Life in the frigid north of Svalbard is difficult, but the resilient Muscovite people have long-prospered there. Their diet consists largely of gebbak, a tuber as tough and resilient as the Muscovites themselves. Raw it resembles the root of a particularly ugly old tree; cooked, it is very much like a potato in flavor and texture.

Muscovites live in extended families, similar to tribes, and each family controls its own little region of Svalbard. Each of the extended families is composed of multiple smaller families centered around a male patron. The patron leads the family until he passes the honor and responsibility to another in a ceremony called the Skjebdiv. After the Skjebdiv, the former patron acts as an adviser to his successor.

The extended families are ruled by the patron of the most influential nuclear family, given the title of Czartun. There are five of those extended families, and hence there are five Czartuns. One Czartun– called the Czar– rules above all Muscovites; he is chosen by an election held every twelve years, or held sooner if the current Czartun dies. Only the Czartuns may vote in the election, and the Czar may not come from the family of either of the current or former Czars; hence, there are always three candidates.

The Czar remains in the capitol city of Musko, and during his reign he has a trusted agent, usually his brother, remain with the family and act as a sort of proxy Czartun. The Czar’s primary responsibilities are to serve as a mediator between the other families and to coordinate the defense of Svalbard.

Svalbard is rich with coal deposits, though the Muscovites’ mining techniques are rudimentary and inefficient. They make most of their money through mercenary services. Every mother is required to send her first-, third- and fifth-born children to Musko, where they will be trained and then hired out. This mandatory service lasts four years, and in addition to the money it brings in it also helps ensure that the Muscovite army is not only well-trained, but experienced as well.

The Muscovites worship Magdar, the Bearlord. Highly-ranking Muscovites are given panserbjörne, armored bears. The panserbjörne are fearsome in battle and utterly loyal to their handler. The mere sight of a mighty Muscovite astride his terrifying bear is often enough to defuse an altercation before it starts.

Encounters with the Muscovites

When the PCs decide that they need to hire some mercenaries for their latest capers, they end up hiring a young Muscovite fresh out of training. The lad is hardy and brave, but fights poorly, and is very interested in learning from the experienced PCs.

A PC who thoroughly ingratiates himself to a Czartun could be given a panserbjörne as a special reward.