[Kimloc]

p877 MOI "Three black iron broadswords of an unfamilar style impaled this undead warrior's broad chest. Wispy remnants of old sorcery flowed along the pitted blades."

Tog: "Our losses, 50K plus in eight months of battle. We've lost this war."
Envy: "It seems you've finally found a Jaghut tyrant who is more than your match."
Tog: "Not Jaghut. Human."

Welp, I claim they're led by the Daru tyrant referred to by the Seguleh 2nd.

Think about these facts:

1) Tog claims they're unable to extricate themselves--that means one of two things--
A)they've suffered so much individual damage they're severed from the Ritual and cannot turn to dust. OR
B)The Tyrant or his mages wield some aspect of sorcery that negates the power that the Imass derive from the Ritual.

So the warriors use invested blades and the Imass are prevented from fleeing as a group. Tog states "I myself did not expect to survive the attempt."

We've seen an Imass(warriors, not Bonecasters) defeated 4 times in physical combat in the series if my memory is accurate:

1) Onrack vs the Deragoth
2) Tool vs Raest's finnest
3) Tool vs Mok
4) some Imass (I forget the name) vs Icarium

So what kind of freakin people could destroy 50K plus Imass in eight months--that's over 200 a day. The battle sounds eerily like the Andii/Edur fight vs the KCCM, of course, we aren't told of the losses incurred by the humans.

My theory is, after the Tyrant was forced to leave Darujhistan he fled to Assail. I also believe that the Seguleh had grown tired of serving him and simply withdrew to their island. Without that power base, he was forced out. Perhaps, on Assail, he analyzed his defeat, and set out to gather new forces to return.

I'm sure the CG will launch a campaign to control these forces if he doesn't already. I saw a post or read that the CG wanted the Imass but failed to control them. Maybe this is a "if you can't hire em, destroy them" tactic to deny the pantheon use of the Imass. I don't see Silverfox and her Imass making much difference--hopefully it won't mean her death.

[D'rek]

Man, if I have to post this quote again this month I'm just going to put it in my sig...

GotM, on Chapter 11, page 369 in the funny-looking version, said:

"...the reign of Ektalm, second to last of the Tyrant Kings."
"Who?"
"Usurper of Letastte and succeeded by his daughter, Sandenay, who brought on the Rising Time and with it the end of the age of tyrants."

There was no 'Tyrant of Darujhistan'. Rather, the old Daru government was one of all-controlling kinds, labeled as the 'Tyrant Kings'. There was no single one who lived for a million years, but instead they were mortal and followed each other through succession or usurpation. If the last Tyrant were forced out of Darujhistan like you say, then his daughter would not have succeeded him so this is not the case.

And besides, a lone Jaghut living in the Jhag Odhan, in a time when Omtose Phellack has been dying for millenia, managed to kill thousands of the Logros T'lan Imass before they defeated her. Whatever force(s) the 'tyrant(s)' on Assail wield (probably destructive magic), destroying tens of thousands of T'lan doesn't seem all that improbable. Imagine there's a High Mage of Ruse on Assail, as unlikely as QB says that is. That High Mage could stand on a mountain and flood the valleys with water when the T'lan Imass come near. Water + T'lan = oblivion.

[Optimus Prime]

Also, I believe ICE is going to handle this storyline. SE has already said he will not visit Assail in his books unless it is indirectly. It's a human force/tyrant that is destroying all the Imass, and it's most likely some crazy new magic or weapon that is doing it.....we'll just have to RAFO.

[Kimloc]

A said:

Man, if I have to post this quote again this month I'm just going to put it in my sig...



There was no 'Tyrant of Darujhistan'. Rather, the old Daru government was one of all-controlling kinds, labeled as the 'Tyrant Kings'. There was no single one who lived for a million years, but instead they were mortal and followed each other through succession or usurpation. If the last Tyrant were forced out of Darujhistan like you say, then his daughter would not have succeeded him so this is not the case.

And besides, a lone Jaghut living in the Jhag Odhan, in a time when Omtose Phellack has been dying for millenia, managed to kill thousands of the Logros T'lan Imass before they defeated her. Whatever force(s) the 'tyrant(s)' on Assail wield (probably destructive magic), destroying tens of thousands of T'lan doesn't seem all that improbable. Imagine there's a High Mage of Ruse on Assail, as unlikely as QB says that is. That High Mage could stand on a mountain and flood the valleys with water when the T'lan Imass come near. Water + T'lan = oblivion.

1) No one is forcing you to quote anything. Why do you take Mammot's quote as undeniable truth? There's nothing else in the books to back it up. I'm merely referring to the Seguleh 2nd saying the "the tyrant will return, looking for his army." and basing a theory around it.

2) Yes, a Jaghut I understand. I'm simply making the true statement that humans we've seen, mages or no, want nothing to do with the Imass. The Imass slaughter everything. One single Imass, Legana Breed slaughtered humans on the docks even while being assaulted by chaotic sorcery. So to me, humans doing anything to Imass is incredibly improbable.

[Mentalist]

hmmm..
Water + T'lan =/= oblivion -- dust can travel on water--that's how the messenger got to Genabackis in the first place.
And yeah, once again, that won't be in TtH, SE's not going to Assail, that (along with CriGs + Korelri) is entirely ICE's territory

[Kimloc]

Xander;285304 said:

Also, I believe ICE is going to handle this storyline. SE has already said he will not visit Assail in his books unless it is indirectly. It's a human force/tyrant that is destroying all the Imass, and it's most likely some crazy new magic or weapon that is doing it.....we'll just have to RAFO.

I guess nobody knows where the Assail novel will fall in ICE's sequence. As a side question, does anyone know the title of ICE's next, after ROTCG?

[Optimus Prime]

Kimloc;285316 said:

I guess nobody knows where the Assail novel will fall in ICE's sequence. As a side question, does anyone know the title of ICE's next, after ROTCG?

We don't have many details as of yet. Hetan may know, but I'm assuming we'll find out when ICE wants us to. Trust me, I've been curious about the forthcoming titles for a few years.

Damn SE, giving us these tasty little tid-bits and then running off in the opposite direction. He's a genius

[acarl]

In an interview he did with pat of pats fantasy hotlist he mentioned "Stonewielder" but also said that could change. I believe there was also mention of Assail being the continent of feature in the third book after Korel.

http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/2007/04...-esslemont.html

Thats the interview where Stonewielder is mentioned. I can't find the one where he gives a rough idea of what the other books will deal with but I think its on the hotlist site as well.

[Optimus Prime]

Nice work acarl. "Stonewielder" doesn't seem to fit the mold of the other titles in the series, but hey, who knows?

SE has mused several times on the possibility of many more "Malazan novels". I'm sure he and ICE have many surprises in store for us.

[Mentalist]

the collected list of intervieews may be found here:

http://encylopaediamalazica.pbwiki.com/Wor...rom+the+Authors

In the one from 2006, ICE sketches out the basic ideas for the upcoming books. ofc, this nay have changed greatly, but still...

Quote

17- Although you are not under contract to write them yet, what can you tell us of the remaining Malazan novels that you and Steven mapped out all those years ago? You did not really think that we would be letting you off the hook so easily, right!?! A brief synopsis -- without spilling the beans, of course! Tentative titles? Progress report, if any of them are being written as we speak. Know that your answers will inject new blood and keep the message boards occupied for months! In addition to this, here are a few specific questions from various Malazan fans. . .

As Steve has hinted, future novels past Return are planned to deal with the Korel campaigns, a return to Darujhistan, and, finally, the mysteries of the Assail continent. As this point things are so tentative I’m reluctant to go any further and risk painting myself into a corner.

[Blues]

IIRC theres a quote later on in the series where someone refers to the leaders of Assail as the Tyrants. He uses the plural which may rule out the lone Seguleh second/Darujistan tyrant as being the tyrant. Sounds like its just another powerful group of rulers, probably mages, probably similar to the Three.

The quote was something like, "Why do you continue to fight against the Tyrants? Its just a game to them."

That sticks out for some reason in my head. I think Onrack was present when it was said, but I cannot remember which book it was in.

[Deuce]

Kimloc;285298 said:

Think about these facts:

1) Tog claims they're unable to extricate themselves--that means one of two things--
A)they've suffered so much individual damage they're severed from the Ritual and cannot turn to dust. OR
B)The Tyrant or his mages wield some aspect of sorcery that negates the power that the Imass derive from the Ritual.

So the warriors use invested blades and the Imass are prevented from fleeing as a group. Tog states "I myself did not expect to survive the attempt."

I don't know about this because there is an exchange between Cotillion and the Imass guarding the throne in BH where they pretty much go over why the Imass will not turn away from that war. Doesn't seem it has anything to do with them not being able to flee. They simply will not. It is the manner of how they conduct themselves in conflict. Even though (as Cotillion pointed out) they are fighting a losing battle and basically bashing their head against a wall they will not turn away from the fight. They fight until they can no longer fight no more even apparently if it means their end.

[Urb]

Blues;286092 said:

The quote was something like, "Why do you continue to fight against the Tyrants? Its just a game to them."

the Bonehunters, on bantam paperback, page 847, said:

'To Hood with Assail!' Cotillion shouted, his voice echoing wildly in the cavern. 'This is nothing but pride! You cannot win there! You send clan after clan, all into the same destructive maw! You damn fools - disengage! There is nothing worth fighting for on that miserable nightmare of a continent! Don't you see? Among the Tyrants there, it is nothing but a game!'

There you go

[FilthyGnome]

I am soooo looking forward to the Assail mystery being unveiled =D

[Flawed]

I heard that the Tyrant / power / evil king type chap on Assail was Kallors Son.

Where did i hear that from? My head. Fred. Too much beer better go to bed.

Also. How many Imass are left? There cannot be more then 20 thousand? Unless there are others around we know nothing of. The ones on Assail are virtually gone. There is an army north of Lether who are lost in a dream. There is Silver Foxs lot who will go help the others on assail and that's it isn't it?

[Mentalist]

no
If recall corectly,
Kron T'lan imass are looing for the Unbound
Logros are with Silverfox
Bentract are either dead on Laerderon plateau, or on Lether
2 clans are on Assai;. one's been wiped out
1 or 2 more clans are MIA

[Kimloc]

The Cotillion version of events seems true to me. Imass don't seem big on retreating from conflict and they seem to suffer from that "don't make me hit you" method of thinking. That's how their refusal to flee(free choice) becomes we can'r extricate ourselves(someone else is to blame)

Damn, I like Silverfox. Will suck for everyone if she just tosses her life away before releasing them from the Ritual.

[Flawed]

Kimloc;286252 said:

Damn, I like Silverfox. Will suck for everyone if she just tosses her life away before releasing them from the Ritual.

Agreed. Although she may be too powerful having Nightchill in there, Bellerdun (sp), Tattersil and the essence of a Bonecaster too.

What i want to know is why the hell did they make her so powerful but give her such a weak Soletaken form.

A white fox? Now unless its 40 meters high with a spiked tail its going to be pretty disappointing.

[Mentalist]

may have had something to do with Pran Chole's Soletaken form... wasn't he an arctic fox too?

[Flawed]

yeah he was, but get Olar Ithil (sp) in there or something. Krul hasnt got any idea at all has he.

If i see him its closeline time!