Zlatek Kuzvaronov Volga

Marshal Kuzvaronov Volga
Zlatek Kuzvaronov Volga [February 12 1920 - present], commonly known as Marshal Volga or Mr. Volga as of recent, was the High Marshal of Vologda from 1940 to 1948, and has been the benevolent dictator of Vologda Sosnogorsk ever since 1948. During his first months as a dictator, in the wake of the destruction that the Great Regional War, he was responsible for the many military preparations leading up to the land-conquering spree that strengthened the nation greatly, and spreading socialism into the conquered lands.

Historic accounts from the time period portrayed him as ambitious and intelligent. He had more concern for the poor than for the rich, and sets about finding good creditable jobs for the unemployed.

Volga has displayed intense fondness of military machinery and biology. He owns a large number of blueprints of potential and in-service vehicles, and frequently initiates experiments, though not on humans for obvious reasons.

One thing he dislikes is being hedonistic, and abstains from getting uncomfortably close to worldly desires as much as possible. No one is exactly sure why, but it might have something to do with his teenage years.

Sobriquet
Volga earned 2 sobriquets during his lifetime. His first one, 'The Executioner' was earned during his conquering campaign, earned due to the fearsome and often ruthless reputation of himself and his army. It was given by the multilingual leader of the first nation he and his army invaded and conquered.

His other nickname, "Tserber", derives from his childhood reputation in the city as abnormally strong and fierce for a child.

His last sobriquet, Mr. Volga, is more of a teasing way to address Volga, and most citizens use this playfully, though some take it to a formal level.

Early Life
Volga's early childhood was a very rough one. Abandoned by his biological parents at the age of 5 for unknown reasons, he has served his early years on the streets of uptown Ztalinigrad, and had grown used to the life on the sidewalk. This turned him into a rough and temperamental child through it over the 5 years that followed. As a child, he reportedly displayed abnormal amounts of strength and durability for his age. Little else is known about his early life.

From Rags to Riches
While they were visiting a nearby restaurant, the monarch of Vologda, Pyotr Gozorov Volga, along with his wife spotted him on the side of the road. For reasons unknown, the family raised him as their second son, alongside their own son, Igor. They then gave him his very own full name, a name that will forever be remembered as a symbol of might, compassion and terror; Zlatek Kuzvaronov Volga. The young Zlatek2 had difficulty orienting himself to the lavish palace that was completely different from what he saw on the streets. Despite the shortcomings, he eventually got used to it after a few months, showing his adaptability.

At 15 years of age, Pyotr began taking Zlatek to meetings with the staff and eventually foreign leaders. Zlatek would sit by his father's side, expressionless and mute while listening. Since at the time, Vologda was still a colony of Arengin Union, he visited the country often, helping his father arrange weapon exportations and other related business, immersing himself in the world of weaponry which would serve in very well in the coming years.

Red Royalty
When he turned 18, he and his brother were introduced to Communism, and got really into the subject. Under the radar of the nobles and his family, he began plotting a revolution alongside his brother with the proletariat authorities. Surprisingly, the high command never noticed this for a full 2 years, and that's when the thunder struck.

In August 1940, a Communist revolution, the first of its kind, erupted from the bowels of the nation, with anger that could've only be fuelled with endless torture and shame, with Volga and his stepbrother leading the spearhead, the first traces of his capable military leadership. He allied with various paramilitary groups, the most elite of them being the Batal'on Smertni, a group of former death squad troopers who had defected to the revolution. Zlatek knew that the revolution will never end until the very top of the chain has been eliminated; that also meant killing the people who had raised him.

As he didn't have the heart to bear witness to the murder of his family, he sent the Batal'on Smertni to eliminate them. They did as asked. They killed them swiftly, and brought the bodies back to him. He buried them at their family burial ground, and was the last one to leave their eternal resting place, burying all the flags of the old Vologda with them, and hoisted the new flag of Vologda on the former palace.

Volga, the Red General
After the Revolution, his brother Igor became the (benevolent) Dictator of Vologda, and he was bestowed upon the rank of High Marshal of Vologda by Igor, which he accepted. He began improving the military more drastically than the nation has ever witnessed.A few months later, on the 12th of October 1941, the Great Regional War struck its first drums as Bearstin and Afrikaanza declares war on Kaitani. Friedrüch urged his brother Igor to attack first and show their strength, but his brother told him 'we will have our moment one day'. He agreed and complied.

As the war progressed on, Vologda remained relatively untouched, remaining neutral for the rest of the Great Regional War. This gave Friedrüch enough time and resources to continue innovating new weapons and tactics, building up one of the strongest militaries at the time. For over 8 years, the military kept growing and growing, full of heavily armed men with brutal amounts of patriotism.

However in 1948, his brother had died from lapsing into a coma after a series of heart attacks, from which he never awoke from. Still alive, but could never awaken. Friedrüch decided it would be best to spare his suffering by euthanizing him, which the doctors complied to and took him off his life support.

The Dictator of Vologda
It was decided that Volga should take Igor's place as the Dictator of Vologda, and so he did. He took office in 1948, right as the Great Regional War ended. Nations that participated and/or were dragged into the war were badly battered, with resources exhausted and morale shattered. Volga looked around, and now understood what his brother meant all along; this was the moment.

Main article: The Volgan Conquering

Deciding that it was the time to show the world, Volga unleashed his army, descending upon the hapless countries around him, decimating nation after nation, showing the world the true might of the refurbished Volgan Army. Volga conquered, annexed and assimilated the nations that he conquered. He spread the teachings of Communism to the lands he had conquered, and in return, the lands gave him and his people benefits; languages and culture mixed like salt with the meat, mineral deposits were uncovered and hidden technologies discovered. This helped promote the status of Volga and his nation as one of the most respected, most powerful, and most dreaded in existence.

Volga's increasing influence would eventually lead others to follow Communism. Communist militias sprang up here and there, and skirmishes between them and the foreign authorities would clash (e.g.: First Bearstinian Civil War and Second Bearstinian Civil War).

Meanwhile, neighbouring nations and eventually nearly every nation, particularly those North-West of Vologda Sosnogorsk (i.e. Bearstin, Rannoria, Kaitani, Afrikaanza), start to worry and would preach about the "Red Plague" Volga was inciting, sowing fear and dread into the remaining nations. The only force that still remained powerful enough to halt the progress of Communism was the Second Aydinirian Empire. As such, the authorities viewed the Empire as a serious threat to their ideology."(This section is still work in progress. Please wait until plans have been finalised)"

Personality
Volga is known for having two alter egos; one where he is the diplomatic leader he is known around the world for; the cold stare, gravely voice and intimidating aura shaking many a brave negotiator. Then there is the other side of him, the gentler side who little know of.

Empress Cynthia Black, Queen of Bearstin
Volga respects Cynthia greatly as being the wise Bero queen of Bearstin, but frowns slightly upon the monarchic system that she runs. However, he does understand that it is a running tradition in their nation, that it has been, and it will always be.

In turn, the Empress views Volga as a wise ruler likewise, but would think Communism is a silly system that is doomed to fail.

Emperor Darius Black, King of Bearstin
While Volga has never met Darius in person, he respects him greatly as he was what motivated him to care for the lower classmen, or as he puts it, the proletariat.

Empress Aayla Black, Queen of Bearstin
Volga knows that Aayla has been into Communism for a long time, following in his footsteps, and has knowledge of the fact that Bearstinian Communist militias worked alongside her in the Second Bearstinian Civil War. However, he bears almost no respect for her, due to her practically nonexistent military experience, resulting in the humiliating stalling of the Bearstinian invasion of Carinia, and her inability to govern a nation, which led to the Bearstinian economic depression and other hardships. He sees her as an embarassment to Communism and one of its many failures.

Astana Veratagalos, President of Montevindo
Volga and Astana have known each other since they served together as part of a tank crew in their youth. Volga views Astana as a very optimistic ruler and liberal as well, which he finds particularly amusing.

Astana also views Volga as a nice person in general, but kindly disagrees on how Volga wrestles wild animals and rides wild stallions.

Ignacio Prazzo, President of Strcya
Along with Astana, Igancio and Volga have been acquainted with each other ever since the three of them served as part of a tank crew in their youth. Volga think of Ignacio as being one of the wisest, if not the wisest people he is in touch with, and often asks him for advice.

A quote from Ignacio shows what he thinks of Volga: "'I have been quite inactive as a president, and my title is technically just that, a title. Anyway, I guess Volga is a good ally, and his supreme military power is very useful in our alliance. However, I do think that perhaps he is sometimes a little bit too authoritarian? Well no matter, better than some fascists who claim to be Communists.'"

Medical Condition
Everyone will be surprised to see Volga's date of birth (1920) and being still alive at this point. He was born with an odd medical condition; his body cells will revert their biotic cycle and return to a healthy baby like state whenever he ages or gets sick, effectively looking almost the same every since he hit 31 years of age in 1951. He was diagnosed with the disorder about a decade after he hit 31 years of age, when staff noticed that he has barely aged on the outside.

However, he isn't immortal, and doctors have confirmed that he only has around 18-20 years left to live. As of now, he is a good 98 years old, and might live to 130.

"Well... it has been a good life, I guess.", Volga remarks after hearing the reports.

Trivia

 * Volga has an odd obsession with tanks, and becomes "childishly" excited when he starts riding an entirely new tank to him.
 * Volga is capable of throat singing.
 * Besides being able to speak Olikian, English, Karathi, Cyizkina, and Iadani, Volga also speaks a sixth language: Geumovin, and is the one of the 7 people in the entire country who can speak Geumovin.
 * While being the High Marshal, Volga also was the gunner of his own tank; a ST-2 design which he and his crew named "Cerberus". The tank, while still in running condition, is now on display at the Stalingrad Tank Museum.
 * Volga is known for wielding a large scythe with proficiency when he spars in his spare time.
 * This earns him a seventh sobriquet: The Grim Reaper.
 * His favorite nation is Bearstin.
 * His favorite song is The Partisan's Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LydK6FZTpPc.
 * Astana, Ignacio, and Volga have their own personal tripartite alliance called 'Brčpagrad', named after their capital cities: Brčko, Pacem, and Ztalinigrad respectively.