Nizhne-Novgorod
The Principality of Nizhne-Novgorod is a province located upon the middle Volga River, within the Grand Duchy of Moscovy. The city of the same name is located where the Volga meets the Oka River, an important waterway that provides considerable access to a large area of the Russian plain. The principality is bounded on the north by Kostroma, on the east by Khlynov, Cheremissa and Chuvashia, on the south by the gnomish Kingdom of Harn, and on the east by Ryazan, Vladimir and Ivanovo. Much of the principality's central portion of the principality is well-developed farmland. The eastern third of the principality includes the comparably unsettled valleys of the Vetluga and Usta rivers. The principality covers approximately 67.7 hexes, with a population of 218,811.
The principality acts as a bulwark between settled lands and the more volatile, sparsely inhabited regions beyond, securing Moscovy’s eastern frontier. Its central farmland provides a stable food supply to support both local populations and military forces stationed here, while the region's rivers and terrain allow for efficient movement of troops and administration. Rebellions by local boyars and landholders consistently resist the Grand Prince’s authority, refusing to pay taxes or provide men when called upon. Some still see themselves as lords of their own domains rather than subjects of Moscovy, leading to occasional uprisings or refusals to follow decrees from Nizhne-Novgorod’s rulers.
Raids and skirmishes come from the Cheremiss and Chuvash, who strike at villages and outposts along the principality’s eastern lands. Though nominally these peoples are under Russian suzereignty, they seek to reclaim hunting grounds and pastures taken by Moscovite settlers while carrying off livestock and goods. Retaliatory expeditions are sent to drive them back, but the forests and rivers make pursuit difficult.
Tribute is taken from both elvish and half-orcish villages that are scattered to the north and east of Nizhne-Novgorod city. Though acknowledging Moscovy’s rule, they keep to their own ways. Rather than coin, they offer furs, grain and livestock, brought to Nizhne-Novgorod at set times of the year under the watch of local overseers.
