The Julian Circle is a secret city. Dictionary. Hunting for ermine

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Prologue

Al Mahara Restaurant

Hotels, as any inveterate traveler will readily tell you about this, are different: ancient ones - when the history goes back to the very first meaning of the word “hotel” - and recent concrete boxes that are without regret broken for new buildings, famous ones - their names alone add to the city attractive charm - and unknown to anyone.

And there are hotels that the whole world knows about.

Hotels vary, but if you want to quickly find out what your chosen hotel is like, take a look at the parking lot and estimate how much cash guests spent to decorate it. If the cost of polished metal, valuable types of wood, delicate leather and uniform caps even “by eye” exceeds a couple of million, there is a lot of sand around, from the piles of which well-groomed palm trees protrude importantly, pompous camels wander, and the shadow of a building stretches to the border of the neighboring emirate, then you are most likely in Dubai, at the foot of the giant sail of the Burj Al Arab, which once became the first seven-star hotel on Earth. And if you cast only a fleeting glance at the man-made rock, or even ignored it completely, then either you work here, or have been as a guest more than once, or are too absorbed in business and do not want to be distracted by the famous symbol of the construction victories of Arab petrodollars...

The black-haired man, who had just left a shiny limousine, the length of which was only slightly shorter than the shadow cast by the giant hotel, belonged to the second or third group. An ideal suit, old-fashioned cufflinks on the cuffs of a snow-white shirt, an elegant tie pin—indirect signs, discreetly but powerfully, testified to the brunette’s high status. And the behavior corresponded: the guest took the surrounding luxury for granted, without the ostentatious indifference of the soon-to-be rich.

Entering the hall, he immediately headed to the elevator, briefly ordered: “To the Oyster” - the phrase in Arabic was spoken without an accent - and just as briefly, already in the underwater hall, the following sentence was heard: “Mr. Atlantov.” The head waiter bowed and personally escorted the distinguished guest to the table, at which a very stout man of about forty was sipping rose wine, then quietly inquired when the gentlemen would consider it necessary to place an order, heard: “Later,” bowed again and left the interlocutors alone.

“I don’t like large aquariums,” the dense man said quietly instead of “Hello.”

“There are six inches of plexiglass between us and a million liters of water,” the brunette responded.

- I know. – The plump one, without taking his eyes off the fish flitting behind the glass, took a small sip of pink. – But I didn’t say that I was afraid, I said that I didn’t like large aquariums. There is a difference.

He had a large round face, a neat beard, attentive eyes - the wrinkles around them spoke of a love of smiling - and a straight nose. A pleasant, open face without any traces of excess. The once dark hair almost gave in to the onslaught of gray hair, and the silver added several extra years to the far from old man.

– Good choice, Andrey. – The black-haired one tried the wine. - You understand.

But there was no gratitude for the compliment. The dense man turned the glass in his hand, finally turned his gaze to his interlocutor and quietly inquired:

-Are you really Yarga?

Considering that the greeting never came, the phrase turned out to be not entirely polite, but the black-haired man was not offended. Or pretended not to be offended. He slightly bowed his head to his left shoulder, grinned and said ironically:

“I never thought I’d have to confirm my identity.”

Another sip of wine. Each of the interlocutors took a sip, but the glasses did not touch. The men were separated by a transparent wall, which was much stronger than the six-inch wall behind which hid a million liters of sea water.

- Why? – Andrey showed slight surprise on his face. “How do I know you are who you say you are?”

– Why do you even need to know who I am?

– To believe in what you offer.

– You already believed it since you arrived. – Yarga wiped the grin from his face and now spoke extremely seriously. And extremely heartfelt: “The name doesn’t change anything.” Shas, Masan, Lud, Chud could sit in my place - it doesn’t matter. It makes absolutely no difference, because it was not my name that brought you here, but my proposal.

Knowledgeable Vyselki.

The name didn’t sound, but Andrei couldn’t restrain himself: he twitched his cheek as if he heard it. It was as if he had already touched upon the ancient mystery of human sorcerers. He twitched his cheek and thus demonstrated his burning interest. He caught Yarga’s gaze, became slightly embarrassed and said very coldly:

“Everyone you listed has no motive to reveal the secret to me.”

– So you answered your own question, Andrey, and you yourself confirmed my identity. – The black-haired man allowed himself a smile again. – Let’s order another bottle of wine and ask for the menu so as not to irritate the locals.

– I didn’t plan to have dinner.

– You don’t have to.

- What do you have in mind?

- We will part earlier.

- Will there be guests? – the dense one frowned.

“I’ll tell you about the Knowing Settlements in order to give the Great Houses a headache,” Yarga explained. He ignored the question about the guests, hinting with his disdain that he was in control of everything. – The return of the famous four will not please them.

– You hope that we will squabble.

- I'm sure you'll squabble.

It was extremely unpleasant to hear something like this from such an experienced sorcerer, but Andrei was not embarrassed.

– What if we unite?

“There is always a risk,” the dark-haired man waved his hand. – But if for some reason the plan does not work and the Vyselki unite with the Great Houses, I will simply destroy everyone. Four groups instead of three. I'll have to tinker, but I can handle it.

- Who will you rule over?

- Those who bow their heads before me. - Yarga glanced at his watch, opened the menu, but did not study it, looked at Andrey and asked harshly, in a very businesslike tone: - So you are interested in the history of the Knowing Vyselki?

“An object at a table with an unidentified person,” said Tamir, who had already taken control of all the hotel’s video cameras. “They just got a menu and a second bottle of wine.”

- Accepted. – Santiaga slowly ran his hand along the tabletop.

The Commissioner of the Dark Court casually leaned his elbows on the reception desk and thoughtfully examined the cup of tea served by the attendant. Tall, slender, dressed in an elegant white suit - an excellent choice for the local climate - he gave the impression of a bored dandy whose companion was staying in the room on some important ladies' business. Next to the cup lay a magnificent white rose.

The image visible to others differed from the original in a mere detail: in reality, instead of a flower on the marble there was a shiny spiral-shaped artifact, reliably hiding from scanning the presence in the hotel lobby of one of the most powerful magicians of the Secret City.

– Why haven’t the chelas been identified yet?

“The guy activated the Navsky Amulet,” Ortega reported. “We are unable to break through his defenses.”

The magical devices of the Dark Court were valued for their quality and reliability, and the commissar of this very Court could only sigh.

And turn towards the noise.

There was a slight bustle at the door: several children, apparently the children of the guests, crowded around the trainer with the orangutan. A red-haired monkey, dressed in a red fez and a blue and gold vest, made faces, clowned around, pestered the baby and thereby caused bouts of cheerful laughter. The guards pretended not to notice anything.

Santiaga rubbed his forehead and returned to business:

- CCTV Cameras?

– Yarga’s interlocutor uses the “Cape of Dusty Roads”.

And thus he forced numerous cameras to see instead of himself a long, like a pole, Englishwoman in a disgustingly tasteless dress.

- Prudently.

“I agree, commissar,” the assistant assented.

– How do we know that it is the person with the object?

“I scanned the surrounding area and I guarantee that for the last three days only chelas have approached the table,” said Shas Tamir Kumar, one of the two “Las Vegas”, who is responsible for technical issues in the team. Nav Dominga, his partner, was considered the best predictor of the Secret City.

– That is, the genetic status of the object: human?

- Absolutely right.

– Is there at least one sign that the second object is Yarga?

- Unfortunately no.

Santiaga's long finger ran across the marble countertop again.

The men sitting by the giant aquarium were studied as much as possible without the use of magic. Tamir led the object from the airport, here he connected to the hotel security cameras, but so far these efforts were of no use: in the limousine the object was silent, and the table was protected by the most reliable amulet.

What to do?

The capture group - a Hyperborean witch and six Garok in full combat gear - had already entered the Burj al Arab, and their commander was still not sure that the object was Yarga. Because if they made a mistake and now take one of the assistants of the first prince Navi, they will lose the last thread leading to the worst enemy of the Secret City.

- Commissioner? – Ortega called carefully.

“No more than ten minutes until the end of the conversation,” Dominga said.

“The capture group is at the starting point,” Boga reported sparingly.

We have to make a decision.

- Why did I choose you? – The Dark One shook his head, making it clear that he was surprised by the question. – Andrey, it’s obvious: you are familiar with the Secret City, with its realities...

- I retired a long time ago...

And he faced the icy gaze of black eyes. This look could have sunk the Titanic. However, if Yarga really was sitting at the table, then the number of his Titanics had long been in the thousands.

“Please, don’t interrupt me,” the dark one asked harshly and looked at his watch again. And again - briefly. – You have retired, but I don’t need to explain to you what the Secret City is, the Great Houses and what the Knowing Vyselki are. And the latter knowledge is extremely rare among your relatives. You are strong and well educated, you are a patriot and you are stubborn. You will want to revive Vyselki... Actually, you already want to, but I don’t need anything else. – The lips stretch into a slight smile. – You are highly motivated, Andrey, I don’t have to push or persuade you. And I know you will take the risk.

– I have a quiet life and a solid business that generates excellent income. I haven’t had any contact with the Secret City for ten years, and that suits me quite well.

- Not satisfied.

- I know better.

“You are here,” Yarga reminded with unexpected gentleness.

And I heard the long-prepared answer:

- I'm sentimental. Your proposal gave off the scent of youth, which I did not resist. He could have, but he didn't. But the longer I am here, the more clearly I understand that I do not intend to return.

It sounded confident, but the interlocutors understood that Andrei was not saying this to Yarga, but to himself. Trying to find a reason to refuse. He tries, but he can't.

Because Andrei not only felt the smell of youth, but also saw a trace of a great secret. And it was this, and not his sentimentality, multiplied by nostalgia, that the former mercenary could not resist.

“Be that as it may, I’m not going to persuade you,” Yarga continued evenly. – And I’m not sure that I’ll go to another person: the idea with Vyselki came unexpectedly and could just as easily leave me.

– We are talking about my life.

– Ten years ago you, without hesitation, put it on the line.

– Ten years is a very long time.

First Prince Navi shook his head.

– You know, Andrey, the more I immerse myself in the realities of modern Earth, the less I want to capture this rotten planet. Where is the fire? Where's the rage? Where is the pearl that the first children of the Sleeping One called paradise? Where is the Earth, because of which we waged a war of mutual destruction with the asuras? Where are we? Where are the enemies? Why can I buy almost everyone? Where are the principles? The heroes were replaced by accountants, and I’m disgusted and bored with being the emperor of accountants, but I can try. How much do you want for the operation? Do you understand this language?

“I...” Andrey blushed, abruptly put the glass down, spilling pink on the snow-white tablecloth. - I…

- I'm bored with you. – Yarga stood up, but immediately sat down again and smiled. - We have guests. – And the smile became even wider when he saw how quickly Andrei took the battle ring out of his pocket. - "Dragon breath"?

“It won’t be useful,” Yarga waved his hand. “I’ll cover you from this battle.” So listen and remember, man: I won’t have time to repeat it...

Or maybe there was no signal? Maybe the magicians struck themselves? Didn't wait?

No no and one more time no! Garki and the Hyperborean witch, led by the Commissioner of the Dark Court himself, acted as a single organism, like one hand. Here she barely noticeably trembled, tensed - the soldiers entered the hotel; Here the fingers clenched to strike, formed into a fist covered with an iron glove - the detachment took up a position. And here comes the blow. A powerful fist unexpectedly...

The cry is loud, slightly confused.

- Cover it!

A powerful fist hit. But not forward, but in response. Not even in response, but into the air. He hit it absurdly, weakly, and all because the brunette who jumped up from the table hit the prepared magicians with an elastic stream of “Stone Wind”. And not a simple stream, but a sharp one, gaining unprecedented strength in a fraction of a moment, and even selective, sweeping only Navas off the road. Visitors, servants, chairs, tables, plates - everything remained in their places, undisturbed by anything and not even aware of what passions were raging a millimeter from them. And six superbly equipped battle mages of the Dark Court crashed into the walls like kittens.

And they slid down, stunned. But alive, because death was in no hurry today.

And this cry, as it turned out, was made by Yana. The amazed Hyperborean witch struck in time, but struck alone. Heavy, powerful, but not strong enough to topple the first prince Navi.

- Funny…

The capture group had to work harmoniously: two would draw magical energy from the object, two would tie invisible bonds, two would hit with stuns. It fell to Yana to keep the trouble. At the very last moment, she managed to redirect most of the energy into the blow, but the result, to put it mildly, was not impressive.

- Funny…

Yarga picked up the stream directed at him, deftly spun it, intensified it, and then, without ceasing to smile, slammed it into the plexiglass.

- How do you like it?

Cracks ran along the transparent wall of the aquarium.

Forgetting that she might be under attack, Yana rushed forward and grabbed the collapsing glass with all her strength. She squeezed, glued, squeezed the scattering polymer and only then realized that she could not let it go without anyone’s help. Magic is magic, but if she loses concentration even for a moment, then a million liters of sea water and a lot of marine life will pour on the visitors of the Oyster.

– I hate aquariums.

“You’re talking about this again...” The calmed-down Yarga looked at the witch frozen by the glass with a grin, even patted her on the shoulder encouragingly, then looked at his watch and sighed: “Andrey, do you remember everything?”

- Now leave, in seven seconds there will be no crowd here from the Navs.

A black whirlwind of a portal danced a step away from the table. Chel stood up, but paused, turned to Yarga and shouted:

“Your motives are hostile, but I am still grateful.” Those who know Vyselki are worth the risk.

– That’s why I chose you, Andrey. Good luck.

Chel grinned and entered the portal.

- I won't last long!

- What's going on with you? – Santiaga turns sharply towards the elevator, intending to rush down, but the next moment she realizes that the hall has been twisted by a powerful combat lasso. “Salamander Ring” of the fourth level, not activated, but formed. All it takes is the last word, gesture, or even a sigh - depending on how the unknown magician decided to complete the construction of the spell - and everyone in the hall will be filled with fire. The commissar himself, of course, will dodge, manage to create a life-saving passage and leave, but the receptionist, guests, security guards, kids at the door...

Kids?!

Santiaga turns to the door and stares at the grinning orangutan.

- Schinki?

“Stay still, commissar, and no one will get hurt.” Even you.

And the orangutan quickly dives into the open doors of the elevator. From the depths of which Santiago burns the first prince with his black gaze.

- We'll see you again...

The doors collapse. A moment later they open - the amazed elevator operator stares blankly at the panel - and it is clear that the elevator operator is alone in the cabin.

And the next moment the headset goes off.

- Commissioner! – Dominga is extremely excited. - Commissioner! What's happened? Why was there no connection?!

“Yarga has left,” Santiaga says quietly, forcing the “Las Vegas” to fall silent. He takes a short pause and orders: “Repairmen from the Recycling Service are urgently needed.” – Yarga damaged the aquarium.

Muscovites are shocked by a wave of terrifying events: the maniac Vivisector attacks young girls, machine gun fire can be heard in the squares, and the seizure of buildings in the very center of the city only horrifies residents even more.
During the investigation of all these incidents, Lieutenant Kornilov unearths unusual details. He finds out that magicians, priestesses, magicians and mythical creatures live next to ordinary people, and the reason for the latest events in the city was the ancient enmity of the Commissioner of the Dark Court and the Queen of the Green House. Now, the Secret City is about to be engulfed in war, it is important to know that the losers will be the first to rush to the offensive, and in the final battle the heroes will win.

Commander of War

Who would have thought that humanity is far from the only intelligent race on Earth. The descendants of long-lost civilizations still live in the magical Secret City, which has existed on the territory of Moscow for many millennia and is hidden from the eyes of people by magical spells. However, a number of people still manage to look there and even find their place in the Secret City, among witches, sorcerers and black moreans. Artem, the main character of the novel, becomes such a person. It is he who must save the Secret City from a terrible catastrophe...

Attack according to the rules

Artyom and the inhabitants of the Secret City have another enemy on the horizon. She is a human witch with a passion for immortality. She is smart and cunning, her schemes and moves are difficult to predict in advance even for a professional chess player. Her name is Kara. And it is she who is going to cause chaos in the orderly structure of the Secret City...
But will this cunning villain be able to bring her plan to completion?...

All shades of black

Everyone was convinced that metamorphs - creatures who are able to transform their body as they please and, moreover, use magic - no longer exist. But in a tiny village, a girl named Anna is born with these unique abilities. When Anna becomes an adult, she will begin to actively take revenge for her abused childhood. She, using magic, will seduce men and destroy them by the dozens. The heads of the Great Houses of the Secret City need to save people from the evil metamorph at all costs. But what can they do?

And there are heroes in hell

The new artificial drug “stim” is becoming a way to create monsters not only in the foggy brains of drug addicts. Thanks to “stim”, a faithful servant of the Great Master penetrates into this world. He appeared to revive the seeds of Hatred sown many centuries ago. And again, as has already happened in the distant past, mortal danger forces the current owners of the Earth - people to begin collaborating with the descendants of the ancient magicians who ruled the planet in prehistoric times. With the inhabitants of the Secret City...

Concubines of Hatred

Thousands of tourists, walking along Red Square, do not even suspect that deep underground, right under their feet, in a hidden sarcophagus, the very fiend of hell is hidden - Azag-Toth, the ruler of the empire of hatred of Hyperborea. The Hyperboreans were defeated many centuries ago, but now, thanks to the drug “stim”, they have begun to rebel, and Azag-Toth is freeing himself from his old shackles. Will the Great Houses of the Secret City be able to defeat the Kingdom of Hate if they are not even able to reconcile with each other?

Last Hope Doll

The last hope doll or sleeping geisha is a powerful magical artifact that gives life to a person who has lost all his resources and is on the verge of death. Clara Sommerset tried to deliver this rare figurine to the famous collector Ivan Razin, but the artifact disappeared, and Clara dies under unexplained circumstances. Which of the residents of the Secret City is guilty of this crime? Who needed the doll of last hope and why?

Shadow of the Inquisitor

Previously, Mark was confident that he would be able to find his way to the Secret City again. He was obsessed with the desire to take revenge for his escape. He was convinced of his uniqueness, of his necessity. But the realities showed him a completely different picture and gave him an icy shower.
An ordinary person in the Secret City does not have the right to count on much. Mark's incredible capabilities only make nonhumans smile. And despite everything he did for the Great Houses, he faced a ton of indifference and indifference.
But now the shadow of the Inquisitor is already approaching Moscow, fires are preparing to blaze, the real and other worlds must come together in a bloody war. And that’s when an ordinary person can change everything...

Pulpit of Pilgrims

A century has already passed since some people discovered the way to other worlds. And for a hundred years no one has been able to repeat what they did. Members of the Great Houses of the Secret City have always wanted to take possession of the knowledge of the Chair of Wanderers (that’s what these pioneers came to be called), and now such an opportunity has opened up before them. Wanderers have appeared in our world again. A nur, a megamorph, the Keeper of the Black Book, mercenaries and others who are already familiar to the reader of the “Secret City” series are going to set out in search of the Great Road.

Blood Rules

For many thousands of years, the world of magicians and sorcerers, the remaining descendants of the ancient rulers of the Earth, has been hidden from prying eyes on the banks of the Moscow River. But the Secret City has not become a monument to itself, it is not subject to aging - no, it lives and prospers, new streets regularly appear in it, and the life of its population is filled with different colors. “Rules of Blood” is an excellent proof of this fact...

Royal Cross

Nikita Krylov, one of the owners of the largest Moscow casinos, is difficult to surprise with anything related to the world of gambling. However, a certain circumstance appeared that plunged him into confusion - a simple-looking deck of cards...
But what is surprising for an ordinary person, even perhaps a cynical and experienced one, is quite normal for any of Vadim Panov’s readers, who are well aware of the inexhaustible source of secrets and puzzles in the territory of the modern capital...

King of the Hill

For a long time now, strife and schism have been raging in the Masan family. The brothers were separated immediately after the treaty of the Great Houses with the Church was signed. The cause of the controversy turned out to be the Dogmas of Submission, with which some Sabbats did not agree, who soon left the secret City.
However, as time passed, the old slogans of the split began to be questioned. And so the brothers, tired of internecine wars, began to remember their past, where they were united. And even Commissioner Santiaga understands that it is time to unite the warring groups under the leadership of a single leader... The same opinion is shared by Baron Bruja - Cardinal Sabbat. What can they do to achieve this goal?

Dragon Day

He is a brave knight endowed with magical powers. She is a sorceress from a race in which magic is available only to women. And so, ironically, feelings flare up between these two in the Secret City. They belong to different civilizations, different types of magical creatures, and they should not have any feelings for each other.
For the first time in the “Secret City” series, Vadim Panov introduces a love line into the center of the plot...

The smell of fear

Fear is one of the oldest and most powerful feelings. It doesn’t matter who you are - chel or chud, lyud or nav, you are still afraid of something. And not to use this small (or, on the contrary, huge) weakness would be an absurd omission, especially if you are an ordinary sorceress, and the inhabitants of the Secret City are sure that you are mediocrity..
A series of strange crimes began in Moscow. Everything points to the fact that they are committed by someone not from the race of people...

Rebus Galla

Something terrible is happening on the territory of the Secret City: golems have begun to disappear somewhere. And the queen of the Green House suddenly decided to throw a wedding and acquire heirs. And at one construction site in the capital, for unknown reasons, mortality increased significantly. How can all these events be connected? All clues lead to the last of the remaining Gaul Rebuses.
And again the question that once split the powerful Order appears: “Was the Sleeper a magician?”

Web of Confrontation

The novel “The Web of Confrontation” by Vadim Panov is a collection of stories that are united by a common theme: the ancient enmity between Commissioner Santiaga and Yarga. It is worth noting that some of the stories are the work of connoisseurs of the author’s work, who showed a lot of imagination and strength to complement and continue the series of books about the Secret City.
The basis of the collection is the story “The Web of Confrontation.” It was created on the dialogue between Santiaga and Schinki, Yarg’s assistant, who was captured. This "interview" reveals many details about both the commissioner's past and the life of his longtime enemy.

Dizziness

The title of the novel “Vertigo” perfectly shows its essence, because most of the inhabitants of the Secret City will feel dizzy.
A young successful person named Dasha, despite her excellent career, lives like Cinderella. But one day it becomes known that she is an amazing fairy daikini. The girl finds herself in a new magical world, which is full of amazing creatures and magic, the world of the main character changes forever..

In the circle of times

A dozen years have already passed since Andrey Riznyk left the territory of the Secret City. He was confident that his fate would never again collide with the fate of the Great Houses and their inhabitants, but Yarga's proposal changed his views...
Knowledgeable Vyselki. An ancient mystery of human sorcerers. It is Andrei who will have to revive them again and fight the Great Houses in battle. Why does Yarga need this? He intends to destroy the greatness of the Houses. But why does Andrei agree to such a risk?

Mystery of revenge

The collection “The Mystery of Revenge” includes works by talented aspiring writers - winners of the “Secret City - Your City” competition.
And as the main chord in the collection, the reader will find a detective story by Vadim Panov. In it, there is an investigation into the murder of a young woman, and the work of the investigation brings a detective from the ordinary world to the Secret City.
New old characters, fascinating storylines, exciting adventures await you in this diverse collection “The Mystery of Revenge”.

Wild Persians

A talented employee of the Secret City (although he is not a sorcerer) Yuri Fedra is given a very unusual task. He is tasked with finding the killer of Shas Karida Kumar's beloved pet. Ridiculous? Offensive? Maybe. But 2 groups of operational intervention officers were unable to cope with this mission. And Yuri Fedra goes to St. Petersburg to find the elusive criminal. This is where his adventures are just beginning, because along the way he will need to solve a number of brutal, bloody crimes.

Hunting for ermine

The collection “The Hunt for Ermine” is a new collection of stories about the world of the Secret City, which was released by the author of the series, Vadim Panov, and fans of his work.
It includes such novels and short stories as “Letters of Chain”, “All that Glitters is Not Gold”, “The Coast of No Return”, “Three Steps to the Abyss” and “Tales of the Secret City”. These works add new details and details to the already created world...
The main story of Panov himself, “The Hunt for the Ermine,” is the story of Sharge, a father who barely recovered from grief, but now dreams of taking revenge on the inhabitants of the Secret City.

Green Gambit

Many fans were waiting for this continuation of the central plot of the series. Vadim Panov brought old characters back into history in his novel. As a result, the book acquired meaningful intrigue, and the plot began to unfold at a high dynamic level. The reader will find everything here - battles, betrayals and even irony.
A harsh and destructive war is coming. Will Yargu be able to wipe out people from the face of the earth and kill the most powerful magicians? And what will he do next if he wins?

Fools die first

The book tells about the events taking place in alternative St. Petersburg. A dangerous artifact has been hidden here for more than a century. The monster of Saint James was imprisoned in chains thanks to powerful spells. Now it is one of the popular exhibits in the city on the Neva. Every day thousands of tourists admire it and do not suspect anything. But what will happen if the demon of the past is released?..
The silver hoop that kept the monster in a state of lethargic sleep is destroyed. A fatal accident can turn into a terrible disaster. The magical world turns out to be reality...

Vampire Hunters

Even in early childhood, Veniamin Dolinsky witnessed vampire attacks on ordinary residents. And now, after a couple of decades, he, quite by accident, encounters these ominous monsters.
A dynamic plot, humor and interesting twists in the story, which is read almost in one breath. Several main lines, not connected at the beginning, intersect at the end...

Family Affair

Ozersk is a small town in which a terrible secret lurks. Here, in an ancient estate, the treasures of the count's family are buried. Therefore, the shore of the Dark Lake constantly attracts local inhabitants, German invaders and security officers. But only a few from the secret city know that the province hides not only gold and untold riches, but also enormous power that is worth spending an eternity searching for.
The moment has come when you need to find the key to the solution. But those who can lift the veil of secrecy are not yet aware that for the sake of wealth they will have to go to great lengths...

Night of the Sun

At first glance, it is difficult to imagine a more peaceful science than archeology, but the treasure discovered near Khabarovsk did not give scientists worldwide fame, but only led to death at the hands of cruel criminals. And only the leader of the expedition, a talented scientist named Mira, fairy of the Green House, managed to survive the bloody massacre. The brutal crime shocked the Secret City, because many believed that the ruthless criminals managed to obtain an artifact of the most ancient civilization on Earth - the Asuras. But the reality turned out to be much worse - the Khabarovsk box was in no way related to the asuras, but this discovery put the entire Secret City at risk...

Ring of Paracelsus

The existence of the Ring of Paracelsus has long excited the entire magical world. Many would like to subjugate the capricious artifact, but so far no one has been able to conquer and take control of its power. And yet attempts to get into the secret of the alchemist continue...
How can the death of predecessors be scary when the key to unprecedented power may be in your hands? The power to become not an ordinary strong magician, but a real ruler? Brandelius is not afraid of death and the fate of gullible people, because he is confident that he can become the first after Paracelsus to receive the ancient artifact.

Thirst

The novel tells about Zoran, his torment and emotions, which the writer described with particular depth. The story is about terrible killers who have appeared in the city - they can become a threat to the whole world.
A fascinating plot makes you constantly be in suspense - what will happen on the new page? Kornyushin turns into a thirsty person. At the sight of a stone, people are ready to voluntarily commit suicide in order to water this stone with their blood. Despite the dramatic presentation, the book is surprisingly easy and enjoyable to read...

Wish Granter

For Maxim, from an early age his great-grandfather was his idol. Stately, elegant and with a watch on a chain - a true security officer of the old school. And he traveled so much! Once he even took part in the expedition of Nicholas Roerich, the seeker of Shambhala. But the old man passed away, and his chronometer ended up in the hands of the protagonist. Maxim decided to repeat the usual movement of his great-grandfather, opened the watch cover with his finger and...
Everything around has changed! Objects began to sparkle with colors, and Lenin’s portrait suddenly became a safe. In it, the heir of the security officer found diaries, and in them - golems, witches, shas and mysterious ancient forces. How did it happen that my great-grandfather found the gates of a magical land and opened a portal to other worlds?

Native blood

The death of Sofia Engel became a real tragedy for all of Vladimir - a quiet, small town. And not just because this old lady was a powerful witch. The confrontation with the killer has left too many clues in the human world and attracted relic hunters from the Secret City. They are all trying to get a legendary magical artifact, forgetting about the rightful heir... Will Sophia's granddaughter be able to escape from sorcerers, witches and other hunters? Who does Agent Lisin, who hides behind a police badge, serve? And how is the cat Sema connected with the struggle for a powerful inheritance?

Proof of strength

Sometimes even the inhabitants of the Secret City do not know what is actually a legend and what is real history... What can we say about ordinary people who, by coincidence, find themselves in a whirlpool of amazing events. These events were caused by such powerful forces that even experienced magicians fell into a stupor. Crimea and Ladoga, caves and diving, fishing that ended in death, and death that saved a man’s life for 20 years - in this story the reader will learn everything...
But this story will not end well for everyone.

Kiss of Ouroboros

To start a war, one of three conditions is enough - the desire for power, love or hatred...
On one side of the scale is the royal crown, and on the other is the life of your loved ones, and the choice is deafening with terrible force: swift and sharp. There is not a minute to think... But the outcome cannot be changed either by force or by requests, because you cannot change what has already happened...
The tragic wedding of Queen Vseslava turned out to be the prologue to a series of shocks that affected not only the Green House, but also the fate of the Secret City...

Ballad of the Dead Queen

Wounded in body and soul, the Erlian Gematus conceived plans for revenge on the world that had deprived him and the main culprit - the Sleeper, who would create such an unsuccessful Universe...
Will the prophecy, which accidentally became known to the human witch Tina, according to which all living things must perish, come true? In particular, the remaining representatives of the ancient races that ruled the Earth long before the advent of the human race. Is there really no way to destroy the plans of the Dead Queen, who is capable of devouring the Universe itself?
The clock started by the Erlian has begun its death countdown, and only Tina can prevent the coming catastrophe...

Factions.
Before the Creation of the Secret City (hereinafter referred to as TG).

The Sleeper is the Great Creator of everything; according to the unspoken theory, he is a magician.

The Perfect Ones, the first creatures created by the sleeper, were ideal, so they did not strive for anything or anywhere. The source is not needed. Later, the Sleeper became disillusioned with them and destroyed almost all of them.
Galla is the first of the perfect, and he is the last. The only one whom the sleeper did not destroy knows more about the Sleeper than anyone else, for he saw him personally and is still alive... In the secret city, most people know him as the Degunin Oracle.

Asuras (Asura) are the first successful experiment of the Sleeper. Also the first inhabitants of the Earth whom the Sleeper did not destroy. The source is Light, the last source is the spark in the Degunin Oracle. The Navami were completely destroyed (according to some versions, not all of them), only one sealed Iron Fortress remained.

Tats (Tat) - came from the Outer Worlds at the same time as the Navamis. Source - Lords of Tat. At the moment, there was only one Divine Lord Nur and one line of tats carefully hidden by him. Neither soothsayers nor analysts can predict the actions of the Tats, but they themselves do not have the ability to predict.

Secret City.

Navy (Nav) is one of the remaining Great Houses at the moment. They destroyed the Asuras, almost destroyed the Tats, after that they ruled until the Ludas overthrew them. In the Secret City they founded the Black House, also known as the Dark Court. Navs have a collective memory and remember everything that has ever happened to their people. The most powerful magicians and warriors among the residents of TG.
Coat of arms - Squirrel gnawing nuts.
Source - unknown (presumably Darkness).
The native language is Old Navian.
Examples of names - Men: Yarga, Parga, Boga, Dominga, Santiaga. Women: not known.
Appearance - Men: tall, slender, black hair, black eyes, slightly pointed ears. Women: not known.
Favorite dish is Nava shurk.
Hierarchy:
The prince is a faceless monarch who has lost his personality and name, so that this does not interfere with his rule, the first prince was Yarga, he is still alive and is trying to regain power and take revenge, the second was Parga.
The advisors are the three most powerful magicians, hiding their faces under hoods.
The Commissioner - an operative, a diplomat and an intriguer, was created by the Prince and absorbed everything that the Prince did not need and interfered with his rule. The name of the current commissioner is Santiaga, his assistants are Ortega and Boga.
Garki are elite fighters, the most dangerous warriors of the TG.
The rest of the skills are artisans, masters...
Women - nothing is known about them.
Vassal families:
Shas (Shas) were the first to join the navas, traders and bureaucrats who had not taken up arms for a long time. The senior shas are the nine heads of the Trade Guild, which ensures the normal existence of the TG. There are four families left in the TG - Hamzi - leader Bijar (the youngest director of the Trade Guild), Kumar - leader Urbek (a famous buyer and seller of stolen goods), Turchi, Tomba - leader Karim (a famous journalist, member of the board of directors of TigradMedia). One of the dialects is Untonese. The headquarters is the Money Tower. Favorite dish is Shassky pie.
Wasps (Os) - low-growing underground inhabitants, once, under the leadership of the Osars, they tried to escape from the power of the Navs, but were defeated, and only two of the Osars remained, now they are preserved by the Prince, because only on the day of their meeting the wasps have the opportunity to reproduce. The most famous Os is Chuuya. Favorite dish is Os noodles.
Masans (Masan) are vampires, nocturnal inhabitants who die from sunlight. They form the Camarila and obey the Dogmas of Submission. There are currently only four clans in Camaril - Tremi - Bishop Zahar, Gangrel - Bishop Plato, who replaced the legendary Lazarus and Cardinal Nilus, Nosferatu - Bishop Athanasius, Malkavian - Bishop Gregoire.
The Erlians (Erli) are monks, natural healers, who also do not possess combat magic, the head of the Erlian Monastery is brother Dynamus, the best doctor is brother Lyapsus. Favorite drink is Irish mead.
Separately:
Mercenaries - navas always preferred, if possible, to do all the work with someone else's hands; their tasks are always generously paid. The most famous team of mercenaries is Cortes, Artyom, Yana and Inga. Anna, a metamorph who was recently enslaved by the Navs, also often works for the dark courtyard.
"Lasvegas" are the best TG analysts, reporting directly to the commissioner. Tamir Kumar is a computer scientist and Dominga is a fortune teller.
Golems - Navs have been the best creators of golems throughout their history, this situation has remained until now, the best golem master is Nav Barraga, his best golem at the moment is “Lunatic”.

Lyudy (People) are the people closest in genetic code to the Chelas. They overthrew the Navs and ruled until they themselves were overthrown by miracles. After leaving for TG, they founded the Green House. At present, there are only 8 domains left: Sokolniki, Izmailovo, Kuzminki, Lyublino, Maryino, Perovo, Veshnyaki, Vykhino. There are also only two schools left with their own branches: Golden Mountain and Solnechny Ozero.
Coat of arms - dancing Crane.
Source - Well of Rains.
Native language - in short.
Examples of names - Women: Yarina, Vseslava, Mara, Mstislava, Krasava. Men: Mecheslav, Dobroslav, Lubomir, Jaromir, Miroslav.
Appearance - Women: tall, slender, athletic build, light brown to platinum hair, green eyes. Men: tall, broad-shouldered, brown hair, dull green eyes.
Hierarchy:
The queen is the supreme ruler of the people, the matriarch, at the moment this is Vseslava.
Priestesses - a circle of priestesses, the supreme council of the Green House.
Fati are battle mages and the main force of the House.
The Crane's daughters are elite fighters led by a voivode and chief voivodes.
Fairies are novice witches.
White Ladies - Priestesses and Veils who retired to the forests of Siberia.
Women very rarely do not have magical powers.
The Prince Consort is the chosen one and husband of the Queen, at the moment this is Mecheslav.
Barons are the heads of domains, together with the priestesses making up the Great Royal Council.
Men - despite the lack of magical abilities, are very strong and dangerous warriors.
Vassal families:
Chely (Chel) - all people who know about TG are officially considered vassals of People, because they take magical powers from the Well of Rains. All people with magical abilities can undergo training in the schools of the Green House.
Kontsy (Konets) - ladies' man and showmen, have enormous success with women because of their "secret". Pacifists, the most famous of them is Incius, the owner of the Lizard club. Favorite drink is “Good Morning” coffee.
Moryans (Moryana) are an artificially created race of female werewolves. Strong warriors with immunity to magic. They are divided into white and black. The latter, “throwing on the skin,” sometimes lose control over themselves. The first Morians were created by Fata Mara.
Lety (Fly) - another experiment, this time unsuccessful. Hermaphrodites living in the basements of the city.
Pristavniks (Pristavnik) are very large and very kind keepers of treasures. They are engaged in the protection and concealment of all treasures throughout the Earth, and also receive interest from them. They have complete immunity to magic.
Red Caps (Cash) are aggressive and not intellectual, they take with quantity and greed. Their brains run on whiskey. They are ruled by the Great Fuhrer, currently Hammer of Szybzich. The KSh are divided into dozens, controlled by the Uybuis, the most famous of them is Hoof, the Fuhrer’s personal assistant. Nowadays, there are only 3 clans left - Shibzichi, Durici, Gnilichi. Headquarters - South Fort. Coat of arms - Green Thistle on a red background.
Separately:
Messenger - once every few thousand years a man is born - a magician of enormous power who must lead People to complete victory. Last time it was Lubomir.

Chudy (Chud) is the youngest and most aggressive of the Great Houses. They overthrew the people and ruled until they were overthrown by the people. Having left for TG, they founded the Red House, the Order, or Red, as others call them for their hair color. At the present time, there are only 4 lodges left: Swords, Dragons, Ermines, Salamanders, and there is a separate lodge of Masters, uniting the best magicians.
The coat of arms is a rearing Unicorn.
Source - Carthaginian Amulet.
Examples of names - Men: Bogdan le Sta, Franz de Geer, Leonard de Saint-Caret, Hugo de Laertes, Nelson Bard. Women's: Francoise de Coulier, Joan of Arc, Antoinette le Tour, Juliana de la Fair, Agathe de Coulier.
Favorite dish is Chudsky bling.
Appearance - Men: portly and tall, red hair, brown eyes, the usurping knights have red or purple ones, no earlobes. Women: average height and build, red hair, brown eyes.
Hierarchy:
The Grand Master is the leader of the House, he is also the Master of Masters, the patriarch, at the moment this is Franz de Geer, who killed Leonard de Saint-Caret in a duel.
The Master of War is the Order's best warrior, magician and swordsman, currently Hugo de Laertes.
Masters of the Lodge are the heads of the lodges that make up the Council of the Order. Lodge of Dragons - Antoine de Coulier, lodge of Swords - Nelson Bard, lodge of Salamanders - Waldemar Balota, lodge of Ermine - Sebastian de Locke.
Workshop Masters are the strongest magicians of the Order. Workshop of predictions, workshop of illusions, workshop of elements, workshop of transformations, workshop of healing, workshop of knowledge keepers.
Knights are the main warriors of the army of miracles, magicians and swordsmen. They are divided in ascending order into Disciples of War, Knights of Usurpers, Knights of Avengers, Knights Commanders of War and Masters of War.
Men are simple workers of the master.
Women possess magic, but do not participate in combat.
Vassal families:
Hwans (Hwang) - four-armed warriors, natural killers, are currently guarding the Golden Root plantations. The best warriors are called Marshal Chameleons.
Daikini is one of the smallest families in the Secret City. Represented exclusively by women, they are extraordinarily beautiful, seductive and knowledgeable in magic.
Separately:
Bestiary - the magicians of the Lodge of Masters are still actively breeding war animals (dragons, manticores, basilisks, unicorns, camelopards, etc.) and keep them in the basements of the Castle.

Separately:
The Recycling Service is an organization created to eliminate traces of magical activity from people who are not aware of the existence of TG. It consists mainly of shas.
Tigradkom is the main radio, television and Internet news information network of the TG. It consists mainly of chelas, shas and ends.
The Trade Guild is an organization that works with the finances of all residents of the TG. Conducts financial transactions around the world. Consists mainly of shas.
Erliy Monastery is the largest medical institution in TG. They treat everyone who gets there, but they demand a very high fee. Everyone who managed to activate the hole of life automatically ends up there.

Outside the Secret City.

Chely (Chel) is the largest family, currently dominant on Earth. Most of them do not know magic, and if they do, they are weaker than the Great Houses. Among the people there are certain species that deserve close attention.

Hyperboreans (Kadaf) are followers of Azag-Toth, who preached the Great Hatred. They were defeated by the combined forces of the Great Houses and people many thousands of years ago. Source - Golden Root. Mother tongue is Azam. At the present time, everyone except Azag-Toth is in the Deep Bestiary, without the Golden Root, in the form of black dust.
Hierarchy:
Azag-Toth - The Great Master, the creator of the Hyperboreans, escaped during the last battle and hid until he was buried in the Kadaf Zone under the name Lenin.
The concubines are three of the strongest witches, at the present time there is only one left - the reincarnated Laz, Yana Mannerheim. The first to awaken was the reborn Tasmit, Veronica Ponomareva (killed by Navami).
Hierarchs are generals, powerful magicians who have long lost their human form. At this time, most of them died.
The Hyperboreans are dangerous and fearless warriors, mutated under the influence of the Golden Root. Such as Dead Demons, Skinny Riders, Lenga Birds...

Atlanteans are ancient chelas who propagate the path of technology along which modern society has taken.

Kitano is an eastern clan of warriors within the Yakuza, possessing amazing fighting skills and immunity to magic. Opponents of TG.

Healers are powerful magicians with a clear focus on healing magic. Because of their principles, they do not treat warriors and wounds, therefore they are not competitors to the Erlians.

Metamorphs are practically unkillable magicians, capable of completely changing the structure of their body at the molecular level. At the moment, only one metamorph is known - Anna Kurbatova (real name unknown).

Inquisitors are magicians, when they appear, all representatives of the Secret City who own magic cannot do anything and experience severe pain.

The Forgotten Desert is a society of monks who control the appearance of Inquisitors and the observance of a long-standing treaty with the Secret City. The leader of the monks is the young Father Alexei.

The Knowing Vyselki are a group of powerful human magicians who possess powerful artifacts, including the Julian Circle, and live on a small island in the middle of the Moscow River in the Kolomenskoye region, which only all three Great Houses could defeat through joint efforts, but they still survived. There are four of them in total - the Storyteller, the Blacksmith, the Boatman and the Miller.

Wanderers - The Chair of Wanderers is a community of people who do not own the magic of the sources, who have rediscovered the Great Road - a way to travel to the Outer Worlds and back, all Wanderers are men, except for the youngest Lena. The Department was founded by Professor Melnikov (half of miracles), the department includes 9 people - each a born professional in his field, the names of some: Matvey Bliznets (geomant), Andrey Bliznets (linguist and warrior) (Gemini - Plotnikov brothers), Foma Kaleka (chief security, deceiver), Aristarkh Pugach (navigator, dead), Lena Zablikova (artist-navigator), Mikhail Master (engineer), Frol Gangrene (doctor), Bespectacled Man, Stone, Botanist. The Wanderers' magic is based on Geomancy. Because of the blood of miracles, Melnikov could not go with his friends to the Outer Worlds and, having activated the Small Throne of Poseidon, he died, thereby hiding it from everyone. The throne fell in Siberia, and was later called the Tunguska Meteorite.

Geomancers are chelas who are able to sense the harmony of the World and create arcana without using the power of Sources. One of the Geomancers is the black woman Jean Jackson (dead), Nur’s assistant, the second is Matvey Plotnikov, the Wanderer.

Reapers are cheels who do not own magic, but in an emergency situation, at the expense of artifacts or sources, they can improve their physical abilities for a short time: strength, agility, speed. Most of the Reapers are able to do this only once in their lives, but with certain abilities they can learn to induce this state again, at such moments they become very dangerous opponents. The last known Reaper so far was Viktor Krokhin (deceased).

Sabbat are Masans who have not accepted the Dogma of Submission and are actively at war with the Secret City. They consist of 7 clans - Gangrel, Brujah, Tremi, Nosferatu, Robene, Malkavians, Luminar.
Appearance:
They can be of any height and build, but most often they are tall and slender. The hair is often white, the eyes are red, the skin is pale and cold.
Hierarchy:
The Cardinal is the highest person in the clan; the strongest possessed Blood Amulets, one for each clan. Now there are only two left - Scarlet Madness Brujah, Circlet of Shadows Robene.
Bishops are the cardinal's assistants and the most powerful magicians.
Vampires - Masans can easily reproduce naturally, and after complete “drying” the victim always dies. Also, “drying” is sometimes used as a death penalty for everyone except the Navs, because their blood is poison for the Masans. From time to time, rebel Masans carry out raids on TG for the purpose of revenge; the survivors of this campaign are considered heroes.

Artifacts and golems.

Amulet of Blood - sources of Masans, at the present time there are only 2 left: Diadem of Shadows from Pablo Robene and Scarlet Madness from Claudia Brugia. The remaining 5 were destroyed by the Robene Cardinals: Stone Eyes of Three, Iron Belt of Gangrel, Winged Ring of Nosferatu, Dead Rose of Malkavian, Dragon Needles of Luminar.
A battery is an artifact containing a certain amount of magical energy; you can either directly draw energy from it or charge other artifacts with it.
Bracelet of Veil of Mara - allows you to control the black morays.
Battle Relics are ancient talismans that guarantee victory in any battle or war. Currently, three are known for certain: the Sword of Stalin, the Standard of Genghis Khan and the Rod of Nelson. Their effectiveness has been proven by numerous testimonies, but their whereabouts are currently unknown.
The Eye of the Gorgon is an artifact containing a combat spell that petrifies an enemy. There are 2 types: the gentle eye of the gorgon, which causes heaviness in the body, the density of tissue increases several times, the speed of movement and the speed of decision-making decreases, and the cold eye of the gorgon, which turns the victim’s tissue into the chosen mineral (usually gypsum or marble).
A door is an artifact that creates a portal (slang).
Datura-Grass is a narcotic plant.
Teaser - a pendant that attracts men.
Smoke of the Ice Peaks is an artifact containing a combat spell that causes an icy hail over the victim, the size and intensity of which is determined by the capabilities of the sorcerer.
The Hole of Life is a portal that transfers the owner to the Moscow Monastery when seriously injured.
Dragon's Breath is an artifact containing a powerful cone-shaped battle spell developed by the Miracles.
Nelson's staff is one of the military relics. According to legend, it was found by the British in one of the abandoned Greek temples, presented to Nelson on his birthday and accompanied the great admiral until his death, after which he mysteriously disappeared. According to one version, it disappeared during the transportation of Nelson's body to England, according to another, it was stolen shortly after the admiral's funeral.
The Crane Beak is a class of combat artifacts of the Green House, made in the form of edged weapons; it is designed to destroy magicians and provides a high degree of protection for its owner from magical influences.
Navi's Mirror is one of the relics of the Dark Court.
The Golden Mother-in-Law is an artifact equipped with a first-level relaxing spell that lifts your spirits when you look at or come into contact with the artifact. Allowed for free sale to people who do not know about the existence of the Secret City.
The Golden Root is a plant from the extract of which Azag-Thoth was able to create a source of power for the Hyperboreans. For Navs it is a poison, for miracles it is a drug, it allows men to become magicians, but shortens their lifespan, and for everyone else it is fatal. Nowadays it is grown in Altai by Khvanami.
The spark, the source of the asuras, was stolen from the Degunin Oracle by the first prince of the Great House, Nav Yarga.
A source is a very complex magical device that accumulates energy and allows it to be used later. It is very difficult to handle and can cause great destruction if used carelessly.
The Carthaginian Amulet, the source of miracles, is located in the Castle, the headquarters of the Red Order.
Razin's dagger, a unique artifact that Stepan Razin used for a long time, almost completely drowns out emotions, in particular fear. Currently located in the Green House.
The Book of Forbidden Spells is a book that lists all the forbidden spells. Sealed with the seals of all the Great Houses. It is allowed to remove seals only in order to add new prohibited spells.
The Deck of Fate is an artifact created on the basis of the Arcana of Desires and capable of changing reality in the direction desired for the player of the Royal Cross. Later, the Spirit of Fair Play was infused into it, thus preventing the possibility of cheating the deck by sprinkling the cards in the blood of the player's enemies.
The Well of Rains - the source of people, is located in the headquarters of the Green House.
The Ring of Indifference is a powerful pain blocker artifact. Most often it is performed in the form of a magical tattoo or a Nava sketch.
Royal Hawk Alert - a spell that warns its owner of hostile intentions. Most often it is performed in the form of a magical tattoo or a Nava sketch.
Mosquito King - repels mosquitoes and other insects over a large area.
The Wings of Retribution is a combat artifact that, depending on the task at hand, can envelop the victim in a cloud of poisonous gas, pour needle-sharp icicles onto the target’s head, or attack with ball lightning. You can put almost any combat spell into an artifact.
Grasshoppers - increases jumping power. Usually attached to shoes.
Doll is slang for a golem.
The Last Hope Doll is a very unusual artifact that allows you to completely cure a creature of any wounds. After activation, the Doll must kill a living creature, after which it heals the patient and disappears.
Font of Conversion - a powerful artifact created by Fata Mara, participated in the creation of the Morians (banned).
The Lamp of Oblivion is a powerful artifact, the only remedy against metamorphs. Completely suppresses their will when looking at the fire of the lamp.
The Small Throne of Poseidon - the source of the people (more precisely, the Atlanteans), was hidden by the Chair of the Wanderers and found in Siberia at the end of the twentieth century, at the present time hidden by the Wanderers and guarded by the Divine Lord Nur. Works only with the Cup, which the Travelers took with them to the Outer Worlds.
Metal manipulator - allows you to manage metal parts.
The Marketer is a Shasha artifact that predicts demand for the coming week.
Monkey Behind the Wheel - distracts the attention of guards on the roads.
The Mark of the Dark Court is a Nava sketch that reacts to magical energy, pointing the owner to magicians and artifacts, allowing him to see through the darkness. The presence of a mark is recognition of services to the Dark Court.
The Nava Blade is the best melee weapon, cutting almost any material without resistance.
Nava Sketches - magical tattoos. Spells cast this way work faster and are easier to combine.
Cloak of Dusty Roads - hides the owner from all types of electronic security devices.
Zdrav-Trasva tincture - gives strength.
Nothing Special is a security device that convinces a non-magical thief that there is nothing valuable or interesting behind the door.
Amulet of Love - enhances the feelings of lovers towards each other, both positive and negative.
Glutton - absorbs the energy of the magic line for some time, imperceptibly breaking it.
The Eye of the Basilisk is a combat artifact against Morians; when used, it paralyzes them for a while.
Prominence - creates a ray of sunlight that burns Masans who are not protected by thick clothing.
Discriminator - allows you to see through the darkness.
Rupture-Grass Solution - destroys all non-magical castles.
The Fishing Net is an artifact that blocks magical energy inside the target. It doesn't feel like a goal.
Silver bells are a signal artifact that notifies the owner of an invasion of the protected territory.
Interpreter - allows you to read any language embedded in the artifact. Usually performed in the form of glasses.
Smiling Bell Ringer - contains the silver bells spell.
Clever - records any magical activity.
Universal Lockpick - capable of opening any simple (non-magic) lock.
Ability Amplifier - an artifact that enhances the corresponding skills when used, can be made in different forms (musical instrument, keyboard, weapon).
The Subduing Leash is an artifact of control, a leather belt that suppresses the will of the victim on whom it is placed.
Ear - allows you to sense danger and warn the owner about it with an inner voice.
Fixer-Deceiver - prevents the process of decomposition of the corpse, making it impossible to determine the exact time of death.
Heron - generates wooden stilts of the required length.
The Black Book is an ancient human artifact that contains the centuries-old wisdom of the youngest people on Earth. She is guarded by the Guardian of the Black Book, now this is Larisa, who replaced Kara, who was killed by Cortez’s group. The most famous Guardian was Jacob Bruce "The Scotsman", who lived openly in the Hidden City. The book was written by the monk Maxim the Greek - on the orders of Ivan the Terrible.
The Black Pyramid is a powerful amulet of the Dark Court; once activated, it prevents any type of eavesdropping.
Ball lightning is an artifact containing a clot of energy that stuns or kills everyone in the affected area.
Spy - capable of eavesdropping or spying unnoticed by most, names vary depending on appearance (rat, fly, bat, etc.).
Earley Balm is a universal medicine that heals any open wounds for a maximum of two to three days.
The Erlian Cross is a stimulant that allows you to remain conscious for some time after receiving serious injuries. Most often it is performed in the form of a magical tattoo or a Nava sketch.
Elven Arrow is an artifact containing a targeted combat spell developed by the humans.
The Julian Circle is a powerful artifact that allows you to control time and move through it (prohibited).
Hawk Wing is the magical rod of the warriors of the Green House. Contains several spells at once: ball lightning, smoke of icy peaks, eye of the gorgon and others.

Arcana and spells.

Arcana of the Great Road - a spell that creates a portal to the Outer Worlds (lost).
Arcana of Desires is a spell created by Santiaga on the basis of geomancy and classical magic, capable of changing the World according to the wishes of the sorcerer, built on the blood of twenty-two victims, and is available only to the most powerful magicians (prohibited by the Kitai-Gorod Convention).
Arcana of Fear - a spell created on the basis of death horror, introducing any living creature into this state, developed by the head Marina (forbidden).
Silent Blizzard is an area spell that hides the effects of magic, developed by the Hyperboreans.
Stray Light - intended exclusively for lighting. It is a swarm of fireflies, either flying ahead of a moving group, or hovering over the selected territory.
Bubbling Cauldron - causes a stream of hot steam.
Great Silence is a protective spell that protects the brain from scanning, even from hard scanning.
Wind of the Great Hunt is a powerful combat spell, but a little stupid, causing a tornado that sweeps away everything in its path. It is easy to defend against it: an experienced magician will create a protective field around himself and stones, trees, etc. will not harm him, although he will still be carried through the air until the effect of the lasso stops.
Sigh of the Manticore - causes a poisonous cloud that either envelops the victim, or is placed in a certain place and is activated when an enemy appears.
Veil of Desires is a love spell that makes the victim feel sexual desire.
Hyperborean Cap is a combat spell that freezes the enemy. There are 2 types: a fast Hyperborean cap, which paralyzes the victim for a while, or sends a severe chill, and a heavy Hyperborean cap, which completely turns the victim into an ice sculpture that is very easy to break, developed by the Hyperboreans.
Eye of the Gorgon is a combat spell that petrifies an enemy. There are 2 types: the gentle eye of the gorgon, which causes heaviness in the body, the density of tissue increases several times, the speed of movement and the speed of decision-making decreases, and the cold eye of the gorgon, which turns the victim’s tissue into the chosen mineral (usually gypsum or marble).
Smoke of the Ice Peaks is a combat spell that causes an icy hail over the victim, the size and intensity of which is determined by the capabilities of the sorcerer.
Dragon's Breath is a powerful cone-shaped battle spell developed by the Miracles.
Slua's spell - subjugates a creature, and at the end of the spell the object does not remember anything and experiences a severe headache.
Search spell - allows you to use a piece of a creature’s tissue (hair, saliva, blood, etc.) to detect it and track its movement.
Freeze is a slang term for the Hyperborean Cap.
The call is a telepathic skill of the Masans; any vampire must answer it; only the strongest of them can resist it.
Call of the Devil is one of the most powerful spells (prohibited by the Kitai-Gorod Convention).
Inquisitor's Needle - allows you to completely read the victim's memory, while the subject loses his mind.
Intimate Canopy is a protective spell cast over a certain space, all negotiations taking place within this territory do not leave its boundaries, any magical and technical methods are reliably cut off, even words flying from this space appear to observers as meaningless sounds.
Ring of Indifference - pain blocker.
The Salamander Ring is a powerful protective spell that burns everything in a certain area, developed by Miracles.
Double Corridor is a very complex spell that summons a co-directed portal.
Royal Hawk Alert - a spell that warns its owner of hostile intentions.
Mosquito King is a simple spell that repels insects.
Wings of Retribution - a combat spell that summons a bird that searches for a victim according to the genetic code; when a target is detected, the bird either explodes or turns into a poisonous cloud. The result is achieved largely due to the effect of surprise - the victim does not have time to prepare for the attack.
Blacksmith Hammer - increases impact power.
Bat - enhances hearing.
Morok is a simple spell that hides an object or territory from others and reveals a different image.
The Nava Arcana is an area spell that sucks out all magical energy, developed by Navami.
The Eye of the Basilisk is a combat lasso against Morians; when used, it paralyzes them for a while.
Hourglass is one of the most powerful spells (prohibited by the Kitai-Gorod Convention).
Kobold Cloak - reduces the target to the required size. One of the most difficult spells.
Dragon Spit - a directed clot of fire that burns everything in its path, developed by miracles.
The Mermaid's Kiss is a spell of human witches that gently subdues the kissed.
The Bee Swarm is a camouflage lasso that, when searching for an object, indicates not only it, but also all its relatives within a radius of several kilometers.
Morpheus pollen - puts you to sleep.
Russian Fur Coat - protects from the cold.
Fishing Net - blocks all magical energy of the victim.
Silver Bells are a signal spell that notifies the owner of an invasion of the protected territory.
Baucus' Scalpel is a spell invented by the Erlians and used for surgical purposes. Allows you to immediately reach the desired internal organ.
Tears of the Heart of the Earth are the most powerful spell of the Great House of People. Capable of destroying an entire city (prohibited by the Kitai-Gorod Convention).
Technical Hole - creates a small portal that allows you to penetrate through a door or wall.
Ball lightning is a clot of energy that stuns or kills everyone in the affected area.
Tent of Silence - prevents the removal of information from the room.
Leshy's jokes are a strong masking lasso of miracles, hiding an object and creating false traces in a random place.
Shield of the Nibelungs - a spell that protects against physical damage, reflects objects that hit the owner.
Elven Arrow is a targeted combat spell developed by the Humans.
The Erlian Cross is a stimulant that allows you to remain conscious for some time after receiving serious injuries.

– Sounds incredible even for the Secret City.

“That is why we decided to destroy Vyselki and imposed a strict ban on experiments with time. However, he was not needed... - The Commissioner grinned, remembering the old conversation. – The storyteller turned out to be right: we understood how to destroy them, but that’s all. They didn't move an inch further.

– So you were trying to understand the secrets of time! – Yarina exclaimed in an accusing tone.

- You are not?

The answer was silence.

“You created Timelessness,” Yana reminded, coughing. – Isn’t this an achievement?

“A modified and many times strengthened lasso of slowdown,” Santiaga waved his hand. “We have been saving energy for two years to obtain the required power.

– We did not control time, but deceived it.

– And the Julian Circle controls.

– And he, apparently, is already at Riznyk’s.

- Are you sure?

“Tyts gave up,” Nav spread his hands. “He agreed to take part in a desperate adventure, played a very smart game for half a day, and now gave up. I think this is a significant sign.

- Now what? – Hugo asked discouraged. – If Riznyk has the Julian Circle, then it’s all over.

“But nothing happened,” the commissioner reminded. “And that’s why I think the Julian Circle should be taken to where the island once stood.” This will automatically launch the Storyteller's designed spell.

- At midnight?

- Or on a full moon. – Santiaga paused. - As then.

– Can Andrey keep the artifact for himself?

- Why not? – Yarina chuckled. - People are susceptible to temptation.

“If Riznyk keeps the Julian Circle, I will be so disappointed that I will definitely kill him,” the Nav unexpectedly said harshly.

- Santiaga?

- What if he doesn’t leave? What will we do with him when we catch him? – Yana asked no less unexpectedly.

She understood that she was behaving incorrectly, but she could not do anything: the more the Hyperborean witch learned, the less she wanted to pursue the desperate mercenary.

“Riznyk is a criminal,” Hugo coughed.

“He's trying to rebuild what we destroyed.”

“You should have consulted with us,” Santiaga said diplomatically. – And it’s really bad that Andrei got involved with Yarga.

“Yarga expects that the Vyselki will take his side,” de Laertes reminded gloomily.

“And they will get up,” the governor grimaced. - People don't like us. And these people hate.

- We do not know. – Santiaga moved his fingers. – Everything could change.

– Do you think they will forgive us for their death?

– Are you ready to take the risk?

Green eyes and brown eyes. Tough. The looks are tough, like a battle. The military leaders of the Great Houses felt the burden of responsibility.

But is it just cargo?

The Commissioner of the Dark Court is silent because he understands.

Fear is what it is. Fear and uncertainty of the unknown, of what they are unable to understand. Fear has always called for murder, and now is only a special case of this always!

“Let’s get back to business,” Santiaga said in a strange tone. “Now we know exactly what Riznyk is trying to achieve, and we must develop a plan of action.” We had time to think, we had time to talk with the lords of the Houses, we even had time to chat about the past. Now let's get down to the real thing... Yarina?

The voivode twirled the pencil in her fingers, paused and said in a voice as hard as a diamond:

– The Great House of People calls on Nav and Chud to approach the solution of the problem with all responsibility. We cannot allow the return of the Julian Circle, and therefore the Knowledgeable Settlement, and we are obliged to make every effort to eliminate the impending threat.

The pathetic introduction showed that the Greens made the decision long before the meeting.

- First. We propose to continue the search for Riznyk with the aim of arresting him and capturing the Julian Circle. Second. If the measures taken do not produce results and Riznyk manages to revive Vyselki, the Green House proposes using the “Tears of the Heart of the Earth” spell to destroy the island.

The pencil broke in half with an unpleasant dry crack.

- It's a joke?! – whispers the stunned Yana.

Santiaga is silent. He looks straight at the green witch and is silent. Hugo strokes his beard.

Yarina finishes:

– By combining the efforts of three Sources, we can easily cope with one emission.

“And the Tear is guaranteed to destroy Juliansky,” adds Hugo, and it becomes clear that the Order and the Green House found time to discuss what was happening.

Yana's fingers tremble slightly. Finding herself in the Secret City, she managed to see a lot, a lot, but she cannot imagine the consequences of the “Tears” summoned to the city center. One thing is certain: there will be many victims.

– Does your remark mean that the Order agrees with the People’s plan? – Santiaga inquires in the same strange voice.

“It’s pointless to look for Riznyk throughout the city; you need to set up an ambush where he will definitely appear, and take him while he’s still warm.” And if we don’t take it, we’ll destroy it. - De Laertes turns to Yana: - This is not bloodthirstiness, but self-defense.

Because if there are victims, it will only be among people. The inhabitants of the Secret City are being evacuated from a dangerous place.

– “Tears” cause instability of the cortex. – The Hyperborean witch made every effort so that her voice did not tremble and did not betray the flame raging inside.

– The Secret City stands on a powerful slab – it can handle it. And don’t forget that we live in it too. – Yarina looks straight at the commissar. – What will the Dark Court say?

Decision is made. Yana wants to kill someone. There are three candidates, but you can’t handle them all at the same time. I'd like to catch it one by one...

- We need to give orders. – Yarina gets up from the table and slowly walks towards the door.

“I’ll report the results,” Hugo mutters. And also leaves the room.

“Fear...” Yana says out loud, looking at her cramped fingers.

She came to her senses, raised her head, looked around and saw only Nava.

“It’s fear,” confirmed Santiaga. He got up, carefully collected the fragments of the pencil, threw them into the trash can and sat down at the table so that he was opposite Yana, and very quietly, but very unexpectedly asked: “Do you know why Yarga won the First War?” Why did we manage to trample the asuras, the first and beloved children of the Sleeper? Why did they fill them with blood, although they could not surpass them in magic?

– Do we have time for a historical excursion?

- Then tell me.

Now she doesn't care. Decision is made. The earth will cry, and a monstrous “Tear” will rise from its depths. In the center of Moscow. To destroy an ancient artifact.

"Tear" will kill people.

– Yarga won because he knew how to turn both victories and defeats to his advantage. One day he lost eight arnats in one night. Eight! But two days later, the army of asuras that defeated them bathed in their own blood. – Nav drummed his fingers on the tabletop again. The result was a cheerful tune, vaguely reminiscent of a military march. “He always has a backup plan.” Yarga considers the possibility of defeat even if he is two hundred percent sure of success.

No intelligent race, including humans, can call Earth their homeland. They all appeared in the mysterious Outer Worlds, but sooner or later they discovered Earth and moved to it. Strong nations created Great Houses, binding weaker races with vassal obligations, and for some time peace and order reigned on Earth. But again there were people drawn by the thirst for glory and conquest. The land, like a valuable trophy in a prestigious sporting competition, changed hands more than once. Humanity, which the ancient peoples contemptuously called “chelas,” became the fifth race that managed to subjugate the Earth.

When our ancestors took over the Earth, they mastered magic no worse than most of the inhabitants of the Secret City. The problem is that if in other families magical abilities are inherited with a 100% guarantee, then with each new generation, children gifted with a talent for sorcery became less and less common. If humanity had not chosen the technological path of development, over time it would have found itself defenseless against races for which witchcraft is an integral part of everyday life.

Gradually people forgot about their former enemies: we live and believe that we are alone on Earth. And at this time we walk along the same streets and breathe the same air with representatives of the most ancient races. A dozen ancient nations right under our noses are selflessly intriguing against each other, starting wars and scams. The ends are hidden in the water using magic. A smart and attentive person who managed to notice that something was wrong has a chance to get acquainted with the Secret City. Although the ancient races do not like people, they understand that some part of them must not only be tolerated, but even taken into account! After all, magic alone won’t get you far in this age. So non-humans have learned to use the achievements of human civilization such as television, information technology, cellular communications, cars and, of course, weapons.

At the moment, the Secret City - the same one that we used to call Moscow - unites three Great Houses under its roof.

Moscow is magical

Dark Court

State system: Absolute monarchy

Dominant family: Nav

Chapter: Prince of the House of Nav

Headquarters: Citadel on Leningradsky Prospekt

Source of magic: Unknown

Vassal families: Squirrel eating nuts

The Navs are the oldest inhabitants of the Secret City; they came to Earth about one hundred thousand years ago and for most of this time they reigned supreme over the planet. Outwardly, they hardly differ from people and look like tall, dark-haired men in the prime of life. Beneath their bright appearance lie the most powerful creatures on Earth: both in physical and magical strength they have almost no equal. The lifespan of a Nava is calculated in millennia. Only the relative small size of the family makes the Dark Court vulnerable. As a result, the Navs treat the lives of their relatives with sacred trepidation and cruelly avenge the death of each of them. It is not surprising that the policy of the Dark Court is not to get involved in direct confrontations, but to intrigue, pitting enemies against each other.

The Dark Court is characterized by incredible cohesion and stability. In its entire history, the Navs have had only three Princes. The highest hierarchs of the family renounce their personalities in order to devote all their energies to serving the family. There is only one exception to this rule - Commissioner Santiaga, who is responsible for the security of the Dark Court, is the most respected and hated magician of the Secret City by his enemies.

The Dark Court skillfully preserves not only unity, but also its secrets. What is their source of magical energy, whether Nava women exist, how Navas reproduce - no one still has answers to these questions.

Shasya

It's better to stumble towards the treasure,
than freely walking in the opposite direction.
Shas saying

Role in The Secret City: Traders, smugglers, swindlers

Residence: Money Tower

The Shas are perhaps the most peace-loving and definitely the most resourceful inhabitants of the Secret City. Almost no major financial transaction in the Secret City is complete without their participation: they trade in magical artifacts, information, real estate - everything that can be sold. The Shas' love for money sometimes takes on a pathological character: any of them will bargain for every penny.

Early

We do not treat in debt.
Brother Lapsus

Role in The Secret City: Healers

Residence: Moscow monastery

The stingy, sarcastic, self-confident Erlians would arouse universal hatred if they were not the best healers of the Secret City. Although they are under the protection of the Dark Court, healers from the Moscow monastery remain neutral in all wars of the Secret City and are ready to treat everyone who turns to them. Of course, if the patient has enough money to pay for the services of the Erlians - and they charge their clients so much that even the Shas are jealous.

Masan

I'm just like you.
I drink blood. I live at night.
Lazarus Gangrel

Role in The Secret City: Spies, warriors, revolutionaries

Residence: Absent

Masans - or simply vampires - have a unique blood magic, they are very strong and are able to turn into fog; only cutting off their heads or direct sunlight can kill them. For a long time they maintained their independence and over time became a threat to the regime of secrecy maintained by the inhabitants of the Secret City. The Navs, the only intelligent creatures whose blood cannot serve as food for the Masans, have undertaken to calm down the unruly vampires. The Dark Court imposed the Dogma of Submission on its newly minted vassals - a set of laws designed to keep the appetites of the Masans in check. Naturally, not all vampires accepted such changes with joy: the clans split and almost half of the Masans refused to obey the rules of the Secret City.

Axis

They don't have very complex brains.
So they compensate for this with verbiage.
Cortez

Role in The Secret City: Pathfinders, scouts

Residence: Absent

State system: Constitutional monarchy with elements of matriarchy

Dominant family: People

Chapter: Queen Vseslava

Headquarters: Green House on Losiny Ostrov

Source of magic: Well of Rains

Vassal families: Red Caps, Inspectors, Ends, Sailors

Symbol: Dancing Crane

In the Human family, only women are endowed with a magical gift, which once and for all determined the order prevailing in the Green House. It is headed by the queen, who is chosen from among the most powerful sorceresses - priestesses. It is the female sorceresses that make up the most combat-ready unit of the House - the Daughters of the Crane. Human men boast considerable physical strength, but without magic their squads usually play a secondary role on the battlefield. But do not assume that men do not play any political role in the Green House. Eight barons, who have almost absolute power, can seriously influence the decisions of the priestesses and the queen.

Having first appeared on Earth, the people took an oath to the Navas, but at that time the Dark Court began to lose control over their vassals and the Green House took advantage of the situation. It is still unknown where the people obtained their own source of magical energy, but with the help of the Well of Rains they managed to defeat you. Unlike the Navs, the Green House was unable to maintain unity. Their empire lasted for about three thousand years, but, mired in civil wars, fell when a new enemy appeared.

Red caps

Our noble family is large,
The great Fuhrer has illuminated the path for us all...
Anthem of the Red Caps

Role in The Secret City: Parasites, rowdies, drunkards

Residence: Southern Fort in Butovo

Quarrelsome, cowardly, quarrelsome shorties, deprived of even the most modest talents for magic. They organically combine stupidity, a pathological craving for illegal activities and a passionate love of alcohol. Direct participants and often instigators of fights and other troubles. They breed like rabbits. Fortunately, the constant internecine feuding of the three Red Cap clans keeps their population within reasonable limits.

Bailiffs

The bailiffs have ironclad rules.
Cortez

Role in The Secret City: Treasure Keepers

Residence: Absent

The guards are real giants, their height reaches two and a half meters, and their shoulder width can rival that of a bear, but their role in the life of the Secret City is very insignificant: they serve as guardians of treasures. At the same time, they are strangely trusting and simple-minded, like children.

ends

You guys, when you see a beautiful woman, you lose your head...
Cortez

Role in The Secret City: Showmen

Residence: Absent

Good-natured and frivolous ends prefer not to interfere in the feuds of the Great Houses and live for their own pleasure. Their main passion is amorous adventures. Not distinguished by their beauty, end men have a rare charm and rightfully enjoy the fame of unsurpassed seducers. In their free time from love affairs, the ends organize a variety of shows, competitions and entertainment.

Sailors

On the one hand - a beautiful woman, on the other -
a clawed, spiky, half-crazed monster.
Cortez

Role in The Secret City: Bodyguards, warriors

Residence: Pavilion of Liars

State system: Militocracy

Dominant family: Chud

Chapter: Grand Master Franz de Geer

Headquarters: Castle on Vernadsky Avenue

Source of magic: Carthaginian amulet

Vassal families: Hwang

Symbol: Rearing unicorn

The Order is the complete opposite of the matriarchal People. Although female miracles are not without magical abilities, all power in this family belongs to fiery red-haired warlike men. The Miracles have always been distinguished by their talents for combat magic, but for many years their rise was hampered by the fragmentation and poor organization of the tribes. This continued until the family had an outstanding leader named Tsung Le Guo, who gathered all the miracles under his banner. He made Chud as we know it today - a strict paramilitary structure with iron discipline.

The miracles cleverly took advantage of the civil strife that undermined the power of the Green House, and before the priestesses and barons had time to come to their senses, the Earth had already passed into the hands of the red knights. For two thousand years, the Order enjoyed its victory until the chelas turned their attention to Earth.

Today the Order is divided into four lodges - Swords, Dragons, Salamanders and Ermines, each of which plays a special role: the first two lodges provide the army with light and heavy cavalry, the Salamanders become infantrymen, and the ermines become archers. Troops of miracles are supported in battle by a variety of monsters - dragons, griffins or manticores, bred in the bestiaries of the Order.

Hwans

So that your knife never breaks.
So that your hands never get tired.
And for the blood of our enemies to smoke on them!
Chameleon Marshals Battle Toast

Role in The Secret City: assassins, warriors

Residence: Altai

When the miracles came to power on Earth, almost all families had already acquired the patronage of other Great Houses, so there were no vassals left for the knights. Only one family swore allegiance to them - the four-armed Khvans. Due to the number of limbs, it is much more difficult for them to get lost among the people than for most other inhabitants of the Secret City, and therefore the lion's share of the people prefer to live outside its borders.

The Khvan diaspora lives in Altai, where they cultivate the Golden Root, a plant that can significantly enhance the magical potential of people and people, but causes drug addiction and dramatic changes in the body of those who use it. Despite their peaceful type of activity, the Hwans are among the best fighters of the Secret City - they are excellent magicians, fluent in melee weapons and are distinguished by their tenacity. The Hwans are famous for their strict code of military honor, which, however, does not prevent them from working as hired killers in peacetime.

After Franz de Geer came to power in the Order, he abolished the vassal oath of the Khvans, replacing it with a treaty. The knight considered that his family needed friends more than servants.

Guests from the past

Whatever bloody feuds separated the Dark Court, the Green House and the Order in the past, they all, along with their vassals, found refuge in the Secret City. They still don’t like each other and, if their neighbor is too lazy, they will gladly ruin his life - but at least they have learned to get along with each other. But not all magical races, whose names once thundered throughout the entire Earth, found a place in the world capital of magic.

Great House of Asura

They built the most beautiful cities, soaring under the arches of heaven.
Art flourished in their empire, and magic was raised to the level of
Sciences. There was no mystery in the Universe that the asuras could not solve.
Professor Serebryantz

The first masters of the Earth. There is practically no reliable information about them. The Navas, who fiercely hated the asuras, having won the First War, did everything possible to erase even the memory of their defeated enemies. It is not surprising that this family is surrounded by many legends: they say that it was they who created the sources of magic of the Green House and the Order and helped the people take the Earth from the Navs. However, there is no confirmation of these speculations, but it is known for certain that they were adepts of the magic of light. Perhaps this was the reason for such strong hatred from the Dark Court.

The legacy of the Asuras became the cause of the first and only civil war in the history of the Navas, as a result of which they lost their first Prince - Yarga, the same one who conquered the Earth for his people.

It was the Asuras who founded the Secret City, but when the Navas sought refuge in the territory of the future Moscow, the first children of the Sleeper were no longer there. Where they went remains a mystery. And there are still rumors circulating in Moscow that the asuras have not died out at all, as is commonly believed, but are simply hiding and waiting in the wings to take revenge and regain their former power.

Hyperboreans

Hatred burns like a fire, the glow of which is terrifying
on the enemy. Hate is power. This is sheer strength
sweeping away everything in its path. But not in every battle
The strongest celebrates victory. The meaning of Kadaf philosophy -
in the ability to control the fire of hatred.
Second revelation of Azag-Thoth

The Hyperboreans founded the first human state on Earth and led a victorious campaign against Chud. A unique magical tradition, coupled with the cruel, hate-based philosophy of Kadaf and fanatical devotion to the leader Azag-Thoth, turned the Hyperboreans into the most significant force on the planet. The source of their unprecedented power was the Golden Root. Using it, the Hyperboreans gradually lost their former appearance and humanity, and their exorbitant ambitions eventually turned their own relatives against them.

The prospect of becoming slaves of Azag-Thoth frightened the other human clans so much that they took an unprecedented step - they entered into an alliance with the Great Houses and declared war on the Hyperboreans. As a result, the adherents of hatred were destroyed almost completely. The few surviving Hierarchs of Kadaf left the Earth, and Azag-Toth himself with three witch concubines took refuge among ordinary people. Several times he tried to again reach the heights of power and overthrow the established world order, but each time he failed. His earthly journey ended in the mausoleum on Red Square.

The disciples and concubines of Azag-Toth tried to continue his work and bring their leader back to life. In the face of such a danger, the Great Houses temporarily forgot about past feuds and jointly prevented a catastrophe. As a result, Azag-Toth was safely buried, most of his students and two of his three concubines died, and the latter rejected the cursed legacy of Kadaf. It seems that the threat from the Hyperboreans has disappeared forever.

Great House of That

The philosophy of the Tat family preaches the “All or nothing” principle.
Actually, because of this they were unable to create an empire: the Tats
do not recognize unions and allies. In the end, people proved
They are mistaken in excessive independence, cutting out without exception.
Commissioner Santiaga

It is not known for certain why the Earth so attracts intelligent beings, why they are ready to shed rivers of their own and other people’s blood, just to take possession of this green-blue ball. However, one after another, the Great Houses invaded here from the outer worlds and defeated their predecessors. Only once did this rule fail. The next Great House that reached the Earth challenged its masters - and was defeated.

The Great House of Thief resembled a gambler who was ready to put his entire fortune on one line rather than be satisfied with a modest half-victory. This tactic failed them. The people forced the Tats to wash themselves with blood and practically destroyed this family, and those who were not reached by the Green House were finished off by the Navs.

Of the five divine lords who served as sources of magic for the Tats, only two survived. But even now the Tats do not accept compromises. Their family is on the verge of extinction, but they are still trying to destroy the Secret City and its inhabitants.