Cotillion

Also known as Patron of Assassins, the Rope

Supporting
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 1

Cotillion is driven from his host, leaving the girl to reclaim her life as Apsalar with residual memories in Malazan Book of the Fallen (Book 1).

Gender: male
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 1
Books: 2

Cotillion, the Rope and Patron of Assassins, emerges in Gardens of the Moon as a shadowy, black-clad god who, alongside his partner Shadowthrone, schemes for vengeance against Empress Laseen by possessing a Itko Kan fishergirl known as Sorry. After his plot is unraveled and the girl is freed, she becomes Apsalar, left with his memories and lethal skills, while Cotillion releases Paran and reclaims the sword Chance. In Deadhouse Gates his influence lingers through Apsalar and her father Rellock, who serves him in repayment of a life-debt, and the god reveals a gentler, more personal side in a direct encounter with the young Panek.

Description

A tall man swathed in black, with his face obscured beneath a hood's shadow. He wears soft gloves and has long-fingered hands; shadows flow outward around his body when he moves. A tall figure dressed entirely in black, with notably small and weak eyes that contrast strangely with his imposing stature. He moves with the contained power of someone accustomed to shadows and silence, his half-smile suggesting knowledge beyond mortal ken.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Apsalarformer host
Cotillion possessed her as Sorry to serve his scheme; once freed she regains her life but retains his assassin skills and memories, a legacy that defines her in Deadhouse Gates.
Ganoes Stabro Paranformer pawn
Cotillion releases Paran from the Finnest's influence, returns him to Darujhistan with a warning, and reclaims the sword Chance from him.
Quick Bendivine contact
The wizard invokes Cotillion through a magical link; Cotillion acknowledges his cleverness and relays information to Shadowthrone.
R
Rellockservant
Apsalar's father serves Cotillion to repay the debt of his life being saved.
S
Shadowthronepartner
Cotillion's partner and presumed master; together they pursue vengeance against Laseen in Book 1 and remain steadfast allies ruling the Shadow Realm in Book 2.
EL
Empress Laseentarget
The target of Cotillion and Shadowthrone's revenge for past betrayals; Cotillion seeks her death and the collapse of her Empire.

Story so far

BOOK 1Gardens of the Moon
- Possesses the fishergirl Sorry, suppressing her childlike self as part of a plot against Empress Laseen
- Plots alongside Shadowthrone (Ammanas) for revenge on Laseen, warning him not to be distracted by the game in Pale
- Receives Quick Ben's magical invocation and relays Hairlock's location to Shadowthrone
- Is driven from his host, leaving the girl to reclaim her life as Apsalar with residual memories and skills
- Frees Paran from the Finnest's influence, returns him to Darujhistan with a warning, and takes back the sword Chance
BOOK 2Deadhouse Gates
- Remains invoked as the divine patron of assassins whose former possession shapes Apsalar's abilities
- Holds Rellock in service as repayment for saving his life
- Continues his alliance with Shadowthrone in the Shadow Realm
- Crouches to speak directly with the young Panek, revealing his tall, black-clad form and small eyes