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Gorlas Vidikas [GORE-liss][1] was the first son of the Darujhistan noble House Tholius.[2] As a young man he was among the rivals for the affections of Challice D'Arle. He was an accomplished duellist, but displayed a perceptible cruel streak.

Gorlas' duelling technique did not allow for retreat, even to earn an advantage. Instead, he pushed and he pushed, surrendering nothing, with lightning fast attacks.[3]

In Gardens of the Moon[]

At Lady Simtal's Gedderone Fête, Challice spent the night looking for Gorlas. When Crokus Younghand sought her out, she momentarily mistook him for Gorlas.[4] Challice rebuffed Crokus' affections in favour of Gorlas, who later rescued her from the destruction caused by Raest's attack on the city.[5]

In Memories of Ice[]

At the meeting between Caladan Brood, Dujek Onearm, and representatives of the Darujhistan Noble Council, Kruppe enquired Estraysian D'Arle about the status of his daughter Challice's marriage to the hero of the fete. Estraysian responded that the wedding had not yet taken place.[6]

In Toll the Hounds[]

Gorlas was now the husband of Challice and the newest member of the Noble Council in Darujhistan.[7][8] He had made his name in society by slaying Santbala--a once-famed duelist who had been too proud to admit he was nearly blind.[9] And he was rich, although not yet as disgustingly wealthy as he foresaw in his future. Coin was the only god he needed.[10] But the congratulations of his noble peers filled him only with contempt. He revelled being among them their number, but held no like for any of them as he saw himself above them all.[7] His marriage was loveless, and both he and Challice retired to their own rooms at night.[11] Challice dreaded their future together and ruminated over lost opportunities.[12] His wife's supposed barrenness estranged her from his parents.[13]

Gorlas took to holding court at his estate with fellow young councilmembers, Hanut Orr and Shardan Lim. The three plotted ways to increase their power on the Council and Gorlas did nothing to stop the other two from leering at his wife.[14] But Orr and Lim were merely a means to an end and not true friends.[15] And if he gave them enough opportunities, either might supply the heir to his wife that would get his parents off his back.[16] Eventually, it became an open secret between the couple[17] when Challice took Shardan Lim to bed.[18]

He conspired to place Humble Measure on the Noble Council in return for a stake in the Eldra Iron Mongers mine west of the city. Gorlas became the mining operation's principal investor and overall manager, making frequent trips to oversee its operation.[19][20][21] The arrangement brought him considerable wealth.[22] He also acquired properties in the Estate District through predatory loans.[23][24]

Challice began an affair with Cutter upon his return to Darujhistan. While Gorlas seemed to relish his wife's descent into depravity, he could not abide her affairs with men who were unknown to him. He promised they would have a long discussion after his latest trip to the mine.[25][26]

While Gorlas was conferring with the mine's foreman they were approached by Murillio who was seeking Stonny Menackis' son, Harllo. The little boy had been sold to the mine as a worker and Murillio offered to buy his freedom. Recognising Murillio as among the list of conspirators Hanut Orr suspected as being collectively responsible for the deaths of Turban Orr, Councilman Lim, and Lady Simtal, Gorlas maneuvered him into a duel to draw first blood as a matter of honour. Murillio's feet were severely blistered from the journey to the mine giving the younger and faster man a distinct advantage. When Gorlas drew first blood, he refused to abide by the terms of the match and slew Murillio.[27] After kicking the corpse, he ordered the body sent to the Phoenix Inn to taunt Murillio's friends and commanded that Harllo be brought to him.[28] But Bainisk feared for Harllo's life and slipped away with him.[29]

After Cutter heard the manner of Murillio's death, he stole a horse from Coll's estate and raced to the mine.[30] When Gorlas heard another man had come for Harllo, he hoped it was Coll so he could kill him and open a position on the Council for Humble Measure. He was surprised to see Cutter and decided he had come to challenge him for Challice, but Cutter told him he had come for Murillio and Harllo. Gorlas told Cutter Harllo was dead, then challenged him to a duel. Cutter did not rise to the bait, so Gorlas called him a coward and proclaimed the coming fight would not be bound by convention as the mine's foreman and workers stood by. Cutter responded by throwing two knives into Gorlas' chest. In the blink of an eye, Gorlas was dead and Cutter confirmed the foreman had witnessed the terms Gorlas had offered. Then as Cutter rode off, the foreman spit in Gorlas' face.[31]

Thinking Cutter had killed her husband in her name, and fearing he would be hanged and her family shamed, Challice leapt to her death from the tower of their estate.[32][33]

Trivia[]

Although referred to as House Vidikas in Toll the Hounds, Gorlas was twice referred to as a son of the powerful House Tholius in Gardens of the Moon.[34]

Notes and references[]

  1. Ten Very Big Books podcast - Toll the Hounds - Conversation with Steven Erikson - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 13:35
  2. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 22, UK MMPB p.641
  3. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.710-711
  4. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 21, US HC p.437-438
  5. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 24, US HC p.484
  6. Memories of Ice, Chapter 5
  7. 7.0 7.1 Toll the Hounds, Chapter 1, US SFBC p.32
  8. Toll the Hounds, Dramatis Personae
  9. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.355/360
  10. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.360
  11. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.251
  12. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 1, US SFBC p.43
  13. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.252
  14. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 1, US SFBC p.41-43
  15. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.248-250
  16. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.361
  17. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.673/683-684
  18. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.380-385
  19. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.279
  20. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.369
  21. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.700
  22. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.674
  23. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.370
  24. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.674/697
  25. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 15, US SFBC p.615-620
  26. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.683-684
  27. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.697-703/710-713
  28. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.710/713-714
  29. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 19, US SFBC p.771-773
  30. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 19, US SFBC p.798
  31. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 21, US SFBC p.827-832
  32. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 21, US SFBC p.843-846
  33. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 23, US SFBC p.923-925
  34. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 22
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