Anna Novikova

**Enheduanna Novikova** (Russian: ) is a Druzhnik of the Sabassian Tsardom. Though she is ethnically Kurul, she was forced to accept the shortened name **Anna** to better fit into Sabassian society. She commands a force of Sabassian Cataphracts that specialize in raiding enemy supply lines, nicknamed the Raiders of Thrais, the Kurul Goddess of War and Famine.

## Biography

### Early Life

Anna was born in the year 202 3E to unknown parents in the Noviya District of Beliskva, the slums designated for foreign refugees. Various parental figures in her life claim she was born to more than a dozen different women, though the story was always that they died shortly after her birth, and that her father was killed while serving in the Seventh Theme. Some claimed she had a brother, but his name and whereabout are unknown.

### Military Service

After years of scavenging for food on the streets, she enlisted in the army at fourteen to avoid being swept up into the local gangs that hoped to take advantage of her quick mind and durability in fights, as she often fought off multiple opponents that tried stealing her food. She was assigned to a heavy infantry regiment, where she displayed a skill with the spathion sword. After only two years of service, she was moved to the cavalry as a skirmisher, though she lacked the precision of the bow and javelin of her peers. She was moved once more into a company of cataphracts, where she saw great success.

She earned the respect of Knyaz Damianus while serving under him on campaign. Her fearlessness put her at the tip of the cataphracts wedge formations, and her war cry became legend among her fellow soldiers and enemies alike. Damianus put in a letter of recommendation to be transferred to the Imperial Guard, which she joined in 224 3E at only 22. She became acquainted with Despot Andrey, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Andrey took an immediate liking to Anna, who he brought along everywhere to serve Tsar Mikhail, effectively grooming her for the role of Druzhnik.

#### Riot of Mosak

In 228 3E, a riot started in the capital city's Noviya District by a group of political dissidents who'd rallied the poor against the Tsar, burning down the homes of the nobility, looting shops, and murdering city guards. Stationed in Mosak, Anna was tasked with putting down the revolt, and was assigned command of 1,200 elite troops. In the early evening, as the streets began to dim, she issued a warning to the rioters, that those who did not wish to die return to their homes. The number of rioters only decreased by about 400 from the roughly 3,000 that had taken the streets.

Against the expectations of failure, Anna led the cavalry assigned to her through the Noviya district, beating hundreds of people with her mace. After the apprehension of the injured and the removal of the dead, they came face to face with the ringleader of the revolt, a eunuch named Mithras Atreus. Seeing no way to get to him, she pulled out a Thrakan Fire Bomb and threw it at his feet. Mithras burned alive with several of his followers for over two minutes before they stilled. The rioters fled, but most were captured by the infantry that cut off their retreat.

Mikhail lauded her for her service, and asked her what should be done with the captive rioters. Her answer was written down in the court reports:

> "Time and circumstance can change the message we intend in the eyes of our enemies. A show of strength and resolve against a dissident may seem a sign of us tightening our grip as we lose control, where a show of leniency may demonstrate a confidence in our power. In times of peace, this may not be true, but we presently stand against twelve kingdoms hoping for any visible weakness. Best not to give them the thought that we might be struggling."
>
>

Mikhail agreed with her judgment, and sentenced the ringleaders to death, imprisoned the Atreus family, and released the other roughly 1,800 prisoners. Having won over the respect of the Tsar, she was appointed Druzhnik, replacing the injured Nicholas Peskov, who became the Commander of the Guards.

### Druzhnik

Despot Andrey assigned Anna a Cataphract unit to fight in Kodama, targeting enemy villages and logistics routes. Her reputation as a fearless warrior and competent commander struck fear into the region, where she earned various names, including the Kurul Queen and Thrais (Kurul Goddess of War). Likewise, her band of Cataphracts have earned the nickname "Thrais's Raiders."

During an ambush on a baggage train for the Kingdom of the Savior's Pyre, she was struck in the leg by an enemy poleaxe, and she was forced to withdraw. She holds a grudging respect for the wielder, but hopes to find him once more on the field and run him through with her lance.

## Personality and Traits

Anna is ethnically Kurul, with dark skin and eyes, but has distinctive blonde hair. She is 1.78 meters tall. Along the outside of her left thigh, she has a deep scar from an axe wound that still aches when she moves on foot. Her exotic appearance draws the attention of potential suitors, primarily from the Tsardom, but a fixation on military matters drives most of them away. She is often callous, and disinterested in the well-being of people beyond her control. She has razed at least two villages and executed over a hundred captives for putting up resistance. In reality, she holds those who fight in high regard, and loathes those who surrender, but an acknowledgment of the realm's safety demands she perform the actions she takes.

## Equipment

### Weapons

As a Cataphract and as a demonstration of her disinterest in the finer things, Anna wields the basic kontos lance, a standard-issue spatheon sword for close combat, and a gilded flanged mace that signifies her command. She also carries with her Thrakan Fire Bombs, which she uses to stop enemy counter charges or destroy non-perishables that her troops can't take back with them.

### Armor

For protection, she wears full lamellar protection for her body and limbs, with an under layer of plate on her legs and in for her boots. Her helmet is a conical nasal helm topped by a flame ornament with a mail aventail and a silver facemask styled after Thrais. Under her armor, she wears a purple tunic and dark blue trousers. She also uses a cavalry shield for protection.