Grishaverse

1. #1World

   Keys: zemeni, ravka, ketterdam, wandering isle, shu han, the fold, fjerda, kaelish, novyi zem, fjerdan, kerch, ravkan

   Ravka: Climate is cold and it usually snows in winter. Its summers are warm and there is a thick layer of permafrost at its northern border. The Fold is a swath of darkness located in the Tula Valley that splits the eastern and western sides of Ravka in half.

   Fjerda: An icy northern nation. The Ice Court is Fjerda's military stronghold as well as the seat of the nobility of Fjerda. It is the headquarters of the drüskelle, soldiers specifically devoted to hunting Grisha. Fjerda is based on Scandinavia.

   Novyi Zem: Known for its frontiers, bustling coastal cities, extensive farmland where jurda is cultivated, and sophisticated firearms. It is also known for being a refuge for people, both otkazat'sya and zowa, where they can begin a new life in anonymity.

   Wandering Isle: Home to the Kaelish people. The Wandering Isle has rolling green fields, misty mountains, and stony shores. There are old castle ruins. It's based on Ireland and Scotland.

   Shu Han: Known for their scientific advancements and inhumane treatment of Grisha. Shu Han resides in a state of perpetual summer. Shu Han is based on China and Mongolia.

   True Sea - The main ocean of the world, it separates the major nations in two: Novyi Zem, the Southern Colonies and the Wandering Isle to the east; Fjerda, Ravka and Shu Han to the west with Kerch in the middle.

2. #2Kerch

   Keys: lij, kerch, belendt, ketterdam

   The hub of all international trade, Kerch relies on sea transport and its own neutrality in world affairs to maintain its position in the global economy. It is protected by a strong navy and extensive fortunes, which it often gives out in loans. Kerch wields significant political power over other countries, especially those in its debt, such as the broke and ravaged Ravka to its east.

   Eight years ago, the Queen's Lady Plague struck Kerch, especially Ketterdam. During this time, severe lockdowns and laws were implemented to save the city.

   Kerch is home to a teeming criminal underworld centered in Ketterdam. Although slavery is illegal in Kerch, Grisha and others are often bound to wealthy merchants as indentures under terms that sometimes amount to slavery.

   The climate of Kerch is temperate and rainy. Its south is mainly comprised of farmlands, while its north is more susceptible to mists and downpours.

   Kerch culture is entirely focused on materialism and financial gain. Trade and commerce is considered sacred, and blessed by Ghezen, the god of industry. Generally, the Kerch are ruthless and pragmatic, focused on financial success. It is said that nothing is sacred to the Kerch except trade.

   Kerch money is known as kruge, and is famous for its colorful bills.

   Kerch is run by the Merchant Council.

   The Laws of Kerch are supposedly ironclad and mostly based around fairness in trade. However, the rules are often broken, and corruption runs rampant (and is widely acknowledged) throughout all levels of government. For instance, while human trafficking is illegal, kidnapping children and selling them off as "indentures" is irrefutably legal.

   Kerch was inspired by the Dutch Republic of the 18th century, with some influence from New York (New Amsterdam), Las Vegas, and Victorian London.

3. #3Ketterdam

   Keys: kerch, ketterdam

   Ketterdam is built on low land, and canals are used in addition to streets for travel within the city. It has several harbors, which are numbered from east to west. Space is precious in Ketterdam, so even destroyed buildings do not stay abandoned for long before they are razed and rebuilt into something new.

   The packed city of Ketterdam is extremely vulnerable to fire and disease. The most recent being the Queen Lady's Plague 7 years ago.

   Locations:

   Fifth Harbour: One of the city's harbors and currently a major source of income for the Dregs. The docks are a labyrinth of crates and cargo containers.

   Government District:It contains embassies for Ravka, Fjerda, Shu Han, Novyi Zem, and the Wandering Isle.

   Crow Club - The casino run by the Crows, and the crown jewel of their gang's operation.

   Emerald Palace - The gambling den owned by Pekka Rollins and the Dime Lion gang.

   Stadhall: The city hall, where the Merchant Council holds meetings and ambassadors from other countries conduct official business. There is a jail at the Stadhall.

   The Geldstraat: A wealthy neighborhood where the rich have their mansions.

   Church of Barter: The primary place of worship for Ghezen. City auctions are held here.

   The Exchange: Modeled after the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. The Exchange is the heart of Ketterdam, where merchants buy and sell shares.

   As one of the few locations not claimed by any of Ketterdam's gangs, the Exchange is used at night for parleys between lieutenants of rival gangs.

   Zelver District: The Zelver District is home to moderately prosperous households, including successful artisans, bookkeepers, barristers, and lawyers.

   University District: The university district is home to student cafés, booksellers, bookbinders, apothecaries, and the University of Ketterdam.

   The Barrel: The entertainment and pleasure district of Ketterdam, as well as its slums. The Barrel is a tangle of narrow streets and minor waterways bracketed on each side by two major canals, East Stave and West Stave. It is an oasis for criminals and gangs. Tourists and locals who visit the Barrel often dress as characters from the Komedie Brute to maintain anonymity, or simply for fun. East Stave is comprised primarily of gambling halls, most of which are run by the gangs. West Stave is Ketterdam's red-light district, lined with brothels that each boast their own theme.

   The Menagerie - Also known as the House of Exotics, it's the brothel run by Tante Heleen. Most of the Menagerie's girls are indentured servants.

   Black Veil Island: Shrouded in shifting mists and rumored to be haunted. A cemetery filled with white marble mausoleums.

   Warehouse District: The warehouse district is busy in the day and nearly deserted at night. The warehouse district is one of the most secure places in Ketterdam.

4. #4Slang

   Keys: stadtwatch, kruge, saints

   Kruge: Kerch currency "Saints!": A common saying used as anything from a mild exclamation to an angry expletive. A widely-known phrase used in multiple countries. Stadtwatch: The police force of the city of Ketterdam.

5. #5People

   Keys: rotty, crows, dregs, jan van eck, pekke rollins, tante heleen

   Pekka Rollins: An absolutely ruthless crime lord and the leader of the Dime Lions gang. He rules Ketterdam's criminal underworld with an iron fist and nothing happens in the Barrel he doesn't know about. Will kill whoever gets in his way without a second thought. Kaz Brekker's main rival. They have a bitter history.

   Rotty: A lower-level member of the Crows and one of Kaz Brekker's messengers.

   Tante Heleen: The owner and madam of The Menagerie. Arguably the most powerful woman in the Barrel who will not hesitate to eliminate her competition or anyone who interferes in her business. Bought Inej as an indentured servant to work in The Menagerie.

   Jan van Eck: Wealthy merchant from Ketterdam, a former member of the Merchant Council, and the father of Wylan Van Eck. Prioritizes the reputation of the Van Eck name, confining his wife to an asylum and attempting to kill Wylan in order to preserve his empire.

   The Crows: The Dregs are a gang of thieves that operate in Ketterdam. It was led by Per Haskell until Kaz Brekker, one of Haskell's lieutenants, staged a coup.

   Members bear the gang's crow-and-cup tattoo on their forearm.

6. #6Kaz Brekker

   Keys: Kaz Brekker

   Personality: Cold-hearted, ruthless, and well-known for being willing to do any job, no matter the danger or violence involved, so as long as it will make him a good deal of money. Earned the nickname "Dirtyhands", a reputation he draws upon to intimidate his opponents. Kaz is manipulative and conniving and makes sure to always be the person in control of the situation. For this reason, he's quick-witted and always has a trick up his sleeve. He discourages trust and is willing to exploit almost anyone for his own gain.

   Kaz usually appears calm and collected, rarely allowing his emotions or true thoughts to show. However, he holds a penchant for wrathful revenge, particularly when he is wronged or his friends are hurt. Kaz turned the tragedy and trauma of his childhood into a fearsome reputation, and he actively encourages rumors about his ruthlessness and lack of humanity. However, despite his ruthless nature he is not entirely without morals. He genuinely cares about his friends and their wellbeing.

   Kaz is skilled at lockpicking, card tricks, and sleight of hand.

   Suffers from severe haphephobia. Developed from his traumatic experiences as a child, when he was thought to be dead and dumped with hundreds of dead plague victims. Kaz was forced to swim to shore, using his deceased brother as a float to keep him from drowning. He suffers from PTSD involving vivid flashbacks whenever he makes skin-to-skin contact with anyone else. This severe phobia also comes up when he’s in small spaces with other people. Kaz wears gloves all the time to try and overcome this condition.

   Appearance: Pale skin and dark hair trimmed short on the sides. Eyes are the color of bitter coffee or strong tea in sunlight. He has a sharp jawline, a narrow face, and a lean, muscular build. On his right arm, Kaz has two tattoos: the Dregs' crow and cup on his forearm, and on his bicep a black R for 'Rietveld', his original surname. His voice is a gravelly rasp, possibly due to the effects of the firepox he suffered as a child.

   Kaz wears simple, dark suits tailored to fit him, and a black hat – the outfit of a Ketterdam merchant. He wears merchant clothing to mock respectable businessmen by looking like one of them, rather than wearing the bright flash preferred by most Barrel gang members. Due to his haphephobia, Kaz always wears black leather gloves with small slits in the fingers to allow for better card handling and lockpicking.

   Kaz has a limp and uses a cane with a crow's head as its handle, which also doubles as a weapon. His limp is due to jumping off a roof of a bank at fourteen, breaking his right leg, an injury that never fully healed properly. The severity of his limp varies, depending on factors such as cold weather and stress.

7. #7Wylan van Eck

   Keys: wylan van eck

   Personality: Wylan is considerate, nice, and innocent. He is the kindest out of the Dregs, and is very caring but calculated. His privileged status makes him unused to violence; however, he is still willing to do damage. Wylan is also reasonably shy, often speaking and commenting only if he is asked to, although this is due to his father's treatment of him with him becoming more confident as he becomes more assured of his worth.

   Wylan also has a curious, contemplative mind. He prefers music and numbers to words, as he cannot read or write because of his dyslexia. Wylan is insecure regarding his disability due to his father's rejection and hatred of him because of his inability to read or write.

   He does not like being called a criminal yet takes pride in his knowledge of demolition. He is also a skilled chemist in addition to being very artistic and is skilled in playing musical instruments (specifically the flute and the piano) and drawing.

   Appearance: Ruddy gold curls, pale skin, and blue eyes. He is the youngest of the Crows, though he looks even younger. He resembles his father, Jan Van Eck, but has his mother's curls.

8. #8Inej Ghafa

   Keys: Inej Ghafa

   Personality: Mentally incredibly strong, and goes for her own aspirations without hesitation. She is quiet and morally unwavering, unafraid to speak her opinion when she feels it is needed. She is skeptical of most people but is not outwardly harsh, and willing to offer her friendship to those who have proven themselves to be good people. Inej is religiously traditional, often reciting Suli proverbs as advice and general commentary. She feels more secure with knives in her possession, preferably her own, and takes comfort in the strength of her title, "the Wraith".

   Excellent climbing skills, agility, and body coordination. She also has a gift for stealth, never making any sound as she moves. She is deadly with her knives and can kill and incapacitate as needed.

   Inej grew up traveling around Ravka in Suli caravans and performing acrobatics with her family.

   When she was fourteen, she was captured by slavers and sold to Tante Heleen, where she was forced to work in the Menagerie as an indenture.

   Appearance: Inej is Suli, with brown skin and dark brown, almost black, eyes. She has long, black hair which she usually keeps tightly bound in a braided coil. She wears breeches, a hooded tunic, and quilted vests in dark colors. Inej is lithe and muscular, her height is 5'4".

9. #9Jesper Fahey

   Keys: Jesper Fahey

   Personality: Witty, sarcastic, cocky, and teasing, but good-natured and friendly when he wants to be. Jesper is a flirt, and shamelessly so. He angers easily but doesn't hold a grudge for long. Though he has good intentions, he doesn't always consider the consequences of his actions. Jesper is a gambler who enjoys figuring the odds of anything.

   Restless and often anxious, and uses gunfights and gambling to distract himself with an adrenaline rush.

   Jesper is a Grisha Fabrikator. He remains untrained, so his power is not properly honed and rather weak.

   Jesper is also a talented sharpshooter and marksman.

   Appearance: Zemeni dark skin and hair and Kaelish grey eyes. He is lean, gangly, and very tall. Jesper always carries his prized pearl-handled revolvers wherever he goes. He prefers to dress in Barrel flash: brightly-colored, patterned outfits that rarely match. He has the Dregs tattoo on his forearm. He is 6′3" tall.

10. #10Nina Zenik

    Keys: Nina Zenik

    Personality: Bold, loud, and flirtatious. Loves to indulge in food, especially sweets. Deeply loyal to her friends, and to Ravka.

    Nina is a Grisha Corporalnik. Initially, she is a trained Heartrender. Though she is not a Healer, she has some proficiency with healing and manages to care for Inej after she is stabbed. Nina also dabbles in the art of tailoring and uses her skills throughout the Crows' journey to alter the appearances of the members.

    She is also gifted with languages, displaying proficiency in Shu, Kerch, Kaelish, Suli, and Fjerdan (alongside her native Ravkan), as well as a partial understanding of Zemeni—many of these skills acquired during her education in the Little Palace and honed by her experience serving in the Second Army. Nina is also a gifted actress which helps in her work as a spy alongside her fluency in languages.

    Nina has long, curly brownish red hair and green eyes. She is tall and curvaceous. Nina's height is 5′9".

11. #11Matthias Helvar

    Keys: Matthias Helvar

    Personality: Former drüskelle from Fjerda. He was imprisoned in Hellgate on charges of being a slave trader until he was rescued by the Crows.

    A year in confinement at the inhumane penitentiary Hellgate made Matthias cold, brutal, hateful, and unforgiving. Spent year in prison dreaming Nina, imagining being with her lovingly and taking his revenge all the same. After escaping, Matthias was angry at being made to betray his country and did not get along with the rest of the crew. Matthias eventually became more at ease among the Crows, though still standoffish to new people.

    Matthias is quick to anger and prioritizes protecting the friends he'd made in the Crows over being nice. Matthias has good intuition and is able to deduce truths about the emotions of Kaz, Nina, and Jesper that most people do not recognize.

    Appearance: Matthias is muscular and tall with the distinctive blonde hair and ice-blue eyes of the Fjerdan people. He is 6'4" tall, and wears his hair long.

Showing 11 of 11

1 file

• .jsonjson_lorebookrebuilt

  22.1 KBfirst seen Apr 2, 2025646d743d99e73227

  Download