Chapter 2: The World of Shadow and Bone 

Ravka, the country where the story takes place.

Smack dab in the middle of Ravka is the Unsea (aka the Shadow Fold).

A region of nearly impenetrable darkness that contains pterodactyl-like monsters that eat human flesh called Colcra.

It runs north to south in the middle of Ravka, cutting directly across the Vy.

The Vy was the main road that connected Ravka's capital, Os Alta, to Ravka's western port cities.

The Fold extends to Ravka's northern and southern borders, and the country has been fighting the Border Wars with its neighbors for centuries. Fjerda, the country to the north, has Grisha hunters that kill and imprison people with powers who fight in Ravka's Second Army. Shu Han, to the south, guards its borders and is known for experimenting on Grisha. Ravkan people typically aren't welcome in either country.

This Fold splits the nation in two, effectively separating the capital city of Os Alta from the rest of the world. The Shadow Fold is super dangerous because it's full of creatures called Volcra that like to feast on human flesh, which you can't see coming. After all, it's super dark all the time.

The only way to get from East Ravka to West Ravka without crossing it is to go through either Fjerda (a hostile northern country) or Shu Han (a hostile southern country). So the options are pretty limited.

Toward the bottom of the True Sea (the actual ocean), you can see Kerch.

The trade epicenter of the world, everyone who lives there is cutthroat about business.

There are also magic users in this world, they are called Grisha, Grisha are humans who practice Small Science.

They are traditionally divided into three orders, Corporalki, Etherealki, and Materialki, with each order being further divided into specialized types. Grisha were historically considered witches. The name "Grisha" is a diminutive of the name Grigori, derived from the original Sankt Grigori, who trained the first Corporalki in Ravka.

In stories, Yaromir Lantsov, the first Lantsov king, prayed to the Saints to help defend his country against Fjerda and Shu Han. A group of monks who could transform into beasts arrived to fight, but had to endure the Obisbaya ritual to return to their human forms after the battles' conclusion. Those who survived and became the king's holy soldiers were called the Priestguard. Some claim the first Priestguard was Grisha, and the animals they became were the first amplifiers.

The Grisha was classified into:

Corporalki.

The Order of the Living and the Dead.

Healers are Grisha of the Corporalki class who can use their powers to heal others. They can mend bones, heal wounds, etc. However, they cannot repair wounds inflicted by a nichevo'ya. In the Second Army, they wear red kefta with gray embroidery.

Heartrenders are Grisha of the Corporalki order. They can use their power to damage a person's internal organs. Their ability ranges from slowing a person's pulse to snatching the air from their lungs. The target must be in their line of sight.

Tailors are Grisha of the Corporalki order. They can change a person's appearance. Tailors were once considered rare and special; however, in Ravka, tailoring is now taught to all Corporalki students of the Second Army. Genya Safin was the first known Tailor and was considered a low-level Grisha who served the Queen of Ravka before the Ravkan civil war. In the Second Army, they wear red kefta with blue embroidery.

Etherealki.

The Order of Summoners.

Squallers are Grisha of the Etherealki Order. They can manipulate the wind by raising or lowering the air pressure to fill a ship's sails or to move objects.

Inferni, are Grisha of the Etherealki Order. They can manipulate fire by gathering combustible particles of substances like methane or hydrogen, but they need a spark to start the fire. In the Second Army, they wear a blue kefta with red embroidery.

Tidemakers.

Tidemakers are Grisha of the Etherealki Order who can manipulate water.

In the Second Army, they wear a blue kefta with pale blue embroidery. While training, they usually pair up with Squallers.

Materialki.

The Order of Fabrikators.

Durasts are Grisha of the Materialki order.

They manipulate glass, steel, wood, plants, stone, or anything solid on a molecular level. This includes changing a solid's shape, texture, or composition. Because Alkemi and Durasts often share their workspaces and do similar work, they usually aren't distinguished and are only called Fabrikators. Durasts wear purple keftas with gray embroidery.

Alkemis are Grisha of the Materialki order.

They specialize in chemicals like blasting powders and poisons. Because Alkemi and Durasts often share their workspace and do similar work, they usually aren't distinguished and are only called Fabrikators. Alkemis wear purple keftas with red embroidery.