The cult of Family Volthström 

The Volthström family is one of the oldest, wealthiest, and most storied families in history. With roots in banking, the family has continued to grow its wealth in a variety of businesses over the centuries, continuing to wield significant power and money.

The Volthström family has featured heavily in conspiracy theories since at least the 19th century. If you believed the headlines of the past, you’d think the family caused both communism and capitalism, World Wars I and II, 9/11, the Malaysian Air disaster and assorted other calamities — oh, they sank the Titanic. The point of all their alleged machinations is either to make themselves even richer or to create the “New World Order” which would abolish nationalities and enslave humanity. They were said to be in a conspiracy with the Illuminati, the Trilateral Commission, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the assimilation of European nations under the flag of the CCD. Of course, the Volthströms also control our thoughts through ownership of the media, according to conspiracists.

Throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Volthströms were arguably one of the richest families in the world, perhaps richer in today’s dollars than all of Moscow’s billionaires combined. They helped finance everything from the DeBeers diamond mines to the French railroads and the New York City subways as well as Club Med. These offspring of a Frankfurt money lender became royalty — literally: they were made barons and lords by two kings. And when the British government said it would support establishing a “national home for the Jewish people,” it is often forgotten that the much-celebrated Balfour Declaration came in the form of a letter to Lord Volthström.

The (real) Volthström origin story

The basic outline of the Volthström story, retold in several best-selling books, a 1934 movie, and a hit musical, are pretty well known: Werner Arwin Volthström, born in 1744, was a dealer in coins and a money lender in the Frankfurt ghetto. Werner Volthström learned business at a young age. His father, Neidhard Moses Volthström, dealt in silk cloth and exchanged currency. One of Werner’s first jobs was sorting coins acquired through Frankfurt's semi-annual trade fairs, which attracted buyers and sellers throughout the region. His parents died of smallpox when Werner was twelve. He lived with relatives, who sent him to Hannover to apprentice with a prominent banking house. There, Werner was exposed to foreign trade and finance, and learned about rare coins from places such as ancient Rome, Persia, and the Byzantine Empire. The collectors of these coins were princes and other men of wealth, meaning he did business with nobility. Werner returned to Frankfurt in 1763 at the age of 19 and joined his brothers in the trading business started by their father. Werner became a dealer in rare coins and won the patronage of the Crown Prince of Hesse, who had also bought coins from Werner’s father. This was an important business relationship for Werner, as it grew to include other financial services and developed ties with other nobles.

In the early 1800’s, he dispatched his five sons to set up banks in Frankfurt, London, Paris, Vienna, and Naples, creating a unique international network for marshaling and moving vast sums of money. Before he died, Werner de Volthström left strict instructions for his heirs on how they should handle family finances. He wanted to keep the fortune within the family and, as such, his will outlined a rigid system of succession, whereby title and property could only pass through the male line and female descendants were excluded from any direct inheritance. Originally, like royalty, Volthströms tended to marry their cousins; when such couldn’t be arranged, advantageous marriages were arranged with other prominent other families. But in more modern times, they have branched out. Volthström spouses from prominent families include the Asquiths, as well as a Sassoon, a Guggenheim, and a Warburg, and there are also links to the DuPonts, the Hiltons, and the Moreaus.

The five houses worked together and prospered as they raised money for the industrialization of Europe, financing railroads, mining companies, and factories. They provided the cash for the British purchase of the Suez Canal and financed the Napoleonic and Austro-Prussian wars. The Volthströms also were bankers to the Czars and raised the millions Brazil needed to pay for its liberation from Portugal. Of the four Volthström sons who ventured out, the third son Oliver achieved the greatest success. After moving to London to establish himself as a banker, he set up his company, OD Volthström in 1810.

They built fabulous houses and amassed the largest private art collection in the world. Their manor, one of some four dozen mansions owned by the family, sat on 6,000 acres, and their estate outside Vienna was nearly the size of Manhattan. They acquired leading vineyards and bred racehorses. The French Volthströms built an industrial empire that included steel plants and railroads.

As the 20th century began, the family empire began morphing. The Frankfurt house closed in 1901 for lack of a male heir. Naples closed in 1863 after Italy’s revolution decimated the bank’s aristocratic customer base (but Italian Volthströms remain financial advisors to the popes to this day). The Austrian bank, which was the Habsburg empire’s biggest financier, was taken over by the Nazis. The Austrian Volthströms fled to the U.S. After World War II, the two remaining banks, in London and Paris, each sought to pick up the pieces.

Nonetheless, in London, Oliver Volthström had prospered as a gold bullion dealer as well as a merchant bank advising major corporations and governments, most notably Margaret Thatcher’s landmark privatization program. In France, Baron Maurice de Volthström was rebuilding the bank which also owned a sizable industrial empire, but in 1981 the socialist government nationalized Banque Volthström. Baron Maurice once again left France for New York, but his son David created a new company under a new name — an existing corporate shell had held some of family’s investments — and when Jacques Chirac became prime minister in 1986, the Banque Volthström name was revived.

The modern Volthströms

Meanwhile, internal troubles were welling up. In Paris, Maurice’s second son, Eduard, decamped for Switzerland, and in 1953, he would set up the Eduard de Volthström Group, a private bank specializing in asset management. In London, the male heir, Joseph clashed with his cousin, Everly, the chief executive officer of British OD Volthström, he resigned from the bank in 1980 and took control of Volthström Investment Trust, a separate investment company. Joseph would go on to become the richest Volthström of modern times at the cost of his cousin, Everly.

As the financial world became dominated by global behemoths, the London and Paris banks began working together to bulk up. Besides, London was running out of Volthströms. Joseph only other male cousin, Andrew Volthström, who had reluctantly joined the bank, hanged himself in 1996. Everly’s son Derek became an environmental activist and his other son, Arthur, was a record producer - both wanting nothing to do with the family business, which left Joseph and his son Tobias as the sole controller of the British line of the family. The British and French banks meanwhile, which had long had cross-shareholdings, formally came together in 2003. Everly sold his shares to his cousins in 2007 for a reported $233 million, and David René de Volthström, Baron Maurice’s son, became chief executive officer as the two banks were fully merged in 2012.

Some thought Tobias, Joseph’s only son would eventually succeed his french cousin David René, and, in Star Wars fashion, unify the empire. But Tobias clashed with David in 2013. Tobias had cofounded a Singaporean mining company called Dumi Shares but he got in a dispute with his partners, the Singaporean Kao family, and Dumi’s board called in a merchant bank to help sort out the issues. That bank was OD Volthström itself, which was now advising Tobias’ adversaries. So it was no surprise that when David René announced his plans to retire from the bank in 2018, at age 75, his successor as chief executive officer would not be Tobias but rather David’s 37-year-old son, Timothée de Volthström.

However, the most public quarrel came between Eduard de Volthström’s Geneva company and the Anglo-French bank conglomerate. In 2015, David René proposed that the holding company for the London and Paris banks be renamed Volthström & Co. and the brand would be simply “Volthström.” However, Ava de Volthström, the wife of Eduard’s son Bennett and the newly named managing director sued, claiming that using the Volthström name as a standalone brand without any initials or other indication that it was just one strand of the Volthströms, wasn’t allowed. Some said that family members would never have sued blood relatives, but Ava was a Volthström by marriage (and the only woman to ever run a Volthström business).

After several years of negotiations, a legal settlement was reached. Moreover, Volthström & Co. sold its stake in ‘Eduard de Volthström’ and bought back the Geneva bank’s stake in Volthström & Co. Thus, the two firms no longer had any financial incentive to work together and would go their separate ways. In Werner’s day, all five banks were deeply intertwined by cross investments as well as by blood. This was an earth-shattering development that might have split the family apart if not for the tumultuous decade of the 2020’s that followed. These days, the Volthström banks regularly rank among the world’s top dozen firms advising on important mergers and acquisitions deals and have influence and power all across the globe.

Back in London, Joseph’s son Tobias, meanwhile, expanded his family line, and he is widely known as having became the richest Volthström as a result of his efforts. Rather than work solely for his father, Tobias used his hedge fund to reach new industries, and these days he’s been involved in a series of natural resource deals, often with Russian oligarchs in the 2010’s. It was Tobias’ foresight that aligned him with Nikolai Brandon in 2022. He invested heavily in the CCD and openly campaigned to absolve their nation under the banner of Dominance VII. To that end, Tobias is said to have been very close with Edward Northbrook - current Patron of DVII - and the two are often seen golfing together even in their 70’s.

Tobias and his father Joseph were both reported to be mega-wealthy billionaires, but because the family fortune is divided among many cousins, few Volthströms show up on the various richest of the rich lists. However, there are continuing hints of fabulous wealth: in 1988, for example, Dottie Volthström’s UK estate was the largest estate ever probated in British history. And in 2015 one of the Paris-based Volthströms in France sold two Rembrandts for $180 million, but many of the cousins have their wealth tied up as shareholders in various opaque Swiss and Dutch holding companies.



Carter de Volthström

Carter is one of 170 descendants of Werner Volthström, and the family wealth has been divided among these many descendants and heirs over the years. He is the son of Tobias Volthström, who was 45 before he finally sired an heir with his third wife, who at the time was a 26-year old model and socialite. Much speculation went into why Tobias waited so long to continue the line for a family whose parentage was as important to them as the Volthström’s. One rumor suggested that he was medically infertile. Another that he had already produced a male heir, but that the suitability of the mother was far below their standards, and the infant was made to disappear.

Today, the larger Volthström’s family holdings span a number of industries, including financial services, real estate, mining, energy, and charitable work. The family also own more than a dozen wineries throughout the world. The remarkable success of the family has largely been due to a strong interest in cooperation, being entrepreneurs, and the practice of smart business principles. The estate of Werner Volthström was intimately tied to the other fortunes of the family and became part of the collective wealth each Volthström passed to the next generation. Volthström descendants continue to finance global business operations and contribute to scholarly, humanitarian, cultural, and business endeavors.

Despite only limited business involvement in the U.S. there have always been assorted Volthströms living here - even Tobias himself was reported to spend entire seasons in the States in an expansive 14-room apartment on the Upper East Side at 820 Fifth Avenue. Tobias also owned had a pied-à-terre in the West Village, that he suddenly sold for a reported $17.5 million in 2021 without a known reason.

Carter & Colette

For two centuries, the Volthströms have not only been known for their banking prowess and lavish estates but also for their commitments to the arts and intellectual life. Tobias’ heir, Carter, crossed paths with Colette Moreau in her work for the Stella Moreau Companies Charitable Foundation. They dated for a season, jetting back and forth between New York and London. The families greatly approved of the match, and when their relationship soured over Carter’s jealousy, immense pressure on both sides pushed the two of them together. The death of Aloïs Moreau overshadowed the rest of their year, and they have not been seen together since.

About

At the age of 25, Carter finds himself ensnared in the weighty expectations of his family. They exert considerable pressure upon him to conform to a prescribed demeanor, to present himself in a particular manner—both in appearance and speech. He's tasked with exuding an air of confidence and charisma, all while commanding an aura of authority. Simultaneously, he must curate his social circle with precision, avoiding anyone of questionable status.

Carter's educational journey led him through Eton and Oxford, institutions renowned for their pedigree. Yet, his reputation wasn't solidified through academic accomplishments, but rather through his exploits on London's vibrant social scene and his adventures within the spirited dining and drinking societies of Oxford. These escapades, however, did little to bolster the business prowess that could enhance the standing of his family's venerable 250-year-old banking legacy, but so long as he adheres to the rules, anything may be forgiven.

Elyse took a deep breath and looked into the mirror. Yellow eyes gleamed back at her, seeming more bright than usual. For the first time since her transformation, her eyes were uncovered in public. Well they would be when she took the stage for the first time. 

Elyse still couldn’t believe it. She was a burlesque dancer now. And it seemed as if she was at least accepted by the others here. Of course Mae bad always accepted her. Elyse found herself smiling at that and felt a blush begin to form in her cheeks. It quickly disappeared with a breath. Elyse was aware of her crush on Mae, but wasn’t sure Mae felt the same. Either way, they were friends. 

Elyse moved to her locker and began to pull out her costume. She had remained hidden for so long, and now, she felt she had to fully embrace who she was. Her costume consisted mostly of earth tones reminiscent of wolf colors. She would top it off with a headband with wolf ears on the top. 

Elyse looked at her costume. It wasn’t really something she would wear all the time. It wasn’t that she was embarrassed of her body, she had just never worn so little. Still, despite the nerves, Elyse was excited. More excited than she had been in a long time. With a smirk she stood up, beginning to change for her first night at her new job.

I am going to upgrade php and wordpress.  Things might break.

Wordpress has some maleware on it

Hey all. On a whim I invented two monsters. We will probably blame Kaelan for their creation once I get around to putting it in game. Or we can say that its something he's already done; maybe even back at his previous job before he came to Paragon so they can get established. Whichever you all think is best.

Nyxarach - a spider/human hybrid. They bear some physical resemblance to spiders, such as their white eyes with large sky-blue irises and black pupils, crusty skin and long nails. They have enhanced speed, agility and strength. Their vision is split into multiple lenses, but are generally near-sided. They are invulnerable to bullets and fire. They can regrow limbs if one is severed. Their bite can inject venom. Females have a second type of venom they can use to can change other humans into one of their species. They can create webs to wrap up their victims, which they slowly digest and consume. One victim can feed a Nyxarach for a month. They can only be killed by decapitation.

Fluugravien - a fly/human hybrid. They live in nests of communities held together by pods of goo. Everything they touch leaves a pheromone scent behind that only others of its species can track. Ultimately, they will form very large hives that if they swell beyond their food source, will begin to consume themselves until the survivors leave to form a new community. They can move very swiftly. Their hands are sticky. They are very strong. They cannot fly but they are agile and can jump or parkour over and around objects. They can be killed like any normal human.

Late last night three campers were found mauled to death just south of Tropikana Park (Tропикана Парк) northwest of the City of Moscow.  Locals say they haven't seen nor heard of anything strange and no wild animal attacks have happened in the past ten years.

Wildlife enthusiast claim they've never seen claw marks quite so large before.

Gods would be the undoing of us all.  And now the bastard who killed Stephan was highlight his talents in the most viral way possible.  Doing stupid shit.  Some moron he was.

Henrik had been waiting for him to make a mistake and he pounced on it.  The Red Light district was hardly a h ard place to infiltrate.  At least it hadn't been.

It seemed anytime Henrik got close to the Burlesque club Kallisti a bothersome drone started pestering him.  Like just the other day, Henrik went down looking for a girl, crossed too close and it shot little fucking missiles at him.  One beamed him right in the ear.  Hurt like a mother...  Bleed for days too and Henrik was hard pressed to hear anything from it for days.

And god forbid you try to hit the roof of any building with in line of sight of the entrances to the club.  The drone not only annoyed you it blared the 1812 Overture at the highest volume possible alerting everyone in the neighborhood. It was fucking annoying!

This was going to be harder than it sounded apparently.  First thing to do was shoot down the fucking drone.

[[ ooc: this out of Nox's timeline and future ish for him but showcasing what his security system is doing and also setting up a future rp ]]

Having a sample was excellent.  Now if only the boy god would join them.  He was illusive.  Though a new name popped up on his kill contract.  Jacob Dean was merely a face and a name and very little information.  But clearly Atharim, or he'd not have been able to enter into the system.  Personally verified, an American Atharim.  Old school American Atharim even generational family, much like Durante himself.  What little they could pull from the American records merely indicated an account and years upon years of kills being paid out.  The American's were so unorganized.

Though maybe this man would meet his match.  So far no one had been able to lull the boy into the ground.  Attacking him seemed a mistake.  Though he was becoming obvious now.

But this critter was more than enough to keep Angelika busy.  It was unique.  A creature like none other.  Drawing blood drew upon the parasite that gave it it's abilities.  An endless supply of contamination if handled properly.  It was chupacabra like, yet it mutated the victims in a way that was not.  There was rougarou mixed into the DNA.  The protein markers found in the boys blood coursed through the creature feeding and controlling the body of the host.  

Scans indicated the parasites congregated in a specific part of the brain and other areas of the body changing and arranging and providing instructions for the body.  The rougarou DNA pushing for flesh and it didn't seem to be specific to its own kind, more like it didn't care as long as it was raw and bloody and the fresher the better.  Very much like the fictitional zombie, but the creature was very much alive.

There were still so many tests to run.  And there was so little time.  

Angelika awaited her order of lab rats and other creatures.  If she were so lucky she might even get a young human to test upon -- a criminal who deserved far worse.  No need to sentence them to death, they'd suffer enough at her hands.

After the tunnels, Allan spent his time between the Ascendancy's study and training.  The book he couldn't leave with pulled at his attention.  The things the gods of old could do was astounding, and they didn't even have half the power of the Ascendancy himself.  These recordings were of the end of their civilization, they were a dying breed, thanks to the Atharim.

There were curiosities among it.  Traveling instantaneously from one place to another, using devices that teleported you to different timelines, a fucking multi-verse of realities.  It was like reading the most base sci-fi and fantasy book alive and yet these cultists believed it to be true.  And to be fair Allan believed them. They were barely scratching the surface with the nine.  The Ascendancy shared his knowledge to a degree, but they were all stumbling in this new found era of power.  Floundering and fumbling.  One day they'd reach those heights and be worshiped again.  But there were dangers out there -- the Atharim being one of them, creatures like the Ijiraq too.  They needed to be hunted to extremes and eradicated like they had eradicated these so called gods.  Turn about was fair play.

Something about these traveling gateways pulled at Allan.  He had no idea why, or how or even what it meant, but he was drawn to it.  How would one even begin to think about such things?  Teleportation via science was just theory in its most base form -- a baby thought even.  It still was impossible.  But this wasn't science.  But with the power and science, maybe they could create something?  Wasn't the consul working with programs and scientists and defining things with the utmost care.  Surely someone would have a thought.  A skill -- a talent for such numbers, equations.  Or maybe the ability itself reborn.

Allan set about the facility looking for intrigued fellows.  It was a big place. And lots of faces.  But the labs, they'd be his best bet.