[Svaran]

Aside from High Mage Tayschrenn, Vorcan and and some of the Malazann Mage cadre, there seems to be no real acknowledgement of Cowl, who strikes me as a very powerful mage who literally toyed with Serrat who is acknowledged in "The Gardens of the Moon" as the deadliest of the Tiste Mages after Anonmander Rake himself. He embarrassed her 3 times, the second and third times were clearly an illustration of his capabilities which must rank up there with Dancer/ Tayschrenn.

Cowl would have to rate as one of the most powerful human mages in the Malazan books mind you considering that "Fingers" referred to him as snake skin is he indeed human?

And if you look at what the "Crimson Guard" have beaten able to do; that is inflict heavy defeats on forces led by Dujek himself and make Anamonader Rake back off from killing Crokus you have to wonder why the Malazan'z haven't moved heaven and hell to recruit these guys as they are clearly in the Bridegburners league in fact I'd say they seem to be better as there are more of them.