The Cult Of Rashan had existed in the Seven Cities long before the Throne of Shadow had been occupied as, in the minds of humanity, there was nothing wrong with the worship of an empty throne. When the Malazan Empire invaded Seven Cities, the Cult of Rashan was spared from the purge as it was a recognised religion. According to Cotillion, the Shadow Dance was never meant for performance but was in fact the art of assassination. The cult had not responded well to the ascendency of Shadowthrone and Cotillion, and had torn itself apart.