Crokus Younghand

Also known as Crokus, Younghand, Crokus lad

Major
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 5

Crokus Younghand is a young Daru thief in Darujhistan, apprenticed to Kruppe in Malazan Book of the Fallen (Book 1).

Gender: male
Age: 17
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 5
Books: 2

Crokus Younghand begins as a young Daru thief in Darujhistan, apprenticed to Kruppe and sheltered by his uncle Mammot, whose chance theft from the D'Arle estate makes him the unwitting Coin Bearer of Oponn, the Twin Jesters of Chance. Hunted by Sorry and assassins yet secretly shielded by Kruppe, Murillio, and the Crimson Guard, he stumbles through the city's intrigues, falls for both Challice D'Arle and the amnesiac Apsalar, and proves his courage by saving Baruk from Vorcan. By Deadhouse Gates he has left the city behind, a sun-weathered traveler hardened by harsh journeys, whose youthful energy and genuine concern for his companions endure despite exhaustion.

Description

A human youth in soot-stained cloth wrapped snugly around his torso and limbs, with his face concealed except for space around the eyes. A black leather harness criss-crosses his chest and carries tools; he wears pitch-soled moccasins and has a leather bag at his belt. A youthful Daru man with long black hair and a tanned face marked by sun and wind exposure, showing white creases around the eyes and chapped lips from harsh travel. His expression often carries genuine concern, reflecting his youthful energy and resilience despite exhaustion.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Apsalarconflicting source relationships
Crokus shelters the memory-lost girl and helps name her; their wary, teasing companionship deepens into tentative affection, while her latent power protects him from Serrat.
CD
Challice D'Arleconflicting source relationships
First glimpsed during a burglary, Challice becomes the object of Crokus's infatuation, which sours when he believes she betrayed him after he killed a D'Arle guard.
M
Mammotnephew
His uncle and guardian, who gives him a home and to whom Crokus turns for history and help, worrying deeply when Mammot falls mysteriously unconscious.
K
Kruppeconflicting source relationships
Kruppe trained Crokus in thievery, fences his goods, and counts as one of his best friends; recognizing him as Oponn's chosen, Kruppe quietly takes on the role of guardian despite his evasive manner.
Quick Benconflicting source relationships
Initially an unwitting agent in Baruk's intelligence mission, Crokus later becomes his rescuer by fending off Vorcan.
RN
Rallick Nomconflicting source relationships
An assassin friend whose words spark Crokus's curiosity about Darujhistan's history.
C
Collprotective companion
Coll encourages Crokus's usefulness to the group and entrusts him with bringing Apsalar to Mammot.
F
Fingersprotected charge
A Crimson Guard soldier who reveals the Guard's protection of Crokus on Caladan Brood's orders and escorts him to Baruk.
M
Murilliocompanion
A teasing but supportive companion who reassures Crokus and helps guard him as Oponn's chosen.
O
Oponnunwitting pawn
The Twin Jesters bind Crokus to their game through the Coin, saving his life and making him a target for every power seeking to break their luck.
Sorryconflicting source relationships
Sorry hunts Crokus as the Coin Bearer, shadowing his party and waiting for a chance to kill him.

Story so far

BOOK 1I. Gardens of the Moon
- Breaks into Challice D'Arle's bedroom to steal valuables and is captivated by her sleeping beauty
- The Coin of Oponn spins into his path, saving him from Talo Krafar's crossbow and making him the gods' unwitting Coin Bearer
- Joins Coll, Murillio, and Kruppe on an intelligence-gathering mission for Baruk while being stalked by Sorry
- Takes the amnesiac girl under his care, helps her choose the name Apsalar, and grows romantically attached to her
- Escorted by the Crimson Guard's Fingers to Baruk's estate, he saves the alchemist by striking Vorcan with bricks
BOOK 2Deadhouse Gates
- Travels far from Darujhistan, his face weathered by sun and wind on harsh journeys
- Endures exhaustion and hardship while retaining his youthful resilience
- Shows genuine concern for his traveling companions amid the dangers of the road