| There are three major families in Giovanni service; the Stoganov, Pozharski and Roshenko families. They refer to themselves as the Druzhina, the name of the ancient bodyguards and companions of the Rus chieftains. Of these three, the Stroganovs deserve special mention.
The Stroganov family rose to prominence in the Russian salt trade in the 1500's. They were also a major influence over the exploration and exploitation of Siberia. This success, although mostly in the past by the 1800's, was what attracted the Giovanni to them. The head of the Crimean branch of their business was Andrei Stroganov. It was he who was first contacted by the Giovanni, and helped establish the family network. In addition to all this, the generations of prolonged service eventually led some of them to become the first of the Giovanni Revenant houses. Now there are Stroganovs who are mortal servants, servants under the Proxy Kiss, Revenant servants, and those who have become embraced. The Stroganovs have some talent for necromancy, but prefer to concentrate on business and politics. |
| The Druzhinah |
| Andrei holds a special place in Giovanni history. He was the first mortal in Russia to become aware of the Giovanni's true nature. He was the Giovanni's first Russian to have the Proxy Kiss and the first Stroganov to be given the Kiss. He commanded the mortal force that rescued the Romanovs from execution. He was also given the honor of giving the Proxy Kiss to Sergei Romanov, the first of the Romanov bloodline. It was believed he would be the first Stroganov to become a Don, but this was not to be as he was killed at Smolensk during a Nazi assault. |