Wiktor Szulski

The Sailing University

2025-07-09T15:19:52Z

As brought up here and listed here, Wiktor has started the 'Sailing University', somewhat based around the concept of a flying university from his own time period to provide education in a variety of topics that someone might otherwise not have access to.

While this is intended to be very freeform and anyone is allowed to post a Sailing University class whenever they want, of whatever they want (Wiktor is not going to assume any topic is unnecessary or stupid) I thought it might not be a bad idea to let people list out topics they might teach both to give folks a reference if they'd like to do a teaching post and to help 'plot' such things for greater engagement. So!

Step 1: If you want to teach!

Step 2: If you also intend to attend!
...just tag the various 'teachers' in here and say if your characters would be interested! Knowing people actually have an interest in their character learning such a thing is encouraging!

Step 3: ~~Profit!!~~ Posts!
...go forth and post. We can handwave arrangements, whether it's 'your week' or whatever. Time is an illusion. RP is hard enough.

POSTED CLASSES

Firearm Use and Safety by B (Bucky Barnes)
Thaumaturgy 101 by Wiktor

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Factions and Locations

2025-05-02T20:13:19Z

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Sketches and Experiences

2025-05-02T06:06:31Z

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Fashion and Visuals

2025-05-02T05:58:23Z

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TLV Permissions

2025-05-01T12:30:42Z

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TLV Inbox

2025-05-01T12:28:54Z

"You have reached Wiktor Szulski. If you need me for something, you will be the first person in my life ever to do so. Leave a message and hopefully neither of us will be dead before I get back to you."

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tlv app - warden

2025-04-30T15:18:47Z

User Name/Nick: Danii
User DW: yarnzipan
E-mail/Plurk/Discord/PM to a character journal/alternate method of contact: yarnzipan
Other Characters Currently In-Game: Max Thompson Jr., Florian Leickenbloom, John Doe, Vincent Smith [Saga Anderson will be dropped as soon as he's in]

Character Name: Wiktor Szulski
Series: The Thaumaturge
Age: 30
From When?: post canon, from the Coterie ending with Ariel Rofe, where he works with the Coterie to win the Czar's favor and stop the pogroms / secret police activity against thaumaturges and other 'dissidents' in Warsaw and 'adjustment' clinics, and stops Rasputin peacefully.

Warden Justification: Wiktor has, in a very real sense, gone through his own 'graduation' process pretty much since he was 15 years old. Despite always being someone who tries to fight for the right causes and who very strongly believes in anything he believes in, his execution on these things has always been extremely questionable, usually reckless, and above all, he previously let his pride and hurt heavily obscure his vision of what's going on. But he got through it after his father's murder, slowly learning the truth of who his father was and finally getting a new view on both him and his own behavior/beliefs from another perspective that helped him to see how toxic and bullshit and juvenile (hurt) it really was. Wiktor's learned a lot, both about the value of understanding your own faults and balancing them and how one pursues power is just as important as what you intend to do with it, as well as how small choices can have big impacts. He's also been lead astray by someone who claimed to be 'helping' him so he'll be both entirely sympathetic to concerns about that and very wary of doing any of the kind of bullshit that Rasputin pulled on him. Utility-wise, Wiktor's ability to quite literally see people's driving Flaws is a pretty potent ability for a warden, as is his ability to read information and emotions from objects and his salutors give him a lot of conflict resolution options in many situations. More importantly, he's learned for himself how to use his Flaw to move him forward instead of having it hold him back or trip him up (and seen it used that way by others, like his sister!) and he'd want to help his inmate do similarly, careful not to remove the core of who they are.

Item: his grimoire, guided similarly to how he's guided in the game by it to his objective and written on a page as needed for such things.

Abilities/Powers: See here and here and here's a link to the wiki on Thaumaturgy here. In game definitions are here and here. I will probably make a permissions page for folks, both to find out whether they want to deal with his powers and to see what dimension they feel themselves tied closest to (everyone loves sorting : ) [ETA: and done, if you want to see it all laid out a little better] and their potential Flaw he'd see.

Unmentioned on there (cause it's kind of self-evident in the game) is a standing 'locate item/person' ability where as long as he knows what he's looking for, he can find it.

Wardening Strategies and Philosophies: Wiktor is a giant nerd for new experiences, new people, new ideas. He supports his sister's feminist education scheme (the Flying University) and does what he can to educate people about thaumaturges and thaumaturgy. He loves reading up about various salutors/mythological figures and gods and demons and isn't at all intimidated by anything weird or otherworldly; on the contrary! ...seriously, the way he talks about Paimon is like how some people talk about 'the one who got away'. So when it comes to the Barge's brand of new and weird, he's all set. He's going to embrace the hell out of it while also being more than happy to bring people into learning about his world and his time and some of the value of it in return.

Wiktor tends to be a bit flippant about anything or everything (his path to dealing with his pride very much involves not taking himself too seriously) but he is passionate and more than willing to throw himself into the path of danger or serious consequence to do what he believes in and he's got no problem admitting to his weaknesses and his fuck ups at this stage of the game. A lot of that is going to inform how he's going to warden: Heart first (unsurprising), with confidence tempered by sarcasm and an earnest desire to do right by someone who's put their trust in him. He's bad at Responsibility with a big R, but he's much better at responsibility to a person (such as his sister, Ligia, or the other members of the Coterie) and I think that will do well by him as a warden.

Being literally able to sense moods and intentions will help him to lead with empathy (even if he can seem like a rather unempathic person sometimes) and his very Slavic 'no bullshit' attitude will hopefully help him be earnest but not mean to his inmate about their choices and their situation. As shown by his very first choice to help Abaurycy (and his later choice to help Wanda), he tends to be a bit of a bleeding heart even if he pretends he isn't and he's abundantly aware of his own fuck ups, so he'll come at any inmate from a place of kinship and a desire to help their goals more than a direct desire to work on his own (the lament of the video game protagonist: sidequests mean you care). He's had enough run ins with the Russian army and the police to not put much stock in 'authority' (not to mention his issues with the secret police and *their* bullshit) and he's well aware he's a flippant asshole so he's not really going to act as an 'authority' type warden. He's much more 'the one who'd bail you out if he wasn't in the jail cell with you' type.

Strengthwise, he has the fact that he's not nearly as morally upright as some so he's willing to be sneaky and even manipulative if he sees it as the way to get done what needs doing. This is something that could always backfire, but there are places and people for whom 'straightforward' just isn't going to work and that they'd never trust it. He's got (unsurprisingly) Pride in himself and his abilities and in his willingness to do what he has to to accomplish his goals, so inmates who'd try to attack his self-confidence might find themselves a bit at ends. His flippant attitude and lack of 'authority' vibes (as well his deeeeep cynicism about the world and politics and how people can act sometimes) will probably go over well with those who don't like the concept of wardens and his no-sugar-coat honesty will probably be just right for those who don't like the 'therapy' vibes. Also the intense 'daddy issues' are something he could probably help someone else with after his own extensive experience there.

He's definitely a 'good times' type so he's the type that would be up for getting into a brawl, going out drinking, and otherwise being good friends with his inmate without any qualms about their morality level; his best friend is a murderous gang leader who writes poetry with other people's blood. If you need someone who can and will fuck up a little so they can connect, he's 100% your guy. He's also going to be great with people obsessed with their causes/pursuits, people who are a little willing to harm themselves for their causes (same hat) and his own experiences in mental hospitals will help considerably in making him sensitive to 'treatment' that might do more harm than good. Because of his view on Flaws, he'll be a good fit for someone who has a driving issue that can be good for them if properly channeled but, previously, has just made a mess of their life. It's his meat and potatoes, honestly.

Weaknesswise, he can be mean and cutting when upset, that same impulsiveness can lead him to doing or saying dumb shit, and his flippancy can absolutely rub people the wrong way if they think he's not going to or doesn't take them seriously. His more morally gray/practical side could get taken as 'you have no right to judge me' given his past, and he isn't much for fighting people on that. Someone who's especially sensitive, who can have one argument or phrase upend an entire relationship for all time, and people who are about duty and honor and family tradition just won't jive with him at all. He came to respect his father, but that's still not *his* path. He's also just not going to be as good with people who are intellectually driven; he's Heart all the way and it shows in how he understands things and how he proceeds. As much as he's a nerd, he'll be a little lost on people who make decisions entirely through logic and reason without the emotional component in the driver's seat. And he won't be very good for people who have no passions, who just kind of fell into their problems. Just... will have a hard time understanding them. Most importantly, his 'Flaw' is pride, so he absolutely may have issues with having bitten off too much, with trusting his own takes, or taking advice properly if it hits him the wrong way and he will do some dumb shit 'for the principle' or hold grudges much more than he ought to.

Deal: Wiktor would like to restore the life of those killed by the Golem (including his father, his father's girlfriend, and Rofe's boyfriend)

History: here, here, and here's about what I got.

Sample Network Entry: My dearest Ligia,

You would not believe what your brother has gotten into now. I have said this before, but you often are more than willing to believe in how far and how low I have managed to go, and yet today, I think I may have something to challenge you.

For one thing, I've taken a job. I know! Can you believe it? Your good-for-nothing brother has actually taken employment. But the wonders do not stop there, sister, and perhaps as I continue, the reasons may become clearer.

You see, my job is as a warden in a prison. Ghastly, you might think, but this is a prison like no other, a prison for the dead. And in this prison, the goal is not penance or punishment or even containment but, of all impossible things, redemption.

I can see your eyes rolling from here, and you should know that they will one day roll out of your head if you continue like that.

Also, stop smoking so much.

More importantly, this very special prison exists upon a boat, a Barge specifically, which travels between worlds. Are my reasons becoming a little clearer now? I promise to you, Ligia, I am not mad and I have not ended up back in the asylum again. You may send a letter to Nadia if you doubt me.

Once you've written back and assured me that you believe at least as much as I've told you, I'll tell you more. Regardless, you are as always in my thoughts. I would say that I hope the store is doing well but I know that, under your leadership, it can do nothing less. Father knew at least what he was doing there, leaving it to you.

And so I leave you with all the love a brother can give. Yours, Wiktor.

Sample RP: TDM @ TLV - May

Special Notes:

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TLV App - Inmate

2025-04-23T15:38:41Z

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Power Permissions / Dimensions

2024-03-20T15:20:54Z

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Navigation

2024-03-20T13:58:22Z

AGE: 30

GENDER: male

HEIGHT: 6'

HERITAGE: Polish/Russian

PLAYER: yarnzipan

ACTIVE: lastvoyages

WIKTOR SZULSKI

THE THAUMATURGE

ABOUT

CANON POINT: post canon
VISUAL: LINK
BUILD: medium
HAIR: dark brown
EYES: pale blue
FEATURES: tends towards facial hair and while his hair is straight, it does have a certain wild wave to it, a long straight nose, narrow but well-defined features
ATTIRE: suitable 1905 Warsaw: vest and slacks and dress shirt and good shoes. His family is affluent and he looks like it.
WEAPONS: his grimoire and revolver (and his fists)
VOICE: soft and warm with an accent that drifts between Polish, Russian, and French

ORIGINS:
FAMILY: Ligia (twin sister), Nadia (mother), Stanislaw (father, deceased), Volodin (uncle), Petya (cousin)
RELATIONSHIPS: Abaurycy (best friend), Wanda (revolutionary buddy), the Coterie (his fellow thaumaturges of Warsaw)
OCCUPATION: Thaumaturge / Rich dandy

HISTORY: Born September 22, 1875 of a Russian mother and a Polish father in occupied Warsaw, Wiktor's young life was none-the-less warm and largely bright. While his mother was not terribly interested in parenting, the family maid was loving and he always had both his sister and his best friend, one of the servants, to fill his days. There was tension, of course, given his father's strict opinions about his abilities as a thaumaturge and largely cold manner but... he grew up relatively happy.

Until a plan to help out his best friend's father backfired tremendously and ended with a loan shark being killed by the two boys together and his father sent him packing to live with his mother in Paris. This plan, initially intending to use Wiktor's fledgling abilities as a thaumaturge to influence the man, failed miserably but it did bring forth his Flaw (Pride) and set him on the path to be the man he is today. It also set off any number of other paths that would one day bring him back to Warsaw on the day of his father's funeral, including attempting to take a second salutor (Paimon), losing touch with reality and spending time in a mental institution because of it (Dr. Seward was very helpful, surprisingly), and eventually turning to the mystic known as Rasputin to heal his connection to his powers and his salutor, Upyr.

SHILLING: plz buy his game

PERSONALITY

ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Good to Chaotic Neutral
ATTITUDE: flippant but kind
VIRTUES: egalitarian, clever, driven, loyal but principled
VICES: drinking, smoking, brawling, boasting
QUIRKS: had Rasputin for a life coach for a while
LIKES: thaumaturgy, the occult, fascinating salutors, interesting books, ice cream, new and interesting experiences
DISLIKES: his father, Russian occupation, anti-Semites, sexists, terrorists
HOBBIES: occult studies, gadding about, drinking, smoking, getting into fights, sketching
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: upright, polite young man (lol)
MOTIVATIONS: to be a great thaumaturge and bring new innovations to the art
FLAWS: Flaws are a very specific thing for a thaumaturge. So while some of Wiktor's normal flaws involve his pride and being rather snarky and vehement when he's pissed off about something, as well as a certain tendency towards Taking Action sometimes without due concern... you can find more on his Salutors page.
FIRST SALUTOR: Upyr

ABILITIES

CLASS: Upper ^_^ / Thaumaturge
WEAPONS: Grimoire and Revolver
INVENTORY: the above, the Black Grimoire, and the ability to leave a note of promise because his money comes from his family
PERCEPTION: Keeping a secret around a Thaumaturge is incredibly difficult, because they can sense the traces left on items and in places and read them to be able to know someone's secrets, their emotions, what makes them upset, past moments in their life, etc. including for the dead. And not only can he read those things, but his power will guide him to those traces so he knows where to look.
TRACES: When you focus on certain thoughts or feel strong emotions, those things can leave traces on items of yours. A coin or a fork or a comb can all hold a ton of information about their owner or even someone who happened to be holding them while being thoughtful.
MANIPULATION: Once a thaumaturge has figured out your levers, they can utilize their salutor(s) to tug on it and manipulate you towards a certain decision or action. It's not nearly as simple as just BOOM, now you jump out a window; it has to be in line with your own flaws and faults or desires. That's half the work!
INTENT: A thaumaturge can intentionally leave messages or desires in an item to act as a communication to another thaumaturge. Useful for being sneaky.
FLAWS: Flaws are what draw salutors but they're also what drive a person past normal limits, a blessing and a curse. Thauamaturges seek out Flaws in people as they can be destructive to them especially when they've drawn a wild salutor to the person which can cause harm to whole villages if the problem isn't addressed.
THE COTERIE : An innovation originally thought up by his father, the Coterie is a bonded group of thaumaturges who share everything, and have pledged to stand beside one another in all things. The original intended Coterie had all but one member pass away but Wiktor decided to move forward with the concept as a way of handling the mounting threats facing the thaumaturges of Warsaw. His coterie members are

Ariel Rofe || Dybbuk then Golem + | DEED
Emir Burnakovich || Shurale | MIND
Madame Samira || Sirin | WORD

MINDSHARE: He can kind of 'stop time' and exist within a mind space where he can see a person's Flaw and communicate with them, among other things. He can't move around and such but he does have additional time to think if he needs it. He can also go into this space inside his head with another thaumaturge and the two can discuss without anyone else seeing or noticing that time has passed. The members of the Coterie sort of have this going at all times; they share thoughts and secrets and can share each other's power as needed.

The Downside: ... Wiktor spent a lot of time being kinda bonkers because he tried to take on a second Flaw without support to grab a second salutor and it broke him. He's healed since then and now maintains multiple salutors.

PERMISSIONS

BACKTAGGING: absolutely! though if it feels like the thread is just meandering, I may 'summarize' it and move on with your permission
THREADHOPPING: absolutely!
FOURTHWALLING: the concept that he's potentially fictional, sure! knowing his actual canon feels unlikely because it's a small title
ROMANCE: yes please!
MINDREADING: that will end up being mutual so let's chat!
MANIPULATION: that will have some barriers around it so let's chat!
FIGHTING: hell yeah, he'll happily throw down!
INJURY: yup!
KILLING: no thanks!

Feel free to contact for more information and plotting!

PREFERENCES

MEMES: sure!
PSLS: if we have an idea, ABSOLUTELY!
AUS: definitely!
CONTENT: any and all
DO NOT WANT: nothing I can think of, honestly
SHIPPING: yes please! he is comfortably nimbus in his interest in game
DYNAMICS: he makes a great co-conspirator
MAIN PAIRINGS: N/A his in-game love interest is more of a 'people tease him about it' than actually anything
TAG STYLE: match your energy and what seems appropriate
TAG SPEED: fast once shit starts flowing, can be a little slow on the wind up or wind down

Salutors

SALUTORS: They have many names. When Latin was in fashion, a wise man called these creatures 'newcomers'. In popular beliefs, they are sometimes called demons or angels, ghosts, or even deities. I do not know where they come from. They reflect the beliefs and superstitions of people from different regions, even though those people themselves cannot see them. Highly sensitive individuals, like artists, are sometimes able to see their manifestations. Wild salutors change their whereabouts as they follow people's Flaws. People travel more these days... Once, in Saint Petersburg, I saw a Sphinx.

Note: They are not sentient and cannot hold conversations or provide feedback; they're more like thoughtforms, power shaped around human traits and stories that he uses like a tool or a trained pet. He occasionally talks to them or talks about them like that because it's his special interest and he's a bit of a crazy cat lady about it. [all]
HEART: Upyr | Pride
HEART: Djinn | Audacity
MIND: Morana | Negligence
MIND: Lelek | Recklessness
DEED: Bukavac | Vehemence
WORD: Krampus | Demagoguery Lost during the Into the Archive Meta Event (May '26)
WORD: Veles | Scheming
OTHER: Wiła | NOT A SALUTOR; picked up during the April '26 Port