Deadhouse

The Deadhouse was an Azath House in Malaz City located in the Mouse Quarter across the street from Coop's Hanged Man Inn. This was the Azath House that the Malazan Emperor Kellanved and his trusted confidant Dancer used to travel through the world and related realms and warrens.

The Deadhouse was a dilapidated tomb-like structure sitting on a plot of land surrounded by a low wall constructed of piled fieldstone. Entrance from the street was through an arched iron gate from which could be seen countless mounds surrounding the house. Malaz locals knew never to dare enter the Deadhouse grounds and seemed to cultivate an almost deliberate ignorance of its presence.^[1][2][3][4]

It was rumoured that the ale of nearby Smiley's tavern was made with water run off the Deadhouse.^[5]

Spoiler warning: The following section contains significant plot details about Deadhouse.

The mounds surrounding the house were the prisons of those who entered the property or attempted to enter the house.

Known Captives

• Cowl, escaped
• Jhenna, former Guardian
• Oleg Vikat

Interior

The front door of the house opened into a dimly lit hallway that reached a T-intersection after five paces. Directly ahead was a set of double doors leading to the house's main room. To the right and left were hallways leading to several doors. One door in each hallway opened onto the first floor of each tower. Within the towers were spiral stairs leading upwards. The left hallway also contained an alcove which displayed a massive ten foot tall suit of battered scale armour framed by two double-bladed axes. Similar armours in other houses either contained or were possessed by a sentient creature capable of speaking through its closed great helm.^[6]

The house's main room contained a stone fireplace that blazed without the presence of any visible fuel. The fire's edges revealed it as a small portal that opened into a warren of ceaseless fire. The room was decorated with faded tapestries, an ornate bench, ledges bearing pieces of stone and wood, as well as desk bearing numerous scrolls. Near the house's front door was a ladle and bucket containing a potent healing draught.^[7]

In Night of Knives

On the night of the Shadow Moon, various forces converged on the House due to its alignment with the Shadowkeep. Jhenna, the House's unwilling guardian, attempted to break free but was stalled by Temper and was captured by the House. Kellanved and Dancer succeeded in gaining entry and ascended to High House Shadow.

Significant plot details end here.

In Deadhouse Gates

Fiddler, Apsalar, Crokus, and Rellock traveled the Azath warren from Tremorlor to the Deadhouse. In the Deadhouse's main room they found Gothos, its latest guardian. After speaking with the Jaghut for a short while he asked them to leave.^[8]

In The Bonehunters

Adjunct Tavore Paran and her Malaz 14th Army traveled to Malaz City on their return from Seven Cities so that the Adjunct could meet with Empress Laseen at Mock's Hold. The Adjunct refused the Empress' demand to turn over loyal Wickan and Khundryl troops to be slaughtered as scapegoats to settle the Empire's internal politics. She attempted to flee back to her ships with Kalam Mekhar and T'amber, but they were pursued by hundreds of Claws. Kalam led them to the Mouse Quarter in an attempt evade their pursuit. At Admiral Bridge, he sent the two women down the channel of the Malaz River to the docks while he led the remaining Claw on a wild goose chase.

Clawmaster Pearl and a Hand of his elite Claw finally ran Kalam to ground and Pearl poisoned the heavily bleeding Bridgeburner with Paralt. Dying, Kalam dragged himself towards the Deadhouse, nearly reaching it before collapsing. Shadowthrone employed three Wraiths of Shadow to carry him the final way to the Deadhouse's door. Then the god rapped on the door before hurrying off the Deadhouse grounds. When he turned around, the armoured form of the Guardian of the Deadhouse opened the door and brought Kalam inside. Then the god quickly disappeared as Temper burst from the door of Coop's, fully kitted in armour and ready to defend the Azath grounds.^[9]

Later, when Tayschrenn asked of Kalam's fate, Shadowthrone responded, "He's in the Deadhouse—isn't that answer enough?"^[10]

Notes and references