[hider=Viktor von Gesner][center][h2][u][b][color=e2e2e2][color=SeaGreen]Viktor von Gesner[/color][/color][/b][/u][/h2][/center] [center][img]http://33.media.tumblr.com/783a2f15c6081afe52bf2ab6d5cbf04e/tumblr_inline_mtp3ydy1Nj1rsufew.gif[/img][/center] [hr][h3][u][b][i][color=e2e2e2][color=SeaGreen]Basic Information[/color][/color][/i][/b][/u][/h3] [color=SeaGreen][i][b]Name:[/b][/i][/color] Viktor von Gesner [color=SeaGreen][i][b]Age:[/b][/i][/color] 33 [color=SeaGreen][i][b]Gender:[/b][/i][/color] Male [color=SeaGreen][i][b]Marked?[/b][/i][/color] Viktor is Unmarked [hr][color=e2e2e2][color=SeaGreen][h3][i][u][b]Appearance[/b][/u][/i][/h3][/color][/color] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/10/0e/f5/100ef5e78ea85e29fb0c0a8e5fe15a0d.jpg[/img] A tall, broad shouldered man with piercing silvery-blue eyes and a thick head of chestnut brown hair, Viktor gives off an air of dark elegance and cool formality at almost all times. Standing at 5'11" his physique, though not overtly muscular, is well-toned and defined, giving him a trim yet athletic build. His skin is light, almost overly so, clear of blemish aside from a long [url=http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/30200000/1x17-Hat-Trick-mad-hatter-jefferson-30259338-1280-720.jpg]scar[/url] that runs across his neck. Perhaps considered 'vintage' for this day in age, Viktor ensures his choice of clothing remains austere and formal. Favoring dark, caliginous colors, Viktor's typical attire consists of either a black overcoat or sports coat over a dark dress shirt & waistcoat combo with matching suit pants, slightly dusted black leather shoes, and a black leather silver-buckled belt. In any outfit he's seen wearing, he keeps a dark-colored scarf neatly tucked into his collar and usually dons a pair of black leather gloves, more for appearance's sake than actual utility. As an added accessory, he keeps a silver fob watch and chain engraved with the Slytherin symbol tucked into his waistcoat pocket. [hr][color=e2e2e2][color=SeaGreen][h3][i][u][b]Example Outfits[/b][/u][/i][/h3][/color][/color] [hider=Example Outfit One][img]http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8bcj1TP0M1rtkvgdo1_500.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider=Example Outfit Two][img]http://images.bwwstatic.com/upload10/467588/stan.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider=Example Outfit Three][img]http://i.imgur.com/pm1sA.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider=Example Outfit Four][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ec/55/71/ec55710cd2c806ad23c63f34611b3ec1.jpg[/img][/hider] [hr][color=e2e2e2][color=SeaGreen][h3][i][u][b]Skills and Talents[/b][/u][/i][/h3][/color][/color] [color=SeaGreen][i][b]Overall Role:[/b][/i][/color] [color=SeaGreen]Historian & Librarian[/color] - Far more than just a simple desk job, Viktor's role within the Ashes is to track down and recover magical artifacts, tomes, scrolls, and even charmed objects that could potentially be used for evil before returning them to Rosaline Hall, where he subsequently studies and archives the object as a safeguard from Death Eaters. [color=SeaGreen][i][b]Talents:[/b][/i][/color] [list] [*][color=SeaGreen]Magic[/color] - A skilled and capable warlock, Viktor shows expertise in Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, and Defensive magic, most of which he is capable of casting nonverbally. Viktor performs his spellwork with a certain amount of grace and dexterity, moving almost as a dancer would. He also prides himself with his speed, being able to cast a volley of spells rather effectively while maintaining composure. [*][color=SeaGreen]Legilimency[/color] - An essential branch of magic due to his position within the Ashes, Viktor was taught the obscure art of Legilimency by his uncle, Vincent during his adolescence as a "family tradition" of sorts, branching back to the Von Gesners' early history of talented Occlumens and Legilimens. Becoming quite the master at the ability, Viktor frequently uses Legilimency when on missions to probe the minds of others so as to gain information regarding various artifacts he may be searching for. It also serves as a helpful boon in battle, though he may have a hard time against a practiced Occlumens. [*][color=SeaGreen]Animagus[/color] - An unregistered Animagi, Viktor can transform himself into a large [url=http://in1.ccio.co/lE/N/g1/c650dc1af25b95b5105c6f80684b33d5.jpg]raven[/url] at will, using this ability for both concealment and potential observation under disguise. [*][color=SeaGreen]Cunning & Manipulation[/color] - True to being a Slytherin, Viktor is a very cunning and shrewd individual, supplemented by his silver tongue and cleverness. He frequently will adopt a somewhat suave and elegant persona when on missions, studying individuals and manipulating them subtly for the Ashes benefit, oftentimes using Legilimency to get a base concept of their thoughts and emotions before developing a suitable plan. When outside missions, Viktor retains his elegance and charisma, but also shows himself to be very organized, pensive and calculating, a method behind his debonaire. Viktor is also incredibly goal-oriented, using whatever means necessary in order to accomplish them - even if it's through controversial or contentious means. [*][color=SeaGreen]Scholarly Pursuits[/color] - Being the resident Librarian and scholar of the Ashes, as well as a man of many travels, Viktor displays a vast amount of knowledge in various fields of study, ranging from basic alchemy and first aid to advanced knowledge of the Dark Arts. Viktor is constantly searching for new knowledge, and thus can often be found reading in his spare times. Viktor is not opposed towards sharing knowledge with others should they ask, though his enigmatic personality and tendency towards solitude make such opportunities few and far between. [/list] [color=SeaGreen][i][b]Weaknesses:[/b][/i][/color] [list] [*][color=SeaGreen]Dueling[/color] - Though a skilled wizard in his own right, Viktor has little training or experience when it comes to outright dueling another witch or wizard as his focus is shifted more towards the procuring of objects or the manipulation of individuals. Viktor is centered on ending a duel as quickly as possible, even through unfair or outright cowardly means, including Apparating behind his foe to send a finishing move. As such, he is especially weak at long, drawn-out battles where there's little room for cunning or trickery. [*][color=SeaGreen]Pragmatism[/color] - Perhaps Viktor's worst trait is his tendency to see the "big-picture", looking at long-term goals and effects as opposed to seeing things in the more short term. As a result, he has no problem sacrificing a dozen Wizards or Muggles if it means saving a hundred. This can make him indifferent or seemingly uncaring towards the feelings of others as he'll risk the anger or hatred of others if it means producing long-term beneficial results. [*][color=SeaGreen]Secrecy[/color] - Viktor is a highly secretive individual, never seeming to fully give away his plans or tactics to anyone. Though his loyalty is without question, one can rather easily tell that there's more to him than he gives off. He never discusses his past, always keeps others at arm's length and retains an air of mystery, seeming to prefer things that way. Because of this, Viktor has a hard time trusting other people, wary of their true intentions. As such, it can be difficult to call him dependable or truthful unless one fully comprehends his loyalty to the Ashes. [/list] [color=SeaGreen][i][b]Favourite Spells:[/b][/i][/color] [list] [*][color=SeaGreen]Apparition[/color] - Effectively teleports the caster to almost any location or distance, though the farther the distance, the more difficult it is to Apparate. [*][color=SeaGreen]Memory Charm ([i]Oblivate[/i])[/color] - A charm that can be used to erase memories from an individual's minds. Typically used only for a specific memory. [*][color=SeaGreen]Killing Curse ([i]Avada Kedavra[/i])[/color] - Considered the worst of the Three Unforgivable Curses, the Killing Curse causes those who are hit by it to die instantaneously, with no way to block the spell, even with a Shield Charm. [*][color=SeaGreen]Disarming Charm ([i]Expelliarmus[/i])[/color] - A charm that, when cast, will disarm the victim of whatever they were holding. [*][color=SeaGreen]Wand-Lighting Charm ([i]Lumos[/i])[/color] - A charm that causes the tip of the user's wand to glow brightly, much like a torch. [*][color=SeaGreen]Shield Charm ([i]Protego[/i])[/color] - A charm that creates a magical barrier to deflect physical entities and spells. [*][color=SeaGreen]Summoning Charm ([i]Accio[/i])[/color] - A charm that caused an object at a distance from the caster to fly into their arms. [*][color=SeaGreen]Stunning Spell ([i]Stupefy[/i])[/color] - A charm that can launch victims back,rendering them unconscious when struck and can halt moving objects. [*][color=SeaGreen]Revealing Charm ([i]Aparecium[/i])[/color] - A charm that, when cast, forces invisible ink or other hidden messages to appear. It is also possible this spell can be used to make other invisible things reveal themselves. [*][color=SeaGreen]Patronus Charm ([i]Expecto Patronum[/i])[/color] - An incredibly powerful defensive charm that, when used at the advanced level, can summon a corporeal 'spirit guardian' animal that is unique depending on the user. In Viktor's case, his Patronus is that of a raven. [/list] [hr][color=e2e2e2][color=SeaGreen][h3][i][u][b]Biography[/b][/u][/i][/h3][/color][/color] [color=SeaGreen][i][b]Views[/b][/i][/color] Viktor's personal views, while definitely deviating from the norm, do not necessarily conform to typical Slytherin ideals. Though being a Pure-Blood, Viktor holds no ideal of Pure-Blood supremacy and doesn't discriminate against Half-Bloods in the slightest, though he is prone to the belief that being a Pure-Blood does garner more natural magical talent. He treats creatures such as House Elves, Centuars, and Werewolves with general indifference, showing no exceptional favor or prejudice towards them, though he has an ample amount of knowledge in regards to magical creatures, giving him a much more educated outlook on such creatures. Viktor finds Gryffindors or those who display similar traits to Gryffindors as exasperating. Their tendency towards reckless abandon, random acts of bravery, and impulsiveness manage to frustrate him more than he'd like to admit. Nevertheless, Viktor does not allow such frustrations to cloud his judgement and he will work together with such "brave folk" without complaint. Viktor views both good and dark magic as being one and the same, with what is considered 'evil' dependent on the caster. He views Curses, Hexes, Jinxes and even the Unforgivables as simply facets of magic as a whole, as it all comes from the same source. Despite this view, he holds Lord Voldemort and the Death Dealers with the utmost disgust. [color=SeaGreen][i][b]History[/b][/i][/color] Viktor von Gesner remembers very little, if anything about his early life except for the fact his father left before he was born, that he was raised by his [url=http://cdn.moviestillsdb.com/sm/02b30d3b0daf8b6d1cc552152a54f6a6/the-imitation-game.jpg]grandfather[/url] for some amount of time before landing in the care of his uncle, [url=http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyh8yfNVSm1qa64bjo1_500.jpg]Vincent Gessneri[/url], living in a secluded [url=https://whopix.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/amyshouse1.jpg]two-story house[/url] in Scotland. A naturally curious and imaginative boy, Viktor would oftentimes ask his uncle questions about his heritage, only to receive cryptic or dodgy answers, finding out only that his family was very wealthy and very broken. As a result, Viktor would often spend much of his spare time spinning fantastic tales about where he came from and who his family was, occupying his mind just enough to keep him from asking incessant questions. Upon reaching the age of eleven in the year 1977, Viktor was sent to his first year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft & Wizardry, where the Sorting Hat seemed to recognize the boy by his family name almost immediately, spending a good thirty seconds before finally sorting him into Slytherin, where he was welcomed with rather open arms. Viktor excelled in his studies, showing himself to be both ambitious and achievement-oriented, with subjects like Potions, Transfiguration, History of Magic, Charms, and Defence Against the Dark Arts quickly proving to be his favorite and most skilled subjects. During the summer, Vincent could see how much the boy resembled his family in demeanor and mind, a twinge of dread in his heart as he feared Viktor may follow the same dark path as his household had before his birth. By the time Viktor had entered his fifth year of school, news had been spread that Lily Potter, James Potter and their infant son Harry were murdered in their own house by Lord Voldemort before gifted Aurors, Frank and Alice Longbottom met the same fate with their son, Neville. Shortly after this, Lord Voldemort unveiled a Prophecy, a Prophecy that seemingly defeated all chances of defeating the Dark Lord. When Viktor had finished his Seventh Year at Hogwarts and graduated as a fully-fledged wizard, things went from bad to worse as the Death Eaters raided Diagon Alley, killing many, with the Wizarding World suffering a more critical hit when the Book of Names was stolen, resulting in the death of many Muggle-Born Wizards -- including Viktor's uncle. By the time 1989 rolled around, Viktor did his best to stay inconspicuous, working a desk job at Gringott's Wizarding Bank while keeping an ear out for more information as time passed on. However, when the Ministry came out in full support of the Dark Lord by the year 1991, Viktor became something of a wanderer, a silent rebel against the Ministry and the Dark Lord, frequently assisting the fledgling Ashes as a courier and informant, using his skills in magic and Anigamus status to remain obscure. However, recent events of which he will not speak of caused Viktor to join on full time as the Ashes' official Historian and Librarian, a job that meant far more than simply shelving books... Viktor von Gesner speaks nothing of his past or his history, be it out of shame, fear, or mistrust. Yet one can quite easily spot the ring that stays permanently wrapped around his fourth finger. [color=SeaGreen][i][b]Wand:[/b][/i][/color] Dragon Heartstring, Stiff, Elm, 13" [img]http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/xiaomei886809/Sirius_wond_4.jpg[/img] The unfounded belief that only pure-bloods can produce magic from elm wands was undoubtedly started by some elm wand owner seeking to prove his own blood credentials, for perfect matches between elm wands and Muggle-borns are known to exist. The truth is that elm wands prefer owners with presence, magical dexterity and a certain native dignity. Of all wand woods, elm - in the experience of Garrick Ollivander - produces the fewest accidents, the least foolish errors, and the most elegant charms and spells; these are sophisticated wands, capable of highly advanced magic in the right hands (which, again, makes it highly desirable to those who espouse the pure-blood philosophy).[/hider]