A New Crown and Superstition

The health Of Tzar Mayakolovitch I has been kept secret for many weeks, the best physicians in the Empire have been called urgently to the KhromKharr Palace which still is under construction to meet with the Boyars and the Royal family to address the concern of whether or not death will take the Tzar. No one knows exactly what caused this condition although the physicians believe it is a combination of age and The God Bears punishment for so many failures to lead the Tzardom to total domination.

On the 16th day past the arrival of the physicians the Tzar slipped away in his sleep at the side of the Royal Family, none more concerned or affected than Sdacha Mayakolovitch II. Boyars Algamov and Czevalokov were present as well as Grand Minister Sayun Druyamalkolva and were said to be keeping council with the young heir, encouraging him to take control and also to lead the Tzardom to new horizons.

Instead of the orthodox decisions and actions a new monarch would take, Mayakolovitch II instead made his first unofficial act to replace the old guard of the Order Of The Bear. He even appointed a new High Patriarch, the zealous and ambitious Zalek Malgov who enthusiastically took his new role and declared a new age for the Tzardom. Zalek Malgov is known to the other boyars as a loudmouthed, superstitious, aggressive but cunning sex pest, known to frequent the brothel houses of KhromKharr and Rokkarstan. But perhaps the most important detail is that he is true devoted lover of the Empire, believing the Tzardom to be above Man, animal and perhaps even the God Bear. The hubris of this philosophy kept him out of power until now.

The crowning ceremony of the Tzar was small as demanded by the new High Patriarch with most nobles and royals in Vestria not even aware of the change.

Although Boyar Czevalokov and Grand Minister Sayun Druyamalkolva have been attempting to keep the young heir on the right track, even Algamov attempted the same to keep his stomach full and allow the status quo to continue. Unfortunately, these pleads fall on deaf ears as the young Tzar seems more involved with his new High Patriarch Zalek Malgov, as they seem to share perspectives on many things including superstition, philosophy, power and taste.

High Patriarch Zalek Malgov's insane superstitions have no limit, believing fish to understand language and that the native mountain goats are in fact the political enemies reincarnated to spy on him. Although his insanity may be well known so are his connections to the powers not only in Khrom but Rokkarstan, wanting to behave as a slaver as well as a religious leader. But it was his longest running and most devout belief that runs in High Patriarch Zalek Malgov's is believing in great beasts called "White Striders". A belief in shapeshifting creatures who roam the world looking for opportunities to kidnap, murder and trick helpless travelers. Who disguise themselves as beasts, birds, fish and even trees. Above all his focus is to find these shapeshifters, and to kill them for the good of the world in the only way you can; burning them.

High Patriarch Zalek Malgov, encouraged by his new rise in power reinforced his worldview and understanding again believing to have killed enough White Striders to be allowed in the eyes of the God Bear. The new Tzar not believing in all of his insanities allows him to thrive, knowing control can be maintained and that fear rules in the South. And fear is an effective weapon of control. High Patriarch Zalek Malgov's first order is to gather a small council of devout followers whom Malgov's bright and insane charisma have attracted over time and to visit every nation known of to search for these White Striders...

( Depiction of A White Strider )