Karl 'Max' Maximovich was a male human born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1751 during the rise of the Russian Empire. Abandoned by his parents and left to fend for himself, Karl witnessed firsthand the utter depravity seldom recorded in the history books; rape, torture and violence unparalleled during the period that he existed in. There was much opportunity to be found in the suffering of others, however; during the reign of Catherine the Great and the subsequent First Partition of Poland in 1772, Karl operated one of the most successful underground brothel's in modern history. He made a fortune off of the women with no families or husbands who had lost everything to the encroaching Austrian/Russian advances.

Two years later, it would all come to an end. Karl was sold out by one of his colleagues to the Imperial Secret Police; he was trialled, found guilty and sentenced to several years imprisonment, of which he only served two years before his escape in a night of fire and blood. On death's door and fighting against the forces that sought to tear his legacy down, Karl was introduced to a society of otherworldly creatures that had been monitoring his ascent to power for several years. Thereafter, Karl left behind his mortal life and embraced his true calling.

As a member of the Lasombra Clan in the Sabbat, Karl witnessed the fall of the Russian Empire two centuries later during the 1917 October Revolution and the rise of the Republic consequently. His sphere of influence in Russian society had grown exponentially during this time, but a calling from an old friend beckoned Karl westwards to Seattle, USA, to faithfully serve in whatever capacity was required. The Seattle Sabbat's progress was marred by infighting and plotting; Karl was nearly destroyed by a fellow Lasombra by the name of Vassily Torchevsky in his defence of the Archbishop. He instead survived and escaped to New Wessex, intent on building up his reputation and power from the shadows whence he came.