Characters that are talked about or referred before then making a full appearance in a later chapter of the book are marked with (First mentioned) and (First appearance). Characters that are only talked about or referred to in the books but do not make a full appearance are marked with (Mentioned only). Spite and her companions arrive in Darujhistan, and go their separate ways. Crokus, under the alias Cutter, is anxious at the thought of being reunited with his old friends of the Phoenix Inn, while Barathol seeks anonymity in the city. What must the Andii be feeling—thousands of years of wishing for the return of Mother Dark and then this odd stirring of power? Imagine the hope, and then the realization. Kanz's sister, a girl whose life was 'touched' by Hood (in his mortal form) as he walked the streets of Darujhistan (Mentioned only) [6]

Mappo Runt is anxious to find Icarium, who is on the Letheri continent. He hires the Trygalle Trade Guild to take him to that distant continent and is accompanied by Gruntle, who does this because he is irritated by all the attention from the acolytes and priestess of Trake, the new God of War. It is odd, as Amanda says, to think of mischievous Andii children. Though also a bit heartening, this sense of kids being kids. Poor Endest….High Priestess of Kharkanas, a Tiste Andii, the High Priestess of Darkness in ancient Kharkanas [26] So there is a lot of plotting going on in this book and it’s wise (or actually, maybe not depending on one’s point of view regarding a reading experience) to try and keep some of the points filed away. So here we have Cotillion and Shadowthrone trying to ease Traveller’s path toward Hood, though Traveller plans on trying to kill the God of Death. That path would also, based on geography and the sense of convergence, be aimed at Darujhistan. Finally, for this scene, file away that bit about how Mael (who is seemingly opposed to whatever plan is brewing or at least to the timing of it) is working under the false assumption that Hood is running. Which clearly implies Hood is awaiting Traveller. Why? File.

Ardatha, (also 'Ardata'), an Elder Goddess, aka the 'Queen of Witches' / 'Queen of Spiders' (Mentioned only) [2] Is Iskaral Pust really what he claims to be, if even other members of Shadow have no idea who he is, where he’s come from and what he’s capable of? He really does swing between lovable buffoon and distinctly creepy, doesn’t he? Averted when Samar Dev notices they are being followed by a giant bear. It turns out to be a forgotten god, lured in because Samar Dev is a witch and capable of preserving it's last shred of existence.The vegetable vendor- is Thordy who doesn't care overmuch about the loss since the lost coin would have gone to her husband's drinking issues. She has a small patch of land where she grows vegetables, she is childless and hates her husband. After years and years, she has somehow decided to murder him and the thought makes her happy. Stubborn Mule: Two in fact — Kruppe, as always, has his trusty war mule and Pust brought his own to town right in time for an epic mule stare-off. Duiker’s section is so very melancholy. I feel so dreadfully sorry that this wise and good man can no longer see anything worth living for. He’s clearly deeply depressed here, and unable to find a way out. The worst is that we know different than this: “Oh, there were moments of greatness, of bright deeds, but how long did the light of such glory last? From one breath to the next, aye, and no more than that. No more than that.” We know that people remember fine and heroic deeds for generations, and so Duiker would do well to record his memories.

Names in italics are characters that appear or are mentioned in the book, but are not listed in its Dramatis Personae section. The retired Bridgeburners are enjoying their retirement when Assassins from the Assassins' Guild suddenly come after them, though the assassins soon discover that the Bridgeburners aren't easy marks.And more loneliness. And yet another dark and ominous close to a section. Where’s that comic relief when you need it? We end the chapter with another run down- Thordy is setting flatstones in her garden in a particular pattern. Spite is still lounging in the ship, she has noticed the proximity of her kin. And little Harllo will soon be lost to darkness.