Marie Antoinette. She helped him when he slipped on the polished floor then he instantly proposed to her. However, they never met again after they parted ways. Being manifested as Heroic Spirits and summoned by the Grail as rogue Servants is the way for them to reunite. At this point, Mozart does not have any romantic feelings towards her, but he still loves her, as a friend.

Mozart's general view of humanity is known to be flawed and filthy. However, he believes that there is beauty among the ugliness. He also teaches Mash about existentialism and how to appreciate the beauty of humanity. Mash has spent most of her life in Chaldea without venturing the outside world, and she is trained as a vessel that is compatible with a Servant to inhabit. In contrast, Mozart has been traveling around the world since he was young and has experienced many ups and downs in his life. Therefore, he steps in to be a teacher to guide Mash on seeking purpose in her life. This is my favorite quote by Mozart during his conversation with Mash:

"You are created by the world, and you expand and improve the world"

(At this point I feel like there is a need to remind myself that Mozart shares the same VA as Gilgamesh.)

Charles-Henri Sanson

Hailed from a family of executioners, Charles-Henri inherited his job from his father as the 4th gen executioner and was famed to decapitate King Louis XVI of France with a guillotine. However, instead of his son Henri the 5th gen executioner, this version of Sanson beheaded Marie Antoinette. Before starting his main career, Sanson once studied in the medical field, which made him knowledgeable in human anatomy and medicine.

In the Orleans chapter, he is shown as a Marie-fanatic to the point that he wishes to behead her again. The Madness Enhancement leads him to behead people as a pleasure, just like a killer. At this point, he no longer treats execution as a profession and losing any respect for human lives. That is why Marie said his blade has become blunt, from reaping too many souls without any restrictions. Sanson may be a decent antagonist in the story, but I found his obsession with Marie is a bit overwhelming to the point it has shadowed over his traits or personality. I feel like FGO needs to make this character shines more instead of being a Marie fan.

Elizabeth Bathory and Carmilla

The younger Elizabeth Bathory is an innocent but bratty character. She immerses herself into the world of idols, an individual who is being loved by the people. Due to her family's connection with dragons, Elizabeth developed dragon-like features such as wings and tails. Due to her upbringing, the girl has no idea of morality and developed her self-centered personality. However, Elizabeth is a pure-hearted maiden deep down in her heart, hence gaining the skill of Innocent Monster as she manifests as a Heroic Spirit. On the other hand, Carmilla is the older version of Elizabeth who goes astray in torture and maintaining youth. The possible future which she is seen as a blood-thirsty and cruel murderer. Carmilla loathes her young self's naivety. At the same time, Elizabeth outright rejects to become someone like Carmilla. Underneath that cold posture, Carmilla is a person who afraid of loneliness, just like how the real-life Elizabeth died in a sealed compartment in her own castle.

The complicated relationship between Elizabeth and Carmilla is to mirror Jeanne and Jalter's relationship. Same person, but different personalities. When Elizabeth confronted her sadistic future self in the final battle, Elizabeth admits the sins she has committed in her life but outright rejects to monster who succumbs into the darkness. This is what makes Elizabeth apart from Carmilla. Also, their fight is similar to the Shirou vs Archer conflict in Fate: Unlimited Blade Works.

It is quite ironic that I find Elizabeth annoying but I have the hots for Carmilla. Although I got Elizabeth in my first 10 rolls, I rarely even used her. I even burnt her, twice! (I'm sorry Liz lovers, I can't help myself to like her) For Carmilla, I exchanged my free 4* ticket and instantly upgraded her to her final ascension. I found Carmilla's voice extremely soothing and sensual.

Gilles de Rais

The 'best' Jeanne d'Arc fan award belongs to—Gilles. You got it right! He is not only Jeanne's best general; he is also a lunatic who is gaga over the maiden. Most Fate fan knows of Gilles' obsession over Jeanne from Fate/Zero, which he is summoned as one of the Servants during the Fourth Holy Grail War. Besides, he also mistakes Artoria as a French girl. I mean, he really needs to get his eyes checked, that bulging eyes of his really messed with his eyesight.

Seeing that his beloved Maiden of Orleans dies, Gilles develops a deep sense of hatred to the King and the nation did no effort to save her. Along with his faith in God shatters as there is no salvation to the courageous and faithful girl. Once he obtains the Holy Grail, he creates Jalter from his twisted wish to destroy France. His own madness is unable to comprehend Jeanne's forgiveness towards the people who betrayed her, causing him determined to defeat the maiden as payback for having his wish obliterated.

Gilles is one of my least favorite Servants in FGO, in terms of his stats and skills. I have given up on leveling his Saber version since I have a lot of good offensive Sabers and a better 3* Saber like Bedivere. Besides, the Caster version is only limited within the Story Summon Pool and the Class-based pool, the chances of getting him is rare. The only things that I like about him are his tragic backstory and his Cthulhu mythos-based attacks.

Extra: Kiyohime

I am going straight to the point that I dislike Kiyohime. Although she is an ally of the Chaldea team, she does not give much contribution to the plot at all. She is the Yandere archetype who is in love with the MC, whom she believes that they are the reincarnation of her past lover, Anchin.

Despite her being a freebie for completing the Singularity, I do not really level her up much like most of my low star Berserkers. I do not remember how many times I have burned her every time she spooks in my Gacha rolls.

(I know you love me Kiyo but can you let any SR or SSR Servants replace you for a while?)

Overall Rating: 7/10 Saint Quartz

---

Author's Note:

I finally managed to finish Orleans.

Now I am playing the Salem chapter which there is a lot of information to absorb. Although I have made notes on a Word Doc (5 pages long), but there is still research needed in order to fully understand this chapter. As I will be drowning in assignments for the rest of the December until early January, I will be having a short hiatus on writing reviews. After that, I will have more time to complete the Salem review.

Don't forget to subscribe to get more updates!!