Alexander Poltorotsky

Official Portrait

Alexander Nikolai Poltorotsky, shorted to Alex in Essotori, is the Imperial Prince of Serdste Khrista, and if one accepts his family's claim, the true heir to Nuraslovask. Despite this lofty status, the Poltorotsky family has been relegated to a ceremonial role in the remnant state since the failure of the Monarchist cause in the Serdste Civil War. While venerated by both traditional monarchists in Serdste Khrista, and an orthodox Christian, Alexander' primary form of support comes in the form of the Honoured Path Party, or the representatives of the Nozerod Cult in Serdste Khrista. In 2018, he was offered by the Essotori government to study at the prestigious Radonstinatle University for a three year course at the government's expense. Egged on by the Baeling of Serdste Khrista, the young heir began his studies in the heart of the Ascendancy. There, he was matched with a girl named Elizabeth Acton, who was to serve as his guide throughout Essotori, and ideally, as his wife. The two studied together through many trials, the reign of the Regency Council, who welcomed the young heir into the Palace of Origin itself, causing some controversy. Critically, the pair endured the Jade Restoration in January of 2020, where the traditionalists in Essotori launched a coup to remove the Regency Council from power, installing the Nozerod Glorious Jade to full power. The two hid in a library, as Loyalist soldiers conducted adhoc interrogations of professors and students, and this event had the effect of sealing their romance. Once the Restoration was complete, studying resumed without too much incident, and life at the University did not particularly change.

In 2021, during the Great Eastern War, a civic war known as the Norse War erupted in Serdste Khrista. Essotori insisted on keeping the heir in the Ascendancy until his safety could be guarenteed, though many elements in the Essotori administration wish to install him as the new Tsar, under the watch of the Cult. It is debatable to what extent Alexi's Christian views have been swayed by three years of exposure to the Cult.

## Biography

### Year One in Radonstinatle University (2018-2019)

"This Crownslave's name is Elizabeth Acton, does the Loyal Crownslave understand this?"

"He-hello Elizabeth... I understand."

"Oh, I forgot you do not yet know the mother language. Don't worry, I'm here to support you throughout your time here!"

Upon arriving at Radonstinatle University, the young man was directed to the foreign studies society (FSS), where he was invited to speak in his native language to the assembled scholars of Nurasovask. He spoke modestly, and with a stutter. His use of his own language, without Essospeak, was understood by a majority of listeners, educated in his culture and given a summary of his life ahead of time. Elizabeth Acton, with consent of both herself and her parents, was appointed as the boy's protector and guide, to assist him in learning the proper language. She greeted him after his first speech, where she taught him the fundamentals of Essospeak, and good manners. The culture shock was heavy on Alexander, who felt like he could not speak to anyone but her, as she could empathise with him. Initially, the boy barely considered himself a noble, being raised in a Republic that allegedly neglected him. To aid in communication, Elizabeth shortened his name to 'Alex', and spoke basic Trekan to help him get used to the language. The two were placed in the same classes throughout their time, and Elizabeth was authorised by the University Promulgator to participate in Christian rituals with Alexander, so long as Alexander participated in all Cultist rituals. The two were commisioned to conduct interfaith dialogue, to identify and study the Christian faith, and project the Cult into the boy's mind. As a foreign representative, Alexander was given additional classes with other foreign students, though there was merely a few, the young boy met Princess Gwen of Arells briefly, who was also studying in Essotori. These lessons involved proper etiquette, and an introduction to Essotori Culture, including idioms, table manners, and proper forms of address. After three weeks of these extra classes, Elizabeth began speaking to him in Essospeak, and he recipricated, partially after she showed the Mother Language's poetic usage. Once he got a grip on the language, she introduced Alex to her friend circle, who were not members of the Foreign Studies Society, to see how well he could interact with 'normal' people. While he could understand them, Elizabeth's friends were cruel, and unforgiving to an outside culture, leaving Alexander upset. Elizabeth comforted him in his room, and apologised for introducing him to her friends so quickly. After the Festival of Life, where the pair were naturally selected to participate together, the two officially became a romantic couple, the original goal of the Baeling. The two studied together, and during the end of year break, Alexander was permitted to leave the University and visit Elizabeth's parents with her. The family were supportive of the relationship, and reported that Elizabeth was happy to dedicate her life to Alexander, provided he remain in Essotori, a matter of contention between the two.

### Year Two (2019-2020)

"Holy King, it is an honour to be in the presence of his majesty, the Loyal Crownslave. This Dishonourable Crownslave is known as Alexander Kolvin, leader of the Honoured Path Party in the homeland, and the Loyal Crownslave's ardent ally."

"This Crownslave th-thanks the Loyal Crownslave for his endless determination."

Year two began uneventfully, though throughout summer, Alexander and Elizabeth maintained contact through Essotori phones. Throughout the summer, Alexander was granted the privilege of visiting the Nozerod Glorious Jade in the Palace of Origin, though the latter would care little for him. Additionally, summer was the time when he was updated on affairs at home, with Alexander Kolvin himself paying a visit, bearing guests to the young boy. Kolvin described the meeting as 'Eye opening, his majesty's grace was truly the font of all honour in Berinsky.' The two spoke on native political issues, and the Honoured Path Party's political thought. Alexander' views on politics had been dramatically shifted by exposure to Essotori, seeing it as an idealistic paradise, something to be brought over to Serdtse Khrista. This view was tailored to him by the Cult, and the Essotori government, and Elizabeth personally. When they reunited, upon hearing of her lover's meeting with the Nozerod, prostrated herself and begged for clemency for her moral failings, terrifying Alexander. This was due to the principle of Communal Grace, a tennant of the Nozerod Cult that stated, individuals who had been in direct contact with the Nozerod have their benevolent spirit amplified, the Nozerod's majesty reflected on them, confering them favour and respect. After calming Elizabeth down, the two prepared for work once more, though their study would be interrupted on January 10th, 2020, when the Jade Restoration began. Radonstinatle University was placed on lockdown, with all students awaiting interrogation by 'Purifiers'. During this time, the two formally eloped, the stress 'binding' their love together in the stars. During their interrogation, upon learning of Alexander identity, the Purifiers wished to have Alexander executed as a foreign agent, though Elizabeth passionatly plead on his behalf as her convert. The new regime recognised this arrangement, and after securing power by the 20th of January, allowed the pair to continue studying unimpeeded. Alexander campaigned for the Presidency of the Foreign Studies Society, introducing a campaign to introduce Serdtse Khrista's culture to Essotori, and to drum up support for the Honoured Path Party. This greatly pleased his overseers, who ensured that he won the title. Alexander and Elizabeth married in summer of 2020, with the new Prime Minister, Robert Cartford conferring the title of Prince of Zerde upon the child, who was named Oliver. Elizabeth was dubbed a Maiden of the Light, granting her special privileges among Essotori society, fitting the woman who enraptured the King of Zerde.

### Year Three (2020 - 2021)

"The greatest mistake the Republican regime made in the last decade was throwing it's lot in with the international vultures. True development can only come through rigorous self improvement, and community policing. The regime regualrly oppresses it's own people, it is no wonder that the international community looks on it with scorn. But, people, loyal and true, there is an alternative. The Honoured Path Party, and the venerable Alexander Kolvin provide an alternative. Stand with tradition, stand with heritage and the future."

With the Third Year, the King of Zerde was a true loyalist, fully convinced of the Cult's righteousness, Alexander enthusiastically supported his country's march to war against Quangsuh, as well as against the Coalition of Seriene and Hollefjord. Due to the outbreak of the Norse War, and the prospect of direct invasion by international forces, as well as the idea of a Communist victory in the Serdtse Khrista elections, Alexander was kept in Essotori. However, it is most likely that he would have chosen to remain regardless. He appeared on TV for the first time, declaring that the Honoured Path Party was the only force capable of saving the nation from internal and external enemies.

## Norse War and Election

### Quotes

"Today, the nation marches to war for Konzask, tommorow, the nation marches to war for Zhonghan, when will the nation march for justice?"

"Good and faithful men and women long for the restoration of the Monarchy, for it is their birthright too!"

### Direct Activities

"In the short time of a year, his Majesty has grown so much, it warms the heart and confirms to the soul, that he is truly destined to rule the Kingdom."

"The consent of the people is not sufficient. True rulers must secure the absolute loyalty of their subjects, acquired through good deeds."

"His Majesty's ancestors speak wisdom through him, this Crownslave remains His Majesty's sword, shield and hammer to root out and destroy all heresies."

"Heresies?"

"Indeed, His Majesty must be aware that heresy is everywhere on this world, even close. The spirit of the people must be uniform to protect against heresy, and that requires his majesty stand with them. Take a mistress, even a common whore, as long as his blood remains with the people." - Kolvin and Alexander

On the fourth of July, 2021, the King, wearing the richly decorated uniform of the Emperors of Nurasovask, toured "Tsar's Island", where the Cult's support was almost total. Here, he was greeted with outstanding applause and loyalty, with the local military garrisons, despite being in a poor state, saluted him properly, reminiscent of the old Tsar's parades. His Queen was kept in the Honoured Mansion, and tended to by the local staff. During Alexander' visit, he was joined by Alexander Kolvin, leader of the Honoured Path Party, and defacto dicatator of the Cult in Serdtse Khrista. Kolvin spoke passionately, inflaming the crowd on the necessity for change, the destruction of alien elements, and spoke of the King as being the path, the honourable path to that glorious future. When the trio met in private, Kolvin was disatisfied with Elizabeth, believing that the King should "Take a mistress, even a common whore, as long as his blood remains with the people". Kolvin's nativism, despite his loyalty to the Cult as an institution, would certainly prove troubling for the Ascendancy going forward.