The World of the Demon’s Lexicon

Don’t Cross the Circle

Certain people in this world are born with magic. Nobody ever feels like they have enough.

Those born with power crave more. The majority of them become magicians, men and women willing to set demons free in the world in exchange for the demons’ magic. These magicians’ Circles are powerful, ruthless and used to getting whatever they want. That girl at school who everyone loves for no good reason? The politician who you can’t believe got voted in? The movie star with no talent?

Could be. Or it could be a mild-mannered guy who works in the bank, who you see every day, and who calls demons every night so he can control the weather or change shape.

If you get in a magician’s way, expect to be cut down.

Don’t Get Possessed

Easier said than done. Demons are magical creatures from another world, an extremely cold and unpleasant one, and they will do anything to escape it. They can appear in any shape, show you marvels, convince you it’s all a dream, promise you the world, and yes, they’re pretty good at seduction, too. (Just in case you were wondering.) Until you invite them in, receive the three marks of demon possession and then – get possessed.

The demon and the human soul fight, and the body never lasts long. Once you’re possessed, it’s a matter of weeks.

The only way to guard against possession is by wearing a talisman. Even then, the demon can sometimes persuade you to take it off – and there’s the problem of getting one in the first place.

Don’t Trust Strangers

Even the ones who say they want to help you. The Goblin Market was set up centuries ago by those who discovered what the magicians were doing and wanted to protect the innocent.

Times are hard. The Market has to keep a low profile. There’s a lot of talk about protecting the innocent, but these days protecting the innocent is a business. Tourists can come to the Market and buy talismans, or true crystal balls, magic swords, chimes that play the songs you love best and beacon lights to call a wanderer home. They can watch the Market’s famous entertainment, the demon dances.

But if you have a real problem, you may be out of luck.

Two Goblin Market boys with an ex-magician mother have just received an ultimatum from the most powerful Circle of them all. A couple of tourists bearing a demon’s mark and hiding secrets of their own have blundered into the conflict.

The only choice left is to start hunting the magicians who have always hunted them…