Nikolai Lantsov is the current King of Ravka and a powerful privateer known as Sturmhond.
Biography[]
After being born and raised in Ravka, Nikolai created the persona of Sturmhond, a charismatic privateer.
In season 1, he anonymously hires the Crows to bring him Alina Starkov, as revealed at the beginning of season 2, when he pretends to be a bodyguard for Dreesen. His true role in the hiring is discovered by Kaz, who says he stood too straight for a bodyguard and seemed too interested in the conversation. He then introduces himself as the infamous privateer Sturmhond. In exchange for money, Kaz tells him Alina went to Novyi Zem.
He helps Alina and Mal to go from Novyi Zem to Ravka aboard his ship called the Volkvolny, before revealing himself to be Nikolai Lantsov, the second son of the King of Ravka.
He then brings Mal and Alina to a secret base called the Spinning Wheel, in which the king's court as well as the Grisha loyal to the crown have found refuge after the failed coup of the Darkling.
Nikolai has a conflictual relationship with his brother Vasily Lantsov, but the latter dies, killed by a nichevo'ya during an attack of the Darkling at the Spinning Wheel. The King of Ravka, Pyotr the Third, dies as well during the attack, leading Nikolai to become King of Ravka, even though he refuses to use that title before his official coronation.
Nikolai escapes the Spinning Wheel with many survivors and goes to a fort where he reunites with his childhood friend Dominik Vertov.
He then participates in the battle of the Fold alongside Alina, Mal, Tolya, Tamar, Zoya, Genya, David, and the Crows. He is injured by a nichevo'ya.
At the end of season 2, Nikola is crowned King of Ravka and is engaged to Alina as a political move. The coronation ceremony is interrupted by the attack of a Grisha under jurda parem, a powerful drug that amplifies Grisha's powers.
There're hints that Nikolai's injury due to his confrontation with a nichevo'ya has led to permanent damage.
Personality and traits[]
Nikolai is a brave and charming character, who chooses to create the persona of Sturmhond in order to fight for his country without being recognized. He is a skilled engineer and built his ship, called the Volkvolny as well as his flying ship called the Hummingbird.
Physical description[]
Nikolai has blond hair and blue eyes.
Skills and abilities[]
Nikolai is a good talker and a skilled privateer. He is also a skilled shooter.
Appearances[]
Season 2[]
- No Shelter but Me
- Rusalye
- Like Calls to Like
- Every Monstrous Thing
- Yuyeh Sesh (Despise Your Heart)
- Ni Weh Sesh (I Have No Heart)
- Meet You in the Meadow
- No Funerals
Gallery[]
- See more here
Trivia[]
- Nikolai has blue eyes in the TV show despite being described as having hazel eyes in the books.