The High Fist commanding the Malazan forces on Genabackis, Dujek Onearm is one of the empire's most capable military commanders - trusted by his soldiers rather than, necessarily, by his empress. He operates at the intersection of military necessity and political reality, aware that the orders he receives and the situation on the ground rarely align.

The Empire's High Mage and one of the most powerful practitioners of warren magic in the Malazan military. Initially presented as an antagonist, the sequence complicates this presentation gradually, disclosing a history and a set of obligations that contextualise his choices without simply excusing them.

The Adjunct - the Empress's personal instrument and the empire's highest-ranking operative below Laseen herself. Lorn is defined by the completeness of her dedication to the imperial purpose. She carries Otataral, a magic-negating ore, that makes her uniquely dangerous to mages.

A young noble-born officer from a wealthy Malazan merchant family, Ganoes Paran enters imperial service with more idealism than the Malazan military is accustomed to accommodating. His assignment to the Bridgeburners as their new captain places him at the intersection of forces far older and more dangerous than any conventional military command. Paran is defined by his capacity to absorb disillusionment without becoming cynical - a quality the world he inhabits tests repeatedly.

A Seven Cities native and one of the Bridgeburners' most formidable soldiers, Kalam Mekhar carries a past in the Claw - the Malazan imperial assassins - that he has chosen not to discuss. Physically imposing and economical in both movement and speech, he is the squad's most dangerous close-quarters combatant and one of its most morally grounded members.

A Malazan scout and former Claw operative whose path crosses Ganoes Paran's during the events on Genabackis. He lost an eye in the Warren of Chaos during the siege of Pale. His father, Toc the Elder, is a figure of considerable significance in Malazan history.

The ruler of the Realm of Shadow, Shadowthrone is one of the sequence's most deliberately opaque figures - a god who operates through misdirection, apparent incompetence, and an unpredictability that may or may not be calculated. His history before his ascension connects him to the Malazan Empire in ways that shape his interest in its affairs throughout the sequence.

The founder and first Emperor of the Malazan Empire, who was assassinated by Laseen in her bid for the throne. Kellanved was a mysterious and brilliant figure whose disappearance and presumed death transformed the empire. He is believed to have Ascended to become Shadowthrone, the King of High House Shadow.

The former companion and co-conspirator of Emperor Kellanved, and one of the most skilled assassins in the history of the Malazan Empire. Dancer was believed killed alongside Kellanved during Laseen's coup. He is believed to have Ascended to become Cotillion, the Patron of Assassins and the Rope of High House Shadow.

The former First Sword of the Malazan Empire and arguably the greatest swordsman in the world. Dassem Ultor held the title of Champion of the empire before his apparent death. His legacy casts a long shadow over the military forces of the empire.

A High Mage of the Malazan Empire - a sorceress of immense power and the partner of the giant Thelomen mage Bellurdan. Her presence at the Siege of Pale alongside the rest of the Imperial cadre is one of the points around which the opening of Gardens of the Moon arranges its larger argument.

A Thelomen High Mage in service to the Malazan Empire. Bellurdan is a giant of a man, towering over ordinary humans, and a powerful practitioner of magic. The partner of Nightchill and a soldier-mage whose particular bond with her shapes a great deal of how the Siege of Pale and its aftermath play out for him.

The Commander of the Claw, the Malazan Empire's covert intelligence and assassination network. Topper answers directly to Empress Laseen and oversees Claw operations across the empire.