The Thirty-First Book of the Chronicle of Gregorias
OOC
Brother Vasili waited patiently outside Father Andrei’s study door. Within was a messenger from Moskva. Whatever the message was Father Andrei was clearly concerned, and already knew something of it. He had asked that Vasili await him so that they could talk immediately upon the messenger’s exit.
Brother Vasili turned his mind to the Scriptorium. It was now greatly changed in character from under Brother Ivan. There was a sense of purpose once more, the Chroniclers no longer felt they might be disbanded at any moment. Of course everyone was punctilious in keeping their observances, Brother Vasili made sure of that.
Suddenly the door opened, and the messenger left. He looked tired, and well he might be. Father Andrei was with him, and gestured to the novice on duty. “See this man gets some food and drink and a place to sleep. Brother Vasili, please come in.”
Vasili entered, and asked, “What is your wish Father?”
Father Andrei gave Vasili a letter. “Read it.” Vasili looked at the writing and muttered. “I know, the script is terrible, and the grammar worse,” Father commented. Even so Vasili quickly discerned the contents of the letter.
“He’s coming here,” he stated.
“Apparently both the Tsar and the Council hold us in higher esteem than other places,” Father Andrei replied deadpan. “The next question is, what do we do with him?”
Vasili did not answer. It was a thought. They had a week, maybe two, and they better be ready. Vasili sighed slightly. “May I suggest we pray for guidance?”
Father Andrei nodded. “I think, given the circumstances, that is appropriate.”
Vasili was already casting his thoughts heavenward as they walked to the church. Dear Lord, please guide us through this quagmire. What are we to do? What are we to do?
____________
In the previous years of the reign Lord Sheremetev, Marshal of Siberia, had died. Tsar Ivan Vasilievich now appointed Lord Godunov as Marshal of those distant lands. The Nogai Khan had thought to exploit the uncertainty, and claimed that there had been infringements upon his domain. Lord Godunov made addressing this altercation one of the priorities of his tenure, but before he was able news arrived of serious goings on in Orenburg.
Like in all the lands taken by the Tsardom in the recent war the voevodate of Orenburg was filled with infidels. The Council urged the Church to address this serious matter, and where possible missionaries were sent to convert the heathen. The backward and ignorant peasants were resistant to the words of Our Lord. In Orenburg certain atrocities took place against a band of priests. Bandits maybe, but within a month the entire place was in an uproar. The voevode, a man solely appointed to this important post because he let the Tsar sleep with his daughter (and so breaking his marriage vows), did nothing to put down the rising in its infancy. As a result an image of weakness was fostered. Lord Godunov was forced to move personally. The voevode, whose name was Daniil Mihailjovic, meanwhile took refuge in the church in the town and refused to leave.
The defence of the city was left to a young Captain called Mikhail Golovkin. He set about organising the defences in such a fashion as to resist the rebels until Lord Godunov arrived. Lord Golovkin did not however sit passively behind the walls. He put out raids, leading many himself, and creating chaos in the peasant ranks. As a result when Lord Godunov came upon them they were completely disorganised and easily defeated. Lord Golovkin was widely honoured, but the voevode committed suicide before he could be apprehended for his just judgement. The Tsar, hearing this, had the public punishment administered to the daughter.
Free from these distractions Lord Godunov now turned his attention to the demands on the Nogai Khan. This irresolute infidel, hearing the fury of the new Marshal, wisely saw the virtue in making peace. There were some in the Tsardom that were unhappy Lord Godunov had not pressed the issue, but Lord Godunov realised that with the dissolute Tsar the realm was ill-set for war. So passed the Year of Our Lord 1571.
Settle Issue IN Boundary Dispute (Gold –30 NOG +25)
That winter, a month before the thaw, news spread among the peasants that some boyars had been hoarding food. The harvest that year had been adequate, but no more and their was much hardship. Throughout the realm there were small disturbances but in two places these became something more serious. In the East a cleric of the infidels whipped a crowd into a frenzy, imbuing them with a false belief in the sanctity of their actions. They marched onto the town of Sadrinsk. Lord Godunov knew that there was a cleric causing trouble, and was ready to act. Forces were sent to the relief of Sadrinsk. The rebels were not ready for a siege in winter and their losses were cruel. Then the Marshal raided their camp and destroyed their supplies. Without food many died.
There was worse trouble in Novgorod. Here one of the boyars, called Timofey Antonovich Spiridonov led a group of these peasants on an attack of one of his rivals. Being successful this wretch became ambitious, and led his horde against more estates. However at this time he lost control of the fickle mob that marched on the City itself. In vain Spiridonov tried to hold them back, and they were cut down before the city by troops sent by Lord Romanov. Spiridonov was captured and drowned in the Moskva river.
Unprovoked Revolt (Revolts in Novgorod and Sadrinsk)
Also that winter was the first time we heard of Stepan the Serb. This man came from a family that had fled the Turks. They had settled in the lands along the Volga river that were then freed from Tartar dominion. His was a peasant family, humble and faithful. His father, also called Stepan, impressed on all his children a deep and abiding faith in Our Lord. Their mother was dutiful and filled with a love of God. At one time she was considered for convent, but hardship meant that her family were unable to do without her labour. Denied the holy life she lived as a paragon of virtue. This family was well known for being sensible, never asking for more or complaining. Where at times peasant will be prone to anger or hysteria on account of nature they would always be levelheaded and see the crisis through. None of the family was selfish, always willing to help their fellows.
So it was that in this winter the young Stepan, who was just gone twenty, first saw Our Lady. He was out searching for a cow that had broken free from her pen. The sound of wolves was on the air, but Stepan was fearless of them. A blizzard had came from nowhere, and Stepan was hard-pressed being so exposed. He prayed, as was his wont when in times of trouble. Then the small dell where he had taken shelter was filled with light. On this occasion Our Lady spoke no words to Stepan, but led him to a sheltered cave, and inside was the cow who had also found this place of refuge. When Stepan returned two days later with the cow to his village there was much rejoicing, for he had been taken to be dead. At that time he gave no details of his miraculous rescue, though he did later confide in the priest, since he was troubled that such a lowly man as himself should have been granted such a vision.
This was not the end. Some weeks later while tending the fields Stepan again saw Our Lady, only this time the Mother of All was accompanied by Saints Basil and Vladimir. They spoke to him there of war and plague and fire. They told him to warn the Tsardom of this great evil that could befall. The precise nature of what Stepan was told however remains unknown. After he had received this Vision Stepan immediately saw his priest, who took him to the local bishop. That man was at first sceptical, and summoned a panel of clerics to evaluate and judge Stepan’s testimony. After hearing the words of the peasant they declared that Stepan was too simple to have concocted such a fabulous tale. Moreover, the record of his family stood him in good stead. So they brought Stepan to Moskva.
In the city the humble man continued to pronounce his message, but now he tempered it with hope. For he declared that the evil could be averted if only the wrongs of the realm were righted. Small-minded men were wrecking security and stability he declared, corrupt practises imperilled the state. In all of this Stepan was correct, for under the leadership of Tsar Ivan Vasilievich foul practises were now allowed to run rampant. The authority of the Council was being undermined at every turn by the excesses of the Court. Men were promoted on the favours they gave the Tsar with no thought to their ability or former station. It was against such practises that Stepan was sent.
At first Stepan was received honourably at Court, and the humble man was courteous for his part, overwhelmed by the splendour of the city. The longer his stay though the more uncomfortable he became. It was not long before he witnesses the madness of the Tsar, and he appealed to the Bishop that brought him for guidance. That man counselled Stepan should endure, but provided no help for this man. Greatly troubled by what he had heard and seen Stepan now talked against the Tsar. A large number of people now listened to his words. Stepan spoke that the root of the evils of the realm began and ended with the current Tsar.
Unhappy man, news of this soon reached the Tsar. He was told by those boyars who depended on the current corruption for their status and wealth. The Tsar was wroth, and had Stepan imprisoned and then put this man on trial. At his trial Stepan spoke simply in the words Our Lady and Saints Basil and Vladimir had spoke to him. Against these the judges simply could not condemn this worthy man to death, though they were afraid of the Tsar so they had him committed to a monastery for the rest of his days. Tsar Ivan Vasilievich was angry with the judges, and he was minded to kill two of them. At this time however Tsar Ivan Vasilievich was struck by an illness that left him weak and unable to indulge in his passions. Through such interventions were the lives of the judges, and of Stepan the Serb, spared.
Imprison Thinker IN Uncooperative Philosopher (Innovativeness –1 Stability +1)
The Council however was not so inclined to ignore the warnings of Stepan. During the period of incapacity of the Tsar they enacted several laws designed to hinder the actions of those who wished to profit at the expense of the state. When Tsar Ivan Vasilievich recovered he took little interest in these matters provided his personal comforts remained unchanged. Through such means the Council must govern the realm, and should the prophecies of Stepan come true we shall all be aware of the guilty one.
DP Slider: Mercantilism –1
Further problems were about to occur. For a long time the Council had done their best to conceal the depravity of the Tsar, and the needless extravagance of his Court. They did this for the good of the state, but now word was widespread throughout the realm. The treatment of Stepan the Serb, though relieving to many, to others was yet another sign of the parlous state of the Tsardom. Now news arrived of a further uprising in the lands around Aralsk. Many boyars with lands there withheld portions of their taxes, claiming that they needed the money to maintain retainers to defend their interests. Lord Godunov was ordered by the Tsar to punish those guilty, and their families. At the same time the Council advised him to proceed with more caution. The worthy Marshal met several of the leading boyars, and came to agreement with them. In return for their support against Tobolsk he would allow them to forego their burden for one year only. Over that winter the Marshal then set about planning his campaign against Tobolsk.
Also in that winter Lord Marshal Vorotinski, the Marshal of White Russia passed away. He was a good man who valiantly served a Tsardom that had become unworthy of him.
OK IN Nobles refuse to pay taxes (Gold –30 Stability –1)
The Khan of Sibir had been allowed to cower in his city of Tobolsk after the end of the last Siberian war. Now the selfsame Khan was deposed by the scattering of nobles that were still with him. These had started once more to raid into the lands of the Tsardom, though they caused little damage. Lord Marshal Godunov was minded to bring this fine city into the Tsardom, for he had visited it and knew of its advantageous location. Likewise he also knew its currently poor state. The Council tacitly agreed to his plan.
As matters turned out the campaign was swift. The pitiful forces of the Siberian nobles were easily defeated, and Tobolsk was besieged. Shortly thereafter the son of Lord Marshal Godunov, also called Boris, caused a breach to appear in the city walls. After three days of fierce battle the city fell.
Lord Godunov did not intend the city to remain the wreck it was however. He immediately made it the capital of Siberia. The Council sent him several thousands of troublemakers that he made settle and be productive in this new city. He saw that nothing of the infidel remained. All was either destroyed or converted to Christian purpose. Very soon the city was bustling with trade once again, drawing in merchants from all over Siberia and the Urals. It was not long before merchants from far off lands were drawn to this marvel. Lord Marshal Godunov is the one responsible for this, whatever the current declarations might claim. So I end this book.
Growth of Russian Trade (Trade Investment +500 Colonist +3 Merchant +3 In Tobolsk: Centre of Trade Population +1000 Chief Justice Fort +1 Convert to Russian culture and Orthodox religion)
