Warning: the following article contains spoilers for the Grishaverse book series, as well as potential spoilers for future seasons of Netflix’s Shadow and Bone.
Shadow and Bone is currently among the best fantasy series in Netflix’s catalog. Based on Leigh Bardugo’s book series, the show centers around Alina Starkov (played by Jessi Mei Li) – a Sun Summoner who must destroy the Shadow Fold dividing the nation of Ravka.
Like any worthwhile fantasy series, Shadow and Bone provides its audience with a good variety of interesting characters, some of them incredibly powerful due to having unique abilities. In this universe, those gifted with the ability to practice Small Science are named Grisha, and despite being considered human, there are a few things setting these folks very obviously apart from others.
Of course, their powers are the most obvious difference, but the Grisha lifespan is another aspect worthy of envy. They are known to live longer than non-Grisha, but how long, exactly? They can’t possibly be immortal, can they? While it may take a bit of time for the Netflix show to answer viewers’ pressing questions, the books provide plenty of information.
Are Grisha immortal in Shadow and Bone?
Putting it simply, Grisha are technically not immortal — since they can be killed — but it takes an extraordinarily long time for someone who practices the Small Science to die of natural causes. While in some other fantasy series characters might feel drained or get sick from using too much of their powers, in the Grishaverse, the opposite is true. Using their abilities only strengthens the Grisha and enhances their health, which also means that, on the downside, those who let their powers go to waste, unused, get weaker as time goes by.
One can say that honing their abilities has a rejuvenescent effect on Grisha, and the more powerful they become, the longer they live. This explains why Grisha have a much longer lifespan than other humans, aging at a much slower rate.
What is the Grisha lifespan in Shadow and Bone?
The maximum lifespan of Grisha is never confirmed in Leigh Bardugo’s series, but on average, it’s possible for them to live around 100 years. According to Alina in the Shadow and Bone book, though, 120 would already be pushing the limit for regular Grisha. Granted, some extremely powerful Small Science users can remain alive across centuries, but it’s very rare. The Darkling (Ben Barnes) is the best example of this, having lived for over 400 years.
As for non-Grisha in this universe, they’re just regular humans, much like us, which means that without external factors getting in the way, they tend to live around 80 years on average.
Shadow and Bone season two will land on Netflix on March 16.
