[The Drum]

Aptorian, on Jan 9 2009, 09:00 AM, said:

Ain't_It_Just_, on Jan 9 2009, 09:31 AM, said:

Especially when Heuk or someone lied and said Moranth can't get out of their armour.

Lied? Have you ever heard of a moranth taking their armor of or just removing the helmet?

The armor is grafted unto the skin.

I haven't got my book with me but i'm also sure Huek thinks to himself that he's glad that Nait didn't know hoe to remove moranth armour. Huek had healed Tourmaline after the battle.

[Abyss]

Aptorian, on Jan 9 2009, 04:00 AM, said:

Ain't_It_Just_, on Jan 9 2009, 09:31 AM, said:

Especially when Heuk or someone lied and said Moranth can't get out of their armour.

Lied? Have you ever heard of a moranth taking their armor of or just removing the helmet?

The armor is grafted unto the skin.

Heuk states very clearly that Tourmaline lied to Jumpy about this to avoid having to sheboing him. The armour comes off. They just choose not to take it off around non-Moranth thus far.

Altho, of course, Tourmaline could have lied to Heuk too.

But nowhere anywhere does it say it's grafted.


- Abyss, sees logistical problems there.

This post has been edited by Abyss: 09 January 2009 - 04:04 PM

[Aptorian]

You win this one, cat... but I'll be back!

[Abyss]

And i'll be waiting.
Because justice never sleeps, and neither do i.
Except when i'm sleeping.


Oh whatever, I WIN!

- Abyss, wins.

[Ain't_It_Just_]

Once again, Abyss babbles and raves, leaving none the wiser. "frowns"

-AIJ, confused

EDIT: Lul, Apt, I beat you on that one.

[Traveller]

Abyss, on Jan 9 2009, 04:04 PM, said:

Aptorian, on Jan 9 2009, 04:00 AM, said:

Ain't_It_Just_, on Jan 9 2009, 09:31 AM, said:

Especially when Heuk or someone lied and said Moranth can't get out of their armour.

Lied? Have you ever heard of a moranth taking their armor of or just removing the helmet?

The armor is grafted unto the skin.

Heuk states very clearly that Tourmaline lied to Jumpy about this to avoid having to sheboing him. The armour comes off. They just choose not to take it off around non-Moranth thus far.

Altho, of course, Tourmaline could have lied to Heuk too.

But nowhere anywhere does it say it's grafted.


- Abyss, sees logistical problems there.

I'm sure there's a line describing the armour on a particular Moranth as looking 'stitched on', when someone (possibly scavenging) tries to get it off.

The scene at the end with Heuk does suggest that at least some of it is removable though...

[Hinter]

Some of it must be removable, how else would they make baby moranth?

[Abyss]

Hinter, on Jan 13 2009, 06:16 AM, said:

Some of it must be removable, how else would they make baby moranth?

It involves a spatula and a turkey baster and a LOT of grease.


- Abyss, ...ew.

[Benji]

My guess is that they mate by osmosis.

Yeah. Look it up. You know it makes sense.

[Lundos]

Hinter, on Jan 13 2009, 11:16 AM, said:

Some of it must be removable, how else would they make baby moranth?

They could have a fighter caste that don't reproduce.

How do they pee? I agree. Some part of the armor must come off.

[Ain't_It_Just_]

Well, they are "terrifying and inhuman in appearance"... so maybe they shoot out a tendril with a penis on the end. You could get into some very fun situations with THAT!

[Abyss]

This thread, it drifts...

I reread thru the above and may have landed on something...

Many comments about what the point was of Ghelel's storyline... and i think i may have it.

Laseen is dead, and Mallick rules the Empire. Obviously not an ideal state of being. Ghelel's was being put forward by the Old Guard as a valid heir to the throne and alternative to Laseen... well maybe she is. More than that, if Mallick manages to truly fubar the Malazan Empire, maybe certain parties (surviving Old Guard, old Laseen loyalists like Topper, Possum...) will try again.

Mallick was a Jhistal, but it seems he's lost his power now, which likely means he has only his own brainz and the Black Glove and whatever loyal followers he has. If he runs the Empire the way he ran 7C thru Pormqual, things could get ugly.

Which leaves an open question whether Moss is after her to kill her for Mallick or secure her for a possible coup attempt.

- Abyss, sports coup.

[Dolorous Menhir]

Abyss, on Jan 20 2009, 08:43 PM, said:

Mallick was a Jhistal, but it seems he's lost his power now, which likely means he has only his own brainz and the Black Glove and whatever loyal followers he has. If he runs the Empire the way he ran 7C thru Pormqual, things could get ugly.

Events in the Seven Cities worked out well for Mallick Rel. I think he will definitely be a capable administrator of the Empire. If he falls, it probably won't be his own doing.

I don't see Ghelel as a viable replacement. Her claim was based on a return of the pre-Imperial order to which she was surviving heir. With the end of this book, her faction is done. The Empire will continue, and she has no standing under it.

[Urizen]

Dolorous Menhir, on Jan 20 2009, 11:22 PM, said:

Abyss, on Jan 20 2009, 08:43 PM, said:

Mallick was a Jhistal, but it seems he's lost his power now, which likely means he has only his own brainz and the Black Glove and whatever loyal followers he has. If he runs the Empire the way he ran 7C thru Pormqual, things could get ugly.

Events in the Seven Cities worked out well for Mallick Rel. I think he will definitely be a capable administrator of the Empire. If he falls, it probably won't be his own doing.

I agree partially. the Seven Cities did work out well for Mallick Rel. His plan was to gather power to himself, stage a rebellion and sabotage the Malazan Empire, Which he suceeded in.
If his a capable administrator remains to be seen...

[Ain't_It_Just_]

Damn, Abyss, you could have something there. At the end of RotCG I was wondering "who was their candidate for the throne?" You may have it. Mind you, i didn't like Ghelel.

This may seem insane, but do you think Mallick Rel will try sabotaging the Empire further? I know it's stupid because he's the Emperor but I'm just wondering.

[LadyMTL]

I would be surprised if Ghelel didn't reappear at some point. I mean, she was more than a passing character in this book and it just doesn't make sense to create such a backstory and history for someone who's just going to disappear after one volume. That said, though, I don't think she will end up as Empress just cos I can't see Mallick giving up control without one heck of a fight. Oooh, maybe there will be one heck of a fight, My money is on Mallick, the slimy weasel.

As for his actual capabilities, I think if he does screw up (and I have a feeling he will) it won't be on purpose. Why go to all that trouble to seize power and then mess it all up on purpose...the only way that would make sense is if he'd manufacture a crisis just so he could look "heroic" by fixing it.

This post has been edited by Maia Irraz: 21 January 2009 - 05:41 PM

[foolio]

Quote

Which leaves an open question whether Moss is after her to kill her for Mallick or secure her for a possible coup attempt.

very good point. I just assumed she was a gonner because Moss was on her Trail. He seems pretty capable. Never crossed my mind that maybe he wasnt going to kill her...

[Abyss]

Ain't_It_Just_, on Jan 21 2009, 06:22 AM, said:

...This may seem insane, but do you think Mallick Rel will try sabotaging the Empire further? I know it's stupid because he's the Emperor but I'm just wondering.

Maia Irraz, on Jan 21 2009, 12:40 PM, said:

...I can't see Mallick giving up control without one heck of a fight. Oooh, maybe there will be one heck of a fight, My money is on Mallick, the slimy weasel.

As for his actual capabilities, I think if he does screw up (and I have a feeling he will) it won't be on purpose. Why go to all that trouble to seize power and then mess it all up on purpose...the only way that would make sense is if he'd manufacture a crisis just so he could look "heroic" by fixing it.

While we know Mallick is inherently a 'bad guy', he's also viciously clever and a skilled manipulator. We don't actually know how much of what he's accomplished is by way of power from Mael as opposed to his own brainz. We also don't know if Mallick, like various other Priest types we've seen (ie: Pust) has his own innate talent, such that regardless of being cut off by Mael, he stil retains some warren use. By example, everything he pulled on Promqual practically screamed 'Mokra' and i don't see how that would logically follow as a power one gained by being Jhistal.

But being the smartest guy in the room doesn't necessarily make him the best Emperor, and whether he can do that effectively remains to be seen.

I initially figured he and Dom intended to take out Shaik and 'Rule' 7C, but HoC suggested strongly that the plan was always to hand the continent back to Laseen... either very complex long-term planning or great improvisation, but you have to give the guy props either way. But that tanks and he ends up in a cell back on Malaz island and STILL manages to subvert the Claw.

He's good at finding scapegoats, but as Emperor that may be trickier if things really go to hell.


- Abyss, loves the bad guy.

[Ain't_It_Just_]

You're right...he's always trying to stay a few steps ahead.

[Tsundoku]

Abyss, on Jan 22 2009, 05:00 AM, said:

By example, everything he pulled on Promqual practically screamed 'Mokra' and i don't see how that would logically follow as a power one gained by being Jhistal.

Hmmm, I just finished it (loved it too, despite some timeline related questions I'll search the threads about), and I think if Mallick were really that good with Mockra, wouldn't he have sussed out that whole Coil thing? You might counter with "oh, he was just stringing that along" but I think the way the encounters went he really was conned.

Cheers,

La Sombra, aka Conned Dom, much more gullible (yet protective) cousin of Korby-poos. House Dom is almost as big as House Nom, y'know ...

and they say size doesn't matter with a House, it's how you use it. Fine, tell that to the Crips'.

This post has been edited by Sombra: 23 January 2009 - 12:35 PM