The colonists who crashed down in the cold, dark woods that would become Rodina faced some of the worst conditions on the planet. While basic resources were plentiful, little of the advanced equipment from the colony ship had come with them, and the weather and local wildlife took many lives. Through incredible hardship, the settlers pushed back the darkness, and built scattered refuges in the forests and hills. Then came a ruler from Varang, bringing technology and force of arms, who united the people of this wild land. Rurik, first of his line, turned the hardy people into a true nation, whether they desired it or not. Now, Rurik's dynasty has grown decadent, and the people suffer beneath the yoke, but the nation endures. The Dynasty maintains a large military of conscript soldiers and simple, sturdy vehicles. Their mechs follow this design philosophy, save for those of the officer-nobles, which are over-engineered and lavishly adorned.

Regions and Settlements:

• Rodina - agrarian/wooded heart of the country

• Varang - new capitol, home of the velikii kniaz (grand duke/prince), settled by refugees from Schrade

• Ruriksburg - primary military training and research center, in Varangian territory

• Sova - industrial center of Rodina, mostly underground, subdued after a failed rebellion

• Izut - Rodinan city with pronounced sprawl, home of ambitious lineage of kniazes (princes)

Military Forces:

• Voi - local conscripts, rallied into a militia when needed. Given only the most basic training and armaments. They serve to bulk out the front line, and handle menial rear line tasks. Senior officers are lesser nobles, under the command of the region's Voivode (duke, war leader).

• Streltsy - disciplined, professional soldiers that comprise the standing army. Wear distinctive red armored coats, and field all manner of weapons and vehicles. The backbone of the army during war, and provide security during peacetime. Organized into local units under Voivode command, and national units commanded by the Grand Duke's chosen.

• Kholops - a retinue of servant-soldiers, in the direct employ of a noble. Their master is responsible for their training and equipment. The poorest nobles field a militia-quality squad of infantry to act as their bodyguards. The wealthiest can field an infantry regiment, or deploy a veteran mech squad.

• Druzhina - ranking nobles and favored servants under the command of a kniaz. Senior druzhinniki (lit. "companions") are typically advisers, but some are generals. Junior druzhinniki command streltsy units or train their kholops as specialists. Favored non-nobles are bodyguards. As the second-highest social class, members of the druzhina have their pick of equipment.

Notable Figures:

• The Grand Duchess - the supreme and absolute monarch, descended from Rurik himself. Supported by the princes of each region, most of whom are related to her.

• The Boyar Duma - the legislative and advisory body to the Grand Duchess, stocked with her personal druzhinniki and a few influential lesser nobles. A staid and conservative political body.

• The Little Lords - a circle of young nobles who have been agitating against the political dominance of their elders. Their nominal leader is in line to become the kniaz of the Izut metropolitan area, while others of their number seek military glory.

• The Tenacious Exemplar - leader of a socialist revolution in the industrial warrens of Sova, the Exemplar was killed when the streltsy came to quell the uprising. His memory is still invoked by the few revolutionaries who remain.

• The Heralding Academician - a luminary of the Sovan revolution, this mysterious scholar always stayed in the Exemplar's shadow. Now, they lead and organize the surviving revolutionaries.