Malazan Book of the Fallen · Character

Tattersail

Also known as 'Sail, Sorceress, Sorceress Tattersail

  • Major
  • First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 2

Tattersail is a major character in Malazan Book of the Fallen (Book 1).

Gender
female
First appears
Book 1 · Ch. 2
Books
1

Description

A heavy-set, round-shouldered woman with an oval, fleshy face, deep-shadowed lines, flaccid cheeks, and pale eyes. In her battle-worn appearance she wears a stained and scorched burgundy cloak with a silver emblem of command.

Connections

  • C

    Calotlover

    They have been sleeping together for four months and share genuine affection, though Tattersail tries to frame their relationship as casual. Calot dies protecting her during the battle at Pale.

  • Fiddlercomrade

    Fiddler serves alongside Tattersail but doubts her resolve and worries that Tayschrenn could pressure her into betraying the squad; Whiskeyjack counters that she is loyal and formidable.

  • Ganoes Stabro Paranconflicting source relationships

    Tattersail helps care for the wounded captain and is expected to question him for information before the Bridgeburners leave.

  • Kalamconflicting source relationships

    Kalam helps Quick Ben with Hairlock's transformation and persuades Tattersail to accept the object, presenting it as a means of finding answers about Tayschrenn.

  • K

    Kruppeguide

    Kruppe finds Tattersail's lost soul in his dream and leads her to Pran Chole and the Rhivi woman so the ritual can restore her to life.

  • Quick Benconflicting source relationships

    Both are powerful Malazan mages. Quick Ben performs Hairlock's soul shift and recruits Tattersail into the plan by entrusting her with the wrapped object.

  • Sorryobserver

    Tattersail is unsettled by the recruit's ancient-seeming eyes and strange presence. Sorry challenges the mages' actions and warns Whiskeyjack that Tayschrenn will notice them.

  • Whiskeyjackconflicting source relationships

    They are allied Malazan officers from different parts of the army. At Pale, they recognize their shared failures and grief, and Tattersail sympathizes with Whiskeyjack's losses.

  • CB

    Caladan Broodsheltered charge

    K’rul tells Kruppe that the Rhivi protect Tattersail and that a powerful warlord, Caladan Brood, now shelters her.

  • DO

    Dujek Onearmcommander

    Tattersail recalls being sent to the veteran 5th before returning to a post under Dujek’s command. She believes Dujek might protect Paran, though his soldiers’ safety could take precedence.

  • H

    Hairlockconflicting source relationships

    They are fellow mages in the Second Army's cadre. Tattersail distrusts and dislikes Hairlock, but recognizes his courage; after his death, she becomes involved in his soul-shifting plan.

  • H

    Hedgecomrade

    Hedge is a Bridgeburner sapper working with Fiddler to dig out soldiers trapped in the collapsed tunnels.

  • K

    Karonyscolleague

    Karonys is one of the High Mages fighting alongside Tattersail's cadre in the assault on Moon's Spawn; he is killed by an icy force.

  • O

    Oponnconflicting source relationships

    Tattersail's Deck reading shows Oponn's coin spinning beside the Knight of Dark. She chooses to hold the card, and the uncertain intervention of the Twins of Luck becomes linked to her path.

  • TT

    Toc the Youngerprotector

    Toc lies in his assessment of Tattersail to protect her from Lorn's judgment, repaying what he sees as a debt to the Second Army's cadre and its history of standing by its own.

  • B

    Bellurdanconflicting source relationships

    They are fellow Malazan mages. After Nightchill is killed, the wounded Bellurdan gathers her remains and mourns her.

  • N

    Nightchillcolleague

    They serve together among the Malazan mages at Pale. Nightchill is killed by a demon during the assault on Moon's Spawn.

  • PC

    Pran Cholespiritual parent

    Pran lends his power to the soul-shifting ritual that gives Tattersail new life as a child; he expects to return as a Bone Caster and see the woman she becomes.

  • Lornconflicting source relationships

    Lorn confronts Tattersail over the Malazan mages' brutal operation in the Mouse Quarter, which led to the deaths of Lorn's family after they were displaced. Tattersail accepts responsibility for her part and offers no defense.

  • Tayschrennconflicting source relationships

    Tattersail believes Tayschrenn's choices caused the deaths of her comrades and the soldiers who sought her protection. She joins the Bridgeburners' effort to seek answers and wants him to face consequences.

Story so far

  1. BOOK 1I. Gardens of the Moon

Key events

  1. Book 1
    Ch. 3
    The Fall of PaleThe Malazan Empire's assault on the floating fortress Moon's Spawn results in devastating casualties for both sides. Tattersail's cadre is decimated, and the Bridgeburners suffer heavy losses in the tunnels beneath the city.
  2. Book 1
    Ch. 5
    The Hounds Attack at Tattersail's QuartersThe Hounds of Shadow, led by Gear, attack the Bridgeburners' quarters in Pale. Paran wounds Gear with his enchanted sword, driving the Hound back into Shadow.
  3. Book 1
    Ch. 11
    Tattersail's Death and RebirthTattersail apparently dies in a magical confrontation with Bellurdan on the Rhivi Plain. Her soul is later reborn as a silver-furred child through an ancient ritual involving K'rul and the T'lan Imass.

Appearances

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