Sordiko Qualm

Sordiko Qualm was the High Priestess of the Temple of Shadow in Darujhistan. She was a ridiculously tall woman with an exquisitely moulded face, amber eyes, and long, straight rust-red hair. She spoke with a deep, melodic voice and wore a hooded robe.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 5, US SFBC p.164-168
When greeting visitors to the temple, she bent within her robes to appear only chest-height, with her face obscured by her deeply shadowed hood and her voice altered to sound thin and whispery. 
==Temple of Shadow==
The Darujhistan Temple of Shadow was squat and octagonal with walls decorated in a chaotic assortment of niches and misshapen angles to create a plethora of shadows. Shadowed steps led to a shadowed landing where enormous twin doors were panelled in polished bronze that was moulded to resemble charging and snarling Hounds of Shadow. Wards were placed upon the temple to prevent the entrance of vermin. 
== In Toll the Hounds ==
Iskaral Pust arrived in Darujhistan aboard Spite's ship. Once ashore he made for the local Temple of Shadow, planning to use his position as High Priest to assert control and entertain himself with the company of a pretty priestess or two.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 3, US SFBC p.108 His impressive arrival at the temple's doors was somewhat spoiled by the mob of chattering and prancing Bhokarala that followed in his wake. Sordiko Qualm answered the door bent over in disguise and failed to recognise his name or the existence of the secret Seven Cities temple he belonged to. When Pust demanded an audience with the High Priestess, she revealed herself and invited him in minus his monkey-like companions. She offered him the temple's hospitality but dismissed his demands for nubile serving girls to cater to his every whim. Once the doors closed, she was surprised to find the bhokarala inside with them despite the wards meant to keep them out. Mogora was soon revealed as another unwanted guest.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.366
Iskaral Pust entrenched himself at the city's Temple of Shadow where he made a nuisance of himself with his obvious lust for the High Priestess. When Sordiko Qualm had business at the estate of Lady Envy, Pust tagged along despite her protests. She warned she would not intercede if their host chose to fatally punish his obnoxiousness. His annoying manner soon had Envy considering his murder until Sordiko Qualm informed the incredulous ascendant that Pust was the Magus of Shadow. Pust attempted to ingratiate himself with Envy by telling her about the presence of her sister Spite onboard the ship in the harbour.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 13, US SFBC p.534-540
When Baruk came visit Sordiko Qualm, he was offput by the seeming bhokarala infestation and her peculiar guests. The High Priestess admitted most of her acolytes had been driven away and she herself was experiencing a crisis of faith. 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.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 24, US SFBC p.914-916 Mogora was incredulous at Pust's seeming success with the High Priestess, asking if he had drugged her.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 24, US SFBC p.969 When his attempt to claim Dragnipur failed, Pust returned to the temple to pore 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, the revision was easily made. Mogora began scheming of alliances with Sordiko Qualm.Toll the Hounds, Chapter 24, US SFBC p.996/1000
== In Orb Sceptre Throne ==
The Malazans, Seguleh, and the mercenaries from Moon's Spawn were sent by Orchid and the priestesses of Night to the Temple of Shadow in Darujhistan on Morn's suggestion. There Sordiko informed the Malazans of the position of the Malazan Army outside the city, and Corien Lim about his cousin who had become the Legate.Orb Sceptre Throne, Chapter 19
==Notes and references==
Category:Females
Category:High House Shadow
Category:Priests and acolytes