The Gypsies are a group of nomadic people Jacob and the peculiar children encounter and befriend in Hollow City. Though most of them are normal, they are aware of peculiars' existence and have an old alliance with them.
Description[]
Unlike regular gypsies, the Gypsies in Hollow City travel in circus-like wagons that are colorful and ornate. One of the wagons is described to be "a miniature house, with a little window on each side and a platform that jutted from the back like a porch."
Background[]
During World War One, the British seized the Gypsies' horses, leaving them immobile in the forest that would become their camp. The Gypsies later tamed a group of long-horned goats, who had peculiar origins, that had been seen around their camp and had them pull their wagons. Because of this, the Gypsies became known as the "goat people" throughout Wales until the war ended.
At some point, they allied with peculiars, as both peoples are outcasts of a sort, and have even taken in peculiars in the past.
Hollow City[]
Jacob and the peculiar children come across the Gypsies in chapter five of Hollow City after leaving Miss Wren's Menagerie in search of Miss Wren. Jacob, having never seen gypsies as decorative as them, asks Emma whether or not the gypsies are good or bad, to which she is unsure. The children hitch a ride with the caravan, boarding the last wagon quietly so as to not alert the driver. Millard is sent to see what the Gypsies are doing every time they stop for breaks. The children are discovered, and the Gypsies are initially hostile but protect them from the wights and welcome them after finding out that the children are peculiars. They deliver Jacob and his friends to the nearby town.
In the chapter after the children have been captured by Mr. White and his soldiers, they see signs indicating a struggle with the Gypsies. Several of their horses had been killed in the confrontation, but luckily there were no human casualties.
Members[]
Bekhir[]
Bekhir is the leader of the Gypsies. He is captured by Mr. White and his soldiers and tortured for the location of Jacob and the other peculiar children. Bekhir remains loyal to his fellow peculiars, and refuses to reveal any information about them.
Radi[]
Radi is the son of Bekhir and currently the only peculiar of the Gypsies. He has the same peculiarity as Millard, and is beginning to turn invisible, his legs already having disappeared. Upon learning that his peculiarity will be permanent, and connecting with Millard, Radi at first wants to go with Millard and the other children, believing that he doesn't belong with the Gypsies.
Galbi[]
Galbi is a boy who comes to give a bottle of something to a "sick" Hugh. He accidentally gets taken hostage by Bronwyn.
Jebbiah[]
Jebbiah is a doctor of the Gypsies.
GMS[]
A ventriloquist who performs for the Gypsies and peculiar children. He flirts with Emma, much to Jacob's displeasure. He gives Emma an autographed photo of himself and his puppets.
Relationships[]
Mr. White[]
Mr. White and his soldiers are natural enemies of the Gypsies. The wights are hostile towards the Gypsies, attacking their caravan and killing their horses while looking for the peculiar children. Mr. White captures many of them (including Bekhir) and tortures them in a shack in an attempt to learn the whereabouts of the peculiar children.