Dassem Ultor

Summary

Dassem Ultor is the greatest swordsman in the Malazan world and the former First Sword of the Malazan Empire — the highest military rank, denoting the finest warrior in the Empire's service. His skill with a blade is so transcendent that it approaches the supernatural; he is widely considered the deadliest mortal combatant who has ever lived. Under his command and Emperor Kellanved's strategic vision, the Malazan Empire conquered much of the known world.

Dassem's personal tragedy centres on his relationship with Hood, the God of Death. Dassem served as Hood's mortal champion — the Knight of Death — in exchange for the promise that Hood would protect his daughter. When his daughter died despite this compact, Dassem's rage against the God of Death became the driving force of his existence. He renounced Hood, disappeared from the Empire (which believed him dead), and set out on a solitary quest to find and destroy the God of Death himself.

Travelling under the name "Traveller," Dassem wanders the world in Toll the Hounds, his path converging on Darujhistan where Anomander Rake has orchestrated events that require the finest swordsman in the world. The duel between Dassem and Rake — in which Rake deliberately allows himself to be slain — is the climax of the book and one of the defining moments of the series. Dassem is the unwitting instrument of Rake's sacrifice, a role that adds another layer of tragedy to an already tragic figure.

Arc by Book

Book 8: Toll the Hounds

Dassem appears as "Traveller," a lone swordsman making his way toward Darujhistan with the single-minded goal of confronting Hood. He is accompanied for portions of his journey by companions who recognize his extraordinary nature. His encounters along the way demonstrate his unmatched martial skill and the depth of his grief and rage. At Darujhistan, he confronts Anomander Rake in the duel that Rake has engineered — the Son of Darkness needs the finest swordsman alive to deliver the killing blow that will send Rake's soul into Dragnipur. Dassem kills Rake, not realizing that this is exactly what Rake intended. The aftermath forces Dassem to confront the consequences of his obsession.

Book 10: The Crippled God

Dassem appears during the final convergence, his role as a warrior of unmatched skill bringing him into the climactic events. His confrontation with Hood and the resolution of his vendetta against the God of Death form part of the series' conclusion. The resolution of his personal tragedy is tied to the broader themes of forgiveness and release.

Key Relationships

• Anomander Rake — the Son of Darkness whom Dassem kills in the orchestrated duel; Rake chose Dassem as the instrument of his sacrifice
• Hood — the God of Death whom Dassem seeks to destroy; their relationship drives his entire arc
• Shadowthrone / Kellanved — the Emperor he served as First Sword
• Cotillion / Dancer — his former comrade in the Empire
• Whiskeyjack — served under Dassem; the two represent the finest of the old Empire
• Kallor — another ancient warrior; their skill levels are comparable
• Karsa Orlong — one of the few warriors whose power approaches Dassem's

Notable Quotes

"I am the First Sword. That is not a title I chose. It is a truth I cannot escape." — TtH

"Hood promised me. He broke that promise. There is nothing else to say." — TtH

"I will walk until I find him. And then I will kill the God of Death." — TtH

Appearances

See Also

• Malazan Empire
• Hood
• Dragnipur
• Darujhistan