Cryto

In the 16th century, Cryto traveled the Dukedom's offering youth and beauty, but at a great price. In exchange for his services, Cryto demanded the souls of those he restored. A group of three witches sought to stop Cryto by skinning him alive, believing this would prevent his spirit from returning. Rather than being vanquished, the demon was reduced to non-corporeal, gaseous state.

Powers & Abilities
Cryto is the demon of vanity, given this name due to his ability to either restore a person's youth or wither them to dust with a simple wave of his hand.

The only other trick he had under his sleeve is that he cannot be vanquished normally, just as with The Triad. For example, one can destroy his body but his spirit will remain afterwardsand may even ressurect. To truly destroy Cryto one must vanquish spirit also, a feat which not even The Charmed Ones have managed to accomplish.

Appearances
Cryto appeared in a total of 1 episode throughout the course of the series.
 * Season 2 -
 * How to Make a Quilt Out of Americans

In this episode the members of Penelope Halliwell's old coven - Amanda, Helen and Gail Altman - summoned him and traded him The Charmed Ones' active powers, along with their souls, in order to bargain with him for youth and hence gaining beauty and health in the process. Sadly, they ended up payng for the deed with their deaths instead.

Associated Spells
The members of Gail's coven used this spell to summon him in spirit form:

To Summon Cryto
 * We call on the demon Cryto
 * Reach back throughout the ages.
 * Humbled by his power
 * We invite him into our circle.


 * Witches Be Warned: This spell requires one to have a "body" prepared for Cryto in order for him to return corporeally. For example, Gail and her friends made a body for him by taking pieces of dead skin from graves and clothing a manequin with it. If there is n body to act as a vessel for the demon then he will only appear as a gaseous spirit.

To 'Vanquish' Cryto


 * What witch has done,
 * And then undone.
 * Return this spirit back within,
 * And separate him from his skin.

Entry in the Book of Shadows:
''In the sixteenth cenurty Cryto travelled from dukedom to dukedom preying on people's vanity bestowing youth and beauty in exchange for their souls.

Cryto was found out and skinned alive by a group of witches who believed it would keep his soul from ever being resurrected again.''

A witch from the Halliwell line at some point discovered the witches had attempted Cryto's demise had been unsuccessful. As preparation for the day when his spirit might rise again, a spell was written in the Book of Shadows. Prue, Piper, and Phoebe were able to use this spell to send spirit back again.