Krivzha

In culture and mythology, the dark mages' attitude toward offspring differs radically from that of the light mages. While the light mages see a child as an independent individual who must be released into the world, the dark sorcerers cultivate a cult of legacy, self-continuation, and the immortality of blood. For Krivzha, a child would not be "just a child." They are his blood, his flesh, and his genetic immortality. Since Krivzha is obsessed with greatness, he would perceive his child as the highest value—the only being in the world worth investing in. He would entrust its upbringing to no one. Hiding it from prying eyes (especially from the Pechenegs and the Kievan nobility), he would personally raise his successor. Krivzha could truly display an unprecedented gentleness toward the child. He would never raise a hand against it and would not allow anyone to harm it. An absolute safety zone would be created around the child. Packs of wolves, subservient to the sorcerer, would guard the cradle, and crows would watch every step. Krivzha would pamper the child in his own way, indulge his whims, and gift him with rare, albeit eerie, gifts from the forest. To the outside world, Krivzha would be a tyrant, but deep in the forest, he would be an unquestionable, caring (in his own understanding) protector for his child. From childhood, the child would be subjected to the most brutal but gentle mental training. Krivzha would impart to him the secret knowledge he stole from Grandfather Boyan, as well as his own dark practices. He would teach the child to view the world from the perspective of a predator, instilling in him the idea that all other people around him are merely tools, or "flock." If the child demonstrated the ability to transform into a werewolf, Krivzha would feel immense pride. He would personally supervise the first transformation, helping to tame the animal rage so that the child would not harm itself.

Unlike Grandfather Boyan, who draws his strength from his harmony with nature, Krivzha's magic is a form of violence against nature and the subjugation of its elements to his will. Werewolfism (Therianthropy): He can assume the form of wild animals (most often a bear). The transformation is painful and terrifying, distorting the space around him. Wildlife Control: Krivzha literally subjugates the will of forest predators. In the cartoon, he employs packs of ferocious wolves and crows as spies and assassins. The animals obey him not out of love, but out of paralyzing fear. Manipulation of Sleep and Mind: He can cast spells, plague people with nightmares, and instill false visions in them from a distance. Thus, he undermined Prince Vladimir's sanity, forcing him to see enemies where none existed. Artifact (Staff): The main conduit of his power is an ancient wooden staff with a horned head at the top. With it, Krivzha concentrates energy, can summon localized storms and fog, and perform dark rituals (such as blood divination).

Krivzha is a classic manipulative psychopath, devoid of empathy and loyalty to anyone. Lust for power and pride: This is his main driver. He despises ordinary people, considering them "herd," and does not even feel awe for the gods. He uses Perun's authority merely as a tool to maintain fear in his subjects. Cold-bloodedness and cunning: He is a brilliant strategist. Krivzha does not rush into trouble (until the end), preferring to act through others. He knows how to find people's weaknesses (like vanity and anger in Vladimir) and gently guide them in his direction. Cowardice before true power: Despite his might, Krivzha is a profound coward. His magic and power are fueled by the fear of others. When faced with something he cannot control (death, a thunderstorm, the true wrath of the gods), his composure gives way to panic and hysteria.

Krivzha's appearance perfectly reflects his dual nature—a deceitful manipulator on the outside and a predatory beast within. Face and Facial Expressions: He has sharp, angular, and ascetic features. His skin is pale, with a sallow hue. His beard and long hair are a dirty gray, mouse-colored. His deep-set eyes often glow with a mad, fanatical, or malicious gleam. His sharp, hawk-like nose gives him the appearance of a bird of prey. Clothing: He wears heavy, dark robes that conceal his figure. A huge, roughly tanned brown bear pelt with the beast's head rests on his shoulders—this is his main attribute and tool for transformation. He wears massive pagan amulets on his chest. Physical Transformation (Werebear): In moments of extreme rage or danger, Krivzha transforms into a colossal anthropomorphic bear. In this form, he retains his human cunning, but gains incredible size, shiny black fur, huge claws and unnaturally glowing red eyes.

Although Krivzha calls himself a priest of the god of war Perun, his image (wearing a bear skin, transforming into a bear, living in a thicket) directly refers to Veles, the god of forests and wildlife, who in Slavic myths traditionally opposes Perun.

In the cartoon, the character represents the "dark side" of Prince Vladimir himself. He embodies the vices, cruelty, and blindness of power, through the struggle against which Vladimir ultimately achieves spiritual purification.

Formally, Krivzha serves Perun, but secretly considers himself superior to the gods themselves. He makes sacrifices not out of faith, but to fuel his own magical egoism.

Krivzha is terrified of Perun's true wrath—lightning. As a result, the villain falls off a cliff into the river, where he is swept away by the raging current.

Desiring sole rule over the Russian lands, Krivzha entered into a secret alliance with the sworn enemy of Rus', the Pecheneg Khan Kurya. Their plan revolved around the complete annihilation of the three Svyatoslavich princes by one another. Oleg's Assassination: First, the conspirators engineer the death of the Drevlyan prince Oleg. Playing the Brothers Against Each Other: Prince Yaropolk of Kyiv sends a messenger to Vladimir in Novgorod to warn him of the priest's treason. Krivzha, disguised as a werebear, intercepts the messenger, brutally murders him, and replaces the letter. Vladimir's Deception: The priest hands Vladimir a forgery, in which Yaropolk supposedly confesses to an alliance with the Pechenegs and threatens Novgorod. He deceives Vladimir into going to war against Kyiv, which leads to the death of Yaropolk and a severe moral crisis for his surviving brother.

In his youth, Krivzha was the apprentice of a wise and kind sorcerer, Grandfather Boyan. However, the young man did not seek harmony with nature; he was drawn to dark sorcery and world domination. Realizing that his mentor would not teach him black magic, Krivzha betrayed Boyan and attempted to kill him. He took the ancient magical staff, renounced the covenants of the old gods, and began to position himself as the high priest of the thunder god Perun in Novgorod.