Misha Rzhevsky

Misha was born in a barn that didn't belong to his family. His mother is still alive, and he has an identical twin. The once proud Rzhevsky family had ruled over a sizable parcel of land that now exists beneath the waves of Lake Bogumil, but they were forced to flee and hide because they were accused of being Bahite sorcerers.
The accusations weren't completely unfounded; the family has sorcerous blood in their veins, but they believe their lineage goes back to the angels. There is no remaining evidence for these claims because their estate was sunk, but the family still tells their children this story two centuries after the scandal.
Misha is now married, but childless. He is a firm believer in his ancestral story and set out in hopes of reclaiming his birthright. A chance to do just that appears when Misha heard God's voice, telling him to come south to Vladykino, where a group of people called the Serpent Slayers had come to waken the great bogatyrs of old, and to save God's people from minions of the Evil One. As Misha approached the village, he saw a group of wolf shapechangers abusing prisoners. The rider announced his mission, calling on them to set the prisoners free. As the scene grew tense, Alden Gravenitch - a wolf on the scene - suggested that the wolves might release a young girl to accompany Misha to other villages, as proof of their willingness to treat, and as an eye-witness to their conquest. Surprisingly, the head wolf agreed. Misha scooped her up onto his horse, but then wheeled around and charges the volkodlaks. One steped forward and lets out a bloodcurdling howl. The horse immediately wheels around, and charged in the opposite direction. While Misha desperately tries to calm his mount, the volkodlaks enjoyed a laugh at his expense. Finally Misha dismounted and sent the horse away, so as to keep the gril safe, and approached the raiders once again. At this, the wolves seized a couple of prisoners, and held swords to their throats, saying that they will kill them if Misha got any closer. Alden tried to lower the tensions by offering that he knew the Serpent Slayers, who Misha seeks. The head wolf, somewhat displeased by this fraternizing, called on Alden to dispose of the interloper to prove his mettle. Outnumbered and wary of being tempted away from his mission, Misha reconsidered his situation, and rode away - at least he succeeded in saving the girl, and he did not want to be the cause of the prisoners' death either.
The girl, named Mira, told him that she had seen the Serpent Slayers the day before, and that they had gone into some caves a short way out of town. Misha rode hard, and by a waterfall, discovered a cave entrance blocked by a boulder. Hearing voices on the other side, he and his horse helped move the boulder, and found that the very people he was looking for were inside. Telling the Serpent Slayers what had happened in the village, he led them back, only to discover that all the prisoners were slaughtered, the village, only partly rebuilt, had been put to the torch, and the wolves had all left. The companions discovered an old dying man, Slavomir, who told them what had happened. Misha and the Serpent Slayers - Yuri Barolov, Zorina and Agapia wanted to take him out of harms' way and to nurse him back to health, but Slavomir countered that his life was over, and he just wanted to be left alone. Misha argued that it was the Serpent Slayers' heroic duty to pursue the wolves and to free any possible prisoners, but Yuri insisted that the only way to stop them is to reenter the cave and finish their task. Taking Slavomir and Mira with them, they rode back, and proceed into the tunnel.
Taking the middle way after reaching a three-way intersection at a likely Doomstone, they went straight, and arrived at a huge chamber filled with bones, and with a rickety rope bridge stretching over them, and off into darkness. Sensing great evil below, Misha calls from God's aid, as the party proceeded quietly along the lefthand ledge of the chamber. Suddenly, a three-headed serpent slithered out of the pile of bones, and took wing. Agapia and Zorina, along with Yuri's horse fled, and the heads began to breathe fire, and to attempt to swallow the two warriors. The women soon returned, and joined the battle, but in the meantime, one head had gravely wounded Yuri, and another roasted Misha's horse. Misha called on God to stop the foul beast come what may, and finally succeeded in smiting it down.

* * *

Misha radiates friendliness and confidence, but his broad shoulders and strong physique impose on his welcoming smile. Despite his beard and hair being meticulously groomed, the plain clothing you can see under his mail armor is stained a light brown from old blood and sweat. Each crude patch in his shirt likely has a story behind it.

Current Location

Cave of the Sleeping Bogatyrs

Species

Human

Ethnicity

Noriki

Age

24

Gender

Male

Eyes

Blue

Hair

Light brown/blond

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Fair

Height

5'10"

Weight

190 lbs.