Russky Tales - Iurii of Vladimir Volynsky

[Conqueristo]

Russky Tales - Iurii of Vladimir Volynsky

I decided to write this AAR to take a breather in between a working AAR I've already got in progress. This gives me a chance to try something different too.

The starting options will be normal difficulty, normal AI, TASS and metal shields.
January 5th, 1066 Scenario.

Little Intro
This will follow the dynasty of Iurii of Vladimir Volynsky. Iurii is currently the Count of Vladimir Volynsky, located in today's Ukraine.
This will be more of a storyline AAR than a gameplay AAR (I hope).
The first objective for the dynasty I have decided will be to move to the city of Vladimir.

 

[Fookison]

I'm following!
Question: Is this the Iurii with the hunchback?

 

[unmerged(104889)]

I shall subscribe!

 

[loki100]

cool ... its set in Russia and it doesn't star a Rurikovich ... has to be worth following

 

[Conqueristo]

A new beginning
Cnovim godom! replied Oleg, exchanging the standard new year greeting with his old friend, Sergei.
Time had gone by so quickly and it was now 1039. Oleg had been married for over a year now and his wife, Svetlana was almost due.
Any word on your new daughter? teased Sergei, knowing that Oleg was hoping for a son that he would be proud of one day.
Very funny - hopefully tomorrow. My Svetochka is up and around now.
Yes, but that was a big fall she had the other day - aren't you a little concerned?
No, I think young Iurii will be fine... said Oleg, turning to leave.
Iurii - like the name. Give my wishes to Sveta, and may Iurii grow up to make you a proud father. Paka!
Paka! replied Oleg, meaning a familial goodbye and they parted ways.

 

[Conqueristo]

"Your grace...so good of you to attend."
Father Guritovsky knelt and kissed the hand of Bishop Turgov. Turgov was visiting from the far flung area of Vladimir Volynsky and had specifically arrived to see Guritovsky.
"Always a pleasure young Dimitry, it has been some time"
"Young! Perhaps back then, but not anymore"
Abram Turgov laughed and then furrowed his brows, trying to look a little more serious.
They walked towards the church doors, continuing with their discourse.

"So, why did you send for me?"
"I'm at a crossroads, your grace and could do with your help"
A worried look came over Dimitry's face as he spoke with his mentor from his days in the seminary. He seemed overcome with anxiety.
"Calm yourself, Dimitry and take it slow"
"You might remember in one of my letters, probably around Easter last year how there was a child who was born back in 1139 was a hunchback by the time he was five"
"Vaguely, what happened to him?"
"To him, nothing. His parents found that the physicians could do nothing, and Iurii would be a hunchback all his days. Both took the news rather badly"
Dimitry looked down to the ground and then cast his eyes to the ceiling of the church.
Abram thought he knew what the look meant, but thought to confirm his suspicions.
"Badly?"
"Long story short, Iurii is now an orphan with nowhere to go"
Abram crossed himself and prayed for the souls of Iurii's departed parents, even though they had killed themselves.
"Your place is here, Dimitry. Vladimir needs you as their guide to the spiritual life. I will take young Iurii back to Vladimir Volynsky"
"I still haven't had the nerve to let him know the fate of his parents"
"I will take care of it. You need to take care of this new settlement"
They both walked outside the church and towards where Iurii was staying.

 

[Conqueristo]

A gentle knock could be heard on the door of the Bishop's chambers. It roused Abram from his somewhat disrupted sleep. The impending creep of time was making a slow march to the inevitable. Abram knew it would only be a few days before he was called out of this mortal world.
He watched as young Iurii walked from the open door towards where was lain.
Abram tried not to get up for he was far too weak to do so. Iurii was now fifteen years old, but still not a tuft of hair protruded from his face...nevertheless Abram had to advise him of his origins.
Iurii knelt beside the bishop.
"You wished to see me your grace?"
"Antonius will be back soon to begin the last rites, but before my soul departs you must know the truth."
"Send Antonius back to Kiev, he is not needed. You will be well again in no time."
"No, my son - I have been called and go I must. Now listen to me well, Iurii."
Even though he was very ill, there was a firmness that could be heard in Abrams voice that made Iurii pay attention, while trying his best not to start crying.
"You were not born here in Vladimir Volynsky, nor anywhere near the Vistula. You come from the east, young Iurii. The young city of Vladimir, ruled by Prince Izayslov's younger brother Vsevolod"
Iurii looked puzzled. He knew Vladimir Volynsky to be his home, for he had taken the name Iurii of Vladimir Volynsky, had he not.
"So, am I not of Vladimir Volynsky?"
"Well, I was coming to that" Abram's voice trailed off as if he had lost his train of thought.
A few moments later, he continued.
"Your parents died not too long after your birth. I named you of Vladimir Volynsky to spare you from the truth, for they had killed themselves. I only ever knew of them by their first names, Oleg and Svetlana."
There was another knock at the door.
Bishop Antonius of Pechora poked his head through the door.
"It is time"

 

[iain_a_wilson]

cool ... its set in Russia and it doesn't star a Rurikovich ... has to be worth following

Yeah - hopefully there will be less carnage

 

[argumentator]

Some words about style...

Cnovim godom!

"S novim godom!" will be more correct, maybe. And, if you are using russian words, you can use "knyaz" for counts, "velikiy knyaz" for dukes, "yepiskop" for bishops and "mitropolit" for archbishops.

From Russia with love ;-)

 

[Conqueristo]

Some words about style...

"S novim godom!" will be more correct, maybe. And, if you are using russian words, you can use "knyaz" for counts, "velikiy knyaz" for dukes, "yepiskop" for bishops and "mitropolit" for archbishops.

From Russia with love ;-)

Sorry, force of habit chop-changing with russian (since S is "C" in russian)
I thought putting it in cyrillic would just make it too hard for users not familiar with the language.

 

[iain_a_wilson]

I thought putting it in cyrillic would just make it too hard for users not familiar with the language.

Well, given that my Russian extends to "What is this?" and a variety of nouns to answer that question with, basic conversation and the first verse of the Soviet National Anthem, I'd be stuck

 

[Conqueristo]

Theodosius walked along the castle's hallway and towards the main hall where today's meeting of ministers would shortly take place. He was not looking forward to it.
Also heading to the meeting was his older brother, Antonius who had been appointed to the post of Diocese Bishop.
Both brothers had followed the way of the cloth, but to Theodosius' chagrin his always smarter older brother got the post of Bishop, while he was assigned to look after diplomatic issues.
Theodosius continued walking, hoping that Antonius notice him until they were in the main hall. His hope fell short.
Antonius spotted his brother, and called out to him.
"Theo!"
Theodosius continued walking, pretending not to have heard his brother's call.
After four repeated calls of his name, Theodosius gave in.
"Well if it isn't the all-powerful yepiskop of Kiev"
Antonius could hear the sarcastic tone in Theo's voice, and didn't really want to get into an argument with his baby brother - he had important news to give him.
"Are you still hung up on that?"
"Well, that post should've been mine."
"Do you seriously think that little upstart of a velikiye knyaz would have appointed someone as young as you, Theo? Our relationship with Constantinople is very important. Too important for inexperience."
Antonius hoped by mentioning Constantinople, he would put the matter to rest. He never seriously took the jealousy of Theo to his role in the court.
"While you look after the faith, I have to deal with all sorts and keep them happy with Izyaslav."
Theo still did not look terribly impressed with the answer he had been given.
"That's why I came to see you before the meeting today."
"You would've seen me anyway at the meeting."
"I came to warn you, The Varangian is losing money, and you are going to be the one to fix it."
"Me? I'm no merchant!"
"Yes, about that. Simon is under the impression that what is needed is a third knyaz to keep the realm in line. We need someone to look after Vladimir Volynsky."
"He wants me to find him? Can't he do it?"
Theo looked considerably worried. He'd only had the job a few years and now he had to find a useful person to rule some of Kiev's lands.
"Are you serious? You know the sort of sway The Varangian holds with the young velikiye knyaz. And you'd better start thinking of one soon - word has it you'll have until the end of 1059, and that's it!"
Theo looked up at Antonius, again thinking of how luck again was on his brother's side.
"That's not even two months!"
"Look we'd better move it or we'll be late for the meeting..."

 

[Enewald]

Funny how the Rus are using western calendar...

 

[Conqueristo]

Funny how the Rus are using western calendar...

It'd be too much of a pain in the a%$ to convert the calendar to julian style (as all the converters are terrible and give no month specs).
Not only that the readability would be reduced somewhat with having to put CE dates in brackets all over the place.
On top of that, I'd need some great byzantine event for the change to the western calendar too...as I doubt just Kievan Rus would be the first calendar to change.
So, you are stuck with the western calendar which anyway makes it easy to visualize straightaway the time-frame.

 

[Enewald]

Not Julian calendar, but a Byzantine calendar... Beginning from the creation of the world?
Or what of a new calendar, Since the Founding of Kiev?
Birth of Rurik?

 

[Conqueristo]

"Theo!"
Theodosius turned to hear where the shout came from. He looked closer and was glad to see it was his old seminary buddy, Dimitry.
"Deee....meee....treee!" he yelled back as he ran up to shake his friend's hand.
Dimitry smiled as he shook hands with Theo.
"So, do you think you can get me out of this mess?"
"Absolutely, and then some"
Dimitry pointed to his temple for a split second and continued.
"That Rurikovich won't ever ask you to do anything else either"
Theo looked at Dimitry, a little puzzled as to why the velikny knyaz would not want his advice.
"Huh? What gives?"
"You'll love this! You're going to suggest a hunchback to be the new knyaz of Vladimir Volynsky!"
Dimitry elbowed Theo's ribs and grinned slyly.
"He wouldn't be crazy enough to accept that appointment!"
The sides of Theo's mouth widened and he smiled.
"And he'll never bother me again! You're the best, Dimi!"
"Don't I know it!"
Dimitry proffered his hand to Theo, full knowing shortly it would be laden with ducats.

 

[Enewald]

so foolish.
silly.
What would someone do with ducats?
Go whoring perhaps?

 

[Conqueristo]

"Who disturbs my slumber so?" demanded Iurii as he was awoken by his manservant, Petr.
"You had best be dressed, sir..."
Petr handed Iurii his freshly pressed trousers.
"Thank you, Petr but it is very early"
"A messenger from the velikny knyaz awaits your pleasure"
As Iurii put his trousers on, Petr handed him his linen rubakha and his gashnika.
Iurii tucked his rubakha into his trousers and pulled his gashnika tight and tied it.
"Show him to the hall, I will be along shortly"
Petr nodded and left Iurii's chambers to meet the messenger.
Iurii composed himself for a minute, asking himself why the ruler of the land would send a messenger. He hoped it would not be more taxes to pay.