Emil Kirigin is the young man involved in the projects at Lazlayon, using his reputation and lavish parties to cover up the experiments being done under his mansion.
Biography[]
King of Scars[]
Due to Kirigin's father earning his fortune through the selling of arms and secrets to Ravka's enemies, Kirigin pledges money and fealty to the crown in order to keep his title and keep his father out of jail. Before the Ravkan civil war, the young Kirigin served with Nikolai Lantsov in Halmhend. During the Ravkan civil war, Kirigin's father sent him away to Novyi Zem. Now, Nikolai asks Kirigin to spend wildly, live decadently, and maintain a reputation as a social climber. To do so, he throws lavish parties and does his best to buy into the most renowned noble houses he can. After all his social climbing and reputation building, Kirigin bought a chunk of land east of Os Alta and claimed to commission a Zemeni architect to design his new pleasure palace, hire a team of men to dig out a 'one' mile wine cellar, create a lake that takes days to cross by boat, and take up hot air ballooning that no one was surprised. The many guests of Kirigin include King Nikolai, who occasionally visits to ride, hunt, or taste his excellent wines.
In reality, Kirigin's five-mile wine cellar houses the Ravkan epicenter of weapons development. The man-made lake is used for testing undersea craft and naval warfare. The fog around the lake is used to hide these tests from the prying eyes of other people or countries. The meadow is for aircraft, and elaborate gardens hide the long runway. Fireworks are often used to disguise the sound of gunfire and shelling. Furthermore, the Gilded Bog was designed by Nikolai, and Kirigin paid for the construction. While Nikolai occasionally visits for the facade of the Gilded Hollow, he more often visits through private entrances to see the progress of his many projects.
Rule of Wolves[]
Kirigin aids Zoya Nazyalensky during a diplomatic meeting with Hiram Schenck. Before Hiram enters the room, Kirigin asks if Zoya would be interested in visiting his holdings in Caryeva to get to know each other. She denies him. Hiram Schenck arrives late after a lunch with Duke Radimov, a major political leader who advocates for West Ravka to secede. Kirigin pours wine for Schenck and offers the optimistic more noble perspective during the discussion of an alliance. After the meeting, the pair leaves Os Kervo by airship to deliver the bad news: Kerch will not ally themselves with Ravka. Before they can make it onto the ship, an assassin lunges at Zoya while Kirigin takes down the second assassin. He goes to shoot but Zoya redirects the bullet, as she wants them alive to question.
Personality and traits[]
Kirigin's reputation is a very aloof one. Many neighboring nobles call him wasteful and obscene. They also believe he is trying to be close to the capital to earn favor with the king and old families, possibly even to marry. An invitation to one of his parties is always of interest to the nobles. Kirigin curated his name to wealth and buffoonery, and continues to do so as Nikolai believes sometimes he takes his role too seriously.
In actuality, Kirigin is a bit of a rake, but very loyal to the crown. He is said to have a lack of ambition. Nikolai sympathizes with Kirigin's shame in his father's actions and wish to set things right. Kirigin is a loyal friend to Nikolai and has been willing to put himself at considerable risk over the last few years by letting his home be used as a base for Ravka's weapons development.[1]
Kirigin is very interested in Commander Nazyalensky, looking for her when the king arrives. It is said that he crushes on her in an almost schoolboy-like manner, wishing to find her softer interior amidst her cold demeanor. Zoya describes him as being constantly nervous around her.
Kirigin has an endlessly jolly disposition. When he is in the room, it is impossible to take anything too seriously. He is optimistic, charming, and amiable.
Physical description[]
Kirigin is described as having orange hair arranged in a sleek coiffure and pallid skin. He is handsome. He is commonly described as dressing absurdly. On one occasion, he was wearing a violet coat with gold brocade. During the meeting with Hiram Schenck, he was wearing a custard-yellow coat with a coral waistcoat that made him look like an exotic bird.
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ Rule of Wolves, chapter 5