High House Chains

High House Chains was a "new" House within the Deck of Dragons. Membership and alliance with High House Chains was marked through the inclusion of a massive flaw in the individual, and the celebration of imperfection.Memories of Ice, Chapter 8, US SFBC p.295
==In Memories of Ice==
The House was formed in 1164 BS when the Crippled God commissioned the itinerant artisan, Munug, to create a new set of cards for the Deck of Dragons.Memories of Ice, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.79-82 The God then quickly began approaching beings of great power and misery to take on roles within the House. Gethol became his HeraldMemories of Ice, Chapter 8, US SFBC p.293-295 and Kallor became his King.Memories of Ice, Chapter 12, US SFBC p.439-440 Other positions proved attractive to Poliel, Mistress of Pestilence, and Mowri, Lady of Beggars, Slaves, and Serfs.Memories of Ice, Chapter 18, US SFBC p.655
Possibly in anticipation of the House's formation, Ganoes Paran was designated the Master of the Deck by the Azath. This gave him the authority to bless or deny the House's official entry into the Deck. Some powers in the Malazan world sought to influence Paran and deny the new House. These included Hood, Trake, and Anomander Rake, among others.Memories of Ice, Chapter 18, US SFBC p.631/655/660-661
Paran leaned towards approving the new House. His inclination was strengthened when Gruntle, Trake's unconventional new Mortal Sword, pointed out that the new House currently operated as it pleased outside the rules, but a sanctioned House would be bounded to the same rules as everyone else.Memories of Ice, Chapter 18, US SFBC p.658-662
==In House of Chains==
The Crippled God chose Karsa Orlong as his Knight of Chains, the Mortal Sword of the House of Chains. The god's servants, The Seven Faces in the Rock, had shaped the Teblor for the role for his entire life.House of Chains, Chapter 21, US SFBC p.708 Silgar, the former Nathii slaver, claimed to be the Leper of Chains.House of Chains, Chapter 25, US SFBC p.786
On the eve of the Battle of Raraku, the Master of the Deck made his choice and sanctioned the House of Chains. The Crippled God was now bound to the same rules as the other gods.House of Chains, Chapter 25, US SFBC p.811
==In The Bonehunters==
After the Last Siege of Y'Ghatan, Fiddler acquired a new Deck of Dragons with many cards previously unknown to him including those of the House of Chains. He described the King of Chains' card as showing a man on a throne swallowed in shadows. Despite the darkness, he swore he could see "that poor bastard screaming. And the look in his eyes..."The Bonehunters, Chapter 18, US SFBC p.720
==In Dust of Dreams==
During a reading of the Deck in Letheras, Fiddler told Banaschar that he kept poor company and dealt him the card Fool in Chains.Dust of Dreams, Chapter 3, UK HB p.102
==Known positions in High House Chains and confirmed associated Ascendants==
* The King in ChainsReturn of the Crimson Guard, Glossary, UK PB p.702 - Skinner 
* The Consort - Poliel
* Reaver
* Knight – Toblakai
* The Seven of the Dead Fires - The Unbound 
* Herald
* Cripple
* Leper
* Fool
==Likely candidates for positions in High House Chains==
* Ruler – the Crippled God
* King – Skinner,Return of the Crimson Guard, Epilogue, UK PB p.688-689 formerly Rhulad Sengar, formerly KallorMemories of Ice, Chapter 13, US SFBC p.440
* Consort – Tavore,The Crippled God, Chapter 24, UK HB p.795 formerly Janall, Poliel aspired to the position
* Reaver – one man one woman, formerly Kallor (possibly)House of Chains, Glossary
* Knight – Karsa OrlongHouse of Chains, Chapter 25, UK MMPB p.966
* The Seven of the Dead Fires - The Unbound T'lan Imass, in line to be replacedThe Crippled God, Chapter 17, UK HB p.493
* Herald – currently unoccupied, formerly Gethol
* Magi – currently unoccupied, formerly Bidithal
* Cripple – Banaschar, formerly MowriMemories of Ice, Chapter 18, US SFBC p.655
* Leper – Hedge, formerly Silgar, formerly Mowri
* Fool - Blistig, formerly Mowri
== Gallery ==
File:2023 -King of Chains by Corporal Nobbs.gif|King of High House Chain - Kallor/Rhulad/Skinner by Corporal Nobbs
File:2023 - Cripple of Chains by Eris235.png|Cripple of High House Chain - Banaschar by Eris235
==Notes and references==
de:Hohes Haus Ketten
it:Casa Delle Catene
 
Category:Deck of Dragons