Lord of Moon's Spawn and leader of the Tiste Andii, an ancient people of darkness who have outlasted most of what they once cared about. Anomander Rake is among the most powerful beings in the Malazan world, carrying a sword called Dragnipur whose nature is itself a kind of story. He is defined by the combination of immense power and genuine weariness, and by a code whose contours become clearer across the sequence.

A Malazan mage of extraordinary latent power serving in the Bonehunters. Beak is childlike in manner, gentle, and appears simple, but he can open every Warren simultaneously - a feat that should be impossible. His story is one of the novel's most devastating emotional threads.

An Atri-Preda (military commander) of the Letherii forces tasked with subjugating the Awl'ari. Bivatt is competent, pragmatic, and increasingly troubled by both the Awl resistance and the political machinations of the Tiste Edur overlords she nominally serves.

The Fist commanding the Aren garrison. Blistig is a competent officer who finds himself increasingly frustrated by High Fist Pormqual's cowardice and political manoeuvring as the rebellion closes in on the last Malazan stronghold in Seven Cities.

A young Malazan mage in the 14th Army with an unusual connection to spirits and the natural world. Bottle's magic is instinctive rather than formal, drawing on a talent for communicating with animals and spirits that makes him valuable for reconnaissance.

A Tiste Edur Overseer assigned to govern conquered Letherii territory. Brohl Handar is a warrior placed in an administrative role he is ill-suited for, forced to work alongside Bivatt while confronting the realities of occupation.

A Tiste Edur warrior who defies the corruption of Rhulad's court. Bruthen Trana is honourable and increasingly disturbed by what the Edur empire has become under the Crippled God's influence. He undertakes a dangerous quest to find a champion who can challenge the emperor.

The youngest Beddict brother and the King's Champion - the finest swordsman in Lether. Brys is honourable, devoted to duty, and increasingly troubled by the corruption he sees in the Letherii court and the threat posed by the Tiste Edur.

Tehol Beddict's apparently humble manservant, an old man of unassuming appearance who handles the practical details of Tehol's schemes with quiet competence. Bugg's true nature is considerably more than his presentation suggests.

A young Tiste Andii who serves as a messenger from the Andara - a community of Tiste Andii living apart from Anomander Rake's people. Clip is arrogant, dismissive, and perpetually spinning a chain with two rings. He guides Silchas Ruin and others through Kurald Galain, though his true loyalties are unclear.

A warrior devoted to Leoman of the Flails within the Whirlwind rebellion. Corabb is brave, loyal, and somewhat simple in his devotion, following Leoman with an unquestioning faith that will be tested by events.

One of the two gods who rule the Realm of Shadow, Cotillion is the patron of assassins and one of the sequence's most active divine participants in mortal affairs. Where Shadowthrone operates through misdirection, Cotillion is more direct - he intervenes personally and is bound by a personal code that distinguishes him from the series' more purely transactional divine figures.

A Malazan sapper veteran serving in the 14th Army under Adjunct Tavore. Cuttle is experienced, cynical, and devoted to his explosives with the professional affection common to Malazan sappers.

T'lan Imass bonecaster of one of the lost armies. Walks with Hedge across the ice toward the Ice Throne and the swaddled Jaghut king.

Captain of the 14th Army's marines. Walks the walls of Y'Ghatan as the city burns and helps find the trapped survivors three days later.

The eldest Sengar brother and a Tiste Edur warrior of great skill and honour. Fear serves as Weapons Master to the Edur and watches with growing horror as his youngest brother Rhulad is transformed by the cursed sword into something he can no longer recognise.

A young Letherii slave among the Tiste Edur who possesses the ability to read the Tiles - a form of divination. Feather Witch is ambitious and resentful of her bondage, and her growing power as a caster of the Tiles draws dangerous attention.

A sapper and one of the Bridgeburners' longest-serving members, Fiddler is defined by a sardonic pragmatism that functions as both coping mechanism and genuine philosophy. He is exceptionally good at his work and exceptionally tired of the circumstances that require it. His card readings recur across the sequence as moments of unwanted clarity.

A Malazan sergeant whose experiences during the novel transform him in ways he does not fully understand. Gesler is a veteran soldier, practical and laconic, who endures extraordinary circumstances with the stoicism characteristic of long-service marines.

Jaghut author of the Folly, keeper of the Deadhouse in Malaz City. Drags the dying Kalam Mekhar across the Azath threshold.