Character Sheet for Vlupinmir Pavlov Niskoff
Species
Eurasian Wolf (Canis lupus lupus)
Character Description
General Vlupinmir Niskoff is the wolf leader of the Siberian Army that conquered Queen Guivderin's kingdom of Dugroznik. His army is presently making its way westward toward Mossflower with the intention of expanding the Siberian Empire. General Niskoff and his army are unlike anything the Long Patrol, or anyone in Mossflower for that matter, have faced before. He does not fit in with any of the past horde leaders described throughout the Redwall books. He is not an abusive tyrant leading a rabble of illiterate, starving vermin looking for treasure. He is not a slaver with a gang of thugs looking to kidnap dibbuns and other defenseless creatures to build a fortress or mine sacred relics. Niskoff is a true general, leading an integrated army of loyal, literate, well trained, well fed soldiers who would follow him anywhere. He would match up to any of the best Long Patrol generals in class, skill, and military professionalism. One key difference, Niskoff is not handicapped by a divided culture of 'goodbeast' and 'vermin'. His army consists of all creatures. This was one of the key factors in his win against the Long Patrol at the Battle of Langchex on June 12, 5644.
In the image above, Niskoff surveys an area called Chautaux Flats. It's early winter of 5645, and he anticipates facing the Long Patrol again. His army fights best in open fields, where he can take advantage of his ballista machines that work as both offense and defense while continually advancing. He took special note that the Long Patrol also prefer fighting in open fields, their primary strength being a blitzkrieg charge with lances. A lesser army than Niskoff's would have been defeated swiftly, but Mossflower's famous hare and badger army did not understand his weapons. They were also taken aback by the integrated Siberians. Following the Battle of Langchex, Niskoff and his soldiers discussed at length how the Long Patrol became confused when facing certain species in his army. Most Siberians were unfamiliar with the goodbeast/vermin concept as it hasn't existed in Siberia for over 150 years. Some of his soldiers, specifically goodbeast species, were even slightly upset that they received looks of betrayal from the Mossflorians as they fought. Looks of, "We're both hares, how dare you fight me!" Niskoff explained this aspect of Mossflorian culture to his soldiers, and why the species integration of Siberia was so important. "Did you all notice not one rat, not one fox or wolf, not one feline, not one stoat or weasel fought along side the Long Patrol? Even those creatures who were present, charged with their own species. They lack our unity. Our unity, brought us victory. We are Siberians. One family. One pack." the wolf general ended his speech with a long haunting howl.
"ODNA VOLCH'YA STAYA" his soldiers chanted three times, their spirits now lifted. Earlier that day, they buried their dead and tended to their own wounded. None of them had faced an opposing army like the Long Patrol before, and demoralization this far from home could be disastrous.
Six months later, around the time of the image above, General Niskoff has learned through his spies that Mossflower is unifying under Guivderin Rijeka. He cursed to himself, "The spoiled princess from Dugroznik who escaped us?" Until the day he died, he would kick himself for underestimating her. His army would likely face an integrated Long Patrol. He sent the order out immediately, all available soldiers and conscripts from occupied kingdoms to the front with all haste. Preparations for a much larger battle began.
A lone Mossflorian messenger entered the Siberian camp that summer, seeming to materialize out of nowhere. Calling himself a 'Marlfox', he presented Mossflower's response to the terms of surrender that were given to General Thunderfoot at the Battle of Langchex.
Surrender rejected. Plan for battle on November 1, 5645. Please respond with a location. -Gen. Cornelius Longstride. Long Patrol.
Personality
Serious, determined, patient, brave. Niskoff is a patriotic military general, not unlike General Thunderfoot, just without all the bellowing, chest thumping, and swagger. He is quiet and analytical, taking the time to gather as much information as he can. Gets preoccupied by his mistakes and dwells on them, causing sleeplessness. Fear of failure, has a guilt complex about letting his superiors down and even more so, letting his soldiers down. He would be the type of captain to go down with the ship.
Stoic and task oriented. Despite his internal emotions and demons, never gets distracted from duties.
Emotional in private with his wife and family.
Likes/Dislikes
Vlupinmir loves his family and all time spent with them. There is nothing more important to a wolf than his pack. Also his troops and Siberian kinsbeasts, an extension of the pack.
Loves the challenge of a military campaign. The strategies, the troop movements, the feeling of victory in a job well done. Niskoff is at home in the field of battle.
Loves a good celebration with roasted meat, vodka, and songs.
Dislikes failure, especially his own. Can be especially hard on himself. Cowardice will stoke his ire and earn swift punishment. Desertion will earn execution. It's okay to be afraid of war, but be true to yourself. Admit your fear and be placed in a support role because cowardice on the battlefield endangers your comrades.
Background/History
Vlupinmir Pavlov Niskoff was born on December 9, 5586 in Trotskeya, Siberia, the second oldest of 5 pups to Chirel and Nadya Niskoff. Chirel was a guard captain in the Siberian Army, Nadya a domestic wolf-mother. The Niskoffs were a working class, traditional wolf family. The pack was everything and extended family members were always around. A strict hierarchy was followed. Papa at the top, Mamma next, then his sister Sarah who was the oldest sibling when neither parent was around. When manners, life skills, and duties weren't being taught, it was play time. The Niskoff home was always alive with yips, barks, and growls of puppies playing, chasing, and wrestling. Their three-room log cabin was always a happy place. Vlupinmir's family weren't the richest, but they were the pillar of strength for both the extended Niskoff Pack and the other creatures of their community. Even the woodlanders living in the nearby forest knew the Niskoffs. Vlupinmir's grandfather Olaff hosted an annual Autumn Harvest festival that involved everyone in Southeastern Trotskeya.
Vlupinmir was a wonderful cub. Happy, polite, obedient, and generous. He also took his responsibilities seriously, but without being nerdy or a bore. His older sister, Sarah, was much like him but minus the alpha qualities. This was fine under the Niskoff roof, but outside was a different matter. When it came to the gang of cubs the Niskoff pups palled around with, Vlupinmir was the true alpha. This made Sarah feel very inadequate and disrespected, even though secretly her brother made her feel safer. He knew how to stand up for himself and everyone else. He had a confidence about him that she couldn't imagine.
One day when Vlupinmir was 11 and his sister 12, two twin wolf sisters of another family decided to rough Sarah up. It was over another wolf-boy, a neighborhood heartthrob all the wolf-girls liked. The sisters chased Sarah through the woods. As her endurance gave out, so did her pride. She let out the Niskoff Family Howl, "Help me!" it said. Vlupinmir, along with a hare friend, heard it and ran to her rescue. He found Sarah being punched, bit, and fur pulled by the twins. He grabbed each of them by their neck scruff and threw them on the ground, followed by a deep growl that scared them stiff and frightened Sarah and his other friend as well. It was a biological trigger, something from their animal past. The twin sisters looked up at him, then averted their gaze while assuming a submissive gesture specific to wolves. Vlupinmire was absorbing the sisters into his gang through domination. "You won't hurt my sister ever again, will you?" he said deeply. "Noooo!" they both whined. Then he let them up and snarled at them, sending them running home.
The next day, Sarah locked herself in the meat cellar and wouldn't come out. Vlupinmir explained to his parents what happened. "This is a power struggle between you and your sister. Even though she called for help, you usurped her position by answering. How will you handle this, and still preserve her dignity?" his father propose, then left the two alone.
After a time, Sarah unlocked the cellar door and let her brother in. Vlupinmir curled up at her feet submissively and averted his eyes. "You'll always be my big sister. But I'll always have your back." They hugged and climbed out. Then, holding paws, they let out the Niskoff Family Victory Howl. Then the rest of the family joined in.
Vlupinmir's compassionate but dominant leadership style eventually let him to becoming general of the Siberian Army. He could be a total badass when he needed to be, inspiring confidence from those he served and those who served him. He had a dignified way of making all of his soldiers feel important and respected. He became the kind of military leader who everyone looked up to and would gladly charge into battle with.
In summer 5643, Vlupinmir was chosen to lead the occupation of and annexation of Western Europe, including Mossflower.
Relatives/Family
Father: Captain Chirel Niskoff(retired), age 79.
Mother: Nadya Famara Niskoff, age 82
Sister: Sarah Niskoff Haydir, age 60.
Brother: Gregorie Niskoff, age 55.
Sister: Brataslaya Niskoff, age 54.
Sister: Galina Niskoff Skovich, age 51.
Wife: Miroslava Dovik Niskoff, age 58.
Son: Lieutenant Dmitri Niskoff, age 41.
Daughter: Lieutenant Staya Niskoff Volgrad, age 36.
Son: Sergeant Lovik Niskoff, age 31.
Large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren in Siberia.
World/Setting
Set on planet Earth approximately 50,000 years in the future. All of my Redwall OCs are depicted as they were in the year 5645(Year Zero was when time measurements switched from seasons to years.), the year of the Rendezvous of the Six Armies. Most of the anthro world is stone aged to medieval at this time, with some increasing industrialization. The most modern cities have technology equivalent to that of Ancient Rome. Worldwide ocean travel exists with celestial navigation as a risky undertaking.
Vlupinmir is from Siberia. At this time in the anthro world, it is a region more so than an actual nation. The region of Siberia relevant to this era covers the area we know as Ukraine, Romania, Belarus, and western Russia. Like Mossflower, it is a collection of kingdoms, settlements, and communities with a common culture and the common language of Siberian. Siberia has a Tsar and a military that functions much like the Long Patrol, but with more authority and more trust. Siberia borders the arctic ice cap to the north, to the west it meets the eastern Mossflower Borderlands, to the south, the Kingdom of Dugroznik. To the east, Siberia blends into the vast forests and steppes of Central Asia.
Siberia is a culture of survivors. Creatures of all anthropomorphic species battling a harsh climate and vast distances to carve out a living. During harsher times, this often meant raiding distant lands for riches, Mossflower was often one of them. This is not the first time Mossflower and the Long Patrol have faced invaders from Siberia. A fox named Urgan Nagru, horde leader from the Redwall book, The Bellmaker, sailed from Siberia. Centuries later, a wolverine named Gulo the Savage led his horde of white furred vermin to plunder Mossflower as described in the book, Rakkety Tam. The Land of Snow and Ice, as it is called by Mossflorians, was thought to be across the Western Sea(Atlantic Ocean). But the sharp minded recorder's apprentice, Timeous Frent, noted a certain detail in the description of the Siberians who defeated General Thunderfoot at the Battle of Langchex. There again, was the prevalence of white furred vermin, descendants of these hordes from long ago. It was the pirate, Captain Brogg Seabeard, who helped Timeous make the connection. "There was a time, when one could sail from the north of Siberia, all the way around between Riftgard and Svalbard to catch the northwest wind to Mossflower. But no more! Since the Century of Summer ended over 200 years ago, the Norwegian Sea is frozen solid." Brogg explained.
"So now they have to come over land. But back then everyone thought they came from the west because of how they sailed." Timeous said to himself. "Oy, lad." Brogg answered.
They were correct. A cooling climate has left Siberia effectively landlocked. Lowered sea levels meant both the Baltic and Black Sea no longer provided access to the ocean. In a pursuit of resources, the Siberian leadership intended to occupy and absorb both Dugroznik and Mossflower under a Siberian Empire.
Vlupinmir is from Trotskeya, located near our city of Minsk, Belarus. 150 years ago, a wolf queen named Tsarina Velgo-Tshenka instituted the concept of Odna Volch'ya Staya, "One Wolf Pack", or 'One Pack' as it is known. No more species tribalism, only Siberians. It was a call for unity, patriotism, and survival. It was a hard sell to the older generations, but the young creatures took to it, and Siberia has flourished since.
The Siberians want Mossflower for its natural resources and coasts. They regard Mossflorians as barbaric and backward, despite their rich and fascinating history. Mossflower would do better under Siberian occupation. Vlupinmir does not buy into such propaganda so easily. He knows better than to underestimate the Long Patrol and will do his best to guide the Siberian Army to victory. And just maybe, convince the Mossflorians to join Siberia's 'one pack.'
Body
6 feet 4 inches tall with a lanky build. His clothes make him look bulky, but he has a physique similar to Legoshi from Beastars. Standard wolf fur pattern, very healthy. Intense thoughtful golden eyes.
Beautiful bushy tail. Through intense mental discipline, Vlupinmir can prevent his tail from wagging, thus concealing his emotions when he needs to.
Walks tall and proud with no arrogant swagger, can run very fast.
Clothing
Wears a shallow Ushanka on his head with the Siberian red star knitted to the front. (The more familiar ushankas are worn by creatures with small or furless ears.) Wears a heavy uniform coat with wool liner, chainmail middle layer, blue-grey leather exterior layer. Dark breathable silk undershirt. A wonder of clothing technology for the era and excellent in battle.
Pants are similar to the coat, a little baggier for freedom of movement. Long silk undergarments for breathability. Boots of wool and muskox leather. Thick soles of layered muskox hide.
In late spring 5645, a group of Long Patrol Hares along with some other Mossflorian warriors came upon a contingent of Siberian soldiers trying to scout a way through the North Mountains of Mossflower (Pyrenees Mountains as we know them.) The two groups taunted each other and it turned ugly. The losses were equivalent on each side. During the skirmish, a sneaky mouse warrior from Southsward swiped the coat off the Siberian lemming he maimed. The coat was brought back to Redwall Abbey for General Longstride to examine. Methods of penetration were tested and it was determined that forceful stabbing maneuvers will be needed for any effective close combat. This was integrated into all paw to paw combat training for the upcoming battle.
Accessories
Gold medals and ribbons for his various accomplishments. Gold wedding ring on his left ring finger.
Officer's tsar sword with fancy scabbard and leather belts. In battle, Niskoff would have his sword already drawn with scabbard and belts left behind as they are impractical on the battlefield.
