Chapter One
The Veskral is Dead
Scene 1
0334 Hours
Imperial Medical Certification Report
Subject: His Imperial Majesty, Veskral Oleg (IV) Medvedev
Age: 70 years
Sex: Male
Location: Sovaotram Palace, Imperial Bedchamber
Date/Time Recorded: 03:34 Hours, 1 January, 2026
Certifying Authority: Imperial Medical Directorate
Preliminary Cause of Death: Complications arising from an ischemic stroke
At 03:05 Hours, the subject exhibited acute cardiopulmonary instability consistent with terminal systemic decline.
Continuous monitoring indicated progressive reduction in cardiac output and oxygen saturation despite ongoing palliative intervention.
At 03:29 Hours, spontaneous respiratory activity became irregular and significantly diminished.
At 03:31 Hours, cardiac rhythm entered sustained arrhythmia unresponsive to intervention.
At 03:34 Hours, cardiac electrical activity ceased.
Pupillary response was absent. No spontaneous respiration was observed. No final words were recorded.
Death was formally certified at 03:34 Hours following a continuous observation period of three (3) minutes confirming irreversible cessation of circulatory and neurological function.
End of Report
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Scene 2
Grief
Sovaotram Palace, Imperial City of Otramsk, Karsenic Empire
0340 Hours
The room was quiet and the air was still, the only noise that could be heard was the light patter of sleet and the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. The clouds hung a low over Otromsk, as if the sky itself anticipated the inevitable.
Karlich-Prima Svetlana Zvorina stood at the center of the room, eyes fixed on the door to her father’s room. She had not moved in several minutes. Just behind her stood her husband, Arkral Consort Sviatoslav Zvorin. His gaze never left her, ready to step in if the moment demanded it.
Her aunt, Irina Medvedeva sat on the couch, her hands folded neatly in her lap, her posture composed, almost unnaturally still.
Miroslav Medvedev was looking out the window, his gaze drifting from the sleet outside and the floor. The cold dark outside clashed faintly with the warmth of the room.
Nadia sat at the desk, just a few paces away, unmoving, as if any movement might disturb the fragile balance of the room. Besides her stood her husband, Eion. Despite being raised Catohlic, he remained at her side without complaint, willing to endure the Rodverist rites for her sake, and for the weight of what was about to be spoken in this room.The faint scent of burning resin hung in the air, unfamiliar but not unwelcome.
Their cousins were off to the left side of the room. Marshal of the Royal Guard, Vseslav Arsenyev, remained by the doorway to the hall. His posture rigged and controlled. Yet there were cracks in it, small, fleeting betrayals in his expression that revealed emotions he was neither willing nor able to fully conceal. His eyes flicked, just once, toward the candles, before settling again.
Kneeling nearby, High Volkhva Lyubava Arsenyeva, bowed her head in prayer. Before her, a shallow dish of ash held five thin candles, their flames steady despite the draft at the door. Her voice was barely audible, a low murmur beneath her breath as her fingers traced a slow, deliberate pattern over her chest and brow. She prayed that her uncle would survive… or, if the inevitable came, that he would pass peacefully into Navira.
Despite the New Year celebrations outside, now fading into the early hours, they had taken no part in them. They had been in this room for what felt like forever. They remembered the doctors flooding in at half past three, their faces already telling them what no one had yet said.its been ten minutes since the, and nobody has entered or exited the room. The only sound was the quiet ticking of the clock and sleet banging against the window.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Even the air itself seemed to hang, heavy and unmoving, as if the very room itself held its breath.
Lyubava’s voice, once a steady murmur, had fallen silent. “May the gods bless us, and guide him gently to Navira.” She said, finishing her prayer.
No one answered. Plunging the room back into silence.
Nadia was about to turn to sift down when she heard footsteps beyond the door. Slow, measured, deliberate. Then, they stopped.
“I can’t do this, doctor,” a woman’s voice said softly, barely above a whisper, as if trying not to be heard.
A second set of footsteps followed, approaching the door.
“It’s alright. I’ll do it,” a man replied, quiet and controlled.
A moment later, the doorknob turned. Everyone looked up at the door, concern etched on all their faces. As the door opened, a doctor stepped inside. His glasses slightly askew, his coat creased from long hours, and a faint shadow of exhaustion beneath his eyes. He paused just inside the doorway, one hand still resting on the handle, as if steadying himself.
His gaze moved across the room, but never settled on anyone for long.
“Your majesties… we did everything we could.” He exhaled slowly, his eyes lowing to the floor. “I’m sorry.”
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Scene 3
Directive No. 04-83
IMPERIAL ARMED FORCES OF THE BASILIYA
OFFICE OF THE GRAND MARSHAL
DIRECTIVE No. 04-83
CLASSIFICATION: INTERNAL / RESTRICTED
ISSUED UNDER EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES
IMPERIAL CAPITAL, OTRAMSK
01/01/2026, 0600 Hours
By order of Grand Marshal Zvenimir Vlastenko
Commander of the Imperial Armed Forces
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF TEMPORARY STABILIZATION AND SECURITY PROTOCOLS
In light of recent developments and in the interest of maintaining public order, continuity of governance, and the security of the Basiliya, the following measures are to be enacted immediately.
I. IMPERIAL CAPITAL & PALACE SECURITY
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The Imperial Capital is to enter a state of Controlled Access effective immediately.
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All entry into and exit from the Capital is subject to authorization by designated security command.
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Civilian movement within administrative districts may be restricted as required.
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Transportation hubs are to operate under security supervision.
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Sovaotram Palace is placed under full access restriction.
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The Imperial Guard is to assume primary security control of the Palace and central administrative zones.
II. ZONI ČERVNY MILITARY ZONES
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The Sarban Krez and Korvania Krez are placed under Controlled Movement Status.
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All civilian transit is subject to verification and authorization.
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Checkpoints are to be established along all primary and secondary routes.
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Regional military command is authorized to enforce compliance under Imperial security law.
III. ARMED FORCES AND INTERNAL SECURITY
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All branches of the Imperial Armed Forces are to assume heightened operational readiness.
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Internal Security and Intelligence Directorates are to increase monitoring of civil activity and communications.
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Rapid Response Units are to remain on immediate standby for deployment if required.
IV. BORDER SECURITY & INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT
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1. Outbound civilian travel is subject to temporary authorization procedures.
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2. Entry of foreign nationals is to be restricted under revised security protocols.
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3. Border control units are to operate under elevated alert conditions.
These measures are to remain in effect until further directive.
All regional and sector commands are expected to ensure full and immediate compliance.
Failure to comply will be treated as dereliction of duty under Imperial military law.
Order is to be maintained.
Stability is to be preserved.
Continuity is to be ensured.
Grand Marshal Zvenimir Vlastenko
Commander of the Imperial Armed Forces
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Scene 4
“Temporary Measures”
Northern Otromsk, Imperial City of Otromsk, Karsenic Empire
0645 Hours
The sleet has stopped sometime before five, leaving a thin layer of ice everywhere. What had been wet asphalt two hours ago was now a thin, glassy crust that cracked under the weight of service trucks as they moved through their routes. Salt was already being laid down in pale streaks, scattering across intersections in mechanical precision.
Mila Karsenka stepped out of her apartment building and paused long enough for the cold to find her. It wasn’t the kind cold, it was the harsh kind that caused frostbite if you weren’t careful. She pulled her scarf up over her face and started walking to work. Then, Mila noticed uniforms. Imperial soldiers stood at major intersections in pairs. Mila slowed as she approached the crossing, adjusting her scarf. She looked down the boulevard, about five blocks down there was what seemed to be a checkpoint. The soldiers didn’t look at her for long, just enough to register movement, then back to the street beyond. No urgency. No shouting. Just placement. At the checkpoint, vehicles were being waved through one at a time. She watched for a moment, then adjusted her scarf and continued forward. As she crossed the street, she saw three capital police officers at the end of the crosswalk.
“Excuse me,” she said as she walked up to them, one of them turned to look at her. “May I ask, what’s happening?”
A pause, his face was half covered with a scarf so Mila couldn’t read his expression. “Temporary measures.” He said. No further explanation followed.
Mila hesitated, then nodded once. “Okay… well, you all stay warm.”
One of them gave a quiet chuckle, “We’ll try. You stay safe and out of trouble.”
Mila stepped back into the foot traffic. “I will.”
She began to walk to work again. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
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Scene 5
Breaking News
Vukov’s Mini-Mart, Malenka, Solngorod Oblast, Karsenic Empire
1159 Hours
“That’s all, Ivan?” Branomir said, scanning the last item before putting it in a bag.
“That’s it.” Ivan nodded, already reaching into his coat pocket.
The register beeped once more before falling quiet. Branomir tapped a few keys, glanced at the total, then looked back up.
“Sixteen even.” Barnomir said, looking up from the register.
“Damn this recession. I remember when all this used to be only eight Zola.” Ivan muttered, putting a couple bills on the counter.
Branomir shrugged as he counted the bills.“Yeah. Everything is going up. While pay is not.”
Ivan let out a dry breath. “Figures.” He looked up at the tv mounted to the ceiling in the corner. “What’s the news saying? They’re saying something about the recession, right? Turn it up.”
Branomir reached for the remote on the shelf behind him and tapped the volume button. The murmur now becoming a clear voice.
“…economic pressures continue across the Basiliya. Rising cost affecting–” The anchor paused, just for a few seconds. “–however, attention has shifted to the capital.” A red banner flashed across the screen.
BREAKING NEWS.
“That’s not about the recession.” Ivan said, his expression tightening into a mix of confusion and concern. Branomir turned and looked up at the TV.
Another news anchor appeared on screen. His expression, one of sadness and professionalism. “We are receiving reports from Sovaotrom Palace.” The anchor paused, briefly looking down at his desk, as if gathering himself. Branomir shifted on his feet. The anchor looked back up. “His imperial majesty, Veskral Oleg the fourth, passed away early this morning. Again, his imperial majesty, Oleg the fourth, has passed away.”
Silence filled the shop. The hum of the freezer seemed louder now. Neither Ivan or Branomir moved. The bag sat untouched on the counter. Outside, the wind picked back up, pressing against the windows as the sleet returned.
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FUN FACTS!
Did you know?
In Karsenia, funeral rites vary between the ethnic-regional traditions of the individual. But in traditional Karsenic (Nasic) regions, a two-week period of mourning precedes an individual’s death. After this mourning period, a celebration of life occurs. This celebration occurs until the day after burial or cremation.
Funeral Rites typically involve the preparation and viewing of the body, communal prayers or reflections, and a formal burial or cremation. This is to be attended by both the family and wider community to show respect to the deceased. Candles are often lit during this time, symbolising the spirit of the deceased and their passage beyond the living world.
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Etymology:
Veskral (noun, imperial title):
The male sovereign ruler of the Karsenic Empire, holding supreme executive, ceremonial, and constitutional authority over the state. The Veskral serves as head of state and ultimate guarantor of imperial continuity, commanding the loyalty of the armed forces, nobility, and administrative apparatus.
Ischemic stroke (medical term):
A cerebrovascular event caused by the obstruction of blood flow to a region of the brain, typically due to thrombosis or embolism. The resulting oxygen deprivation leads to rapid neurological impairment and, if untreated, permanent brain damage or death. Ischemic strokes are one of the most common forms of stroke and often present with sudden loss of motor control, speech impairment, or loss of consciousness.
Kralich-Prima (noun, female title):
A senior imperial dynastic title granted to the principal female heir or highest-ranking princess within the ruling Veskral household. The Kralich-Prima holds precedence over other royal family members in matters of ceremony, succession representation, and dynastic continuity.
Arkral Consort (noun, male title):
A formal dynastic title granted to the male spouse of a reigning Kralich-Prima or female sovereign within the imperial family. The Arkral Consort holds ceremonial rank within the royal household and may be assigned military or administrative duties, but does not possess independent succession rights. The role is primarily supportive, reinforcing dynastic legitimacy and continuity through marriage alliance.
Rodverist (noun / adjective):
A practitioner of Rodverism, the traditional polytheistic and ancestral belief system of Karsenia. Rodverism is centered on the interconnection between life, death, divine order, and lineage, viewing existence as a continuous cycle in which the living, the dead, and the divine remain in constant relationship.
High Volkhv(a) (noun, ecclesiastical title):
A senior clerical office within Rodverism, functioning as the highest-ranking regional and doctrinal authority below the upper temple hierarchy. The High Volkhv(a) oversees major rites, supervises provincial temple networks, and interprets established Rodverist doctrine within their assigned jurisdiction.
Navira (noun)
In Rodverist belief, the spiritual realm of the dead; the world where souls travel to after death and exist beyond mortal life. In traditional Karsenic Rodverism, Navira is not viewed as a place of punishment or reward, but as a continuation of existence in altered form.
Basiliya (noun)
The sovereign state or imperial realm ruled under the authority of the Veskral; the formal designation of the Karsenic Empire in state, legal, and ceremonial contexts.
Zoni Červny (noun, administrative/military region)
A designated high-security administrative and military zone within the Karsenic Empire, encompassing heavily regulated territories subject to elevated military authority, restricted civilian movement, and expanded internal security jurisdiction. Zoni Červny regions are typically established in areas of instability, post-conflict reconstruction, or strategic containment.