Tiste Andii

The Tiste Andii are a race found in the Malazan Book of the Fallen. They are not one of the four founding races but invaders from another world.

Anatomy

The Tiste Andii are taller than humans are, though of similar proportions. Their skin is ebony-black, with slanted, epicanthic, almond-shaped eyes that change color with their moods. Their hair is silver, white, black, or rarely red, and generally kept long. The Tiste Andii are extremely long-lived (Anomander Rake is at least 300,000 years old), and aging is slow. Barring accidents or death through violence, they may live forever. Some Eleint Andii (Dragon mix-blood) keep a younger appearance normally between twenties and forties. The Tiste Andii are close kin to the Tiste Edur and Tiste Liosan, though they do not share genetic descent or respect.

Culture

The Tiste Andii are invaders from the Warren of Darkness, and are therefore not native to the Malazan world. Long-lived and slow breeding, the Tiste Andii as a race tend towards melancholy and apathy. The majority of the Tiste Andii lived in Moon’s Spawn for many millennia, an ancient K’Chain Che’Malle Skykeep that they have taken over after finding it abandoned in the Arctic of Genabackis. For years the Andii traveled the world as decided by Anomander Rake, their half-Andii, half draconic Soletaken ruler. In much of this time, they acted as mercenaries for causes decided upon by Rake. A detachment, led by Rake’s brother Andarist, dedicated themselves to protect the Throne of Shadow on the island of Drift Avalii.

The Tiste Andii from the original invading population formed an alliance with the Tiste Edur against the K’Chain Che’Malle. These Tiste Andii lead by Silchas Ruin were betrayed by their Edur ally, Scabandari Bloodeye. Those not murdered live in Bluerose, a tiny mountain city inland of the Letherii empire living in hiding for thousands of years and ruling the human population from the caverns under the city itself.

Interactions with the Malazan Empire

The Andii’s primary interactions with the Malazan Empire occurred in their role of paid mercenaries opposing the Malazan armies at Pale and Darujhistan, and in cooperation with the exiled Second army against the Pannion Domin. After the fall of Coral with the city in sorcerous darkness, the surviving Andii settling in the area exist in a state of political flux – the Malazan empire claimed the area around Black Coral that belonged to the Pannion Domin before its fall, while the Andii claim sanctuary and ownership of the permanently shadowed city. The shadowing of the city was caused by a full unveiling of their power.

Appearances in the Novels

The Tiste Andii make major appearances in the novels, most notably in Gardens of the Moon, Memories of Ice, and Toll the Hounds, though a minor character appears in The Bonehunters. Reaper’s Gale features an Andii from Bluerose, an assassin and Mortal Sword of the Black Winged Lord, named Clip, as well as two survivors of Drift Avalii named Nimander Golit and Phaed. Also, a regiment of Andii appear briefly in “House of Chains” when Cutter and Apsalar aid Andarist’s followers fend off an Edur raid to obtain the Throne of Shadow.

The Tiste Andii play a major role in Toll the Hounds, specifically in regards to their warren, Kurald Galain, and their relationship to Mother Dark. The Tiste Andii appearances in this novel consist of two factions: the denizens of Black Coral, and the survivors of Drift Avalii led by Clip and Nimander Golit. Additionally, the two Soletaken Tiste Andii Korlat and Orfantal appear in this novel.

Anomander Rake

Rake is a half-draconic soletaken, first son of Mother Dark and leader of the Tiste Andii. He is also known as Anomandaris Irake, Anomander Purake, Anomandaris Dragnipurake, Son of Darkness, Blacksword (by the Seguleh), Mane of Chaos and the Black-Winged Lord. In the Deck of Dragons he holds the title of Knight of High House Dark.

Description

Rake is a Tiste Andii, nearly seven feet tall, with ebony-black skin, silver hair, sharp features and eyes with epicanthal folds and vertically-slitted pupils whose iris’ change colour depending on his mood. Rake can also change form to an enormous, silver-maned black dragon. Rake is also currently the wielder of Dragnipur, a silver-hilted bastard sword forged by the Elder God Draconus.

Abilities

Anomander Rake is the premiere