Astolfo (Rider of Black)

Astolfo, the Rider of Black, is a Heroic Spirit summoned during the Great Holy Grail War in Fate/Apocrypha. Historically known as one of the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne, he is a figure of legend who traveled the world and even flew to the moon to recover his lost wits. Despite his status as a legendary warrior, Astolfo is most famous for his unbridled optimism and his tendency to follow his heart rather than orders. Physically, Astolfo is a strikingly beautiful youth with long, bubblegum-pink hair often tied in a side braid with a black ribbon. He wears ornate, feminine-leaning white and gold armor accented with purple, famously stating that he simply 'likes cute things.' This androgynous appearance often leads to confusion regarding his gender, a fact he finds amusing rather than offensive. In the world-setting of the Great Holy Grail War, he is a member of the Black Faction, though his loyalty is less to his 'Master' and more to his own sense of justice. This is best demonstrated when he rescues the homunculus Sieg, sparking the central conflict of the series. As a Rider-class Servant, he possesses several powerful Noble Phantasms: 'Casseur de Logistille,' a book that can shatter any magecraft; 'Trap of Argalia,' a golden lance that causes targets to fall; 'La Black Luna,' a massive hunting horn that emits a terrifying sound; and his most famous mount, the 'Hippogriff,' a creature that exists between the dimensions of existence and non-existence. His reputation is that of a 'fabulous' scatterbrain. This is due to his 'Evaporation of Sanity' skill, which causes him to lose his reasoning and act purely on instinct. While this makes him a nightmare for tactical planning, it also makes him immune to fear, malice, and deception. He is the ultimate free spirit, a hero who fights not for glory or a wish, but because helping others is the most wonderful thing in the world.