Scene one.
An unlit city street. A lone passerby hurries to leave the area but suddenly stops, drawn in by a sound that has just appeared. A piano is playing; someone begins to sing, but the words are difficult to make out; only “…I love the world…” can be clearly heard. A dark silhouette appears behind the passerby. The passerby falls.

Scene two.
A fire breaks out in the middle of the night, and the house of the mad Xostor burns down. Fortunately, the owner was not at home at this time, but it’s clear that someone else had been there – thieves, arsonists, and perhaps even something more sinister. People scream and carry buckets of water. They will not sleep all night; only the morning rain will force them to return to their homes. In the morning, they will find among the ashes the remains of a person resembling Deriel_Linch. On his charred chest lay a large copper cross, miraculously intact, with “Kran-ah” scratched into it.

Scene three.
A cozy and spacious tavern. Despite the late hour, there are many people here. Everything is peaceful – no one shouts or starts fights. At one of the tables, an unusual group gathers: a Thief, a Peasant, and a Lumberjack drink ale and converse about something. The Gravedigger Brackman enters the hall, sits down at an empty table, takes out a piece of coal from somewhere, and begins to eat it. Laughter erupts, and someone loudly asks across the hall: "Old man, why are you gnawing on coal?" The answer follows: "My neighbor advised me to do so, so I can be young and active again." The tavern fills with loud laughter.

Scene four.
The outskirts of the city, early morning. The Fortune Teller Ta Kotoraya... stands motionless, gazing intently at the river's surface, even though it is raining. Suddenly, the fortune teller grimaces – the wind carries a stench from somewhere in the wasteland outside the city, where there is nothing – neither fields nor houses, only a river flows, providing fresh water for the entire city. A random passerby attracts the attention of the fortune teller – he runs away from a black cat chasing him but slips on the wet ground and falls into the river. Fortunately, they quickly notice him and pull him ashore – wet and covered in mud. The rain subsides, the clouds disperse, and sunlight heralds the beginning of a new day.

Scene five.
An Actor Magnus walks wearily down the street. He was clearly busy all night – his clothes are torn to shreds, and his body has many bleeding scratches. He passes by a bulletin board, stops, and reads two recent notices:

A fluffy and affectionate kitten is missing. Whoever finds it, please lick Ilyich’s lamp three times to the left!
(Your floral well-wisher)

The Holy Inquisition is watching you, worthless heretics – and don’t even hope that your death will be quick... eternal torments will strengthen your faith (wild laughter)
(No signature)

Actors in masks:
Gardener Arandor, living near the forest, in whose garden grow wondrous flowers.
Forester Nebo, a hospitable old man who feeds wolves.
Vagrant redwhait, a mountain hermit in a dirty cloak and crumpled top hat.
Lumberjack crabby, an eternally drunk worker who found cursed boots.
Thief Morning, greedy for other people's gold.
Actor Magnus, an employee of a provincial theater, ridiculed by the audience.
Gravedigger Brackman, a senile old man who has lost his mind and attacks passers-by.
Chaldean Ellina, a jealous owner of a tavern located deep in the forest.
Fortune Teller Ta Kotoraya..., a lover of night walks, never parting with her deck of cards and knife.
Executioner HoM[M]ie, a man with a broken heart who executed his own bride.
Blacksmith Hermit, an elderly craftsman who strangled his apprentice out of greed.
Stablehand Tolikandro, who fed his wife to her lovers for dinner.
Peasant Нэйра Дрейк, a simple peasant son, fond of kvass.
Pirate WisTrit, an old man with a bad appearance, whose veins are already flowing with rum.
Clockmaker Thorium, a young girl whose life is forever trapped in a broken clock.
Widow Werevolka, a beautiful and unhappy woman who stopped her neighbor's harassment with an axe.
Monk WhiteLizard, a mysterious person hiding under the robes of a monk.
Count Гур, owner of many estates, in whose castle young girls disappear without a trace.
Madman Xostor, a shaggy and gray-haired guy who caught lightning in his bag.

Ghosts:
Hunter Deriel_Linch, a seasoned old wolf who hunts not only animals.

The first day begins!