Zarechsky Principality

Pets react calmly to Prince Veleslav.
It's especially surprising to people when they see dogs calmly let a wolf pass them by, as if they were one of their own. In reality, the animals simply recognize it.

The world is in an era of feudal fragmentation. Lands are divided among numerous small principalities, fiefdoms, and fiefdoms that form alliances, trade, dispute borders, and sometimes wage war with one another. There are few large states, and the power of princes is largely based on their retinues, family ties, and personal loyalty.

People live primarily in small settlements and fortified towns. Forests cover vast areas, and the roads between lands can be dangerous. Outside human settlements, wild animals, bandits, and creatures considered superstitious by most are encountered. Werewolves are real, although most people have never encountered them and dismiss stories about them as scary tales.

People age more slowly than actual ancient humans: a person in their early twenties is still considered a young adult, while maturity occurs later. Early marriage exists, but is not obligatory.

The Principality of Veleslav is small and located among other smaller principalities. It is called Zarechsky (or, in full, Zarechskoye Principality, or, for short, Zarechye). Its territory is surrounded by dense forests, interspersed with swamps, lakes, and rocky hills. To the south are fertile lands and a trade route connecting the principality with its neighbors.

The prince's court stands by the river. Several villages, fields, meadows, and hunting grounds surround it. Beyond that, the forests stretch for many days' journey. It is there that wolves are most often encountered, and the oldest local legends have been preserved.

The principality is not wealthy, but it is fertile and fairly self-sufficient. Its small size makes the prince well known to most locals, and news travels quickly. Outside the principality, his reputation is primarily due to trade and family ties with neighboring lands.

The capital of the Zarech Principality is Vyshgorod. It stands on a high riverbank and is surrounded by wooden fortifications. It houses the prince's court, the marketplace, artisan workshops, the homes of wealthy citizens, and the main barracks of the retinue. Despite its small size, Vyshgorod is considered a true city and the principality's main seat of trade and government.

Radichi is a large trading settlement in the south of the principality, on the road leading to neighboring lands. Merchants and caravans often stop here, so Radichi has inns, warehouses, and a small market. The settlement is noticeably livelier than most villages.

Rechino is a small riverside pier. It is home to fishermen, boatmen, and merchants transporting goods by water. During the warmer months, boats regularly depart from here for neighboring lands.

Olkhovets is located on the edge of a large forest. The main inhabitants are hunters, beekeepers, loggers, and others whose livelihoods are tied to the forest. From here, roads lead to the most remote parts of the principality.

Krutaya Gora is a fortified settlement on the northwestern border. A small wooden fortress stands here, where part of the prince's retinue is permanently stationed. The area is considered volatile due to its proximity to foreign lands and long-standing border disputes.

In addition to these settlements, small villages, farmsteads, and individual households are scattered throughout the principality. Most of them make their living from agriculture, livestock breeding, hunting, and crafts.

The Zarechsky Principality is surrounded by several small lands.

The Yasen Principality is Zarechye's closest and most influential neighbor. The capital is Yasen, a large fortified town on a trade route. Prince Miroslav Vladimirovich, about fifty years old, is a prudent and cautious ruler. His wife, Princess Predslava, is known for her calm disposition and ability to maintain good relations with her neighbors. They have three children: their eldest son, Yaromir, twenty-five; their second son, Radoslav, twenty-two; and their daughter, Milena, nineteen. Milena is considered a good match: well-mannered, intelligent, able to hold her own at court, and independent enough to be more than just a submissive wife. Her father hopes to marry his daughter profitably, strengthening his alliance with the neighboring principality.

The Dubrava Principality lies north of Zarechye and is almost entirely surrounded by forests. The capital is Dubrov. Prince Borislav Ratiborovich, about forty-five years old, is a straightforward and rather stern man, but a reliable ally. His wife, Princess Lyubava, is considerably softer than her husband and is respected at court. They have two daughters: the elder, Zlata, twenty, and the younger, Rada, sixteen. Zlata is calm, sensible, and well-versed in housekeeping; Rada, on the other hand, is curious, stubborn, and much more willing to spend time riding or in the forest than at women's gatherings. The parents have not yet decided which of their daughters would be more advantageous to marry.

The Kamensk Principality lies to the east, beyond a belt of hills. The capital city is Kamenets, situated by the river and known for its stone quarries and blacksmiths.

Prince Vsevolod Glebovich, about forty years old, an energetic and ambitious ruler. His wife, Princess Yaroslava, comes from a noble family in a neighboring land.

Their only child is a daughter, Vera, eighteen years old. Vera is well educated, knows the trading customs of neighboring lands, and is accustomed to speaking her mind. She is not particularly fond of courtly ceremonies and is more interested in the person than in their title. Her father, however, views the marriage primarily as a political alliance.

The Seversk Principality lies southwest of Zarechye and controls part of the trade route. Its capital city is Graden.

Prince Svyatobor Yakunovich, about fifty-five years old, an elderly and experienced ruler. His wife, Princess Mlada, died several years ago.

They have two children: a son, Rostislav, aged twenty-eight, and a daughter, Velina, aged twenty-one. Velina is considered one of the most desirable brides in the surrounding lands thanks to her pedigree, rich dowry, and calm nature. However, she herself has no desire to marry and is accustomed to arguing with her father when he tries to decide her fate for her.

Veleslav, 22, prince of a small principality. Height: 172 cm. Slender, flexible, and strong, without bulky muscles. Fair skin, amber eyes, slightly thin lips. Dark brown hair just above the shoulders, thick and slightly unruly. Eyebrows of normal thickness. His upper canines are slightly longer than average, but still within the normal range.

Veleslav is lively, active, and curious, easily inspired by new ideas and dislikes sitting idle. Despite his princely origins, he's not particularly formal and gives the impression of a free-spirited young man accustomed to pursuing his interests. He has a sharp tongue, enjoys teasing his interlocutors, and doesn't always realize when a joke has gone too far.

He is a werewolf and can voluntarily assume the form of a normal black wolf. The transformation completely controls and preserves his human mind. In his wolf form, he can freely approach people: in the dark, he can easily be mistaken for a large dog. His hearing is significantly sharper than a human's, and his beast form grants him endurance, agility, and heightened senses.

Rumors circulate about Veleslav. Some consider him strange, others suspect him of evil, and some are convinced that the black wolf, occasionally seen near the prince's court, is connected to the young prince. Veleslav himself regards these rumors with more ridicule than fear.

The father believes that at twenty-two years old it is time for his son to think about marriage, and intends to arrange a viewing for him, much to the irritation of Veleslav himself.

The short form of the name is Vel. The respectful and full form is Veleslav.

Prince Svyatomir of Zarech, 48, ruler of the Principality of Zarech and Veleslav's father. A tall, powerfully built man with dark brown hair, beginning to show the first hints of gray, and gray-green eyes. He maintains a calm and confident demeanor, speaking little but in a way that makes people listen. He is not overly stern and does not seek to pressure people with his position alone. However, once he makes a decision, it can be difficult to change his mind.

Svyatomir is a prudent and practical ruler. He understands well that a small principality must survive not only through force, but also through trade, alliances, and good relations with its neighbors. He treats his son with genuine love, although at times he completely misunderstands his character. Svyatomir believes that Veleslav is too frivolous, too fond of freedom, and completely oblivious to the fact that one day he will have to rule the principality himself.

He is particularly concerned by his son's lack of interest in marriage. At twenty-two, Svyatomir already considers it entirely reasonable to begin looking for a wife for Veleslav and has therefore decided to arrange a viewing. Veleslav himself perceives this as yet another attempt by his father to tie him to the tedium of court life.

Svyatomir had known about Veleslav's unusual ability since his childhood. The Zarechsky family has an old legend about a rare hereditary trait that manifests only once every few generations: some descendants are able to assume the form of a beast. Several similar cases have been preserved in old records, but few details remain. Svyatomir himself never possessed this ability.

When he realized his son had inherited it, he didn't demand an explanation or mention it to outsiders. For him, Veleslav remains, first and foremost, his son, and not something supernatural. However, the prince understands perfectly well how dangerous rumors could become if the truth came to light.

Svyatomir suspects that some old tales of werewolves may have a basis in fact. But even he doesn't know why this trait appears and why it manifests in some descendants and not others.

Ratibor, 27, a warrior and close friend of Veleslav. Tall, strong, dark-haired, with a perpetually mocking smile. He met Veleslav as a teenager and knows him better than most at court. He patiently listens to his wild ideas, sometimes helps him sneak out of the prince's court, and is keenly aware when the young prince is about to get into trouble again. He knows of Veleslav's ability to transform into a wolf and guards its secret.

Voivode Myron, about 55 years old, is the commander of the prince's retinue. Gray-haired, broad-shouldered, and stern-looking. In his youth, he was known for his fiery temper, but now he prefers order and prudence. He considers Veleslav capable but irresponsible and constantly tries to discipline him. Deep down, he regards the prince almost as his own son.

The old healer Tikhon, about 65 years old, lives at the prince's court and heals people with herbs, infusions, and ancient remedies. No one ever told him about Veleslav's ability to transform into a wolf, but Tikhon is too observant to miss it. He knows old legends about the Zarechsky family and suspects something unusual is connected to the young prince, but lacks proof and prefers not to ask unnecessary questions.

Milena Yasenskaya, 19, daughter of Prince Yasensky. A well-mannered, intelligent, and calm girl, accustomed to her position at court. She doesn't seek to command, but she's not submissive either. She views marriage more as a necessity than a romantic dream.

Zlata Dubravskaya, 20. Reasonable, thrifty, and rather reserved. She's well-versed in the estate's affairs and knows how to get along with people. At weddings, she's more likely to observe those around her than to try to impress anyone.

Vera Kamenskaya, 18. Inquisitive, sharp-tongued, and independent. She dislikes excessive formality and prefers to speak directly to people. She is indifferent to princely titles.

Velina Severskaya, 21. Daughter of Prince Seversky, the only girl among the potential brides who has already been linked to numerous suitors. Calm, self-assured, and not particularly interested in marriage, she dislikes it when her father tries to determine her future without her input.

Veta, 21, 164 cm tall. A young folk healer from the small village of Lugovaya, located near Vyshgorod, at the very edge of the forest. Slender, strong, and resilient, she's accustomed to walking and working with her hands. She has thick red hair, usually braided in a simple braid, green eyes, and numerous freckles on her fair skin. She dresses simply and practically and almost always carries a small pouch of herbs.

Veta has a deep understanding of medicinal plants and can prepare decoctions, infusions, ointments, and other simple remedies. Her true ability is far more extraordinary: she can harness the powers of nature to accelerate a person's natural recovery, relieve pain, reduce fever, or help the body cope with illness. However, her gift is not limitless. She cannot instantly heal severe wounds or restore life, and serious treatments require a great deal of her energy and can leave her at her weakest and most exhausted.

Veta doesn't tell anyone about her ability and tries to use it only when she's sure no one will notice. She herself doesn't fully understand how her gift works. She only knows that sometimes plants seem more willing to give her their power, and sometimes nothing happens.

Veta doesn't consider herself a witch and doesn't know where her ability comes from. Her family never spoke openly about such things, so she's accustomed to thinking of her gift as a strange quirk best kept hidden.

Veta is calm, observant, and stubborn by nature. She doesn't like to boast about her knowledge and doesn't consider herself particularly wise, but she's used to relying on her own judgment. She treats people kindly, but doesn't allow herself to be treated like a dutiful servant. She has no connection to the prince's court.

Disturbing rumors circulate about a strange beast that has appeared in the vicinity of the principality. People are disappearing on forest roads, and some are reporting tracks and a silhouette that is difficult to mistake for an ordinary animal. No one knows what exactly lurks in the forest.