There are over six hundred oblasts within the kingdom of Jonatela, and yet more in the independent counties of Karstall and Timms. They vary considerably, from those which are relatively urbanised, such as Okarnia, to those on the very fringes of civilised lands in the southern hills. None the less, it is possible to describe a fairly typical oblast, which will resemble in broad outline around two thirds of those which exist.
Demographics
Ozhdregoi Oblast lies near the head of one of the many valleys of central Jonatela. It is based around the small town of the same name, and includes five significant villages, and a number of smaller hamlets and farms. The total population is around 2,500, but half of these are children. Most of the oblast is wild, used as pasture for cattle and sheep, and there are also patches of dense woodland where pagan spirits are strong and wolves are still plentiful.
Like most Oblasts, the great majority of the population are literally farmers, tilling the land or herding livestock. Craftsmen are found in all the villages, including thatchers, brewers and timberwrights, but the more specialist professions, such as redsmiths, coopers and tailors, are found only in Ozhdregoi itself. Tinkers travel between the villages, supplying and repairing all manner of cheap goods. Sometimes merchants visit from outside the oblast, bearing more exotic goods for consumption by the Nemuzhik, as well as raw materials mined or grown elsewhere. Beyond the borders of the oblast, and even within some of its more hidden corners, live a few settled vagabonds; woodsmen and charcoal burners, who enter the villages and farms only to barter their wares.
The Oblast is home to three hundred Nemuzhik (including children), most of whom are Warriors. The druzhina (a private warband) is sixty strong, and is mostly based at Ozhdregoi Zamat, the great castle that stands on a hill overlooking the town from the far bank of the river. About a dozen members of the druzhina are based, with their families, in the large fortified tower at Verzam, protecting a route from which reivers are frequently known to raid. Each of the smaller villages has one or two local Warriors, who help to enforce the law there. Another sixty Warriors, mostly women, serve as healers and ostlers supporting the work of the druzhina. A few are clan elders, too old now to serve as anything but advisors to their sons and daughters. All local Warriors belong to the Bearhide clan, which also has members in three neighbouring oblasts.
There are a total of twelve adult Wizards in the Oblast. One lives at Verzam, providing for the spiritual needs of the garrison there, and another has been assigned by the Church to the staff of the nearest bishop, and so is rarely found here. The other ten all live at Ozhdregoi Zamat. The Oblast boasts three 'white' wizards, or preachers, including the one at Verzam, and four 'grey' wizards serving as clerks and administrators. Finally, there are four 'black' wizards, carrying out miscellaneous specialist religious functions. All the Wizards belong to the Vesdanya clan, whose members are spread across nearly two dozen oblasts.
There are thirteen adult nobles, including the boyar and his wife. The remainder are sisters, younger brothers, cousins and the boyar's elderly mother, none of whom have specific duties, and all of whom live at the Zamat. They belong to the Krenskai clan, which rules ten oblasts and is headed by a voivod. The Bearhides are one of three warrior clans dedicated exclusively to serving the Krenskai, but the Vesdanya have no specific association with them.
Personalities
A typical resident of the oblast might know the following people:
The boyar - Lord Vlaken Krenskai is the boyar of Ozhdregoi Oblast, the personification of law within its boundaries, and the recipient of the serf's wealth. He rules sternly, but not cruelly, as some of his neighbours do, so that the local Nemuzhik are reasonably loyal to him, and the serfs do not constantly plot sedition. His wife is a former Warrior who now greatly enjoys her enhanced status, while his other relatives spend all their time enjoying themselves at his expense. Lord Vlaken is known to respect and dote upon his mother, who has seen much in her seventy years.
The decan - Decan Dobestoi Vesdanya is the senior wizard in the oblast, and leads most religious ceremonies. With dual responsibilities to Lord Vlaken and the local bishop, he is one of the few people than can openly question the boyar's will, although he is wise enough not to do so too often. His wisdom and magic are well respected by his fellow wizards.
The herald - The most influential of the grey wizards is Pribin Vesdanya, Lord Vlaken's personal genealogist and herald. His duties include recording the lives and relationships of the local Nemuzhik and negotiating with other oblasts. He is an elderly man, more skilled as a scholar than as a magician, and walks only with a cane. Junior wizards fear his biting tongue and short temper.
The chief physician - Zhedana Vesdanya is the black wizard in charge of the Zamat's hospital. She serves only Nemuzhik, of course, leaving the serfs to their own local healers. Her staff are female Warriors, but only she can provide powerful healing magic. She insists on scrupulous cleanliness within the hospital at all times, and is known to bathe even more frequently than the once per week mandated by her class laws.
The battle-chief - Kratosh Bearhide is the leader of the druzhina. He is an experienced warrior, nearing the end of his fighting life, but has taken part in many raids against local reivers and nearby oblasts held by noble clans other than the Krenskai. He was chosen for his tactical knowledge rather than his raw combat ability.
A local enforcer - The boyar's representative in Khrenet is the warrior Goluban Bearhide. He lives here with his wife and two young children and sees to it that the serfs behave themselves and do not try to escape paying their rightful taxes. He is unpopular in the village and his wife constantly complains that she would rather live in Ozhdregoi with most of the other Nemuzhik.
A local priestess - Virineia Maskozhna administers the small shrine to Frona at Khrenet village. She is a middle-aged woman with many children, beloved by the serf community for her skill as a brewer as well as for her magical powers.
A local elder - Magkoi Shershenosich is an elderly serf living in Khrenet. Like others too old to perform heavy manual work, he is still respected for his great knowledge of farming skills and of the surrounding area. All the local serfs look to him for advice where practical matters are concerned.
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This page was last updated 5th October 2003 by Jamie 'Trotsky' Revell