The Novgorod posadniks Prenest and Vigor in anticipation of Vadim discuss the reason for his reluctance to publicly announce his arrival in Novgorod. Vadim appears surrounded by military leaders. He addresses his associates with a speech full of bitterness. The once free city is now ruled by the tyrant Rurik. “O Novgorod! what were you and what have you become now? ” Vadim is shocked that Rurik, who had previously asked for protection from his enemies from the city, is now his sovereign ruler, thereby violating the ancient tradition. Vigor tells Vadim about the circumstances under which Rurik took possession of Novgorod. After Vadim went on a campaign with his army, the Novgorod nobility, having forgotten about freedom and holy truth, began to fight for power. The oldest and most respected city dweller Gostomysl, having lost all his sons in the civil strife, called on his fellow citizens to invite Rurik, who had proved his courage in the fight against enemies.

Vadim is shocked. After all, Rurik ended up in Novgorod only because he was looking for protection in these lands, and if he raised his sword to end the feud, he only returned his debt to the citizens. The loss of freedom, says Vadim, is an exorbitant price for what Rurik did. Gostomysl could not control the liberties of fellow citizens and transfer power to the son of his daughter. He, Vadim, is ready to give the hand of Ramida’s daughter to someone who will save fellow citizens from a tyrant and restore freedom to the city. Prenest and Vigor swear to go to the end - both love for Ramida is obvious. Vadim sends Vigor and military leaders, and Prenest asks to stay. He does not hide the fact that he prefers Prenest to see her daughter as her husband. Prenest assures Vadim that he will be faithful to duty even if Ramida rejects him. Vadim is surprised that Prenest is tormented by doubts, because Ramida will act only as her father orders.

Selena, the confidante of Ramida, is embarrassed that her friend, having ascended the throne after the wedding with Rurik, may forget about their “friendship”. Ramida assures her that she does not care about the throne and the splendor of the future crown, but Rurik himself: "Not the prince in Rurik, I love Rurik." Selena warns that her father may be dissatisfied with the changes that took place in Novgorod - he cherished the freedom of citizens too much to accept the assertion of the throne. Ramida calms Selena. Of course, she will submit to her father’s will and will never forget about her dignity, but she hopes that Vadim will fall in love with Rurik, whose heroism is so obvious. In addition, Ramida thinks, Vadim will become a true father to the husband of his daughter. Rurik appears. He reports that Vadim returned to Novgorod. Finally, that which burdens Rurik will be resolved. He is happy that Novgorod’s nobility “above liberty” “is considered by the authorities”, but does Ramida love him, is she ready to share the throne with him by the command of his heart? Ramida assures Rurik of the sincerity of her feelings. The happy Rurik leaves.

Vadim, amazed at the terrible news of Ramida’s love for a tyrant, pushes away her daughter, who recognized him even in the clothes of a simple warrior. Ramida is perplexed, she begs her father to explain the reason for his anger. Vadim, seeing Prenest, asks him about the possibilities of saving the fatherland. Prenest talks about his appeal to the nobles of Novgorod with a call not to allow the "autocratic kingdom", which "is the troublemaker everywhere." The whole city is filled with the Varangians of Rurik, now they are able to take his liberties. The reaction of the nobility was the most decisive, they were ready to immediately destroy the tyrant. Prenest persuaded them to wait for Vadim from the campaign, because the fatherland does not expect from them blood, but "awaits salvation." Vadim, pointing to his daughter, intends her to Prenest. Ramida speaks of her submission to the will of the parent.

Vigor, who heard the last words, was struck by the unfair, in his opinion, decision of Vadim. Furious, he promises to avenge his insult.

Selena convinces Ramida not to plunge into despair, to which she curses the "barbarian duty", demanding to give up love for Rurik, to hate her husband and die. Selena offers to tell everything to Rurik, but Ramida prefers death to her father's betrayal. The appeared Rurik asks Ramida why she is avoiding him, because everything is ready for the wedding celebration, which they agreed on and which were postponed until Vadim returned. Ramida wishes him happiness, but without her, such, according to her, is rock, and runs away.

Rurik, in desperation, tells everything to his confidant Izved, who urges him to “reject the passion,” which humiliates the one whom all of Novgorod adores. Rurik agrees with him, but, suggesting some kind of secret here, asks his friend to take his life. The Izved refuses, but swears to reveal the secret of Ramida's behavior. Seeing the approaching Prenest, he talks about rumors about Ramida's love for him.

Rurik, threatening, orders Prenest to confess all his “lord”, to which he proudly advises to moderate the impulses of pride in front of a man who is not afraid of death and is ready, together with Vadim, to “die for society”. Rurik accuses Prenest and nobles of Novgorod of betraying the people and rebellion for the desire to rule.

Prenest, reflecting, reproaches himself for the incontinence that allowed Rurik to suspect Vadim of rebellion, and comes to the conclusion that only Vigor could convey to him. He directly asks Vigor about this and receives a negative answer. He adds that he is an enemy for him personally, but now the task is to save the fatherland, and this is important. When they achieve freedom, the sword will solve their dispute.

Izved tells Rurik about the disclosure of the plans of the conspirators, the flight of Prenest and the capture of the soldiers of Vadim, who admitted everything. Rurik does not want to know their names, orders to release and "pay generosity for anger." Izved warns him of the possible consequences of generosity, but Rurik remains adamant, handing his fate to heaven.

Rurik reflects on the difficulties of government, anger and ingratitude surrounding the lord. Ramida turns to Rurik about the anxiety that has swept the whole city in connection with recent events, and complains that there is no longer access to his heart. Rurik accuses her of wanting to get back into his networks, but now he wants to be free from her. Ramida curses fate and wants to die, since it is “forbidden for her to live” for Rurik. Rurik tells her that he wants to preserve Ramida’s love and join the battle with Vadim, preserving this love. Ramida sees no way out and talks about the need to give a hand to the unloved, because the sacred will of the father. She asks Rurik to tie the bonds of friendship with Vadim, persuades "to trample the crown with his feet."

Rurik refuses, explaining that once he had rejected power and was again called up by the people, therefore, to rebel against his power is “vile”, since again misfortune befell the people. Ramida understands him, and both conclude that their love is hopeless.

Izved warns Rurik about Vadim's “warriors” under the walls of the city, he goes where the “fierce duty calls for”, and asks Ramida to mourn herself in case of death. Ramida replies that if this happens, she will not shed tears on him, "but blood flows."

Ramida alone, indulges in sad thoughts about the injustice of fate. While Rurik and Vadim seek to take life from each other, her unfortunate destiny is to be between her lover and father, she is afraid of any outcome and calls on the gods to hit her in the chest. She hears the end of the battle and awaits the outcome with fear.

A disarmed Vadim appears, with a crowd of captives, accompanied by guards from the Rurik warriors. Ramida rushes to her father, but he removes her with the words “Slave Rurikov - Ramide is not a father” and asks her to leave, since he cannot live as a slave and prefers death. Vadim envies the fate of the fallen Prenest and Vigor, reproaches her for her love for Rurik. Ramida swears not to change her duty and asks for forgiveness from him. Vadim asks not to leave him life, he does not want the mercy of Rurik, which will humiliate him.

Rurik appears, surrounded by nobles, warriors, people, and invites Vadim to be reconciled. Vadim angrily rejects the very possibility of such reconciliation, blaming Rurik for usurping power. Rurik objects to Vadim, reminding him of the circumstances of his appearance in Novgorod - to stop the civil strife and restore the rule of law. To prove the purity of his actions, he removes the crown from his head and, turning to the people, asks him to be a judge, he is ready to retire if the people so decide. Izved, pointing to the people who knelt before Rurik as a sign of a request to own the crown, asks him to accept the crown. Vadim curses the people, calling him "vile slaves." Rurik asks Vadim about his wishes, he asks for a sword and receives it by order of Rurik. Rurik asks Vadim to be his “father”, Vadim replies that now “you, people, and daughter, and I will be pleased.” Ramida feels Vadim’s terrible plan and begs him “not to complete these words” and is stabbed to prove his fidelity to duty. Vadim rejoices and is also stabbed with a sword.

Rurik reproaches the gods for an unjust punishment, he says that greatness is only a burden on him, but he will not turn off the chosen path, "where you become like you, I will take revenge on you, gods."