Zakhar Berilsky

Zakhar Berilsky was born to Alexii and Ludmilla Soltkin in a small town near Solenigrad in 412. He began to show signs of sorcery at around 14, but his family encouraged him to keep it secret. However, in 428, his father passed away, and his family's small farm could barely support his mother and himself. At around this time, the Volšbanalog was enacted, promising status and money to those who joined the Volšarmiye.

Zakhar quickly rose through the ranks of the Volšasrmiye, becoming a colonel at 20 in 432. He gained prominence after putting down a local rebellion in Southeastern Vestria with surprising brutality in 433, and was put in charge of Oleria. He managed the region with an iron fist, and became known throughout.

In 436, Zakhar was sent to the Solenian front. The campaign changed him, and those who served under him described him as impatient, wanting a decisive victory. This especially came after the Coin Rebellion and the establishment of the Vestrian Republic in his old stomping grounds.

Finally, in 444, he got the chance at a decisive victory when he was sent to Beril. Not wishing to throw away a chance to swiftly end the war, he ordered the use of Focuses by the Volšarmiye. Beril became known as one of the most brutal battles in the Ten Years, and Zakhar was given the last name "Berilsky" for his help in it's victory.

After the Ten Years ended, Zakhar was sent to Oleria to enforce the Tsar's rule and put down any remnants of the Vestrian Republic.

Berilsky was educated mostly at the Vestrian Military Academy, where he learned first to control and use his powers as a Volš, and then to serve as an officer. He was taught sorcery and tactics, but also how to be a Vestrian. He quickly caught on to this culture, and integrated well into military high society.

The death of his father at the age of 16, and his subsequent recruitment into the Volšarmiye forever changed Zakhar. While before, he had been caring and enthusiastic, he turned into an individual focused on one thing: power. He worked day and night at first to hone his skill in sorcery, and later tactics.

Zakhar could never accept a slow victory, and was incredibly impatient. In training exercises, he would often fling himself headfirst into battle without considering the consequences. This is perhaps best exhibited by his tactics at the Battle of Beril.