Shadowthrone

Also known as the Patron Assassin's presumed master, Ammanas

Supporting
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 1

Shadowthrone is warned by Cotillion not to be distracted by the new game unfolding in Pale in Malazan Book of the Fallen (Book 1).

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

Shadowthrone, the cackling ruler of the Shadow Realm and once the mortal Ammanas, is a small, hooded figure whose face is lost in impenetrable darkness. In Gardens of the Moon he and his partner Cotillion pursue a vengeful campaign against Empress Laseen, possessing the girl Apsalar, loosing the Hounds of Shadow on Darujhistan and bargaining with his former acolyte Quick Ben, only to see two of his Hounds slain by Anomander Rake. By Deadhouse Gates his giggling, insubstantial manifestations and devoted servants such as High Priest Iskaral Pust reveal him as a far-reaching schemer in the cosmic games of gods and Ascendants, his whimsy masking formidable influence.

Description

A short man clothed in black, with a hood and face concealed by impenetrable shadows. Shadows can flow outward around his body. An insubstantial figure wrapped in shadows, appearing more as a vague shape within darkness than a solid form. Long ghostly fingers extend from robes of gauzelike material that flows and drifts like smoke. His presence is marked by glowing eyes and an overall sense of something both regal and slightly unhinged.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Apsalarco-conspirator
Shadowthrone supports seizing the fishergirl from her old life, using her as a tool in the gods' plot against Laseen.
IP
Iskaral Pustservant
His High Priest, a scheming, erratic agent of Shadowthrone's plans.
Quick Benconflicting source relationships
Once a priest in Shadowthrone's temple who abandoned the Path of Shadow, Quick Ben is marked for death yet bargains with the god, then fears retribution after cheating him.
Sorryagent
The possessed girl acts in House Shadow's service, contacting Shadowthrone and sharing his fury at Quick Ben's deception.
C
Cotillionpartner
Shadowthrone's partner, the Patron of Assassins, joins him in a shared vendetta against Laseen's Empire, acting as a cautionary voice in Book 1; their alliance at the heart of House Shadow endures into Book 2.
HO
Hounds of Shadowmaster
His loyal Hounds serve as his instruments of violence; he restrains Shan, reassures Quick Ben of Gear's survival, and suffers losses to Rake. They remain his guardians in Book 2.
Ganoes Stabro Parantarget
Shadowthrone's attempt to kill Paran fails, and Paran defiantly vows to face the god.
CB
Caladan Broodconflicting source relationships
Rake kills two Hounds and threatens the Shadow Realm, forcing Shadowthrone to claim non-involvement and retreat.
EL
Empress Laseentarget
The chief target of Shadowthrone's vengeance; he and Cotillion seek to unsettle and topple her Empire.

Story so far

BOOK 1Gardens of the Moon
- Conspires with Cotillion against Empress Laseen, backing the possession of the fishergirl who becomes Sorry/Apsalar
- Sends his Hounds, who attempt to kill Ganoes Paran, who survives and vows to confront the god after death
- Bargains with Quick Ben, his renegade former acolyte, over a shared enemy and confirms the survival of the Hound Gear
- Loses two Hounds to Anomander Rake, who orders House Shadow to withdraw from Darujhistan under threat of invading the Shadow Realm
- Is warned by Cotillion not to be distracted by the new game unfolding in Pale
BOOK 2Deadhouse Gates
- Is revealed openly as Ammanas, a god of considerable power operating from the Shadow Realm
- Appears in insubstantial, giggling manifestations accompanied by guardian Hounds
- Continues his alliance with Cotillion in the Shadow Realm
- Is served by his eccentric High Priest Iskaral Pust, who advances his larger designs