Vladimir Menshikov

Vladimir Menshikov, also known as Vlad the Inhaler, was a Russian magician who was in charge of the 18th Nome. He was an assassin for rogue magicians. He was the third most powerful magician in the world.

Background
Vlad was the grandson of the infamous Prince Menshikov. Menshikov may have heard the orders from Desjardins, but he had his own agenda; he wanted to help Apophis rise from his prison.

The Throne of Fire
Vladimir Menshikov was first seen when Sadie took a ba trip to the First Nome. Vlad and Desjardins were talking about Amos Kane. Vladimir was later seen in Russia, as he summoned Set and then attacked Carter and Sadie. It was later revealed to Carter by Horus how Vlad ruined his eyes. He attempted to awaken the sun god with one scroll. Instead of waking up Ra, the scroll blasted flames at Vlad that damaged his eyes and vocal cords. This was when he became an ideal host for Apophis. Apophis was hosted by Vladimir, and they tried to unleash Chaos into the world. Vladimir had put curses on the Chief Lector, Desjardins, to sap away his strength. Menshikov was "enslaved" by Apophis. After he tried to awaken Ra with but one scroll, he "turned bitter". In this state of mind he was an ideal host for the Serpent. Menshikov never wanted to host Apophis, but he was possessed. According to Carter, Menshikov was "a prisoner of his own hateful feelings". Apophis eventually took over control and forced Vladimir to say things that he never wanted to. He wanted to unsurp Ma'at to some extent, but not let it collapse into the Sea of Chaos. Apophis did, and Vlad's foolhardy attempt to revive Ra led to his demise.

In the final battle deep in the Duat, Desjardins came to aid Carter and Sadie. He summoned a whirlwind and attacked Vladimir and distracted "that wretch" as Sadie started the spell. Desjardins subdued Apophis using the glyph for Turn Back (Heh-Seih)then tried to execrate him. Vlad died when his body collapsed as Apophis broke free.

Personality
Menshikov was extremely cruel and was not above execrating his own servant to summon Set. Both of these actions were forbidden by the House of Life. He is not loyal to Desjardins, but pretends to be. The only two beings he cares about are himself and Apophis.

Appearance
Vlad dresses in all white, wearing a suit and scarf and sunglasses. He has a chubby face, a pleasant smile, and curly gray hair. His eyes are ruined, however, appearing as if they have been "splashed with acid, then repeatedly clawed by cats".This was caused by him trying to awaken Ra with only one out of three scrolls. He wears a silver, snake-shaped pendant.

Powers and Abilities
Vlad can cast curses, as he did to Chief Lector Desjardins in The Throne Of Fire. He can also use a pendant to change enemies into snakes and making earth envelop his enemies "crossing like a DNA helix', as described by narrator Carter Kane. Apart from that, his other powers in the end of The Throne of Fire all come from Apophis, whom he hosted.

Relationships
None other than Apophis

Trivia

 * Sadie nicknamed him the 'Ice Cream Man'.
 * Some think that Vlad's nickname, "Vlad the Inhaler" may come from Count Dracula's nickname, "Vlad the Impaler" due to their fiendish and evil behavors. Menshikov's could also may come from his dry, husky voice resembling an asthmatic.
 * Menshikov did not use Divine Words. Some think that when Vlad yelled Nyet that it was a spell. That is unlikely, since Nyet is Russian for "no". Set probably caused the resulting sandstorm (Setwas trapped in a jar like a genie and was released by Sadie to attack Vlad) because Set is the secondary god of chaos. The sand sent Vlad into the wall. Set then proceeded to drop three malachite vases over his head.
 * In the Polish translation, he is known as Wład Parownik (Vlad the Evaporator) in order to sound similar to Wład Palownik (Vlad the Impaler)
 * Vlad's friendly expression is deceiving, because when he takes off his glasses, it reveals ruined eyes...if you can even call them eyes anymore.
 * Vladimir Menshikov is one of the main antagonists of the series, despite only appearing in one book.
 * It is ironic that Menshikov's goal of sowing destruction eventually killed him.
 * He died when Apophis escaped his mortal body. Vladimir Menshikov's body disintegrated when Vlad/Apophis was execrated by Desjardins.