Crone

Summary

Crone is a Great Raven — an ancient, intelligent, and thoroughly opinionated avian being — who serves as a companion, messenger, and spy for Anomander Rake, Lord of Moon's Spawn. She is the matriarch of Moon's Spawn's flock of Great Ravens, creatures far older and more cunning than ordinary birds, possessed of full sentience, speech, and a sardonic wit that makes Crone one of the series' most entertaining supporting characters.

The Great Ravens are ancient beings connected to the Tiste Andii through long service. Crone in particular has served Anomander Rake for millennia, serving as his eyes and voice across vast distances. Despite her relatively small physical form, Crone possesses a personality that rivals any ascendant — she is imperious, acerbic, and utterly fearless, willing to sass gods and warlords with equal impunity.

Arc by Book

Book 1: Gardens of the Moon

Crone serves as Anomander Rake's primary means of intelligence-gathering and communication during the conflict with the Malazan Empire on Genabackis. She flies between Moon's Spawn and the camps of Caladan Brood's forces, carrying messages and observations.

Crone is one of the first characters to provide the reader with a sense of the deeper history behind the conflict — through her ancient perspective, the current war between the Malazans and the free cities is revealed as merely the latest in an endless series of mortal conflicts she has witnessed over her long life.

Her interactions with Baruk and the T'orrud Cabal in Darujhistan showcase her diplomatic abilities — she serves as Rake's emissary, delivering warnings and proposals with characteristic bluntness.

Book 3: Memories of Ice

Crone's role expands during the campaign against the Pannion Domin. She and her Great Ravens serve as the aerial reconnaissance network for the allied forces of Brood and Dujek Onearm. The Great Ravens provide critical intelligence about enemy movements, troop dispositions, and the horrors of the Pannion territories.

Crone also serves as a go-between for Anomander Rake and Caladan Brood, navigating the tensions within the alliance. Her ancient perspective provides moments of clarity amidst the fog of war, and her sardonic commentary on mortal affairs provides welcome levity.

During the climactic battles, the Great Ravens play a direct combat role — they are formidable creatures capable of attacking enemy mages and disrupting sorcerous assaults. Crone leads her flock into danger repeatedly, proving that her courage matches her sharp tongue.

Key Relationships

• Anomander Rake — her lord and master, whom she serves with devotion tempered by irreverence
• Caladan Brood — the warlord she carries messages for
• Baruk — the alchemist of Darujhistan she deals with as emissary
• Kruppe — fellow ancient intellect; mutual respect and amusement

Notable Quotes

"I have lived for millennia, mortal. Do not presume to lecture me on patience." — GotM

Appearances

See Also

• Tiste Andii — the race Crone has served for millennia
• Witness — Crone as an ancient witness to history
• Memory and Forgetting — Crone's millennia of accumulated memory