Toll the Hounds

How it opens

On the first night of the Gedderone Fete in Darujhistan, the Assassins' Guild comes after the ex-soldiers who keep K'rul's Bar, and Picker, Antsy and Bluepearl kill the killers sent for them. The same night a drunken young man named Prelick runs Murillio through with a sword, and Murillio ends up bleeding on the bar of the Phoenix Inn in front of Kruppe. Baruk's demon Chillbais sees a shadow slip out of the Azath House and flies to his master crying 'Out!', and High Alchemist Baruk then tells Crone, the Great Raven, that it has begun. In Black Coral, under the dragon Silanah's watch, a few humans talk of a plot against the Son of Darkness, while young Tiste Andii led by one named Clip walk out of Kurald Galain into a strange forest, on their way to Anomander Rake.

Who you meet early

• KruppeKruppe holds court at the Phoenix Inn, beating Scorch and Leff at a game of knuckles and then offering to help them hunt the names on their list for thirty-three percent. When Murillio is carried in bleeding, he sends Meese to Coll.
• MurillioMurillio is a guest of the widow Sepharla on the fete's first night and ends up in the arms of her daughter Delish. Prelick, one of her suitors, runs him through, and Murillio is soon bleeding on the bar of the Phoenix Inn.
• AntsyAntsy, a Falari who insists he is no sergeant any more, is one of the partners at K'rul's Bar in Darujhistan. He and Bluepearl kill two Guild assassins who ambush them on the way back with wine.
• BarukHigh Alchemist Baruk reads a history sent to him as a gift by Anomander Rake. Rake's Great Raven, Crone, asks on her master's behalf whether Baruk wants help, covert or official.
• Anomander RakeAnomander Rake, the Son of Darkness, rules Black Coral, and the dragon Silanah keeps watch from Dragon Tower. A former Seerdomin says he has seen Rake standing alone on the wall of the new keep, staring out to sea.
• Spinnock DuravSpinnock Durav, the lone Tiste Andii at the Scour Tavern in Black Coral, plays Kef Tanar there with his friend Seerdomin. He tells Seerdomin he has not spoken with his lord in centuries, yet Rake sent him to the continent of Assail, and now that he is back he reports to Rake in person.
• Endest SilannEndest Silann, once a sorcerer in Moon's Spawn, is now castellan of the New Andiian Palace in Black Coral. The crushing pressure of the sea that took Moon's Spawn still assails him, and he brings Rake news of a new supplier of cadaver eels.
• Nimander GolitNimander Golit was thrust into leading the young Tiste Andii survivors of Drift Avalii, his cousin Skintick among them. They now follow one named Clip, who claims bold titles such as Mortal Sword, through Kurald Galain to stand before Anomander Rake.