The Grishaverse
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The Grishaverse

Baghra was a teacher at the Little Palace and the Darkling's mother.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Baghra was born to Ilya Morozova after he had made plans for Morozova's stag and the Sea Whip, which acted as powerful amplifiers. As a young girl, Baghra began to show unnatural powers: she could summon darkness. Morozova made her a clay swan, which she cherished. However, her otkazat'sya sister, who was ten years younger, eventually broke its neck. Furious, Baghra lashed out with the Cut and tore her in two. She was then banished for her actions.[1]

Creation of the Shadow Fold[]

Many centuries ago, when her son was known as the Black Heretic, the Grisha were under attack by the reigning king, his soldiers sweeping west. Baghra blamed the Darkling for making the King afraid. In response, he sought to make the Grisha fear him. However, the Darkling reminded Baghra that she taught him how to kill, meaning in his eyes, their blood is on her hands as much as his own. In fear of what would follow, Baghra urged him to flee west to Kerch and wait for the King to die. Then he could return under a new identity and make peace with the new King. However, the Darkling refused to run while Grisha were being executed. He sought to build an army, but with so few of them actually knowing for to fight, as pointed out by Baghra, the Darkling decided he would make a new army as Morozova did by forging new life to amplify their power using merzost.

Despite his mother's warning, the Darkling sought out Morozova's journals and used merzost to turn the King's men into his own army, unintentionally creating the Fold in the process.[2]

Training the Sun Summoner[]

Baghra trains Alina Starkov hoping to teach her how to harness her abilities. She cannot begin to fathom why a Sun Summoner would waste their time training with Botkin as Alina has and then asks Alina about her childhood, primarily where her parents are and where she grew up. Baghra then asks Alina where she belongs, but Alina isn't necessarily sure. She can't even summon the sun without General Kirigan, who is a human amplifier, clutching her wrist. Everyone believes that Alina is their savior. Baghra tells her not to return until she believes it as well.[3]

Baghra whacks Alina on the arm with a stick each time she fails to summon light. The one time she manages to do so it manifests as a minuscule orb of light, which isn't nearly enough to destroy the Fold.

Still struggling to summon the smallest bit of light on her own, Alina suggests they find her an amplifier, but Baghra argues that the use of amplifiers are a barbaric and lazy practice. Instead, she utilizes Alina's own rage to push her to summon light. Baghra's tea then begins to take effect, and Alina finds herself back at the orphanage with Mal being tested by Grisha examiners. Fearful that she'd be separated from Mal should she happen to be Grisha, Alina had cut the palm of her hand in order to deceive the examiners. Baghra questions who Alina is holding back for and encourages her to bring forth the light, but still she struggles.

The following day, Alina returns after having let go of whatever was holding her back and summons the light. "Good girl," Baghra replies. "Now the work begins."[4]

Saving Alina from the Darkling[]

During the winter fete, Baghra is informed by a Durast guard that a tracker arrived and found Morozova's stag. Disturb by this news, she asks to see the tracker, but is told he already went to see General Kirigan. Instead, Baghra orders the guard to kill the tracker.

Baghra enters General Kirigan's room through a secret door and tells Alina that she must leave the Little Palace immediately, as General Kirigan is actually the Black Heretic and he intends to expand the Fold and use it as a weapon. She also reveals that he is her son and that she too is a Shadow Summoner. The Darkling tried creating his own army using merzost, which resulted in the creation of the Fold, as well as the volcra, who were once human that were corrupted by the darkness. Baghra leads Alina down a secret passageway and tells her to wait for allies.

Baghra confronts General Kirigan in the courtyard and reveals that she's disposed of his tracker in order to prevent him from finding Morozova's stag. Baghra knows his true intentions to manipulate Alina into helping him expand the Fold.[5]

Trapped by the Darkling[]

Kirigan imprisons Baghra under a waterfall for weeks, where Fruzsi watches over her.[6] He eventually takes her with him to the palace, but keeps her locked up in a cage. Baghra criticizes him for wanting to rule the whole of Ravka and punish Alina. Kirigan asks her about the Firebird, but when Baghra refuses to answer, he cuts off one of her fingers and gives it to Vladim Gulav to make amplifiers with.[7]

Kirigan moves Genya to Baghra's cage after her face is marred by the nichevo'ya. Baghra tries to defend her, but to no avail. As nichevo'ya attack the palace, Baghra escapes her bonds by first breaking her hand, which Genya heals. She then uses her powers to break them both out of the cage.[8] By way of Baghra amplifying her powers, Genya seeks out David's heartbeat and the two find their way to the Spinning Wheel, where other Grisha have taken shelter. Alina talks to Baghra about her lingering connection with the Darkling, and Baghra watches as she reaches him through a mental tether. After they discuss what happened, Baghra offers to help her find the Firebird.[9]

Morozova's workshop[]

Baghra, Alina, and Mal begin the journey to Morozova's workshop. Baghra tells them about her connection to Morozova on their way there. Upon arriving at the workshop, she uses her blood to open the doors—which only a Morozova can open—and tells Alina to search Morozova's journals while she speaks with Mal. Baghra tells him that Morozova had resurrected his daughter and made her into an amplifier, a trait that was passed on through generations. She then takes Mal to the doors and has him successfully open them, revealing that he is the Firebird. They find Alina inside, mentally tethered to the Darkling. Baghra enters the connection and severs his hand before sacrificing herself in the workshop's fire.[1]

Personality and traits[]

In her old age, Baghra has become impatient and very direct. And while her methods may be cruel or unorthodox, she is an exceptional teacher who has taught many of the students at Little Palace to master their abilities.

Physical description[]

Baghra is an elderly woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Powers and abilities[]

Much like her son, Baghra is a Shadow Summoner and skilled teacher at the Little Palace who has taught many of the students how to harness their powers.

Relationships[]

The Darkling[]

The Darkling is Baghra's son, whom she loves dearly and has advised for centuries in hopes of making him strong. However, Baghra is not blind to his obsessive hunger for power.

Appearances[]

Season 1[]

Season 2[]

Trivia[]

  • Baghra's death is completely different in the books, where she jumped off a cliff rather than sacrificing herself in a fire like she did in the TV show.
  • Baghra's son blinded her in the books. This didn't happen in the TV series.
  • Baghra's blood is black as seen in Ni Weh Sesh (I Have No Heart), similar to her son as seen in No Funerals.

Gallery[]

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References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Season 2, Episode 6: Ni Weh Sesh (I Have No Heart)
  2. Season 1, Episode 7: The Unsea
  3. Season 1, Episode 3: The Making at the Heart of the World
  4. Season 1, Episode 4: Otkazat'sya
  5. Season 1, Episode 5: Show Me Who You Are
  6. Season 2, Episode 2: Rusalye
  7. Season 2, Episode 3: Like Calls to Like
  8. Season 2, Episode 4: Every Monstrous Thing
  9. Season 2, Episode 5: Yuyeh Sesh (Despise Your Heart)
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