Soletaken and D'ivers

Definition

Soletaken and D'ivers are shapeshifters — beings who can transform from their original form into one or more animal forms. The distinction between them is fundamental: a Soletaken shifts into a single alternate form (one body), while a D'ivers fragments into multiple bodies (a swarm, pack, or flock of creatures). Both transformations are magical in nature, tied to ancient rituals and the warren system, but the experience and psychology of each is profoundly different.

Soletaken transformation is, in some sense, a concentration of self — the individual becomes one powerful creature (a bear, a dragon, a wolf, etc.), retaining their singular identity. D'ivers transformation is a fragmentation — the individual's consciousness splits across many bodies simultaneously (a cloud of rats, a pack of jackals, a swarm of insects). This fragmentation carries severe psychological risks; D'ivers who spend too long in their animal form may lose cohesion, their consciousness scattering among their many bodies until the original identity is lost entirely.

Both conditions are ancient, predating recorded history. They are connected to the Elder Warren of Starvald Demelain (the realm of dragons) and to the magic of the Elder Warrens and Holds. The most ancient Soletaken are the Soletaken Eleint — beings who can take dragon form — and these are among the most powerful entities in the Malazan world.

Mechanics / Details

The Ritual of Transformation

The transformation into Soletaken or D'ivers is not a natural ability (with some exceptions among the Eleint). It is created through a blood ritual — a specific magical process that binds the individual to an animal aspect. This ritual is ancient, dating back to the time of the founding races, and the knowledge of how to perform it has been largely lost. Most Soletaken and D'ivers in the current age were transformed long ago.

The ritual involves:

• Blood of an existing shapeshifter or a magical source — Often the blood of a dragon or other powerful creature
• Binding to an aspect — The individual becomes tied to a specific animal form (or forms, in the case of D'ivers)
• A warren connection — The transformation draws on warren magic, often from the Elder Warrens

The ritual is irreversible and carries risks. Failure can result in madness, death, or becoming permanently trapped in animal form.

Soletaken: The Single Form

Soletaken transform into a single, powerful creature. Common Soletaken forms include:

• Bear — Several characters are bear-Soletaken, including Treach before his ascension
• Wolf/Hound — Predatory canine forms
• Dragon (Eleint) — The most powerful Soletaken form; Soletaken Eleint are among the mightiest beings in the world
• Various large predators — Lions, tigers, serpents, and others

In Soletaken form, the individual retains their intelligence and personality, though they are influenced by the instincts of their animal form. The transformation grants enhanced physical abilities — greater strength, speed, natural weapons, and often increased resilience to damage.

D'ivers: The Many

D'ivers split into multiple creatures, all controlled (or inhabited) by the same consciousness. Common D'ivers forms include:

• Rats — Perhaps the most common D'ivers form, as seen with Gryllen
• Jackals/Dogs — Pack hunters
• Insects — Swarms of beetles, wasps, or other insects; among the most feared forms
• Birds — Flocks that can scout vast areas
• Reptiles — Including the dreaded Bloodflies (D'ivers mosquitoes)

The psychological danger for D'ivers is severe. Maintaining a unified consciousness across dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of individual bodies requires immense mental discipline. D'ivers who lose this discipline descend into a fragmented madness where each body acts on pure animal instinct, the original personality dissolving.

The Path of Hands

The Path of Hands (also called the Path of the Beast) is a legendary quest undertaken by Soletaken and D'ivers to reach an Azath House — specifically Tremorlor in Seven Cities. The goal is to enter the Azath and claim power within it, potentially ascending to fill a position within the Hold of the Beast or the House of the Beast in the Deck of Dragons.

The Path of Hands is a convergence trigger of extraordinary magnitude — as Soletaken and D'ivers from across the world converge on a single location, driven by an instinctive pull they can barely understand or resist. The journey is violent, as the shapeshifters clash with each other along the way, competing for the right to reach the Azath first. Most who walk the Path of Hands die or are imprisoned by the Azath they sought to claim.

This event is a central plot element in Deadhouse Gates, where the convergence of Soletaken and D'ivers on Tremorlor creates chaos across Seven Cities.

Connection to the Eleint

The most powerful Soletaken are those who can take the form of Eleint — dragons. Soletaken Eleint include some of the most ancient and powerful beings in the world, such as Silchas Ruin, Anomander Rake (who could take dragon form), and others. The distinction between a "true" Eleint (born as a dragon in Starvald Demelain) and a Soletaken Eleint (transformed through ritual) is significant — true Eleint are generally more powerful, and there is tension between the two groups.

The Soletaken Eleint carry the "blood" of Starvald Demelain within them, and this blood carries its own imperatives — a draconic influence that can overpower the individual's original personality over time. This is sometimes referred to as the "draconic madness" or the "call of Starvald Demelain."

Key Practitioners / Examples

Notable Soletaken

• Anomander Rake — Soletaken Eleint (dragon form), Tiste Andii
• Silchas Ruin — Soletaken Eleint, brother of Anomander
• Treach — Soletaken (tiger form) who ascended to become the God of War
• Grumble — Bear Soletaken
• Mogora — Spider Soletaken
• Heboric — Gained Soletaken-like abilities through contact with the jade statues

Notable D'ivers

• Gryllen — D'ivers (rats), one of those drawn to the Path of Hands
• Ryllandaras — D'ivers (jackals), known as the White Jackal, a terrifyingly powerful D'ivers
• Messremb — D'ivers (bears), encountered during the Path of Hands convergence
• Bloodflies — D'ivers mosquitoes/flies that are among the most dreaded forms

Evolution Across the Series

Book 1: Gardens of the Moon

Soletaken and D'ivers are introduced, with Anomander Rake's dragon form being one of the most dramatic early reveals. The concept of shapeshifting tied to ancient magic is established.

Book 2: Deadhouse Gates

The Path of Hands becomes a major plot element. Soletaken and D'ivers converge on Seven Cities, drawn toward Tremorlor. The danger and horror of shapeshifters — particularly D'ivers — is explored in vivid detail. Fiddler's group encounters numerous shapeshifters on their journey. The psychological costs of the D'ivers condition are shown through various examples.

Book 3: Memories of Ice

Treach, a Soletaken, ascends to become the God of War (taking Fener's position). The relationship between Soletaken power and ascendancy is demonstrated. The ancient origins of the transformation ritual are touched upon.

Book 4: House of Chains

The aftermath of the Path of Hands convergence continues. More details about the ritual origins of shapeshifting emerge.

Book 7: Reaper's Gale

Ryllandaras appears, demonstrating the terrifying power of an ancient D'ivers. The connection between shapeshifters and the older power systems is reinforced.

Book 10: The Crippled God

Soletaken Eleint play significant roles in the final convergence, with dragons being major participants in the climactic events.

Related Concepts

• Elder Warrens and Holds — The transformation ritual draws on Elder Warren magic
• Eleint — Dragons, the most powerful form a Soletaken can take
• Azath Houses — The destination of the Path of Hands
• Ascendancy — Soletaken like Treach have ascended to godhood
• Convergence — The Path of Hands is a massive convergence of shapeshifters
• Warrens — Shapeshifting draws on warren magic

Sources

• Gardens of the Moon (GotM) — Introduction of Soletaken (Anomander Rake's dragon form)
• Deadhouse Gates (DG) — The Path of Hands, extensive exploration of Soletaken and D'ivers
• Memories of Ice (MoI) — Treach's ascension
• Reaper's Gale (RG) — Ryllandaras and ancient D'ivers
• The Crippled God (TCG) — Soletaken Eleint in the final convergence