Grigorii

He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. This template should be removed from the article 10 February 2021.

Where are the paintings? This article is in need of more images and/or better quality pictures from official media in order to achieve a higher status. You can help the Assassin's Creed Wiki by uploading better images on this page.

This article is a stub. You can help Assassin's Creed Wiki by expanding it.

Grigorii, also known by his assumed alias, "The Needle," was an Order of the Ancients member of the Warden of Law sect and he held the title, Palatinus. He was also a lieutenant of the criminal organization, Red Hand, and a dockmaster of Coppergate Market in Jorvik during the late 9th century.

Biography

In his youth, Grigorii grew up among sewer rats and envied those who never had to fight for their meals. Then one day, The Vault rescued him from the gutter, bringing him into the Order and giving him a purpose. Loyal and devoted ever since, Grigorii's life work is to see The Vault's plans fulfilled and the Order's goals achieved.

Eivor Varinsdottir first learned of a clue, which was the title, The Needle, when Hytham told Eivor the news of three more Order targets in Jorvik. After dealing with Abbess Ingeborg, The Firebrand, she returned her findings to Ljufvina Bjarmarsdottir, who was shocked by the reveal. During the discussion, King Ricsige of Northumbria asked Ljufvina for her council alongside her husband, Hjorr Halfsson. Before the meeting, Ljufvina advised Eivor to go to the Trade Depot as incursions and disruptions were made in the area.

While investigating the Trade Depot, Eivor caught sight of Red Hand guards inside the premise. After dealing with them, Eivor found accumulated wealth and stolen goods from the merchants of Jorvik. The Needle's plan was found as well and it detailed stealing these goods and reselling them back to the merchants at a higher rate. She also found that The Needle collects these coins from stalls draped in black at the markets. Thus, Eivor devised a cover by bringing much silver to the merchants to see where and who the Needle is.

Under her hood, Eivor arrived in Coppergate Market to talk about these suspicious dealings. One merchant mentioned to Eivor to meet with the dockmaster, whom she remembered to be named Grigorii. The merchant then kept quiet as a young Anglo-Saxon boy tried to get Eivor's attention. Working for The Needle, the boy told Eivor to go to the statue near the East gate for further dealings and then Eivor advised the boy to stay safe as she left. While going towards the statue, Eivor made sure to acquire a sewer key from one of Red Hand's men.

While trying to find the hideout near the statue, Eivor found a house with black cloths marking it and empty carts surrounding it. Using the key, Eivor explored the sewers under the house and discovered an Red Hand operation involving melting down silverware to create wealth, in coins. Upon seeing a locked door, Eivor took down a henchman, who had the key, and opened the door. To her disgust, she finds Grigorii, startled by her presence, surrounded by stolen silverware. Revealing himself as The Needle, Grigorii then left for the marketplace as Eivor is surrounded by the Red Hand's men and a rabid wolf. Escaping from the Red Hand, Eivor headed for the market.

As she reached the market, Eivor witnessed a discussion between Grigorii and a merchant. The merchant stated that the silver he took were his family, as he has been bled dry, financially. Grigorii then blamed himself and pulled out his knife, which scared the merchant. Speaking to all the merchants around, Grigorii reminded the merchant of the one thing he asked from all merchants. The merchant replied "Loyalty," as Grigorii stabs the merchant rapidly to death, as a reminder to the rest of ther merchants who dare to threaten his operation. Watching above, Eivor plunged down and assassinated a walking Grigorii, ending his illegal wealth operation.

Trivia

• As stated, Grigorii was inducted by a fellow Order member and father-figure, The Vault. This mirrors another induction between fellow English Order members, who appear in the game as well.
• Like certain members of the Order in England, Grigorii's cutscene in Niflheim differs, as his soul disappeared after his apparition turns to ice and then explodes. Usually, Eivor takes the Order's medallion of an ash tree off the apparition's body.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla