A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 1

world's not like that, why persist in making Fantasy worlds so fundamentally disconnected with reality?
    Well, I don't know. It's exhausting just thinking about it.
    Gardens is what it is. I have no plans on revision. I don't even know where I'd start.
    Better, I think, to offer the readers a quick decision on this series – right there in the first third of the first novel, than to tease them on for five or six books before they turn away in disgust, disinterest or whatever. Maybe, from a marketing position, the latter is preferred – at least in the short term. But, thank God, my publishers know a false economy when they see one.
    Gardens of the Moon is an invitation, then. Stay with it, and come along for the ride. I can only promise that I have done my best to entertain. Curses and cheers, laughter and tears, it's all in here.
    One last word to all you nascent writers out there. Ambition is not a dirty word. Piss on compromise. Go for the throat. Write with balls, write with eggs. Sure, it's a harder journey but take it from me, it's well worth it.
    Cheers,
Steven Erikson
Victoria, British Columbia
December 2007



DRAMATIS PERSONAE
     
THE MALAZAN EMPIRE
    ONEARM'S HOST
    Tattersail , Cadre Sorceress, 2nd Army, a reader of the Deck
of Dragons
    Hairlock, Cadre Mage, 2nd Army, an unpleasant rival of
Tayschrenn
    Calot, Cadre Mage, 2nd Army, Tattersail's lover
    Toc the Younger, scout, 2nd Army, a Claw agent badly
scarred at the Siege of Pale
    THE BRIDGEBURNERS
    Sergeant Whiskeyjack, 9th Squad, past commander of the
2nd Army
    Corporal Kalam, 9th Squad, an ex-Claw from Seven Cities
    Quick Ben, 9th Squad, a Seven Cities Mage
    Sorry, 9th Squad, a deadly killer in the guise of a young girl
    Hedge, 9th Squad, a sapper
    Fiddler, 9th Squad, a sapper
    Trotts, 9th Squad, a Barghast warrior
    Mallet, 9th Squad, the squad healer
    Sergeant Antsy, 7th Squad
    Picker, 7th Squad
    THE IMPERIAL COMMAND
    Ganoes Stabro Paran, a noble-born officer in the Malazan Empire
    Dujek Onearm, High Fist, Malazan Armies, Genabackis
Campaign
    Tayschrenn, High Mage to the Empress
    Bellurdan, High Mage to the Empress
    Nightchill, High Sorceress to the Empress
    A'Karonys, High Mage to the Empress
    Lorn, Adjunct to the Empress
    Topper, Commander of the Claw
    Empress Laseen, Ruler of the Malazan Empire
    HOUSE PARAN (UNTA)
    Tavore, Ganoes' sister (middle-child)
    Felisin, Ganoes' youngest sister
    Garnet, House Guard and veteran
     
IN THE EMPEROR'S TIME
    Emperor Kellanved, the founder of the Empire, assassinated
by Laseen
    Dancer, the Emperor's chief adviser, assassinated by Laseen
    Surly, Laseen's old name when Commander of the Claw
    Dassem Ultor, the First Sword of Empire, killed outside
Y'ghatan, Seven Cities
    Toc (the Elder) , disappeared in Laseen's purges of the Old
Guard
     
IN DARUJISTAN
    The Phoenix Inn Regulars
    Kruppe, a man of false modesty
    Crokus Younghand, a young thief
    Rallick Nom, an assassin in the Guild
    Murillio, a courtier
    Coll, a drunk
    Meese, a regular
    Irilta, a regular
    Scurve, the barman
    Sulty, a serving woman
    Chert, an unlucky bully
The T'orrud Caba l
    Baruk, a High Alchemist
    Derudan, a Witch of Tennes
    Mammot, a High Priest of D'riss and eminent scholar, uncle
to Crokus
    Travale, a pious soldier of the Cabal
    Tholis, a High Mage
    Parald, a High Mage
The Counci l
    Turban Orr, a powerful councilman and Simtal's lover
    Lim, an ally of Turban Orr
    Simtal, Lady of Simtal Estate
    Estraysian D'Arle, a rival of Turban Orr
    Challice D'Arle, his daughter
The Guild of Assassins
    Vorcan, Mistress of the Guild (also known as the Master of
Assassins)
    Ocelot, Rallick Nom's Clan Leader
    Talo Krafar, an assassin of Jurrig Denatte's Clan
    Krute of Talient, an agent of the Guild
Also in the city:
    The Eel , a rumoured master-spy
    Circle Breaker, an agent of the Eel
    Vildrom, a city guard
    Captain Stillis, Captain of Guard, Simtal Estate
Further players:
    The Tiste Andii
    Anomander Rake, Lord of Moon's Spawn, Son of Darkness,
Knight of Darkness
    Serrat, second-in-command to Rake
    Korlat, a night-hunter and blood-kin to Serrat
    Orfantal, a night-hunter
    Horult, a night-hunter
The T'lan Imass
    Logros, Commander of the T'lan Imass Clans serving the
Malazan Empire
    Onos T'oolan, a clanless warrior
    Pran Chole, a Bonecaster (shaman) of the Kron T'lan Imass
    Kig Avert, a Clan Leader
Others:
    Crone, a Great Raven and servant to Anomander Rake
    Silanah, an Eleint and companion to Anomander Rake
    Raest, a Jaghut Tyrant
    K'rul, an Elder God, the Maker