# Marakinoff — The Moon Pool character guide

> Marakinoff in The Moon Pool by A. Merritt.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Comrade Marakinoff

**First appearance:** 0013-xi-the-flame-tipped-shadows

## Snapshot

A Russian scientist whose cool, calculating mind hides private ambitions that make him as unpredictable as the forces he studies.

## Who they are

Marakinoff moves through the expedition with the quiet confidence of a man who always knows more than he reveals. His scientific expertise is genuine, but so is his willingness to pursue knowledge for its own sake — or for whatever advantage it might bring him. In a story full of wonders and terrors, he represents a different kind of danger: the intellect that refuses to be awed and may prove impossible to trust.

## Relationships

### [Yolara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/yolara)

_psychological_

Marakinoff manipulates Yolara, using her position to further his own scientific and political ambitions.

### [Yolara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/yolara)

_psychological_

Marakinoff manipulates Yolara, using her position to further his own scientific and political ambitions.

## In the story

### [The Moon Pool](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/x-the-moon-pool)

The Russian scientist who attacks O'Keefe; is wounded and captured, revealing his presence on the island.

### [XI: The Flame-Tipped Shadows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xi-the-flame-tipped-shadows)

Reveals he witnessed the entity take Throckmartin and the child; proposes an alliance with the group, offering his knowledge and training.

### [XII: The End of the Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xii-the-end-of-the-journey)

Expresses contempt for Larry's trivial thoughts, calling him a 'foolish sailor', and is awed by the city.

### [XIII: Yolara, Priestess of the Shining One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xiii-yolara-priestess-of-the-shining-one)

Asks for a weapon but is denied by O'Keefe, who distrusts him; his cold consideration hints at future conflict.

### [XIV: The Justice of Lora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xiv-the-justice-of-lora)

Speaks fluently and takes the lead in answering Yolara; conceals the Moon Pool and car, and makes a secret gesture that startles Lugur.

### [The Leprechaun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xvii-the-leprechaun)

Implied to have told Lugur about the girl of the rosy wall; not directly present but referenced.

### [XVIII: The Amphitheatre of Jet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xviii-the-amphitheatre-of-jet)

Seated opposite the protagonists, watching eagerly but giving no sign of recognition.

### [The Madness of Olaf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xix-the-madness-of-olaf)

Observes with speculative interest, later appears at the feast with sinister intent, taunting Goodwin about his missing friends.

### [XX: The Tempting of Larry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xx-the-tempting-of-larry)

Whispers to Lugur, exerting control over him during the confrontation.

### [XXI: Larry’s Defiance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxi-larry-s-defiance)

Advises the Council to kill Lakla quickly and secretly offers Larry an alliance and emperorship in exchange for delivering Yolara.

### [The Crimson Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxiv-the-crimson-sea)

Mentioned as the 'Double Tongue' who may be creating new death weapons for Lugur.

### [The Coming of the Shining One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-coming-of-the-shining-one)

Appears with the dwarfs and the battering ram, narrowly escaping Larry's bullet.

### [XXXV: “Larry—Farewell!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxxv-larry-farewell)

Ambushes Goodwin on the bridge, attacks him, and both fall into the torrent; later found dead on the shore.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/marakinoff
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters