Vladimir Andrevsky

History
Vladimir was born under the wails of his perishing mother, a voice who he would not know or remember. Lifted up as his father's final child, he would be planned to not inherit any land, and would be sent to the Druchinov Monastery, where he would be raised a nigh beggar and plebeian.

Though understanding his origins, Vladimir preferred serving his God Aftos alongside his fellow monks. Pressured to learn, Vladimir followed and carried the burden that was being the blood of the Prophet Lazarus. Eventually the boy's extensive participation would be rewarded.

Abandoning the name given to him at birth was a price he hesitated with, but supported by his bishops this transition so tender was cared for by his proctors. Saint Andrevsky was his preferred choice. Saint Andrevsky was known for his extensive work of caring for a plot of land ruled by a Kherjian Warlord, and though sacrosanct to the Valhynians, the Warlord had torched the plot of land once the old man had left.

Once Andrevsky returned, the Warlord demanded the man kneel. Andrevsky refused, and began towards the scorched earth he had spent tirelessly tending to. The speech between Andrevsky, a simple peasant to a Warlord gilded in baubles, is why Vladimir had chose him;

"The word of our Prophet and Lord has been received by deft ears. The greed of you people molest the lands which were cultivated by generations of honest men. Your rule is unjust, and cruel. Your arrows will cut me down as any other man, but God will receive and dispense kindness to those who recognize his path, and send wrath to those who do not."

Andrevsky was revered as a grieving man, a man defiant against control, and more importantly; a man who refused Kherjian rule. This sentiment held deeply in Vladimir, and often did the boy during his travels up to the mountains and ponder what he could do to further devote himself to his monastery.

Vladimir climbed slowly in the social ladder within the monastery. Upon the death of the Bishop of the Garden, Vladimir assumed the honorary title and continued to participate in liturgies. His peaceful life soon rattled, and the ecosystem he was comfortable in had been dismantled.

The assassination of Grand Prince Mikhail alongside the capture of his brothers left the Principality empty of rulers. None had believed themselves worthy of replacing a Lazarynovich, and with one still alive the nobility desired to place Vladimir on the throne.

Restricted to his post as a monk, he fought with the nobility that his claims were null. With the monastery of Druchinov almost torched, Vladimir would send word to the patriarch of Myzaea to annul his oath so he may serve legally.

Months it took, and with much debate. Vladimir would be revoked of his service as a monk and be allowed to reclaim his name and inheritance. Preferring the name of Andrevsky, Vladimir would wear the name as a moniker and all his written documents to rally his new-found servants would have the seal of "Vladimir Andrevsky".

The Grand Prince was coronated the day his request would be sent to the Khan of Kherjia. Questions which required answers, and a tribute which would be held until an answer was received. His most bold advisors opposed these actions, and Vladimir had refused their council.

"I know naught of what the prior lords have done to gain such disdain, but I seek you now as humble tribute for answers. Answers that, once received, will be a confirmation of the deals signed which institute our tribute. Otherwise I will hold onto my coffers."

This letter was unexpectingly humbling to the Khan. Instead of answers to be sent, his son would. Accompanied with a force which dwarfed all local armies in size. Where captors would not desired to be known, the Khan's heir wanted resistance.

Most if not all of the nobility answered the call as word spread. Vladimir took the task of leading his army as divine right and the deciding factor whether or not his people shall live another decade. Accompanied with spears, horsemen, and some troops bleeding into his ranks from the northern kingdoms of the Umbilicum, he prepared his army outside the city of Otsdarva.

With forests and rivers flanking them, they met the Khan's legion. Champions withdrew from the ranks and clashed. The champion which was sent out on behalf of the Khan would be victorious, yet the battle would commence no matter the duel.

Either through luck, or divine guidance, the Valhynian army would beat back the Khan's heir. First in Valhynian history would victory be achieved, and many were swollen with adrenaline. The heir's defeat sent fear through much of the nobility, yet even with victory the Valhynian army could not replenish or even fair against another army of comparable size again.

Vladimir persisted regardless, with his generals noting that; "Feinting strength in such a pivotal moment may destabilize them." these actions of bravado would not go unnoticed by those under the Kherjian yoke. Leaving the Valhynian Valley, the armies of Vladimir found themselves cooperating alongside the famous Lothair Martell. Both Vladimir and Lothair benefited under each other's banners, and together they and their armies conquered the city of Ilkgur.

With the Khan at Vladimir's mercy, he would order the return of his family, and the sovereignty of Valhynia to be recognized and tribute to be revoked. Without much ability to refuse, the Khan accepted. Vladimir returned home to Otsdarva. The Grand Prince now rules his land, and knowing his treaty will not last, sought for a marriage with a Lakonian princess, hopefully gaining military aid in the future.