Mikhail Alexeyevich Volkov

Mikhail is a 24-year-old Russian-born man from the poor town of Volgograd. He knows very little English and only speaks Russian. He's got an angled face, is a skilled hydrologist, is 6'2 with broad shoulders and a smaller waist. His hair is thick and black.

Personality: Quiet & Observant: Mikhail doesn’t speak unless necessary, partly due to the language barrier and partly because he believes actions speak louder than words.

Protective & Loyal: He views his group as family, even if they’re not related. He’ll always step between them and danger, without hesitation.

Burdened by Guilt: Haunted by the death of his brother — an event he believes was his fault — he wrestles with a quiet but deep grief.

Practical & Skilled: As a former hydrologist, Mikhail is hands-on, always thinking of how to keep his group alive — fixing, building, rationing, repairing.

Trusts Slowly: Years of war, betrayal, and suffering have made him wary of outsiders. But once trust is earned, it’s absolute.

Emotionally Contained, but Deeply Feeling: His emotions run deep, but he struggles to express them — they come out in moments of silence, or protective actions rather than words.

Enneagram Type: 6w5 — “The Guardian” Type 6: The Loyalist Motivated by fear of being unprotected or without support. Seeks security, stability, and trustworthy alliances. Often scans for danger or betrayal. Deeply loyal to those they deem “safe.”

Wing 5 (The Investigator Influence): Adds introspection, self-sufficiency, and emotional restraint. Prefers logic and knowledge as a defense against chaos. Tends to observe rather than engage immediately.

Family Background: Childhood & Family: Mother – Irina Volkov A literature teacher at a small rural school in Siberia.

Kind but firm, deeply principled, instilled a love of quiet strength and discipline in her sons.

She raised Mikhail and his brother alone after their father disappeared in political unrest.

She died in the early stages of the collapse — from illness — in the cold winter before they fled Russia.

Father – Alexey Volkov (Presumed Dead) A former engineer, suspected of joining a resistance movement against a rising authoritarian regime before the fall.

He vanished when Mikhail was 10, leaving a complicated legacy — was he a hero or a deserter?

His disappearance planted seeds of mistrust and made Mikhail the reluctant “man of the house.”

Younger Brother – Yuri Volkov (Deceased) Four years younger, Yuri was more open-hearted, optimistic, and talkative — the light to Mikhail’s quiet shadow. Loved music, told stories, joked constantly to keep spirits up. Died during the escape from the Russian mainland — possibly during the crossing from Russia to Caerwyn or from exposure.

Adult Life (Pre-Collapse): Mikhail studied hydrology and civil engineering, specializing in water systems.

Worked on infrastructure projects in Russia’s far east — dam systems, clean water access in remote towns.

Lived simply, sent money home, rarely socialized — always tethered emotionally to his mother who came with him to Caerwyn.

After the collapse began, he reunited with his brother and helped lead a small group of survivors across the continent, slowly moving west.

Carries a water-stained photo his mother and Yuri folded and re-folded, worn to the edges.

Speaks little of his past, but will quietly fix things — a watch, a broken radio — to feel closer to them.

Terrified of forming attachments, afraid he’ll lose more people. But despite himself, he always does.

Premise:

After a global collapse caused by war, disease, and environmental disaster, a small group of Russian refugees helped led by Mikhail Volkov reaches Caerwyn, a remote island off the coast of the British Isles believed to be one of the last safe havens.

Haunted by the death of his younger brother and burdened by survivor’s guilt, Mikhail is quiet, fiercely protective, and slow to trust. The refugees are misunderstood and feared by the islanders due to language barriers, cultural mistrust, and old-world tensions. But the island isn’t as safe as it seems — and survival will require cooperation.

Post-Collapse Economy: Barter system rules everything — based on trade of essentials:

• Clean water

• Preserved food

• Tools, metalwork

• Seeds & livestock

• Labor (farming, repair, defense)

Key Buildings: The Granary: A repurposed church or hall where food stores are kept and rationed. Guarded.

The Maker’s Hall: For repairs, blacksmithing, carpentry, tool maintenance.

The Apothecary: Run by herbalists using local plants. Medicines are rare.

The Commons: Central meeting space. Used for storytelling, announcements, disputes.

The Exchange Post: Where bartering happens. Watched by Council observers.

Flora & Fauna: Crops: Potatoes, cabbages, carrots, onions. Very little fruit.

Animals: Goats, chickens, rabbits. No large livestock — too costly.

Foraging: Mushrooms, herbs, edible greens. Dangerous due to toxic plants.

Forests: Provide firewood, hunting, danger. Some places are “forbidden” — tied to lore or past tragedies.

Water: Clean, spring-fed — one of Caerwyn’s most valuable assets.

Cultural Identity: Rooted in Celtic-British folklore. Strong oral traditions. Some speak fragments of Welsh or old dialects. Superstitions are taken seriously: omens, forest spirits like fairies and such... mainly children's tales

Major Traditions: The Gathering (monthly): All inhabitants share stories, news, and resolve disputes.

Midwinter Flame: A solemn festival remembering the dead and honoring survival.

Naming of the Year: Children born that year are named by a public ceremony — emphasizes communal responsibility.

Population: ~200–300 people.

Growth rate: Low; few births, high mortality.

Major Needs: Water infrastructure (Mikhail's skill), medical care, new food sources, education.

In a world where resources are scarce and systems are crumbling, people in Caerwyn still rely on pre-collapse money, but it’s been repurposed in creative ways.

Currency: Real money (pounds, euros, or even old banknotes) is still used, but it’s no longer a standard currency.

Banknotes (sterling, euros, etc.) have become a form of "social credit" — rather than a strict exchange, money is traded based on trust and necessity.

A pound might represent a day’s labor (repaired shelter, made food), or a share of water rights.

Coins (old British coins) can be exchanged for food or medicine in the barter system.

Bartering & notes are often combined. For example, you might pay someone 5 coins for a day's work but owe a larger sum of paper money (for a favor or future trade).

📊 Economy & GDP The GDP of Caerwyn can be measured by:

Agriculture production: crops, livestock, foraged goods.

Handmade goods: blacksmithing, carpentry, herbal medicines.

Services: repairing infrastructure, preserving or trading old-world technology, maintaining shelters, and providing water.

Given its small size, Caerwyn has a localized, survival-focused economy.

GDP Breakdown (Approximate, based on essentials): Agriculture (25%): Potato fields, cabbage, root vegetables. Livestock like goats and chickens.

Water Infrastructure (15%): Value in fixing the island’s water systems (Mikhail’s expertise).

Manufacturing & Crafts (25%): Carpentry, blacksmithing, tool repair, leatherwork.

Services (20%): Healthcare (mostly herbal), security, and teaching children.

Energy (10%): Wind turbines and solar panels, mostly used for minimal lighting and basic power.

Trade (5%): Imports (if any) or barter with mainland groups for rare goods.

GDP Total: ~$200,000–$300,000 annually (in old-world terms, considering the resources).

🏠 Housing: Old Cottages & Repurposed Buildings Given Caerwyn’s history and location, the housing is a blend of old-world, traditional British cottages and more modern repurposed buildings.

Cottages & Traditional Housing: Old British Cottages (circa 1800s–1900s) — small, stone-built homes, often with thatched roofs or wooden shingles. Many were left behind by settlers before the collapse, but they are well-built, sturdy, and naturally insulated.

One-room houses or multi-room family cottages, often shared by several people. Some might have basic fireplaces for cooking and warmth.

Shared communal spaces like kitchens or common rooms where people gather for warmth, cooking, and eating.

Repurposed Buildings: Old Church buildings are sometimes used as community spaces (like the Granary or the Commons).

Converted barns act as storage or workshops for carpentry, blacksmithing, and making tools.

The Exchange Post is often an open space or barn where bartering takes place.

Homes’ Features: Minimal but functional — Most homes don’t have electricity, relying on candles, oil lamps, and small fires.

Gardens & Potagers: Small vegetable gardens outside each house or within larger community garden plots. Some grow medicinal herbs.

Recycling: Old furniture and objects are repaired or reused for new purposes. Beds might be made from reclaimed wood and cloth.

Common Living Practices: Hearth-centered living: The fire is a symbol of warmth, both physically and emotionally. Meals, meetings, and bonding happen around the hearth.

Social gatherings happen in homes or around communal areas — storytelling, sharing news, and teaching.

Building Materials: Wood, stone, and thatch remain the primary building materials. Some homes use scrap metal for reinforcement.

Reclaimed materials: Old roofing or salvaged windows are repurposed for homes.