Cotillion

Summary

Cotillion, once known as Dancer — the deadliest assassin in the Malazan Empire and partner to Emperor Kellanved — is the co-ruler of the realm of Shadow and the Patron God of Assassins. He and Kellanved faked their deaths during Laseen's coup and ascended to godhood through the Deadhouse of Malaz City, becoming Cotillion and Shadowthrone respectively.

Unlike many gods in the Malazan world, Cotillion retains a striking degree of humanity and moral awareness. He is haunted by his possession of the innocent fisher girl who became Sorry/Apsalar, and this guilt informs much of his behaviour throughout the series. While Shadowthrone schemes and manipulates with gleeful abandon, Cotillion often serves as the conscience of their partnership, questioning whether the ends truly justify the means.

Cotillion is central to the series' grand arc — the plan to free the Crippled God from his chains and end the cycle of suffering that entraps gods and mortals alike. His compassion, unusual for a deity, drives him to seek solutions that minimize mortal suffering, even when his partner Shadowthrone would take more expedient paths. His relationship with Apsalar — from possessor to protector — represents one of the series' most complex explorations of guilt, responsibility, and redemption.

Arc by Book

Book 1: Gardens of the Moon

Cotillion appears primarily through his possession of Sorry/Apsalar, using her body to infiltrate the Bridgeburners and further his and Shadowthrone's plans. He is expelled from Sorry's body during the events in Darujhistan. His identity as the former Dancer is hinted at but not yet fully revealed. His manipulation of events in Darujhistan establishes the Shadow gods' interest in the city.

Book 2: Deadhouse Gates

Cotillion operates behind the scenes, working to advance Shadow's interests during the chaos of the Whirlwind rebellion in Seven Cities. His influence touches several storylines, and his relationship with the now-freed Apsalar begins to shift from guilt to a more protective concern.

Book 4: House of Chains

Cotillion takes a more direct role, appearing in person to guide events and recruit agents — most notably Apsalar, who agrees to work for him willingly. He demonstrates his continued martial supremacy as an assassin and reveals more of the long-term plans he and Shadowthrone are pursuing. His interactions with Apsalar show genuine remorse for what he did to her.

Book 6: The Bonehunters

Cotillion's machinations become more overt as the conflict with the Crippled God intensifies. He works to position allies and assets, and his relationship with Apsalar deepens. He begins to reveal the scope of the plan he and Shadowthrone have conceived — a plan that extends across the entire series and involves liberating the Crippled God rather than destroying him.

Book 8: Toll the Hounds

Cotillion plays a crucial role in the convergence at Darujhistan, working in concert with Anomander Rake to bring about the Son of Darkness's sacrifice. His involvement reveals the depth of planning and coordination between Shadow and Rake's faction. His capacity for compassion and moral action distinguish him from most other gods.

Book 10: The Crippled God

Cotillion's arc reaches its climax as the grand plan he and Shadowthrone have orchestrated across the entire series comes to fruition. He takes direct, decisive action in the final convergence, and his role proves essential to the liberation of the Crippled God. His willingness to bear personal costs for the greater good cements his status as one of the series' most complex deities.

Key Relationships

• Shadowthrone — partner since mortal days as Dancer and Kellanved; complementary opposites
• Apsalar — the girl he possessed; guilt drives his protectiveness; she becomes his willing agent
• Anomander Rake — co-conspirator in the Toll the Hounds convergence; deep mutual respect
• Kalam Mekhar — former Claw who served the old Empire; complex professional relationship
• Crokus Younghand / Cutter — Cotillion takes an interest in the young thief, who becomes an agent of Shadow
• Hood — fellow participant in the grand convergence
• Tavore Paran — unknowing instrument of Shadow's grand plan

Notable Quotes

"I possessed a child. I stole her life. That is not a thing I can make right, but I can try." — HoC

"Compassion is not a weakness, and it is not the absence of pragmatism." — TCG

"We are not the gods you think we are. We are the gods we need to be." — BH

Appearances

See Also

• High House Shadow
• Shadow Realm
• Malazan Empire
• Deadhouse
• Malaz City