I'm currently struggling with major irritation over this issue.

Grand Duke Vladimir the Scarred inherited the throne of the Russian empire upon the death of his father Grand Duke Ysevolod the Chivalrous, as it should be, seeing as he was Ysevolod's eldest son.

Duke Vladimir's sons had not yet reached the age of majority upon his ascension to the throne, so his youngest brother became the faction heir (Why it wasn't the middle brother, is a sound question, but one best left for another time).

However, Prince Orekh the Gambler refused to surrender his status as heir upon the majority of Grand Duke Vladimir's eldest son Vasilii. This irked Vladimir, and irritating Vladimir the Scarred is an unhealthy passtime.

Prince Orekh the Gambler was sent abroad on a diplomatic mission, and his ship was beset by pirates and sent to the bottom.

Duke Vladimir was quite satisfied, thinking that now the claim of his seven star general son Vasilii the Just was secure... However, someone apparently decided that it would be best to make his youngest son, Miroslav the Mad the heir to the throne.

Naturally this would not do.

Since his vassals were demanding Miroslav the Mad take the throne, Vladimir made the difficult choice to eliminate his own youngest son.

Therefore he did go to Prince Miroslav and told him that he would agree to his ascension on the condition that he take fourty knights and lay the Holy Roman Empire at his feet. Prince Miroslav the Mad set out forthwith, visions of glory in his head.

He was never heard from again. Rumors abound that a ransom note was received from the Holy Roman Empire, but naturally this is simply vile slander concocted by the outlander scum.

The most just and worthy Grand Duke Vladimir believed his troubles were now finally at an end and his great and noble legacy secure.

The council of nobles however seemed bent on perpetuating our most glorious lord's vexation, for they announced their support for his next youngest son, Ivan the Lewd.

It was at this point that the doors of the great hall were locked with the council still inside, and Grand Duke Vladimir the Scarred became known forevermore as Grand Duke Vladimir the Butcher...