Karl Ostrov

Karl Ostrov is a stocky yet deceptively agile man, his rugged physique belying the grace with which he performs as an acrobat and monster hunter. His appearance is handsome in a blunt, rough-edged way, and he exudes a natural charisma that draws people in despite his occasionally brash demeanor. Karl's confidence and straightforward nature make him a magnetic presence in the circus, a stark contrast to his twin brother Alexey, who is entirely mute although highly telepathic, enigmatic, and unnervingly brilliant. Their psychic link combined with their differences make them an effective team, and while Karl handles immediate dangers with his skills and raw determination, he remains deeply protective of Alexey. This bond between them, as well as Karl’s unrelenting drive to keep their circus family safe, forms the core of his character. Indeed, one gets the sense he wouldn't know what to do with himself if he wasn't protecting his brother, and the other members of the circus. He claims they were captured in New Babylon after a failed attempt by Alexey to teleport them a great distance. According to their story, they originate from a place called "Russia," which shares some similarities with Chernaya but is from a more technologically advanced era. This origin is something they confide only to trusted members of the circus, many of whom dismiss it as fanciful or bizarre. However, the presence of "Off-worlders" in the southern regions, especially within the clutches of the Seven Sisters, the Lilitu, is a known phenomenon, lending a degree of plausibility to their tale.