Bartoniy Kruvik

[Infobox goes here]

Bartoniy Kruvik was a Syrvanian army officer, defense minister, co-Chairman of the Syrvanian National Republican Party, and party Chairman following the death of Konstantin Strynovich. Despite holding no official civil political power until the death of Strynovich, he is generally regarded as having been the de-facto dictator of Syrvania from 524 until 540, and remains one of the most controversial political figures of the 6th century.

## Early Life

Bartoniy Kruvik was born in the village of Bacsinkowol in 478 to Gregor and Alya Kruvik. Details regarding Bartoniy's childhood are largely unknown, and only vague details are provided in his memoirs. While his memoirs suggest that he taught himself to read and write while living with his parents, it is unclear how he did this. After his mother Alya's death in 485, his father Gregor sent him to the Zhanbroc Home for Boys. Files from the Home suggest that he demonstrated above-average literacy, and was made available to help in keeping records and writing letters.

He was conscripted into the Syrvanian army in 494, where his literacy and arithmetic skills were noted. He would eventually be placed as the clerk and personal assistant to Commandant of the Zakhlodiy Officers' Academy, Brigade General Mieszchka Spradczik, who recommended him for enrollment as an officer, noting "it would be a grave disservice to the Crown, to deny it such a promising young mind, in a role where he may serve it most effectively".

Kruvik would begin attending the academy in 496. According to his memoirs, he faced mistreatment at the hands of his classmates and instructors on account of his common birth. This, combined with "an abundant lack of talent" he observed from his classmates and his "profoundly unimaginative" and "dismissive" instructors, supposedly influenced his impressions of the nobility. However, records from the academy, many written by his instructors, seemed to reflect a more positive reception to him, with many commending his attention to detail and interpersonal skills.

## Military Career

Kruvik graduated from the Zakhlodiy Officers' Academy in 502 and commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Pansk Army Garrison, where he would spend much of his early career. The abdication of the throne by King Fedorik II in 508 resulted in riots in Pansk which, due to suppression by the garrison, were short-lived, Kruvik's participation in the leadership of which would earn him accolades and a promotion to Captain.

His skills as a military leader and organizer were made most apparent during the Lords' Uprising, where he was placed in command of the Pansk Garrison. His crisis resolution skills in the Zamika Incident, his leadership during the Two Day Siege and the subsequent counterattack earned him further decorations, and in 513, he would oversee the attack on Gyrzic, which would effectively end the Lords' Uprising. At the end of the uprising, Kruvik would hold the rank of Colonel, being promoted to Major General in 517

## Defense Minister and NP Involvement

Even after the end of the Lords' Uprising and the defeat of the Restorationists, the tensions between Monarchy and Progressivism could be felt in Syrvania, with a lingering Monarchist faction in the Syrvanian government and sporadic insurgent or criminal activity on the part of smaller militant Monarchist groups. During this time, Kruvik was in command of the Capital Response Motor Infantry Division, which was responsible for responding to such activity. Although his memoirs claim that he gained his appreciation for mobile warfare here, there were relatively few major incidents during this time, and no significant fighting.

The National Party's raid on Howicz House garnered a response from the police, as well as Kruvik's motor infantry division. However, neither interfered with the raid. Afterwards, charges of insubordination levied against police officers who refused to intervene against the raiders were dropped due to efforts on Kruvik's behalf. This incident put him into contact with Kontantin Strynovich, then-newly appointed chairman of the National Party.

Kruvik was appointed as Minister of Defense in 519, after the resignation of Waldisaw Liand.

## Death

Bartoniy Kruvik was found dead by hanging in his office in the Zamika during the Elandric attack on Pansk in Autumn 540. His death is generally regarded to have been suicide, but a number of alternative theories exist, often suggesting that he was killed by his staff before he could officially announce Syrvania's surrender.