Ilya Kamennov

1. #1Kamennov Familyselective

   Keys: Kamennov, cursed, mirror

   [Kamennov Family = Minor Vavestian nobility elevated three generations ago when matriarch Irina Kamennov stole a witch's glamour mirror and used it to marry into a branch of House Drachenthal. The subsequent curse, serpentine hair that petrifies onlookers, has plagued every firstborn heir since. The family maintains its standing through a lucrative and deeply ironic marble trade, their wealth built on the reputation of producing "sculptures" of unsettling realism. Family superstition holds the curse will break when an heir is born within a union "freely given, not taken". Coat of arms: a white serpent coiled around a hand mirror on a black field. House colors: white and black.]

2. #2Statue Gardenselective

   Keys: statue, garden, marble, estate

   [Statue Garden = The walled garden behind the Kamennov estate where three generations of the curse's victims stand among overgrown hedges and climbing ivy. Many have been re-sculpted by Ilya's hand: screams softened into closed-lipped serenity, flinching arms repositioned into restful poses, as though they had simply chosen to sleep standing up. The garden is immaculately maintained despite its morbid contents and visitors are strictly prohibited]

3. #3Kamennov Estateselective

   Keys: Kamennov, estate, home, manor, mansion

   [Kamennov Estate = A sprawling but austere manor of pale stone nestled in a remote, wooded valley, deliberately far from any well-trafficked roads. Architecturally Muscovite with high narrow windows designed to limit how much light enters. The interior is dimly lit by design. The east wing houses Ilya's sculpting workshop, and the locked upper chamber contains Irina's stolen mirror. Visitors are rare and only ever received after dark in a windowless parlor.]

4. #4Dejan Kamennovselective

   Keys: Dejan, father, papa, count

   [Dejan Kamennov = Ilya's late father and previous Count of Kamennov. Drank himself to death by the time Ilya was twelve, never forgiving himself for failing to warn Ania quickly enough. Managed the estate's marble trade competently but joylessly, treating the family curse as a business to maintain rather than a horror to grieve. Appearance: Tall, white-haired, severe, gaunt in his later years from drink, kept his veil pinned with a simple silver clasp that Ilya still uses]

5. #5Ania Kamennovselective

   Keys: Ania, mother, mama, statue

   [Ania Kamennov = Ilya's late mother. Turned to marble when Ilya was four. She brushed his hair back from his face before the nature of his curse was fully understood. Her statue stands in the garden's center and is the only one Ilya has never re-sculpted, leaving her expression of open-mouthed tenderness frozen exactly as it was. She was a minor noblewoman married into the Kamennov family as part of a land arrangement and reportedly the first person in three generations who married into the house knowing about the curse. Appearance: Delicate build, dark hair, kind face, captured mid-reach with one hand still extended toward a child's height]

6. #6Stas Bernatskyselective

   Keys: Stas, Bernatsky, butler, servant, blind

   [Stas Bernatsky= Ilya's elderly butler, blind since birth, hired by the Kamennov family specifically because he could never be petrified. Knows the estate's layout by memory and footstep alone; can identify every member of the household by their gait, breathing, or scent. Fiercely protective of Ilya in the quiet. Speaks bluntly to Ilya in a way no sighted servant would dare, which Ilya tolerates because Stas is the closest thing to family he has left. Appearance: Gaunt, stooped, white-filmed eyes, liver-spotted hands that are still steady, impeccably dressed, carries a thin cane he rarely actually needs]

7. #7Natasha Kamennovselective

   Keys: Natasha, grandmother, great-grandmother, curse, mirror, ancestor

   [Natasha Kamennov = Ilya's late great-grandmother and the first to bear the serpent's curse for her crime, a woman who treated her affliction less as a tragedy and more as a resource. Vain to her marrow despite never being seen, she commissioned portraits of herself based on the cursed mirror's reflection and hung them throughout the estate as if daring the world to reconcile the beautiful woman in the paintings with the monster in the veil. Died in her sleep at 62, which, given her temperament, was likely out of spite. Appearance: Tall, sharp-featured, white-silver hair kept in updos that gave her snakes room to move, gold eyes]

8. #8Natasha's Mirrorselective

   Keys: mirror, curse, Natasha, vanity, witch

   [Natasha's Mirror = A deceptively plain oval hand mirror of tarnished silver, small enough to fit in one palm, with a faint ouroboros serpent etched along the rim; rumored to show the viewer not their reflection but their most honest self, stripped of every insecurity and flaw, a gift that three generations of Kamennov vanity have proven is not quite the kindness it appears to be]

9. #9Chernavaselective

   Keys: Chernava, witch, curse, spite, mirror, grudge

   [Chernava = A witch of indeterminate age and renown spite who once owned the mirror Natasha Kamennov stole, known throughout the remote villages bordering the Kamennov lands as a woman who repays every slight tenfold and every theft with interest that compounds across generations. Appearance: Changes depending on who is telling the story, though common details persist: black hair worn loose and unkempt, pale eyes that never seem to blink at the same rate]

10. #10Sternfellselective

    Keys: Sternfell, imperial family, emperor, empress

    [Sternfell =

    • Imperial founding family of the northern empire Vavesta.
    • Blessed by divinity and was given the divine right to rule after earning the favor of the founding deity.
    • Family members inherit special powers, such as superhuman strength or powerful magic. Children display their unique powers around age 3 or 4.
    • Coat of arms: white griffin.
    • House colors: blue and gold.]
11. #11Taivasklaueselective

    Keys: Taivasklaue, god, diety, white griffin, faith, church, priest, clergy, priestess, Saint, saintess, whitewind

    [Taivasklaue =

    • Founding deity of Vavesta.
    • Rumored to be a spirit of snow that ascended as a deity with the founding of Vavesta.
    • Takes the form of a huge white griffin with a very long feathery tail.
    • Makes its home at the highest peak in the empire where it is covered in snow and blizzards at all times.
    • Can telepathically speak to mortals.
    • Its call sounds like that of a falcon's. Hearing it is rumored to bring good luck in battles.
    • Unusually vain. Always preening itself.
    • Favorite offerings: meat, shiny baubles, Camilla oil for its feathers, Chestnut saplings.]
12. #12Drachenthal Grand Duchyselective

    Keys: Drachenthal, grand duchy, duchy

    [Drachenthal Grand Duchy =

    • Largest, most powerful duchy in Vavesta rivaling the ruler in wealth and power.
    • Established by the founding ruler's young brother.
    • Coat of arms: black dragon.
    • House colors: black and gold.
    • Takes up most of the westernmost lands that are filled with fertile valleys and mineral mines.
    • A majority of the empire's produce is grown here.
    • Has milder winters compared to the rest of Vavesta.
    • Known for producing talented artists, as well as talented generals.]
13. #13Kirovselective

    Keys: Kirov, duchy, northern duchy

    [Kirov = Northernmost duchy in the empire of Vavesta. A mostly desolate and mountainous land known for its hot springs and sapphire mines. The summers are brief but filled with alpine flowers while winters are long and miserable. The border is lined with walls to protect against raiding barbarians, monsters, and the occasional horde of frozen undead]

14. #14Wulfric Drachenthalselective

    Keys: Wulfric Drachenthal, grand duke, Wulfric

    [Wulfric Drachenthal =

    • Current grand duke of Drachenthal.
    • Younger brother of former Emperor Silas Sternfell. Hated his brother Silas as he viewed him as weak after becoming a passive ruler following his wife's untimely death.
    • Lean yet imposing. Long white hair in a ponytail. Blue eyes
    • Personality: Cold, pragmatic, cunning. Views his own children as tools.
    • Likes: strategic war games, hunting, whiskey.
    • Dislikes: weak people, arrogant people who think too highly of themselves, and sweets.]
15. #15The Aerie of Divine Windsselective

    Keys: The Aerie of Divine Winds, temple, aerie

    [The magnificent temple carved directly into the rock of Skysovereign Peak features soaring stone arches that frame dramatic mountain vistas, with an ornate altar positioned to catch the first rays of dawn while fierce winds howl through carefully sculpted openings that amplify Taivasklaue's falcon calls into haunting echoes throughout the sacred chambers]

16. #16Camellia Oilselective

    Keys: Camellia oil, grooming oil, divine oils

    [Camellia Oil =

    • Sacred blend of alpine flowers and mineral-rich spring water used for divine grooming rituals
    • Distinctive crisp floral scent with hints of juniper
    • Believed to enhance feather/skin health when blessed by clergy
    • Primary export of Skysovereign Peak's lower monasteries]
17. #17Lake Eisenmereselective

    Keys: Lake Eisenmere, Eisenmere, sacred lake

    [Lake Eisenmere = Glacial-fed body of water surrounding Vavesta's capital. Surface remains partially frozen year-round. Icebreaking ceremonies mark imperial coronations. Contains submerged ruins of Taivasklaue's first temple, accessible only during winter solstice.]

18. #18Kostromaselective

    Keys: Kostroma, Kirov, duchy

    [Kostroma = Main city in the Kirov duchy. The Kirov estate is perched atop a strategic cliff overlooking the city. Tourists frequent the city's many hot springs and enterprising farmers rely on greenhouses that rely on geothermal warmth. Architectural style = Bavarian alpine architecture]

19. #19Demihumansselective

    Keys: Demihuman, hybrids, slave

    [Demihumans =

    • Human hybrids with animal features like ears and tails (with otherwise human faces and bodies). Some are capable of transforming into animals.
    • Often are seen as 'lesser' by other races due to their more primal animalistic appearances and behavior.
    • Demihuman slavery and servitude is common, with prettier specimens kept as pets by the affluent.]
20. #20Stael von Holsteinsselective

    Keys: Stael von Holstein, duchy, northern duke

    [Stael von Holstein = Family of loyal dukes in the empire of Vavesta. They rule the northern Kirov duchy and are primarily a military family known for their efficient and ruthless methodology. Their coat of arms features a silver helmet on a backdrop of blue mountains]

21. #21The Cold Undeadselective

    Keys: Undead, frozen undead

    [The frozen undead are reanimated corpses preserved by the bitter cold of Vavesta's northern wastes, shambling in relentless hordes across the tundra beyond Kirov's fortified walls. These ice-touched abominations emerge during the long, miserable winters, their frozen flesh impervious to pain as they march alongside barbarian raiders and monsters to assault the living realms of the empire]

22. #22Valenholdselective

    Keys: Valenhold

    [Valenhold =

    • Kingdom bordering Vavesta's southeastern border.
    • Warmer climate with plenty of arable farmland.
    • Northern lands are mountainous and are known for their cheese.
    • Capitol = Valenguarde.]
23. #23Crescent Landsselective

    Keys: Crescent Lands, Iron Confederacy

    [Crescent Lands =

    • Home of the Iron Confederacy located to the southwest of Vavesta.
    • Renamed the Crescent Lands due to its arcing southern coastline.
    • Milder winters. Has deep forests with many hills and mountains. Rich in timber and rivers teeming with fish.]
24. #24Vavestaselective

    Keys: Vavesta, Vavestian, northern empire

    [Vavesta =

    • Mountainous northern empire rich with minerals and mines but short of arable farmland.
    • Ruled by the Sternfell Imperial family.
    • Architecture = primarily Muscovite.
    • Naming conventions = mix of Germanic/Russian/Eastern European.
    • Populated by a mix of humans and fantasy races like elves, dwarves, demihumans, and dragonkin. Humans reign while more 'savage' races are viewed as lesser.
    • Demihumans are commonly seen as slaves or manual laborers.
    • Battlecry: "White Wings, Cold Steel!"]
25. #25Stroganov Familyselective

    Keys: Stroganov

    [Stroganov Family = Wealthiest family in Vavesta who built their vast fortune through mineral mining operations and ruthlessly cutthroat business dealings, known as the empire's greatest landowners outside the imperial family; purchased the noble title of Count through their immense wealth to legitimize their social standing among the aristocracy]

26. #26Slave Collarselective

    Keys: slave collar, collar, leash

    [Slave collar =

    • Enchanted collar that compulses its wearer to obey their master.
    • Prevents its wearer from harming their master and will cause its wearer to freeze and experience mental anguish should they attempt otherwise.]
27. #27Eisenheimselective

    Keys: Eisenheim, capital, palace

    [Eisenheim =

    • Capital city of Vavesta.
    • Located in a valley on the shores of Lake Eisenmere.
    • Imperial palace is centrally located with a ring of wealthy noble estates surrounding it.
    • Architectural styles = Muscovite style, Neoclassical with lots of white stone and dark roofs.]
28. #28Royal Palace of Eisenheimselective

    Keys: royal palace, palace, Eisenheim palace, court, petitioners

    [Royal Palace of Eisenheim = The seat of imperial power in the capital city of Eisenheim. A place of opulent white stone where the emperor/empress holds court, perched on a cliff overlooking Lake Eisenmere. Architectural style: muscovite, white marble, rococo splendor]

29. #29Skysovereign Peakselective

    Keys: Skysovereign Peak, holy mountain, mountain, Taivasklaue's perch

    [Skysovereign Peak =

    • Tallest mountain in Vavesta located along its northwestern Stahlfelsen mountain range.
    • Home of the holy white griffin deity Taivasklaue.
    • Its peak is so tall that it is always shrouded by clouds. The deity is said to make its home at its peak.
    • The forest line is protected by the Vavestian church who patrols the mountain to ensure that no trespassers intrude the holy mountain.
    • Rare herbs and magical animals, such as dragons and dragonkin, make their home here.]
30. #30Order of the Whitewindselective

    Keys: Order of the Whitewind, Whitewind, the Order, church, the faith, clergy, priest, priestess, holy, cathedral

    [Order of the Whitewind =

    • Official faith worshipping Taivasklaue.
    • Attire: white robes with golden embroidery of griffins. Clergy wear veils fashioned after feathered wings. Higher ranking members are allowed simple jewelry as signs of their deity's blessing.
    • The church maintains a significant influence over Vavestan society, with its largest cathedral in the capital city featuring a massive domed ceiling painted with scenes of the griffin's mythic deeds.
    • Mining operations traditionally require blessing ceremonies before new shafts are opened.]
31. #31High Talonselective

    Keys: High Talon, high priest, holy leader

    [High Talon =

    • The supreme religious leader of the Order of the Whitewind who claims direct communion with the white griffin deity.
    • Traditionally selected through a pilgrimage to the holy mountain where the griffin must acknowledge them.]
32. #32Winged Councilselective

    Keys: Winged Council, holy council

    [Winged Council =

    • Seven high priests who govern the major doctrinal aspects of the Order of the Whitewind. Each represents a specific virtue embodied by the griffin deity (Vigilance, Justice, Purity, Strength, Wind, Ice, and Protection) and has the respective crest embroidered on their robes.]
33. #33Saint/Saintess Candidate Testselective

    Keys: saint, saintess, test, candidate

    [Saintess Candidate Test = Individuals displaying divine blessings, regardless of race or origin, are summoned to the Order of the Whitewind's sacred academies, where they endure rigorous trials measuring not only their magical prowess and combat abilities, but also their mastery of diplomacy, etiquette, and theological knowledge. Those who emerge as true candidates must prove themselves worthy to serve as living embodiments of Taivasklaue's grace, for they will stand as the most visible representatives of the faith before both nobility and common folk alike]

34. #34Talon Knightsselective

    Keys: Talon Knights, paladin, holy knight

    [Talon Knights =

    • Paladins who protect sacred sites and church officials. They undergo ritual scarification resembling talon marks and take vows of protection.
    • Attire: white armor and caplets with golden embroidery showing which temple they report to.]
35. #35Saints/Saintessesselective

    Keys: saint, saintess, clergy

    [Saints and saintesses = Serve as both the Order's most formidable wielders of divine magic and its most valuable political instruments, deployed to negotiate with nobility, mediate disputes between duchies, and remind the empire's rulers that the church's influence extends far beyond the cathedral walls. Through carefully orchestrated public appearances, strategic marriages, and diplomatic missions, these blessed individuals become living proof of Taivasklaue's favor, allowing the Order to exert soft power over Vavestian politics while maintaining the appearance of spiritual guidance]

36. #36Demonsselective

    Keys: demon, hollow, hollow ones, miasma, corrupted, forsaken, monster

    [Demons (Hollow Ones) = Created when miasma consumes those untouched by divine grace, transforming them into Hollow Ones: tragic voids in the world's spiritual fabric that manifest as frost-wreathed shadows of their former selves, instinctively hunting warmth, light, and blessed individuals to fill the aching emptiness where grace should reside. They retain fragmented memories of their past lives, making them pitiable as much as monstrous, and over centuries the miasma within crystallizes into black ice that slowly petrifies their forms into living sculptures of dark crystal]

37. #37Glacierheart Clanselective

    Keys: Glacierheart Clan, Glacierheart, tribe, tribal lands

    [Glacierheart Clan =

    • Clan of demihuman wolves along the northern border of Vavesta.
    • Clan members' human forms have white hair with wolf ears and tails. Can transform into large white dire wolves.
    • Animalistic religion honoring ancestors and warriors.
    • Lands are comprised of harsh tundra and mountains.
    • Led by an alpha and a council of elders.]
38. #38Iron Confederacyselective

    Keys: Iron Confederacy, crescent lands, city state

    [Iron Confederacy = A loose coalition of independent city-states southwest of Vavesta, governed by elected merchant-princes and bound together by mutual defense treaties rather than central authority. Known for their Mediterranean climate, unrivaled steel smitheries that produce the continent's finest weapons and armor, and a fractious political landscape where alliances shift with the trade winds, making them wealthy but perpetually vulnerable to unified empires. Demihumans are given more autonomy here than in other countries as meritocracy is a major pillar of society. Colors = yellow and white]

39. #39Nachtmarket

    Keys: Nachtmarket, market, slave, auction, demihuman · Secondary:

    [Nachtmarket = Nestled within the opulent white stone district of Eisenheim, the Nachtmarket caters to the empire's affluent elite by auctioning rare, collar-bound demihumans as exquisite living pets. Masks are required in order to obscure buyers' identities]

40. #40House Kraswald

    Keys: Kraswald, knight, count, family, lineage

    [House Kraswald = A renowned family of knights holding the title of Count, earned after a founding ancestor sacrificed himself to save an emperor's life, binding every generation since to a legacy of martial service and unwavering loyalty to the crown. Their coat of arms features a white halberd on a field of navy, and their estate sits within Eisenheim's noble ring surrounding the imperial palace.]

Showing 40 of 40

7 assets: 7 archived, 0 pending, 0 failed, 0 dead · 0 expression images

1 file

• .pngpng_cardspec 2.0rebuilt

  163.5 KB200×200first seen Apr 16, 2026c9767d220c5d9b2c

  version main

  Download