Geffen

Geffen, also known as Gef, was a crime boss^[1] in Malaz City during the time when Dancer and Kellanved were establishing themselves before the founding of the Malazan Empire. Under the auspices of Mock, he essentially controlled crime-related activities on Malaz Island. including "gambling, loansharking, boozing and drug pits", as well as running the local protection racket.^[2]

Geffen was of "considerable height",^[3] unhealthily lean, with greying hair worn pulled back in a queue, and a face extensively scarred from multiple knife cuts. He was a cutthroat - being an infamous knife fighter of "particularly grisly repute". Like almost everyone on Malaz, Geffen was a well-known seagoing raider. He owned and operated a waterfront gambling and drinking establishment named the "Golden Gyrfalcon", which served also as Geffen's headquarters.^[4]

In Deadhouse Landing

With the ultimate goal of controlling the island, Kellanved and Dancer began with taking over the criminal action in Malaz City from Geffen.^[5] After their initial success, Dancer had a message sent to Geffen that either he leave the island--abandoning any territory he still controlled--or Dancer would "come for him".^[6]

Unsurprisingly, Geffen refused to give in to Dancer's threats. But as time passed, Geffen lost more and more ground to the off-island pair and the renegade Napans who were working with them. Finally, Geffen went to Mock and demanded his help. Mock responded that none of this was his problem and that Geffen would have to deal with it himself. Infuriated, Geffen left after telling Mock that he had sent for a professional killer from the mainland to counter the dangerous Dancer.^[7] The expensive professional that Geffen had hired was a very young Cowl,^[8] who came to Malaz City solely to take down Dancer and who refused to help Geffen and his gang in any other way.^[9]

Eventually, Geffen decided on two drastic actions: sending Lee, a trusted lieutenant, with a party of toughs to "take care" of the Napans and their headquarters, "Smiley's"; and, with a party of his own, to raid Mock's Hold. Geffen felt that this was a good time to do this as Mock and nearly all the freebooters on Malaz--as well as some of renegade Napans--were off-island on a major sea raid.^[10]

Geffen's double actions led to a lot of damage and looting, but did not result in any permanent change in the status quo. As it happened, while Geffen was searching the Hold for Mock's "stash"--which Geffen was sure was hidden somewhere there--he ran into one of the Napans, Surly. Geffen, after a fierce and vicious fight with Surly, lost both the fight and with it his life.^[11]

Notes and references