Khlystov, Vsevolod

[Vsevolod Khlystov]

Vsevolod D’yavolich Khlystov

biological information

Full Name: Vsevolod D’yavolich Khlystov
Nickname: Seva
Alias(es): Alias(es): Vor v Zakone, The Second Coming of Solomon, Viselitsa (The Hang Man)
Gender: Male
Orientation: Heterosexual
Age: 53
Date of Birth: March 15
Marital Status: Widower
Place of Birth: Moscow
Race: Magic User
Occupation: Business Man, CEO of Red Mercury, Vor v Zakone of the Khlystov Bratva

Physical Appearance:
During his younger years, Vsevolod was considered handsome, if in a hard sort of way. His features were strong and angular and as he aged they seemed to grow harder. Perhaps this was because of his responsibilities as a Vor v Zakone, or from years of battling it out with demonic entities. Now, Vsevolod’s face is, if anything at all, very intimidating, his features seem to be carved from granite and he seems to show just as much emotion. His hair used to be of a dark color, but now it is predominantly iron-gray. He prefers to wear it slicked back with pomade whenever he appears in public. His eyes are smoldering black coals, and have a certain piercing intensity that can usually break the weak willed merely under their gaze. He has a scar on the left side of his face, caused when a demon escaped through his protective wards. He managed to subdue the demon but was badly burned in the process and his face mutilated. Through both magical and medical means, he was restored to full health but demonic energies had seeped too long into the scar and it could never be properly healed. Vsevolod has a habit of fingering the scar when he is in deep thought.

In terms of body build, Vsevolod is just as hard. He is tall, as is normal for Russians, and his musculature seems to be chiseled from stone. Despite his age, Vsevolod is still very spry and active. Of course, some of this can be attributed to magical alterations to his metabolism, but Vsevolod can easily keep up with men half his age. Vsevolod’s body is also covered with tattoos as is normal for most of the seasoned members of the Khlystov Bratva.

Vsevolod has been long in the business starting from when he was just fourteen years old, over the years he has collected quite a lot of tattoos. As a sign of his initiation he has a tattoo of a rose on the left side of his chest, right over his heart. He has a tattoo of a cathedral on his upper back with three spires, signifying that he has served three different prison sentences. When Vsevolod was raised to an Avortyet, he also gained the star tattoos on his shoulders and knees. On his left abdomen he has a tattoo of Madonna with an open Heart and Knives, the tattoo is meant to avert or combat evil. On his left Abdomen it says “Себя не обманешь” meaning ”can not fool yourself” . On his right Abdomen there is an image of Death with a Scythe meaning that he is a celebrated killer. Below the reaper are the words “Я здесь и я жду” which mean ”I’m here and I’m waiting”. He has a black Raven on his upper right arm and below it are the words, “Черный ворон, я не твой” which means “Black raven, I’m not yours (yet)”. On his upper left arm is a Skull with Flowers showing that he is high-ranking gang member who is also murderer, it also means that Vsevolod celebrated a teenage birthday whilst in prison. On his upper left arm are the words “наперекор судьбе буду на свободе” which mean ”In spite of destiny I will be free”. On his right forearm there is a Snake Twined Around Dagger which signifies Vsevolod’s vow to live by fighting. On his left wrist there is a barbed wire coiled around it the years he spent in prison is shown by the number of 'barbs' on the wire. On his ankles are ankle chains which refer back to the time of Peter the Great, when prisoners were commonly shackled by the ankles. His hands also seem to tell a story of their own.

• Left hand, below thumb Three Dots signifies a three year prison term
  
• Left forefinger Tiger, meaning that he displays aggression against the police or other authorities.
  
• Left ring finger St. Petersburg Cross symbol for having been in a prison there
  
• Left little finger the Khlystov crest
  
• Left little finger the Star of David, as tribute to the Jewish members of the Bratva
  
• Right forefinger knuckle a demon horn for the first demon ability he had stolen
  
• Left knuckles/hand “cebep” or “north", indicating the northern part of Russia where the strictest prisons are located for the most notorious murderers and thieves
  
• Right palm, a demon horn for the second demon ability he had stolen
  
• Left palm, a demon horn for the third demon ability he had stolen.

His most honored tattoo is that of the crucifix on his chest. The crucifix tattoo is a symbol that shows all who understand the complex tattoo language of the Russian prison system that the wearer is not merely a thief. The tattoo is highly honored and respected since it symbolizes the “King of Thieves". Vsevolod earned it, when he orchestrated the single largest bank robbery in Eastern Europe.

Vsevolod dresses very much like the crime boss that he is. Top of the line designer suits, although he prefers good solid and dark colors over anything else. He doesn’t share his son’s eccentricities with clothing, but like with all Khlystovs who grew up in the old country, he still has a penchant for wearing furs and long coats.

Celebrity Claim: Viggo Mortensen

special abilities

Powers:
The Magic of King Solomon – The Khlystov family draws its immense strength from their being descendents of King Solomon. As such, they possess the brazen vessel containing the seventy-demons that he obliged to work for him. They also possess the great magical grimoires and artifacts of King Solomon. According to the mythical history of the document, as recorded in its introduction, Solomon wrote the book for his son Rehoboam, and commanded him to hide the book in his sepulchre upon his death. The grimoires contain detailed descriptions of spirits and the conjurations needed to evoke and oblige them to do the will of the conjurer. It details the protective signs and rituals to be performed, the actions necessary to prevent the spirits from gaining control the preparations prior to the invocations, and instructions on how to make the necessary instruments for the execution of these rituals. By conducting to high-rank demons, the user can summon the lower-ranking demon than the demon they conduct. The magic of King Solomon is extremely difficult. Even if the users have first-class magic talent, they can usually summon only one kind of demon in their entire lives with the exception of the main branch of the Khlystov family due to their strong blood connection to King Solomon himself. These demons are bound to their master, but resent their millennia of entrapment and will try at every possible opportunity to kill them. If the user makes a slight mistake while summoning, the demons will revolt against their master, possibly maiming or killing them. Vsevolod is the most powerful Solomonic Mage, and has even received the moniker ”The second coming of Solomon” because he is the only person, aside from King Solomon himself, who has summoned all 72 of the demons. He is even able to summon angels from the Ars Paulina and Ars Almadel sections of the Lemegetton. He is a master of wielding demonic magic, and can withstand its corruptive nature. He wields it with great skill and manages to retain control over his own mind and faculty.

Stolen Demonic Abilities – The Magic of Solomon also holds the secrets to rituals that allow a magic user to steal and imbibe demonic abilities and body parts. However, the human soul was never made to withstand so much demonic power so it is already dangerous to steal one power. He is one of the few who can steal and imbibe three demonic abilities. His stolen demonic powers include:

• Telekinesis- Without the aid of stronger spells and only relying on his mind and the energy from his body, he can lift up to twice his own body weight.
  
• Immunity to Fire – Vsevolod can walk through intense flames and come out unscathed. As such he is virtually impossible to burn, and the fir just seems to slide of his form.
  
• Hellfire – Demons can create and manipulate classical elements of destruction such as sulphur, fire, and brimstone. Vsevolod has stolen this ability from a 5th circle demon. The sheer strength of the ability level he stole prevents him from safely stealing any other demonic ability. Over-using this ability can also cause him to deplete his body’s energy reserves dry and effectively kill him.

Necromancy – Necromancy is at once a Discipline and a school of magical learning, all dedicated toward the command of the souls of the dead. Necromancers can summon the dead, banish or imprison souls, and reanimate corpses. Travel through the netherworld is also largely an intuitive process which relies on sustained and correct interpretation of the impulses the nether will give. Related to netherworld travel is also the basic necromantic skill of contacting the realm of the dead where they are. This awareness of death also gives rise to the direct attraction of attempting to manipulate that which we know of as the death essence. Exploring the realm of the dead and borrowing from its power through personal interaction is one of the boons associated with every form of necromancy that exists. The awareness of death in the metaphysical sense leads directly to other skills which are necessary for the proper development of necromancy. Among these is sensitivity to the presence of disembodied spirits, the condition of spirits still tied to the body which reside in the living flesh, the ability to detect thanatoic power or related netherworld entities. Vsevolod is also a necromancer of such level that he can actively take command of the bodies of weak and new born vampires.

The Magic of the Witch of Endor – As a third discipline that Vsevolod took up, he learned the secret arts of the Sefer Zephaniah EinDor, or the grimoire of the Witch of Endor. The magic held within its pages are so fearsome and would set a cringe upon the souls of even the most resolved of mages. This discipline of magic allows manipulation and experimentation with souls and spirits that nobody else knows how to perform. One is potentially able to create a djinni, or twist and rewrite the essential purpose of demons and angels. It also holds secrets on how to merge souls within each other. Vsevolod has dwelt deep into the pages of this grimoire, but is far from mastering its teachings. His entire life, he has only one successfully performed magical ritual under his belt, and that is the sealing of the demoness Gremory.

Skills:
Expert Marksman – Vsevolod, has also been trained with the use of firearms. Part of his training as a Khlystov Mafioso ensures him capable of dealing with guns. His preferred weapon is a shot gun, which reduces his proficiency in handling smaller guns. But with his weapon of choice, he is quite accurate and can hit anything within thirty paces, assuming that they don’t move out o the way. His skill comes from years of practice, and he has grown very accustomed to the shot gun that he can wield it easily using a single hand.

Brilliant Businessman – Vsevolod is also quite the businessman, both legally and illegally. His proficiency in the business world is built upon ruthless and cold take-overs. His reputation is such that, he is called the Hang Man of the business world, due to his aggressive methods forcing many of his competitors to suicide due to bankruptcy. In his lifetime, as Vor v Zakone of the Khlystov Bratva, he was able to elevate Red Mercury into the multi-billion conglomerate it is now, whilst at the same time, maneuvering his illegal activities under government surveillance.

Expert Tactician/Strategist – Vsevolod has proficiency for urban warfare. Like Julius Caesar or Napoleon, he was able to take criminal territories both in Russia and in Arc with relative ease, gaining a reputation as one of the most brutal and vicious leaders and executioners in the criminal underworld. His tactics often involve, Russian Cossack warfare tactics adapted into an urban setting.

Personal Possessions:

Iron Cross of Bartuc Souls – Vsevolod possesses a cross made out of iron. It is small enough to fit on the palm of his hand, but is heavier than it looks due to it being quite dense. Inside he has trapped the souls of the entire Bartuc Mage Clan, from where he had stolen the Sefer Zephaniah EinDor.

Red Mercury – Red Mercury enters into the spooky realm of nuclear alchemy. It can produce a nuclear bomb no heavier - and smaller - than a watermelon. Reported applications of the cherry-red gel range from nuclear bombs to bewitching perfumes. It is also sold as an ingredient in anti-radar coating, self-targeting warheads and oil- well anti-coagulants. It is actually the secret, and the namesake, to the Khlystov nuclear energy empire.

The Key of Potential – Vsevolod has come into the possession of the key of potential. It amplifies greatly the natural abilities of its owner. These include the abilities that come with the owner’s race and essentially turn them into a paragon. It also amplifies the owner’s own personal attributes that essentially make them who they are. The key has amplified greatly his magical powers, and his sheer strength of will making him incorruptible by demons or any other outside forces. With the aid of the Key he is able to control all the Goetic Demons below the rank of King simultaneously, or all the Demon Kings simultaneously. For Vsevolod, the Key of Potential has taken the form of a vintage lighter, ornately worked with the miniscule images of all 72 demons in their true forms.

Weapons and Equipment:
Grimoires of King Solomon – Vsevolod is in possession of copies of the two Grimoires of King Solomon, including the Clavicula Salomonis (The Key of Solomon) and the Lemegetton (Lesser Key of Solomon). The first book is divided into two books. It describes not the appearance or work of any spirit but only the necessary drawings to prepare each magical operations. The second book contains detailed descriptions of spirits and the conjurations needed to evoke and oblige them to do the will of the conjurer (referred to as the "exorcist"). It details the protective signs and rituals to be performed, the actions necessary to prevent the spirits from gaining control the preparations prior to the invocations, and instructions on how to make the necessary instruments for the execution of these rituals. It also contains orations, incantations and other such details.

Sefer Zephaniah EinDor - This is an ancient grimoire, which was written by the Witch of Endor. It was thought to be lost for centuries. Vsevolod owns a copy, and thus has access to numerous ancient dark rituals, related to the deep manipulation and experimentation with souls and spirits, that nobody else knows how to perform. This was the grimoire that Vsevolod used, to conduct the ritual that created Anatoly’s special state of being. It is also through this grimoire that Vsevolod was able to warp Gremory’s essence and mind into being fanatically loyal to him. Vsevolod guards its existence from all other members of the Khlystov Bratva, even his son.

Ring of Solomon - the Ring of Solomon was a magical signet ring said to have been possessed by King Solomon, which variously gave him the power to command demons. Since the time of King Solomon, it has been reproduced by the successive owners of the grimoires left by the great king until the present day where it is in the possession of the Khlystov family. This ring functionally serves as a portable magical circle, meaning that as long as one wears this ring they are protected from demons. This ring functionally serves as a portable magical circle, meaning that as long as one wears this ring they are protected from demons. However, only Solomon's original ring could assure him from protection from all 72 demons. Nowadays, the ring only offers protection from demons who have their seals inscribed on the ring. Vsevolod's ring bears the seals of Gremory, Gaap, Stolas, Eligor, and Furfur. It is also riddled with numerous enchantments, such as its ability to grow cold to warn the wearer when hostile magic is being used upon him. The metal has also been fused with salt from angel tears, making it a very effective weapon against demons, for it burns through their essence like a blow torch to onion skin.

Demon Slaves – Demon Slaves – The most basic aspect of the Magic of King Solomon discipline is their ability to forcibly summon the 72 enslaved demons of King Solomon. Vsevolod is the most powerful practitioner of this discipline. He has received the moniker The Second coming of Solomon because he is able of summoning all 72 of the demons. Despite being able to summon all of them, Vsevolod has four favorite demons.

• Gremory – Gremory is a strong Duchess of Hell that governs twenty-six legions of demons. Gremory is Vsevolod’s personal demon slave, who is parading as Sophie Yaofu, his half French half Chinese secretary. Seeing as she’s one of the few demons who remains in their human shell practically twenty-four hours a day, she has taken numerous personas during her time in Vsevolod’s service, such as Ilya, Anatoly’s aged nanny. She appears as a naked woman of such enormous beauty that it takes a great effort of will to look away. Around her neck is coiled a large undulating serpent that twists down around the waist. In the serpent's mouth is an inverted crown. Two large leathery wings sprout from her back and long horns from her forehead. Aside from performing her secretarial duties, she is also Vsevolod’s most effective bodyguard. She is fanatic in her devotion to Vsevolod, due to ancient rituals from Sefer Zephaniah EinDor that he incorporated into her binding. She possesses all of a demon’s basic abilities, her face can actually morph into a vacuuming abyss, and the ability to induce paralysis at eye contact. In battle she usually manifests her demonic energy into chained spikes that she controls with her mind. She tells about hidden treasures, and procures the love of women, young and old, but especially maidens. Her position is to procure a destructive subjugation of love.
  
• Gäap - Gaap is a mighty Prince and Great President of Hell, commanding sixty-six legions of demons. Gaap appears as a large naked hsark-like man, who seems to be perpetually soaking wet. Gaap specifically controls the element of water and reigns over the 'water demons'. He possesses all the basic powers of a demon, and can manipulate the emotions of those without enough strength of will to combat his power. He can also strike people with confusion, making it difficult for them to concentrate and also turn others invisible. Gaap also has the unique ability to temporarily disrupt the magical contract between a conjurer and their familiar, although it depends on the strength of the spell that bound the familiar, weak bindings can be destroyed completely. He can carry and re-carry men and things speedily from one nation to another at the conjurer's will. Gaap has an intense hatred of the human race, he is obsessed with slaying men and he will pursue his calling ruthlessly at every opportunity he can. In order to break Gaap's spirit, Vsevolod has commanded Gaap to fulfill the role of, Dalit Zarrof, his bodyguard and butler-chauffer. Because of this, Gaap's hatred for Vsevolod is more intense.
  
• Stolas – Stolas is a Great Prince of Hell, who commands twenty-six legions of demons, and teaches astronomy and the knowledge of poisonous plants, herbs and precious stones. He usually takes the form of a mass of raven feathers swirling around in the rough shape of a large man. Apart from the basic demonic abilities, he has command over the plant life of Hell. He has taken the role of Fabio Macedo, the Brazilian gardener of Khlystov manor. He attributes this choice of task to the fact that there are many deadly things in a gardener’s tool shed, and to the fact that he finds plants better company than humans.
  
• Eligor – Eligor is a Great Duke of Hell, ruling 60 legions of demons. He appears as a large demonic Knight, covered completely in dark metal armor carrying a lance, an ensign and a sceptre. Embers of flame, flash from the grills of his helm and cracks in his armor. He has a black cape that about half-way changes from cloth to smoke. In his left hand he holds a curling serpent with ruby scales whose venom is acid. He is also seen riding a semi-skeletal horse, or the Steed of Abigor. This is a minion of Hell itself, and was a gift from Beelzebub. It was created from the remains of one of the horses of The Garden of Eden. He discovers hidden things and knows the future of wars and how soldiers should meet. He also attracts the favor of lords, knights and other important persons. He possesses the basic demonic abilities, and can also attack enemies via their shadows.
  
• Furfur –Furfur is a powerful Great Earl of Hell, being the ruler of twenty-nine legions of demons. Ever known as the scoundrel, he is a liar unless compelled to enter a magic triangle where he gives true answers to every question, speaking with a rough voice. He usually takes the form of large white stag with a fiery tail. He possesses all the basic powers of demons, creates storms, tempests, thunder, lightning, and blasts. He resents it whenever he’s required to take on a human form. Vsevolod considers him an idiot with an inferiority complex because he looks like Bambi. Vsevolod only summons him when he needs an extra demon during a battle, or has particular need for electricity. But Furfur has proven his worth many times on the battle field.
  
  
• Beleth - Beleth is a mighty and terrible king of Hell, who has eighty-five legions of demons under his command. Ham, Noah's son, was the first in invoking him after the flood, and wrote a book on Mathematics with his help. When appearing he looks very fierce to frighten the conjurer or to see if he is courageous. He rides on a horse as trumpets and other musical instruments play before him.He is a difficult demon to summon, but if the proper proceedings are followed, he will yield. The conjurer must be brave, and holding a hazel wand in his hand must draw a triangle by striking towards the South, East, and upwards, then commanding Beleth into it by means of some conjurations. If he does not obey, the conjurer must repeat all threatens the conjurations said. The conjurer must hold a silver ring in the middle finger of the left hand against his face to maintain control over Beleth.
  
• Bael - Bael is the head of the infernal powers he was ranked as the first and principal king in Hell, ruling over the East. He is the most powerful demon of the 72, trapped within Solomon’s brazen vessel and has sixty-six legions of demons under his command. Among his many demonic abilities, he has the power to make those who invoke him invisible, and his power is stronger in October. He often appears in the forms of a man, cat, toad, or combinations thereof; placed upon the legs of a giant spider He speaks hoarsely, and carries ashes in his pocket. Despite being contained in Solomon’s brazen vessel, all demonologists are extremely careful about summoning Bael, and few even dare to try and summon him. It is suspected that Bael has in reality escaped the brazen vessel. Vsevolod called upon him in a moment of extreme desperation in order to save his sons. His summoning is now forbidden to all Solomonic mages in order to protect Tolya. That Bael has successfully drawn thousands of angelic followers into a lair of his own making may seem to be a silent attack against the angels. Sad that the humans, who were the victims of his tricks, never appreciated the humor in his antics. Bael may enjoy his jokes, but he is not one to trust. There is no love of humanity reflected in those eyes.

Magical Requisites - The other magical requisites are: a sceptre, a sword, also perfumes, and a chafing-dish of charcoal kindled to put the fumes on, to smoke or perfume the place appointed for action; also anointing oil to anoint the place and the mage's eyes with; and fair water to wash themselves in. Mages also require the seal of the demon they wish to summon.

Almadel - The Almadel is a kind of portable altar. It is a wax tablet with protective symbols drawn on it. On it are placed four candles. The Ars Almadel chapter of Lemegetton has the instructions concerning the colours, materials and rituals necessary for the construction of the almadel and the candles. The Ars Almadel also tells about the angels that are to be invoked, and explains that only reasonable and just things that are needed must be asked to them, and how the conjuration has to be made. It also mentions twelve princes ruling with them. The dates and astrological aspects that have to be considered most convenient to invoke the angels.

Guns – Vsevolod’s weapon of choice is the Mossberg 935 semi-automatic shotgun. At face value it has 3-1/2" 12 gauge magnum, and it uses a self-regulating gas system. Vsevolod had it customized to have The Khlystov family crest worked on the leather grip and also magical inscriptions run across the barrels to keep the demons sealed inside each gun. The tip of the barrel was also mounted with a Russian orthodox cross. Vsevolod can use it as a normal shotgun, or channel the demonic energies inside them to fire detonations, infernos, or more complex assault spells at a pulled trigger. There is a 5th circle demon sealed inside the weapon. Vsevolod has also used necromancy to augment the bullets with guiding souls, to make sure the bullets will chase after the target.

Limitations:
Vsevolod owns the title of Archmage, and lives true to that title with the sheer potency of his magical abilities. However, the time taking to master both Solomonic magic and necromancy, has not allowed Vsevolod to train as a spellweaver. He has not been able to overcome the weakness of a mage to be bound to their. The disparity of his skill between the two magical disciplines he wields is almost undetectable, but Vsevolod himself admits that he is a more powerful demonologist.

Vsevolod is also one of the more talented magic users that were able to steal and imbibe more than a single demonic ability, having a total of three. His telekinetic abilities are fairly low-leveled as attempting to steal more high-leveled telekinesis would have been detrimental to his body as it would not have been able to contain the demonic energy. He also cannot hold out with his telekinetic abilities for an indefinite amount of time and naturally heavier things are more taxing on him.

He has also stolen the demonic ability to control Hellfire of the degree of the 5th circle. The sheer power of this ability makes it dangerous for Vsevolod to use and will often drain him heavily of his magical power when over used. Using too much of this power can actually damage his physical body from the inside and will be fatal unless he is healed. Even with healing it will require him about a week to recuperate.

Vsevolod is able to summon all 72 of the demons of Solomon, and is skilled and practiced enough both magically and in resolve to be able to keep three demons perpetually summoned and chastised, although technically Gremory’s mind was warped so her fanatical loyalty to Vsevolod means he requires little effort to control her. He can actually control up to five but should all of them engage in battle, he will barely be able to spare concentration on anything else but keeping them under his control. Vsevolod also has the ability to summon two demon Kings simultaneously, he becomes unable to summon any other demon and needs all his concentration to keep them in control. Another aspect of summoning the seventy demons is that, summoning requires energy and time. This effectively nullifies the ability of Vsevolod to juggle between his demons rapidly. The demons which Vsevolod has personally bound to himself are Gremory, Gaap, Stolas, Eligor and Furfur. Gremory, Gaap, Stolas, and Eligor are perpetually summoned, each fulfilling roles of Khlystov staff, and Furfur is mostly summoned as a fighter if required. The two Kings he summons more often are Bael and Beleth.

Vsevolod has also achieved a level of power where he can summon angels. However, only reasonable and just things that are needed must be asked of angels, otherwise they will not do it even at the cost of their own essence. Summoning and invoking angels are also more tedious and difficult than summoning demons, as it also requires specific astrological positions.

Another grave weakness to the Magic of King Solomon is its dependence on the seal. Each magic user practicing the magic of Solomon needs their own copy of the seal; otherwise the demons would not follow their orders and most probably kill them outside of the protection of their pentagram. Relieving the magic user of their seal will disconnect them from the brazen vessel of Solomon and any control they have over the demon is nullified until they retrieve their ring or manage to return to the protection of the pentagram and bind the demon to Solomon’s triangle again. Spellcasting with the magic of Solomon is also essentially dangerous since it requires one to open their soul as a conduit of demonic energies, in order to fuel their power. Demonic energy is incredibly corrupting and constantly described as an eternal battle of ice and fire. As such, weak-willed individuals or those who do not have the sufficient strength and resolve to fight against the nature of demonic energy will die.

Vsevolod’s Necromancy is also very proficient but not without its own set of limitations. The souls of the dead are a lot easier to control than demons, especially for wandering, lost, and angry souls. However, greater souls or souls that have retained their consciousness are more difficult to summon. It also takes only a small amount of power to reanimate the dead. Vsevolod can literally raise them in legions, but the more reanimated corpses he summons; the less precise he can control their movements. He is also obviously limited by the availability of usable corpses lying around. Vsevolod has travelled to the netherworld only thrice in his life, and it is dangerous for him to travel again as his soul is touched by death more closely than a normal human soul is.

Vsevolod’s final practiced discipline is the magic of the Witch of Endor, he has far from mastered this art and has only successfully performed the ritual to re-write the purpose of Gremory. He has failed in merging the souls of his sons together, and had to improvise to assure their survival. Vsevolod has since then used these magics more sparingly, fearing more dire consequences.

psychoanalysis

Personality Description:
Vsevolod seems to be built from winter-cold stone. He is very pragmatic, and prefers a no-nonsense approach to everything and he doesn’t suffer fools gladly. He rarely displays unneeded emotion on his face, although he can be quite open to disapproval or even anger, although the latter does cause sheer panic to his subordinates. He doesn’t like things being dragged out, and prefers everything dealt with efficiently and properly. Living true to the Khlystov values, everything that must be done should be done, no matter the consequences and no matter the methods. This makes for times when Vsevolod seems to be heartless but it is quite obvious that he couldn’t care less.

This ruthless and hardened nature comes from Vsevolod’s upbringing by his father. D’yavol Khlystov was a very traditionalist Russian Mafioso, and believed the pain and pressure were the greatest teachers. He also viewed Vsevolod as little more than a weapon, and so Vsevolod had ingrained early on the idea of how deadly he truly was. Sentences served in Russian maximum security prisons have also been a great impact on Vsevolod’s life, as he also lives true to the code of the Russsian Bratvas. Vsevolod is really the type of person to ignore pain and discomfort in order to do what he thinks must be done.

He is intellectually formidable and is a master tactician and a highly skilled planner and organizer. He is self-educated to the university graduate level in the field of political science. He is extremely skilled and knowledgeable in the organization and management of criminal and legal business operations. Vsevolod is also a master manipulator, occasionally going so far as to lead vigilantes into taking down criminal rivals that pose a threat to his position.

He believes that the other supernatural creatures are inferior, and are menaces to the human world. They must be destroyed if they cannot be utilized. Like all Khlystov leaders before him, he believes in the goal of using the power of the Arc to destroy all other supernatural creatures across the globe. Although another goal of his is to use the power of Arc, to stabilize Tolya’s chimeric soul.

As a task master to his demons, he is harsh and demanding…very reminiscent of how his father was to him. He will not hesitate to punish demons under his control for their failures, or even for their successes that didn’t come as quickly as he would have preferred. However, he does have a softer spot for Sophie, as she is very efficient, and she has served him unerringly for most of his adult life.

Contrasting to his demeanor, as a ruthless crime boss and a wielder of dark magic, he is actually quite the loving father to his son, and he genuinely loved his wife and other sons. Vsevolod can always seem emotionless to everyone else, but when it comes to Anatoly, he has a genuine concern for his son’s well being and a want for Anatoly to have the best of everything.

Strengths:

• Strong Willed – Vsevolod owns an indominatable will, it comes from years of training under the warlock discipline, as demons are known to try and pry for a person’s emotional weaknesses. His will is to such a degree that he can command demons bound to him without any difficulty, and his mind is also nigh impenetrable by any outside invaders.
  
• Business savvy – Vsevolod possesses a skill in business that is rivaled by only a few. He knows how to work the economy to his benefit, and sees opportunities where others would not. This extends to both legal and illegal means.
  
• Manipulative – Vsevolod can play most people (entities) like puppets. His preferred methods include fear and intimidation, and he is usually successful in the usage of either. His domineering presence and the sheer power behind being the Vor v Zakone is usually enough to coerce others into doing what he wants.
  
• Ruthless – Vsevolod doesn’t hesitate to do what he thinks needs doing. He is rarely detracted by conscience or pity in his endeavors. He will step upon anybody who is in the way of him achieving his goals. This is one of his most useful strengths as a crime boss.
  
• Determined – Vsevolod does not give up easily. If he has something in mind, he’ll stop at nothing to get it. He lives through to the trademark quality of Khlystovs of having the end justify the means. Combined with Vsevolod’s ruthless nature, and impenetrable will, nothing can hold him back from his goals short of death.
  

Weaknesses:

• Emotionally Committed to his Son – Vsevolod deeply cares for his boy. As such, Anatoly can easily be used to manipulate him. Vsevolod’s love for his son is his only true weakness. And will quickly buckle under pressure should any demands be made by parties who have some control over his son’s well being. When it involves matters of Anatoly, he also often gets irrational and lets his emotions control him.
  
• Imperious - Vsevolod possesses a controlling nature. He is the Lord of the Khlystov Bratva, and one of the most powerful mages in the world. Those aspects make him used to being in command, and having his orders followed in a heartbeat. He may be offset by situations where he is not in full command of the situation.
  
• Rigid – Vsevolod likes to keep things very traditional and pragmatic. He often goes about things in a “my way or the high way” kind of approach. He is rarely flexible, and will never compromise unless it’s extremely beneficial on his part, or on the part of his allies.
  
• Guilty – Vsevolod feels extremely guilty for the deaths in his family, some part of him blames the deaths of his sons as not being able to teach them their magical disciplines well enough. He also views the death of Petrovna, as a result of the failed ritual he performed on Tolya. These still hold heavily in Vsevolod’s heart, and he guards this weakness with every faculty he can muster.
  
• Overly-Ambitious – Vsevolod is an intelligent man, but he has the flaw of not knowing his own limits or the limits of those around him. He always strives to be more powerful, whether as a Warlock, as a Business Man, or as a Crime Lord.
  

Fear/s:

• Anatoly suffering the same fate as his older brothers
  
• The true nature of Anatloly’s soul being revealed
  

Goal/s:

• To gain control of the Arc
  
• To make sure his son lives

biography

Their Story:
Vsevolod was born in Moscow Russia as the only son to the former Vor v Zakone, D’yavol Khlystov. As the heir to the crime family, he was brought up under the Khlystov household from a very early age, and he easily imbibed all the values of the family. His proficiency as a mage was also identified early on and he was trained under the severe tutelage of his father. D’yavol was a harsh taskmaster, who viewed his son as little more than a weapon to be used by the family. His training methods were the main source of Vsevolod’s steel-tempered personality and ruthless ferocity. D’yavol himself tattooed the rose on Vsevolod’s chest when he was just six years old.

Vsevolod’s childhood, was a story wrought by the freezing climate of Russia, and the torn and bloody life of Russian Mafioso during the cold war. At fifteen he received his facial scaring from battling a demon who had escaped his protective wards. Although he had successfully banished the demon back into Hell, he sustained many injuries. D’yavol only allowed him to be healed if he had survived the night. He was first imprisoned at sixteen, when he robbed a bank. His father didn’t pay for his bail, so that he would learn the price of failure, and D’yavol believed that the Russian prisons would further temper his son into a stronger weapon. The former Vor v Zakone’s plan was successful, as Vsevolod became more ingrained with the Russian mafia, and the prison cell was where he received some of his more meaningful tattoos, and where he was able to imbibe more of the traditions of the Russian Mafia.

He left the prison a much harder man, after spending three years inside. When he got out, he showed more prowess as a ruthless killer, and earned his keep as an Avortyet in the Bratva. Vsevolod also began training under a necromancy discipline to supplement his demonologist powers. D’yavol, began his expansion scheme soon after, and Vsevolod lead his own Brigada, west across Russia and throughout Georgia and the Czech Republic. During his travels, Vsevolod managed to subdue other opposing mage clans, and his skills as a magic user grew. He honed his skill as a master of solomonic magic, and formally received the title just as his Bratva began entering into Ukraine. From one specific Ukrainian mage clan of the Bartucs, he was able to recover the Sefer Zephaniah EinDor. The ancient dark Grimoire gave Vsevolod access to ancient magical knowledge that potentially made him even more powerful than he already was. He kept its existence a secret, even from his father. As a means to protect knowledge of its existence, he personally wiped out the entire Bartuc clan, and using his necromancy bound their souls into an iron cross. Unfortunately, he also needed to wipe out the men he had been leading during his campaign.

When he was twenty-nine, he was finally called back to Russia as his father was shot down in cold blood by assassins from the Balagula crime family. Vsevolod stepped up as the new Vor v Zakone, and wasted no time in making a name for him. Soon after summoning the demon king Beleth, he started one of the most violent gang wars in Russia. He and his brigada, charged into the Balagula hideout, and the resulting battle left over three hundred dead with Vsevolod back in prison, and the Balagula family utterly annihilated. This didn’t stop Vsevolod however, as he controlled the workings of Khlystov from inside the prison, and he also recruited many more former mafioso into his cause. He orchestrated the largest escape from the prison, and using magic disposed of all evidence and charges against, effectively circumventing the government proofs that he had ever been, and should ever be in prison.

Time in prison allowed Vsevolod to read through the Sefer Zephaniah EinDor, and upon his release he was confident that he had also gained much proficiency in his third magical discipline. He summoned the demoness Gremory and using the secrets from the Sefer Zephaniah EinDor, he twisted and contorted her essence rewriting her very purpose as his own personal demonic slave. She became exceedingly loyal, practically fanatic to Vsevolod and proved to be crafty and cunning enough to defeat entities of a higher power level than her. As a crime boss, Vsevolod rose to power and quickly became an internationally notorious criminal. But Interpol was unable to pin anything on him. In one of Vsevolod’s most infamous criminal acts, he orchestrated the largest robbery on the eastern front of Europe. He was placed in the northern top security prisons of Russia, where the most dangerous criminals were kept. When the entire thing was failed to be tagged unto him however, the government was forced to release him. Using the billions stolen, Vsevolod circumvented the family resources into opening the nuclear research facility called Krasnyĭ Merkuriĭname (red mercury). Red Mercury was actually an alchemical creation, that the Khlystov company passed off as treated lithium-6. It was originally meant for the construction of dangerous nuclear weapons for the USSR. But the Khlystov’s predicted the fall of the Union and instead morphed into a nuclear energy company instead. The company helped the USSR built a large complex in the early days of their nuclear weapon program to produce and stockpile Red Mercury but this has been diverted into China since the disintegration of the USSR in 1992.

Vsevolod’s natural knack for business, assured the conglomerate’s rise to power. The intense success of the legitimate company didn’t make Vsevolod pull the Khlystov family out of crime however. His business tactics were ruthless and aggressive, he pushed many of his competitors to bankruptcy and many of them committed suicide, thus earning Vsevolod the nickname “The Hangman of the Business World”. He became a multi billionaire and joined the ranks of the most powerful – and notoriously dangerous- men in the world.

However, Vsevolod’s life wasn’t all about crime. His family life was special on its own, and he greatly loved everyone, and was distraught at the many deaths. His mother Katarzhina had slowly begun to grow insane when his father died. Vsevolod cared for her, until she finally expired soon after. He also married Petrovna, a mafiya princess from one of Khlystov’s ally families. With her, he had four sons: Fyodor, Lukian, Dmitri and Anatoly. His first three sons died under unfortunate circumstances, which forced Vsevolod to once again resort to the dark magic of the Sefer Zephaniah EinDor, in order to assure his youngest son’s safety.

One of the spells that the grimoire offered was a spell to merge souls and assure ones survival. Vsevolod didn’t care to admit it back then, but he was overconfident in his abilities. He had received the title of Archmage, and had mastered two magical disciplines. He knew the dangers of the ritual but believed him capable of surpassing them all. The first step required him to travel into the netherworld and retrieve the soul of those he wished to merge with the living one. Vsevolod did so three times, one for each of his older sons. He was a master necromancer and he did so without fear, despite coming extremely near to turning himself into a Lich. He then proceeded with the rest of the ritual, merging all the three souls he retrieved and further infusing it into the son of the unborn Anatoly. However, during the middle of the ritual things took a turn for the worse. Despite Vsevolod’s proficiency in magic, the sheer abomination to life and magic that he was attempting to create didn’t want to hold together. The fusion of four souls didn’t want to merge successfully and were threatening to rip apart and kill the unborn child along with completely annihilating all the souls involved. In a last ditch attempt to save the life of his unborn sons and the souls of his older ones, Vsevolod did what was unthinkable: he summoned the most powerful demon King Bael, most powerful of the 72.

He knew that his summoning had been haphazard and conducted with only what he had at his current disposal. Half of Vsevolod was convinced that Bael was going to consume him and that everything he had worked so hard to achieve would evaporate due to his hubris. But to his surprise, Bael did not and even offered his services albeit with a sinister and knowing smile. Vsevolod wasn’t in a position to bargain and with the demon King seemingly under his authority, he proceeded to improvise the failing ritual.

Using an extremely powerful strain of Bael’s demonic energy, Vsevolod forced the four souls together with the demonic essence as a binder. Vsevolod himself didn’t know what to make of the resulting creation. Delving into his unborn child, Vsevolod found that Tolya was more magical entity than he was human. Even though he seemed to be a normally growing fetus Tolya had a soul 4 times “larger” or more powerful than a normal human being’s. Vsevolod also sensed a sinister consciousness forming within the unborn child; it rose like some bubble from the bottom of a pool of tar. Tolya’s soul was a chimeric creation, an insult to nature and possibly a great cause of ruin. Vsevolod considered killing the child, but he couldn’t make himself do it. He tried to remedy his mistake, and cast excessive layers of protective enchantments both to hide the nature of Tolya’s soul and to keep whatever entity dwelling inside safely detained. Vsevolod didn’t reveal the secret of Anatoly’s true nature and forbade anyone from summoning Bael, in order to ensure the safety of the secret. The very existence of Anatoly is possibly the greatest stain in the history of the descendents of Solomon…one of their own being more demon than he was human.

During her pregnancy Petrvona’s body couldn’t cope with sustaining the extremely powerful entity inside her and she began to deteriorate. The doctors and other members of the family dismissed it as being a dangerous birth and suggested that she not risk her life and get rid of the child before it was fully formed. Petrovna didn’t accept the suggestion and said that she already felt her child conscious and thinking. Vsevolod soon enough confessed to his wife his actions, and asked her if she had changed her mind about getting rid of the child. Petrovna said that she didn’t and she already loved the unborn Tolya, and made Vsevolod promise to take care of the child and devote his life to finding a way to cure the child. She also made him promise to never tell their son what he was, and to make him grow up as normally and happily as he could. He accepted these promises and through the rest of Petrovna’s pregnancy he tried to ease her pain as much as he could. By the time Tolya was born, her body wasn’t strong enough to survive the labor process and she died.

Vsevolod suffered from extreme guilt, for indirectly causing the death of his wife. However, he greatly loved Anatoly, because it seemed that he was the only thing left in his life to love, and that loving him was like loving all of his sons together. He didn’t succumb to depression however, and as Anatoly grew up, he proved himself to be a loving and capable father.

When the events in Arc began to escalate, The Khlystov family decided that they could not ignore it any longer or attempt to control it all the way from Russia. They transferred the main office Red Mercury as a front, in order to take a more active role to collect all the keys. Vsevolod himself exhausted his powers and called upon every single demon trapped within the Ars Goetia, at least once to further the goals of Khlystov. He himself pried from the dead hands of some upstart young sorcerer the Key of Potential and forcibly carved his own territory within the city.

Other Information:
The List of Demons that Vsevolod has been able to summon:
1. King Bael
2. Duke Agares
3. Prince Vassago
4. Marquis Samigina
5. President Marbas
6. Duke Valefor
7. Marquis Amon
8. Duke Barbatos
9. King Paimon
10. President Buer
11. Duke Gusion
12. Prince Sitri
13. King Beleth
14. Marquis Leraje
15. Duke Eligos
16. Duke Zepar
17. Count/President Botis
18. Duke Bathin
19. Duke Sallos
20. King Purson
21. Count/President Marax
22. Count/Prince Ipos
23. Duke Aim
24. Marquis Naberius
25. Count/President Glasya-Labolas
26. Duke Buné
27. Marquis/Count Ronové
28. Duke Berith
29. Duke Astaroth
30. Marquis Forneus
31. President Foras
32. King Asmodeus
33. Prince/President Gäap
34. Count Furfur
35. Marquis Marchosias
36. Prince Stolas
37. Marquis Phenex
38. Count Halphas
39. President Malphas
40. Count Räum
41. Duke Focalor
42. Duke Vepar
43. Marquis Sabnock
44. Marquis Shax
45. King/Count Viné
46. Count Bifrons
47. Duke Vual
48. President Haagenti
49. Duke Crocell
50. Knight Furcas
51. King Balam
52. Duke Alloces
53. President Caim
54. Duke/Count Murmur
55. Prince Orobas
56. Duchess Gremory
57. President Ose
58. President Amy
59. Marquis Orias
60. Duke Vapula
61. King/President Zagan
62. President Valac
63. Marquis Andras
64. Duke Haures
65. Marquis Andrealphus
66. Marquis Cimeies
67. Duke Amdusias
68. King Belial
69. Marquis Decarabia
70. Prince Seere
71. Duke Dantalion
72. Count Andromalius

rp sample

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behind the scenes

Your name: Crisis
Age: 19
How long have you been RPing? secret
Where/How did you find us? I made you