At the end of 1444 Russia is divided in a number of principalities, all of whom have for a long time lived in the shadow of the Tatar Golden Horde. The Tatars have been ever present in Russian politics, collecting tribute, taxes and acting as kingmakers in the Christian states. While the Grand Principality of Muscovy is not the oldest of these states it has recently grown to be the strongest. Located in the relatively fertile Opolye, Muscovy has a stronger internal economy than many other principalities. More importantly their princes have often acted as collectors for the Khans of the Golden Hordes. Making their princes both relatively safe and able to grow rich.

Since the crushing defeat of the Golden Horde at the hands of the Timurid armies, their empire has fractured into a number of successor states. The core of their empire, the Great Horde is still a strong power in its own right, but it is fraught by internal struggles and has been unable to project much power over the Russians.

Muscovy has made good use of this power vacuum, expanding their control over the other principalities rapidly, through both cunning and use of military resources. Often even by simply buying out the poorer Princes and adding their lands to the Muscovite domain.

Moscow is not the only strong state with interest in the Russian region, however, in the north the Republic of Novgorod has colonized much of the White Sea coastline, securing the valuable waterways and a source of fur, the soft gold of the north and east.

To the west the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland are doing what they can to assume the leadership of all Russias, asserting authority over most Ruthenian lands as well as a constant factor in the politics of the free Russian states in the north. Their interests are directly opposed to the growing power of Moscow, but their claim to the Rus legacy is quite dubious. If they can be overcome there is seemingly no limit to how much the Great Principality could grow.

If the Tatar Yoke could be crushed once and for all there is also the vast expanse of Siberia, full of untold riches, and dangers. If the many khanates, natives and the nature itself can be overcome then there is no limit to how rich a united Russian state could grow.