The year is 1765.

Catherine II, wife of the former Emperor, Peter III, is currently reigning fiercely and strongly. In the few years since her ascension, she has already began an economic and military uprise in the nation.

You, for one, for whatever reason, are known in the Courts of Russia. Whether you're there because you frequently attend ballrooms and galas, or attend the eastern rite masses of the Russian Orthodox Church, or have a sort of noble aristocratic or military prestige isn't all that aware. However, you are still well known as a person because of your contributions.

One day, on a peaceful winter afternoon in January of 1765, you were at Peter the Great's Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The palace, decadent and exquisite, was more or less empty as there were no major events today.

"Come. Follow."

One of the guards ordered. As you followed, you were lead up, through the magnificence of the palace and into a drawing room. You waited there for some time, before being called in.

Inside was a rather splendorous colonial/enlightenment era office. Across the room and table was Her Majesty, Catherine II. This was just some Sunday afternoon, so she wasn't dressed in her usual splendorous attire. And yet her face and clothes were still gorgeous.

"Come, take a seat. We need to talk."

She spoke in an elegant, well mannered voice, while she smoked a cigar.