Who is Keeper?

Keeper is the recluse who lives on the coast of Seven Cities, fifteen days walk from Ehrlitan. He is constructing a tower from the bones of extinct creatures found in the vicinity, bones that are strongly reminiscent of dinosaurs. Karsa Orlong and Torvald Nom pay him a visit in the first book of HoC.

Torvald identifies him as a Napan, and a Malazan. He demonstrated great strength by knocking out Karsa and breaking his ribs (no mean feat). His identity can be pieced together from the following quotes:

"The Napan waved a hand. 'Listen, lad. When a man arranges his own death, he needs to plan ahead. A life of anonymity doesn't come as cheap as you'd imagine. I emptied half of Aren's treasury a day before my tragic drowning."

(HoC, UK mmpb, p.234)

We are told elsewhere that the Napan Urko Crust, governer of Aren, disappeared with half his treasury (ref needed), so logically the two are one and the same. We're also told that Urko Crust was renowned for his strength, reputedly knocking down a wall with his fists (ref needed).

Both Crust brothers are supposed to have "drowned," one after the other, while serving as High Fist at Aren (ref needed).  They are original members of Kellanved's Family, two of the many who "disappeared" when Laseen usurped the throne.

And to add the final confirmation:

"Assuming of course that the Captain of the Ragstopper and the Keeper are Cartheron and Urko Crust

SE: Aw you guessed."

(SE, Q and A with wotmania (2003))

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