Gorlas Vidikas

Gorlas Vidikas [GORE-liss]Ten Very Big Books podcast - Toll the Hounds - Conversation with Steven Erikson - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 13:35 was the first son of the Darujhistan noble House Tholius.Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 22, UK MMPB p.641 As a young man he was among the rivals for the affections of Challice D'Arle. He was an accomplished duellist, but displayed a perceptible cruel streak.
Gorlas' duelling technique did not allow for retreat, even to earn an advantage. Instead, he pushed and he pushed, surrendering nothing, with lightning fast attacks.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.710-711
==In Gardens of the Moon==
At Lady Simtal's Gedderone Fête, Challice spent the night looking for Gorlas. When Crokus Younghand sought her out, she momentarily mistook him for Gorlas.Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 21, US HC p.437-438 Challice rebuffed Crokus' affections in favour of Gorlas, who later rescued her from the destruction caused by Raest's attack on the city.Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 24, US HC p.484
==In Memories of Ice==
At the meeting between Caladan Brood, Dujek Onearm, and representatives of the Darujhistan Noble Council, Kruppe enquired Estraysian D'Arle about the status of his daughter Challice's marriage to the hero of the fete. Estraysian responded that the wedding had not yet taken place.Memories of Ice, Chapter 5
== In Toll the Hounds ==
Gorlas was now the husband of Challice and the newest member of the Noble Council in Darujhistan.Toll the Hounds, Dramatis Personae He had made his name in society by slaying Santbala--a once-famed duelist who had been too proud to admit he was nearly blind.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.355/360 And he was rich, although not yet as disgustingly wealthy as he foresaw in his future. Coin was the only god he needed.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.360 But the congratulations of his noble peers filled him only with contempt. He revelled being among them their number, but held no like for any of them as he saw himself above them all.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 1, US SFBC p.32 His marriage was loveless, and both he and Challice retired to their own rooms at night.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.251 Challice dreaded their future together and ruminated over lost opportunities.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 1, US SFBC p.43 His wife's supposed barrenness estranged her from his parents.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.252
Gorlas took to holding court at his estate with fellow young councilmembers, Hanut Orr and Shardan Lim. The three plotted ways to increase their power on the Council and Gorlas did nothing to stop the other two from leering at his wife.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 1, US SFBC p.41-43 But Orr and Lim were merely a means to an end and not true friends.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.248-250 And if he gave them enough opportunities, either might supply the heir to his wife that would get his parents off his back.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.361 Eventually, it became an open secret between the coupleToll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.673/683-684 when Challice took Shardan Lim to bed.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.380-385 
He conspired to place Humble Measure on the Noble Council in return for a stake in the Eldra Iron Mongers mine west of the city. Gorlas became the mining operation's principal investor and overall manager, making frequent trips to oversee its operation.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.279Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.369Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.700 The arrangement brought him considerable wealth.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.674 He also acquired properties in the Estate District through predatory loans.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.370Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.674/697
Challice began an affair with Cutter upon his return to Darujhistan. While Gorlas seemed to relish his wife's descent into depravity, he could not abide her affairs with men who were unknown to him. He promised they would have a long discussion after his latest trip to the mine.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 15, US SFBC p.615-620Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.683-684
While Gorlas was conferring with the mine's foreman they were approached by Murillio who was seeking Stonny Menackis' son, Harllo. The little boy had been sold to the mine as a worker and Murillio offered to buy his freedom. Recognising Murillio as among the list of conspirators Hanut Orr suspected as being collectively responsible for the deaths of Turban Orr, Councilman Lim, and Lady Simtal, Gorlas maneuvered him into a duel to draw first blood as a matter of honour. Murillio's feet were severely blistered from the journey to the mine giving the younger and faster man a distinct advantage. When Gorlas drew first blood, he refused to abide by the terms of the match and slew Murillio.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.697-703/710-713 After kicking the corpse, he ordered the body sent to the Phoenix Inn to taunt Murillio's friends and commanded that Harllo be brought to him.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.710/713-714 But Bainisk feared for Harllo's life and slipped away with him.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 19, US SFBC p.771-773
After Cutter heard the manner of Murillio's death, he stole a horse from Coll's estate and raced to the mine.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 19, US SFBC p.798 When Gorlas heard another man had come for Harllo, he hoped it was Coll so he could kill him and open a position on the Council for Humble Measure. He was surprised to see Cutter and decided he had come to challenge him for Challice, but Cutter told him he had come for Murillio and Harllo. Gorlas told Cutter Harllo was dead, then challenged him to a duel. Cutter did not rise to the bait, so Gorlas called him a coward and proclaimed the coming fight would not be bound by convention as the mine's foreman and workers stood by. Cutter responded by throwing two knives into Gorlas' chest. In the blink of an eye, Gorlas was dead and Cutter confirmed the foreman had witnessed the terms Gorlas had offered. Then as Cutter rode off, the foreman spit in Gorlas' face.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 21, US SFBC p.827-832
Thinking Cutter had killed her husband in her name, and fearing he would be hanged and her family shamed, Challice leapt to her death from the tower of their estate.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 21, US SFBC p.843-846Toll the Hounds, Chapter 23, US SFBC p.923-925
==Trivia==
Although referred to as House Vidikas in Toll the Hounds, Gorlas was twice referred to as a son of the powerful House Tholius in Gardens of the Moon.Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 22
==Notes and references==
Category:Daru
Category:Males
Category:Noble Council
Category:Nobles
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