Iskaral Pust

Iskaral Pust [ISK-uh-rahl PUHST]Steven Erikson Gardens of the Moon 20th Anniversary Interview - Ten Very Big Books podcast - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:19:25 was an old Dal HoneseDeadhouse Gates, Chapter 8, UK MMPB p.342 High Priest of Shadow,Deadhouse Gates, Dramatis Personae, UK MMPB p.17 and the Magus of High House Shadow who lived in Tesem, an abandoned monastery in Seven Cities.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.111 He claimed to be Shadowthrone's chosen mortal and Master of Rashan, Meanas, and Thyr.House of Chains, Chapter 16, US SFBC p.551
Pust was a scrawny figure whose subtly misshapen tattooed head was hairless except for a wild curly grey and black tangle over the ears. He had a large hawk nose, tufts of a wiry grey beard, perfect white teeth, and skin like dark honey. His eyebrows beetled and knotted to match the battling emotions on the wrinkled face beneath them.The Bonehunters, Chapter 2, US HC p.59-60Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 2, US HC p.75-76
He was accompanied by an unnamed manservant (who had one arm which was a different colour than the other), and had an obsession with sweeping his temple clean and free of spiders. He had a habit of speaking all of his thoughts aloud, but appeared unaware that anyone within hearing distance had full access to his opinions and schemes.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 11, US HC p.295
The large number of bhoka'rala who shared his home worshipped him as a god, which enraged the priest who saw them as little more than vermin.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 11, US HC p.293 Pust's own face shared disturbing similarities with the creatures.House of Chains, Chapter 12, US SFBC p.459
His wife was Mogora, revealed to be a Dal Honese D'ivers witch who tranformed into spiders — possibly the source of Pust's phobia. Husband and wife each bore a startling resemblance to the other.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 24, UK MMPB p.926 Pust spoke the secret Man's Language, which was admittedly gibberish designed to specifically confound women.The Bonehunters, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.419
As a High Priest of Shadow, he was an accomplished surgeon, healer, and alchemist, although he sometimes mistook poisons for healing elixirs.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 8, US HC p.223 He also possessed the power to disguise his presence within a deep cloak of shadow and could read the Deck of Dragons.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 8, US HC p.224Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 6, US HC p.164 
Pust frequently referred to his cherished god, Shadowthrone, as being idiotic or insane.The Bonehunters, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.417The Bonehunters, Chapter 2, US SFBC p.70
==Mule==
Pust possessed a "strange-looking" and seriously mysterious (sometimes black), (sometimes male), 'Mule', which was sometimes a mule but which was sometimes clearly something else. Pust rode it cross-legged using a high wooden saddle.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 2, US HC p.75/76The Bonehunters, Chapter 9, US HC p.334-335/336-338The Bonehunters, Chapter 16, US HC p.522Toll the Hounds, Chapter 3, US TPB p.89Toll the Hounds, Chapter 11, US TPB p.301/302 The mule usually seemed just as likely to bite Pust as it was to follow his commands.The Bonehunters, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.413
== In Deadhouse Gates==
Iskaral Pust pursued multiple schemes in service of Shadow. It was the High Priest who planted the Path of Hands as a false trail for Soletaken and D'ivers to travel to Tremorlor.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 24, UK MMPB p.927 This simultaneously led the dangerous creatures away from the true gate and set them up for imprisonment within the Azath House.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 16, US HC p.441-442
Icarium and Mappo Runt stumbled upon Pust and the abandoned monastery, Tesem, which was now a Temple of Shadow, in their trek across the Pan'potsun Odhan in Seven Cities.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 2, US HC p.75 Invited inside, they explored Tesem and discovered the hidden gate which they deduced was sought by followers of the Path of Hands.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 4, US HC p.115 The presence of two powerful guardians served Pust's need to protect the gate.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 11, US HC p.292
They were later joined by Fiddler, Apsalar, and Crokus who were making their own way across the Odhan.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 8, US HC p.221 Pust told Apsalar and Crokus that Fiddler sought the Azath House in the desert (also known as Tremorlor) to secure fast passage to Malaz City. Apsalar's father, Rellock, was revealed to be Pust's servant who made a bargain with Shadowthrone to serve High House Shadow in exchange for Apsalar's life and a new arm to replace the one he had lost. Pust used the relationship in an attempt to manipulate Apsalar into taking on the role of Sha'ik Reborn as well as maneuver Icarium to Tremorlor where the dangerous Jhag could also be imprisoned.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 11, US HC p.295-296Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 22, US HC p.554 In both of these goals he was unsuccessful.
Pust accompanied the others to Tremorlor bringing the Hounds of Shadow to help eradicate the most powerful of the surviving Soletaken and D'ivers.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 16, US HC p.442 After the Path of Hands had ended, Pust returned home alone to discover that Mogora infested his clothing as a pack of spiders. The two berated each other before he invited her inside to serve as his new cook.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 24, US HC p.592-594
==In House of Chains==
Pust and Mogora were now married, a marriage Pust considered perfect because they had not seen each other for months. Pust hid in Tesem's shadows while Mogora stalked the halls hunting him.House of Chains, Chapter 12, US SFBC p.459-460
After Kalam Mekhar was nearly killed in the desert by a demon-possessed bull Enkar'al, Pust was brought to him by an Azalan demon. The High Priest of Shadow had been expecting the assassin as well as the bag of diamonds he carried. Pust brought Kalam back to Tesem and healed him with salves and magic.House of Chains, Chapter 12, US SFBC p.458-459
To speed Kalam on his way, Pust gave back some of the diamonds the assassin had delivered. Then they travelled by warren to the edge of the Whirlwind where Pust summoned the Azalan demon to carry Kalam inside undetected.House of Chains, Chapter 16, US SFBC p.551-552 Later Pust welcomed Cutter and Apsalar back to TesemHouse of Chains, Chapter 20, US SFBC p.674-675 before riding out into the desert on his mule to return with Heboric, Felisin Younger, Scillara, and Greyfrog.House of Chains, Chapter 26, US SFBC p.847
==In The Bonehunters==
Shadowthrone summoned Iskaral Pust before him and Cotillion at the Throne of Shadow and gave him instructions for the coming days. After sending Pust away, the two Ascendants agreed that Pust had significant drawbacks, but that he would "just have to do". Cotillion, in particular, felt that Pust's involvement was a bad idea.The Bonehunters, Chapter 2, US HC p.59-60 
At Shadowthrone's command, Pust travelled by mule through the Warren of Shadow to the cliff where Mappo Runt and Icarium had been ambushed and grievously wounded by the T'rolbarahl D'ivers, Dejim Nebrahl. Pust used his magic to drive the murderous Dejim away from a passing caravan before locating Mappo's dying body pinned in a crevice. Mogora, who had secretly followed the High Priest, took over Pust's efforts to magically heal the Trell. As she did so, Pust retired to the tent and stone-ringed hearth that may or may not have been erected by his mule while the married couple argued.The Bonehunters, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.413-420
thumb|Iskaral Pust by [https://mdav.artstation.com/projects/48gG48 Max Davenport]
Cotillion found himself impressed by the power Pust unveiled in his clash with Dejim Nebrahl and told Pust that Shadowthrone had chosen his magus well.The Bonehunters, Chapter 12, UK MMPB p.614 The god told Mappo that he and Shadowthrone would assist the Trell in curing Icarium and thereby defeat the Nameless Ones' plans for the Jhag.The Bonehunters, Chapter 12, US SFBC p.509-510 Pust joined Mappo on his quest to first find Icarium, but the High Priest seemed more hindrance than help, delaying their passage by choosing a dubious path through a marsh. When the Trell finally decided to turn around, they encountered a woman who introduced herself as Spite. She admitted to having worked with the Nameless Ones to free Dejim Nebrahl, but had since been outlawed by them and was relieved the T'rolbarahl had failed. She offered up her knowledge of the Nameless One's plans to help the Trell, and brought them to her ship saying they must cross half the world to find Icarium. Pust tried his best to dissuade the Trell from accepting Spite's help.The Bonehunters, Chapter 12, US SFBC p.585-588
A rowboat crewed by half a dozen bhok'arala brought them to where Spite's ship was anchored offshore. Somehow Pust's mule was already aboard when they arrived. The ship's deck and rigging were populated by an entire crew of bhok'arala whom Pust furiously recognised as the same beasts who occupied his home.The Bonehunters, Chapter 16, US SFBC p.649 The High Priest also swore swore he could smell Mogora aboard and often searched the ship for his wife.The Bonehunters, Chapter 19, US SFBC p.760/762 During their voyage he recognised the spirit conversing with Spite as the Eres'al and crowed to Mappo when the spirit broke Mael to her will.The Bonehunters, Chapter 19, US SFBC p.759-760
Later, when a dozen Jade giants fell from the sky above them near Otataral Island, it seemed to spell certain doom. Pust cried out for Mogora in a panic, demanding sex before he died. Mogora appeared from hiding to watch her husband fret and wondered why she had married "that pathetic creature."The Bonehunters, Chapter 20, US SFBC p.777 The same disaster sank a nearby vessel carrying Barathol Mekhar, Scillara, Chaur, and Cutter who Spite rescued and brought on board.The Bonehunters, Chapter 20, US SFBC p.787-791
==In Toll the Hounds==
After a miserable, much-delayed trip that took two whole seasons,Toll the Hounds, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.259 Spite's ship brought Iskaral Pust (and his mule), Mogora, Mappo Runt, Barathol, Scillara, Chaur, and Cutter to Darujhistan. While preparing to disembark, Pust squabbled with Mogora, bragging he would use his prominence to take over the local Temple of Shadow and bed his pick of the priestesses. Mogora warned him that she foresaw he would meet his nemesis in the city.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 3, US SFBC p.103/106-108 Leaving the ship, he was followed into the waterfront crowds by a score of scampering bhok'arala and an unknown number of mostly unseen spiders.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 3, US SFBC p.114 But when he triumphantly presented himself at the temple, High Priestess Sordiko Qualm had never heard of him. She politely invited him inside and the bhok'arala somehow followed him despite the temple wards meant to keep them out.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 5, US SFBC p.164-168 Mogora was soon revealed as another unwanted guest.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.366
When the High Priestess had business at the estate of Lady Envy, Pust tagged along. His annoying manner soon had Envy considering his murder until Sordiko Qualm informed the incredulous ascendant that Pust was the Magus of Shadow. In Envy's beauty, Pust recognised the similarities to Spite and he attempted to ingratiate himself by telling her about the presence of her sister onboard the ship in the harbour. An excited Envy jumped up to say, "I thought so!"Toll the Hounds, Chapter 13, UK HB p.489
As the time of the Convergence that was to take place in Darujhistan drew near, Iskaral Pust delivered garbled messages from Shadowthrone to several people in the city. He told a mystified Fisher kel Tath "when all this is done...seek out the Eel.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.677 While Baruk was visiting Sordiko Qualm, Pust interrupted to thank the puzzled High Alchemist for responding to his (nonexistent) summons. The Magus told Baruk he must set a watch on one of the city gates, stumbling through a list of them all before half-heartedly settling on Urs Gate. Baruk gave the High Priestess his sympathy.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.783-784
On the last night of the Gedderone Fête, when powerful forces converged on Darujhistan, Iskaral Pust left Sordiko's bedchamber, mounted his mule, and charged out of the Temple of Shadow followed by a squall of flying bhokorala and a river of spiders. Pust rode like a madman, kicking his feet in the air and rolling about, even as the mule carefully took its time. After the fall of Anomander Rake, he meant to claim Dragnipur for himself and make Shadowthrone grovel. Three vicious Hounds of Light who crossed his path chose to move on without confronting him.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 23, US SFBC p.915-916/937-940
Instead, it was Kruppe, mounted on a mule of his own in the middle of the cobbled street, who defended the sword and put himself in the way of Pust's ambition. Pust first tried to command his bhokarala to attack and, when they ignored him, Kruppe and Iskaral Pust engaged in a mounted mule charge against one another. Kruppe inadvertently punched Pust in the nose and Kruppe, Pust, Mogora (as spiders), and the Bhokarala all ended up toppling into a writhing heap upon the cobbles--a mass from which Kruppe somehow disappeared. By the time Pust resurfaced from the brawl covered in spider bites, his moment to seize the sword was gone.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 23, UK HB p.860-862Toll the Hounds, Chapter 24, UK HB p.888/889 
Later, Shadowthrone raged with Cotillion over his Magus' failure to secure Dragnipur. Cotillion chided him for vowing not to steal the sword and then acting as if he had no role in Pust's behaviour. When asked where Pust was now, Shadowthrone said he was poring through the Book of Shadows trying to find a provision allowing for two wives. As Pust had written the book, which was also the source of his claim to be Magus, neither god believed it would take him long to make the revision.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 24, US SFBC p.996 Pust was last seen happily crowing over a newly inked section of the book while Mogora began scheming of alliances with Sordiko Qualm.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 24, US SFBC p.1000
==History==
As a child, Iskaral Pust had lived with his tribe in Dal Hon. He had taken an interest in fishing with a rod, but the women and elders of the tribe preferred the traditional use of weirs, collecting pools, and nets. To Pust this was not fishing, but harvesting. He retained an interest in angling for the rest of his life.The Bonehunters, Chapter 11, US SFBC p.455-456 The young Pust once ran away from home for a day and a half, accompanying a caravan to Li Heng until his great-grandmother found him and dragged him back kicking and screaming.The Bonehunters, Chapter 11, US SFBC p.456
==Quotes==
==Trivia==
*An image of Iskaral Pust painted by author Steven Erikson can be found here.
*Erikson says that with the rhythm of Pust's audible internal dialogue, "I am messing around with sort of the notion of that having a hypnotic effect, or a particular suggestive effect anyways, on the audience whether they're aware of it or not. So just by setting up that kind of rhythm, [Pust]'s messing with people's heads. One could assume that he's aware of what he's doing."Deadhouse Gates: A Chat with Steven Erikson, Part 4 - Claudia Iovanovici - See 13:20
*According to Erikson, Pusts serves as a kind of stand-in for Shadowthrone and his mindset since the god only pops in and out of the story without spending much time on the page. "Iskaral Pust...is a stand-in for Shadowthrone. Just to remind you this is a High Priest of Shadow so this is one very close to the god, Shadowthrone...Because everything we see of Iskaral Pust and all his scheming, on the surface seems to be entirely of his own making, but you eventually realise no this is because Shadowthrone has instructed him to do things."Deadhouse Gates: A Chat with Steven Erikson, Part 5 - Claudia Iovanovici - See 1:23:00
==Author comments==
* Erikson says, "There's always an element to Iskaral Pust where you're not meant to be certain of anything that he says...that's his nature. And so as a writer, it gives me the opportunity to throw things in there that he couldn't possibly know, but he just apparently does. So there is a meta aspect to Iskaral Pust, in the same fashion that there is with Kruppe, for example...It's intended to throw a wrench into everyone's sort of conceptions, or perceptions, of all aspects of...the Malazan universe. And so in that sense, I'm just having a bit of fun with it when I do it, and it's as if I've given myself permission to mess around with the meta-textual aspects of the series."Deadhouse Gates: A Chat with Steven Erikson, Part 3 - Claudia Iovanovici - See 7:20
==Fan art gallery==
Iskaral Pust by Corporal Nobbs.jpg|Iskaral Pust by Corporal Nobbs 
Day 9 - Bhok'arala by Shadaan.PNG|Bhok'arala with Iskaral Pust by Shadaan
Day 26 - Broom by Shadaan.PNG|Iskaral's Broom by Shadaan
Day 26 - Iskaral's Broom by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Iskaral's Broom by Corporal Nobbs
==Notes and references==
Category:Dal Honese
Category:Denul mages
Category:High House Shadow
Category:Mages
Category:Males
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