2nd Battle of Rolovsk

Military: Battle

After the Battle of Brasta, Prince Vasilej and the Bogatyrs rushed to Rolovsk to defend against an impending Dranja attack, leaving Boyar Taisa to siege Castle Perilous with Ivin and Chios. In Rolovsk, tensions flared as Sir Erik Obnigradskiy and Headman Volymir clashed over leadership, but a compromise established shared authority. While Bertryll crafted arquebuses and trained villagers, Lorina pursued diplomacy, and Alastor and Iram fortified defenses. At dawn, the Hedgemen, bandits led by a Warlock Knight deserter, launched an assault. Erik rallied the villagers, Bertryll’s arquebuses thundered, and Iram’s tactics revealed enemy positions. Despite victory, Volymir fell, urging the village to persevere. With the new Boyar Erik vowing to lead Rolovsk to prosperity, the Bogatyrs prepared to face trials in the Dranja Highlands.

Following the decisive Battle of Brasta, a wounded Palischian spearman arrived with dire news—the Dranja tribes were preparing to attack Rolovsk. Prince Vasilej appointed Boyar Taisa to lead the siege on Castle Perilous, while he and his Bogatyrs rushed to Rolovsk. Ivin and Chios stayed behind with Taisa. Upon arrival, they met with Headman Volymir and began preparing the village’s defenses. Alastor led efforts to construct palisades, while Iram scouted for enemy movements. Lorina discussed the possibility of peace with the Dranja to focus efforts on the Warlock Knights.
  Sir Erik Obnigradskiy rode into Rolovsk alone, attempting to rally the villagers under his leadership. Headman Volymir, however, insisted that the village needed no boyar and should remain self-governed. Father Mosalev intervened, urging unity against the looming threat. Meanwhile, Bertryll began crafting arquebuses for the villagers, and Lorina had a huntress train the peasants in archery.
  Bertryll completed three arquebuses, and Iram trained the villagers in tactics for fighting mages. Lorina and Vasilej shared a peaceful moment by the Malenkiy River, while Alastor found Sir Erik's willingness to risk his life for Rolovsk admirable. With tensions between Volymir and Erik high, an election was held. The Bogatyrs brokered a compromise: Erik would become boyar, and Volymir would remain headman, ensuring shared leadership.
  At dawn, the Hedgemen, bandits led by a former Warlock Knight sergeant, attacked Rolovsk. Erik rallied the villagers, and with the thunder of Bertryll’s arquebuses, the bandits were repelled. Alastor and Bertryll fought off flanking attackers, while Iram revealed the enemy’s position with a green flare. Amid the chaos, an arrow struck Volymir, fatally wounding him. His dying words urged the villagers to protect their home. Iram faced the bandit chief, who met his death in terror of the revenant's dark power.
  With the bandits slain, Boyar Erik thanked the Bogatyrs for saving Rolovsk, vowing to lead the village to prosperity. As the village recovered, Father Mosalev warned the Bogatyrs of trials yet to come. The journey ahead would take them deeper into the Dranja Highlands, as they prepared for the next chapter in their saga.