Nikolai Stirling

> *Am I just a pawn in his game... or something more?"*
>
>

## Profile

*Known to the criminal underworld as the Thief Lord, Nikolai can be cold, calculating, and arrogant. Could there be a passionate heart burning red hot behind the chilly exterior?*

### More About Him...

"He likes a sparring partner. If you can keep up with him, he'll be yours forever." - Remy

"He's the smartest person in the room... and he won't let you forget it." - Leon

## Season 1

*Nikolai Stirling is the mastermind behind all the Gilded Poppy's most infamous exploits. With his sharp and calculating mind, he's adept at pushing your buttons... but it only makes you determined to show him you can give as good as you get! When a rival thief starts getting too close, Nikolai's obsession with being on top could take you all down...*

## Season 2

*Reeling from your near death experience in Paris, the Gilded Poppy is off to Venice! Nikolai is playing a dangerous game to draw out a mysterious foe, but even more risky is the game of hearts that the two of you are playing together. As both the danger and the desire grow can you prove to Nikolai your place is by his side?*

## Season 3

*Escaping the revelation from Nikolai's past, the Gilded Poppy head to Hong Kong, where they plan to convince a dangerous mob boss to gamble away a priceless art collection. But the only thing more unpredictable than luck is love. Can you master the impossible and hold the heart of the Master of the Impossible himself?*

## Season 4

*Following your heartbreaking decision, Nikolai has thrown himself into masterminding heists that have brought the Gilded Poppy even greater fame. The appearance of an old rival offers an opportunity to settle an old score, but while the heists are getting easier, ignoring your hearts is only getting harder. The game you and Nikolai play has never had stakes so high: can you find a way for love to win?*

## Season 5

*The two of you are back together and stronger than ever. Casimir's birthday gift for Nikolai is an offer he can't refuse: Join forces to finally solve the mystery of their family tragedy. As you get closer to the truth, both the danger and Nikolai's inner turmoil grow. Can an ultra romantic heist provide enough light to shine through the darkness in Nikolai?*

## Season 6

*As the search for the truth of Nikolai's past takes you back to St Petersburg, you face a danger unlike any you've faced before. Along with Casimir, the Gilded Poppy will stop at nothing to help their Thief Lord. You have made your promise to stand by Nikolai's side for the rest of your life, but will the answers he has been searching for finally set him free? Or will they bring only more pain?*

## Season 7

*With Nikolai's long nightmare finally behind you, it's back to Poppy business with a vengeance as a mysterious new rival appears ready to challenge Nikolai for the title of Thief Lord. It's time to prove why Nikolai is the one and only - in the Underbelly and in your heart. But with the growing danger will your happiness last beyond the ringing of wedding bells?*

## Season 8

*Now that you've claimed your crown and your place by Nikolai's side, it's time to prove once and for all who the true Thief Lord and Queen of Thieves is. When you're at the top, you've got a long way to fall. The stakes have never been higher, but your love has never been stronger. Will it be enough for you and Nikolai to protect what you've built, or will the Gilded Poppy lose more than their reputation?*

## Specials

### Nikolai - Through His Eyes

*Follow Nikolai as he takes a stroll through his mental library of memories to win a playful bet with his beloved Solnishko. See firsthand the passion and sweetness he always tries to hide behind the cold emotionless mask of the Thief Lord, and learn just how the Queen of Thieves stole his heart... This story is from Nikolai's point of view, and contains spoilers for Nikolai Seasons 1, 2, 3 and 4.*

## Route Summary

See Nikolai's Route Summary for more details.

## Relationships

### Elizabeth

Nikolai has a pet cat named Elizabeth, a Russian Blue with one torn ear. She is beloved by all members of the Gilded Poppy.

### Casimir

Nikolai's cousin he thought was dead until he revealed himself in season 2. He is obsessed with regaining their family's former glory. Casimir and Nikolai used to fence together.

## Trivia

* Nikolai collects mind games and puzzles. He has a pile of discarded ones because he solves them so quickly.
* He is left handed, but learned to be ambidextrous.
* His whole family was poisoned in front of him when he was 15, he is the only one that survived.
* Since his family's murder, he is afraid of red wine.
* Nikolai’s favorite childhood memory was stopping for his favorite medovik, honey cake, on the way home from piano lessons, where he excelled at sight reading music.
* Nikolai couldn't imagine ever wanting to be married. But today, he can't imagine anything he wants more.

## Gallery

Nikolai Stirling S1E1Nikolai Stirling S1E5Nikolai Stirling S1E9Nikolai Stirling S1E12Nikolai Stirling S2E3Nikolai Stirling S2E6Nikolai Stirling S2E9Nikolai Stirling S2E12Nikolai Stirling S3E2Nikolai Stirling S3E5Nikolai Stirling S3E7Nikolai Stirling S3E11Nikolai Stirling S4E3Nikolai Stirling S4E5Nikolai Stirling S4E9Nikolai Stirling S4E12Nikolai Stirling S5E2Nikolai Stirling S5E5Nikolai Stirling S5E9Nikolai Stirling S5E12Nikolai Stirling S6E1Nikolai Stirling S6E6Nikolai Stirling S6E9Nikolai Stirling S6E12Nikolai Stirling S7E1Nikolai Stirling S7E5Nikolai Stirling S7E8Nikolai Stirling S7E10Nikolai Stirling S8E2Nikolai Stirling S8E5Nikolai Stirling S8E9Nikolai Stirling S8E12

## References

1. ↑ https://lovestruckvoltage.tumblr.com/post/183445245700/did-you-know-nikolai-collects-mind-games-and
2. ↑ https://lovestruckvoltage.tumblr.com/post/621092215153983488/did-you-know-that-nikolais-favorite-childhood
3. ↑ https://twitter.com/lovestruckgame/status/1321134940323532803