Also, note the similarities between Shadows and Mahir. Aside from obviously being really scary shadow-like beings, they both are created by people who died so horribly they endured even after their deaths.
Another interesting tidbit, the whole Taglios area and situation is completely ripped off of Indian Mythology and "Medieval" India, everything from the gods to the religions; except for the sorcerers, espcecially the northern ones, and of cource everything has that good 'ole Glen Cook twist.
- Dairycatcher.