Ammanas, on May 2 2009, 03:44 AM, said:
Hmm, the Liosan angle is interesting. I just think SE would describe them as "light-drenched" as opposed to "bone-skinned." The few bits I remember about Liosans from MT are 1) they DESPISE Andii cuz they have "nothing of the Father within them." 2) After getting a taste of Liosan arrogance, Onrack states its unfortunate the Imass never encountered Liosans because they would have provided a suitable race to destroy. The Imass chasing Onrack in MT dived right into Kurald Liosan to destroy what they thought was the Liosan god. Nowhere did they express doubt about their ability to defeat the God.
My theory is the Imass view themselves as a timeless and purifying force, regardless of their prattle to Silverfox about being "weary." As soon as she mentions the clans being destroyed on Assail, the Imass under her forget their desire for oblivion and agree to accompany her. Consider what they did to the Jaghut. Or maybe, the Vow transformed them into a cleansing force and this is what they want release from.
Another example--look at Tool's persistent desire to challenge the Seguleh. When he finally duels and loses to Mok, Kilava almost kills Mok, saying something like "Imass must have no equals."
Let me ask everyone this---if Kellanved had NOT sat on the 1st throne, do you think the Imass would have found a "cause" in the growing Malazan empire?
You're twisting the purpose and mentalities of the Imass here.
The Imass in HoC did not kill the Guardian because they thought it was a god, they killed it because they knew that it was a false god. The Imass was once controlled by Jaghut Tyrants that pretended to be gods and treated them cruelly. The Imass became undead to rid the world of such impostors and their lies.
I don't remember the T'lan Imass view of Liosan, but Onrack states that if the Edur expanded their tyranny to the outside world, they would get the attention of the Imass.
Kilava would have killed Mok (tried to kill him anyway) out of love for Tool, it wasn't about no race being allowed to surpass the Imass.
And finally, the Malazan Empire is a benevolent one. It's not an exceptionally cruel tyranny, It's just a mortal empire. That is the kind of society that the T'lan Imass became undead to protect.