Quick Ben

Also known as Quick, Wizard, Alchemist

Minor
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 2

Quick Ben is a major character in Malazan Book of the Fallen (Book 1).

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

Quick Ben is the Bridgeburners' squad mage under Sergeant Whiskeyjack, a tall, thin, dark-skinned wizard whose casual soldier's demeanor hides a dangerous depth of sorcerous knowledge and secrets. In Gardens of the Moon he performs the forbidden soul shift that places Hairlock's soul in a marionette, then turns this unstable ally into bait: he braves Shadowthrone's realm as a former acolyte marked for death, bargains with the god, and cuts Hairlock's strings so the Hounds of Shadow can destroy him. Officially presumed dead, and wary of Tayschrenn, Sorry, and the gods he has cheated, he survives by cunning. In Deadhouse Gates his influence reaches across continents, as his uncanny knowledge of the Azath house Tremorlor guides the plans of his old comrade Kalam and others, hinting at sources he keeps carefully hidden.

Description

A tall, thin, black-skinned man with fine, ascetic features and long-fingered hands. He wears a soldier's uniform, sometimes with leather leggings; during sorcery he may be bare-chested. His face can appear ashen or strained, and his eyes shine when he accesses his Warren. A lean, sharp-featured man with dark eyes and close-cropped black hair, wearing layered dark robes marked with subtle arcane sigils. His long-fingered hands move with deliberate precision, and his presence suggests contained power beneath a carefully maintained exterior.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Kalamclosest friend
Quick Ben's closest friend and fellow Bridgeburner. Kalam guards him during the perilous journey into Shadow and promises to burn his body if he does not return. Their long partnership continues to shape Kalam's path in Deadhouse Gates.
Sorryconflicting source relationships
An uneasy ally whose talent helps locate an assassin. Quick Ben suspects she is the Rope's pawn, keeps her away from his workings, and visibly fears her.
T
Tattersailconflicting source relationships
A fellow Malazan mage who becomes his co-conspirator in the Hairlock plan and regards him warmly as part of Whiskeyjack's close circle.
Whiskeyjacksergeant
Quick Ben is the squad wizard under his sergeant. They share deep operational trust, and Quick Ben speaks frankly about the emotional burden of command Whiskeyjack carries.
C
Cotilliondivine contact
A divine contact whom Quick Ben uses to relay Hairlock's location. Cotillion acknowledges his cleverness.
P
Pearltemporary ally
A demon Quick Ben summons against Tiste Andii assassins. It recognizes him and covers his escape.
S
Shadowthroneconflicting source relationships
Quick Ben is a former acolyte who abandoned the Path of Shadow and is marked for death. He nonetheless bargains with the god over a shared enemy, and afterward fears retribution for having cheated him.
D
Derudanrescuer
Quick Ben twice protects her, earning her gratitude.
Tayschrennconflicting source relationships
Nominally his superior in the imperial mage cadre, whose authority Quick Ben invokes. Tayschrenn suspects the squad and wants them dead.
H
Hairlockconflicting source relationships
Hairlock begins as an ally whose soul Quick Ben saves in a puppet body, becomes a mad and increasingly powerful pawn straining against his control, and is finally abandoned to the Hounds when Quick Ben severs his strings.
HO
Hounds of Shadowtarget
They hunt him as an apostate, but he redirects them toward Hairlock.

Story so far

BOOK 1Gardens of the Moon
- Performs the forbidden soul shift that transfers Hairlock's soul into a wooden marionette and binds the puppet to himself with magical strings
- Entrusts Tattersail with a wrapped object, recruiting her into the Bridgeburners' scheme
- Enters Shadow with Kalam standing guard, is escorted by Blind and Baran to Shadowkeep, and bargains with Shadowthrone, his former master, to have the Hounds hunt Hairlock
- Summons the Korvalah demon Pearl to hold off Tiste Andii assassins, and twice shields Derudan from danger
- Contacts Cotillion to pass on Hairlock's location, then cuts the puppet's strings during its attack on Paran, leaving it to the Hounds
BOOK 2Deadhouse Gates
- His knowledge of the Azath house Tremorlor shapes the plans of those around him
- Shows certainty about Tremorlor's location and nature, revealing familiarity with ancient powers
- Remains Kalam's trusted comrade and magical ally while keeping his own sources secret