[Mushroom]

Which part in the whole series has chocked you up the most, or made you the most angry etc...?

A couple come to mind.
Deaths of Itkovian, Whiskeyjack, Coltaine, Brys, Trull, Felisin, Murillio, Rake.

For the me, the more memorable ones would be when;
Itkovian died, the sacrifice was a little drawn out and also dramatic in that he prevented the T'lan Imass from saving the day as well but still bittersweet.

Death of Coltaine is another. You read the entire chain of dogs and get attached to the leader of them doing everything to save the refugees but then at the 11th hour when he is at the gates and Can be saved, but isn't.
And it came back as well at the end of MoI when remaining BB are in the tavern and Duiker hasn't spoken. Then Kruppe or someone says "tell your story BB" and they go "why, what value is there is to break our hearts again" then Duiker opens his mouth for the first time and says "There is value" doesn't say anything for a bit. Then says "Let me tell you a story about Coltaine and the chain of dogs" or something like that. But it was delivered so brilliantly by Erikson that bit that the whole CoD comes rushing back again.

But the one that took the cake and got me upset (mad) the most was the death of Trull. Very ignoble, sudden, meaningless. He was probably by far the most honourable character in the whole books as well. That being said, though you should expect the more honourable ones to die with SE.

But yeah, which ones got you the most?

[Bauchelain the Evil]

For me the most shocking moment is, without doubt, Coltaine's death.
I mean, I didn't particularly liked the CoD storyline(yes, yes burn me if you must) but ,still, I was happy when they finally made it to Aren despite all the odds. And then, due to the stupidity of one man, puf!, Coltaine's dead. I was left mouth open, I really couldn't believe it.

[RACHEL]

Coltaine's death definitely. I cried like a baby.

[Sinisdar Toste]

end of the TtH where harllo says "See Bainisk? This is my mother."

that always brings a tear to my eyes

[Abyss]

GotM - five dragons flying in formation over a rise and sweeping down on Raest... and Raest... he attacks. Something about that scene restablishes my fantasy fan status everytime i read it.

DG - Vathar crossing. I distrust butterflies to this day. I also get a kick out of Fid's Gral horse protecting him from the shapeshifters.

MoI - Oh, screw it, the entire book. But if i'm going to narrow it down, the secondhand retelling of Gruntle rallying the surviving Capan soldiers and civilians with the little girl's half eaten body.

HoC - Onrack holding the bridge against the Liosan so Trull can get away.

MT - Brys' death. Fuck. Even knowing he gets better, that scene pisses me off (in a good way).

NoK - The immediate aftermath of the assassination fight in the throneroom.

TB - Trull vs Icarium... "You've just turned an army, three undead Imass, a demon matron and a High Mage into cole slaw, but fuck it, you're not getting at these kids without my spear in your face. Again."

RG - "Fucking dragon." Fuck YEAH!

TtH - Samar Dev's perspective on Rake v Dassem.



- Abyss, ...feels the love

This post has been edited by Abyss: 14 October 2009 - 05:38 PM
Reason for edit: SPOILERS removed, with apologies. Subsequent posts discussing spoilage also removed, with further apologies.

[Craig5792]

Coltaine's and then Duiker's "death" at the end of deadhouse gates made me feel bad. And I'm a cynical bastard as well.

Its what made Deadhouse Gates my favourite book of the series.

[Mortal Sword of Mael]

When Rhulad comes back to life for the first time. I could've anticipated that, but I didn't, and I put down the book needing a moment to take it all in. So we've got ourselves a new character. A new character indeed, since he hardly resembles the old Rhulad. He is covered in coins and a sword is permanently attached to his hand. His eyes are empty and bloodshot and at times they look like faint sparks among darkness. In his head there is a turmoil that, due to its sheer intensity, is painful to witness. And this Rhulad finds himself a most unexpected friend.

[Amaunet]

The death of Coltaine made me the angriest, but the death of Beak is the only time I've wept during the entire series.

[Mortal Sword of Mael]

Beak grasped my heart, too. I love the simplicity of his devotion.

[Bauchelain the Evil]

Amaunet, on 14 October 2009 - 10:09 PM, said:

The death of Coltaine made me the angriest, but the death of Beak is the only time I've wept during the entire series.

Beak's death was sad, but the moment where I was almost in tears was when Brood goes to bury Rake and says:"It will be Caladan Brood and Anomander Rake together for one last time".
Man that was thouching.

[gkapitso]

Well, I am halfway tgrough the book, and of course i have to start reading this thread and find out what happens to rake..... stupid, stupid stupid

[Mortal Sword of Mael]

gkapitso, on 22 October 2009 - 06:37 PM, said:

Well, I am halfway tgrough the book, and of course i have to start reading this thread and find out what happens to rake..... stupid, stupid stupid

Did the same. Then I spoiled similar stuff for myself in the Return of the Crimson Guard forum. I guess I've learnt the hard way and won't do it again. Oh, the temptation! That's why I only signed up this month, for fear I may spoil some content (I didn't know the forum was divided into sections, though).

This post has been edited by Mortal Sword of Mael: 22 October 2009 - 09:57 PM

[Eispeis]

The series has brought a stinging to my eyes on several occasions, but I've only shed tears three times:

Itkovian in MoI

Beak in RG

And when Cutter learns from Kruppe that Murillo is dead. Murillo's death in itself was not very emotional or surprising to me, but when Kruppe's face is described as "a mask of raw anguish," I lost it. Anything that can make Kruppe that emotional indicates that the friendship between the Phoenix Inn regulars were even deeper than I imagined. I grieved with Kruppe.

[Sinisdar Toste]

"Honoured Murillio is dead."
so simple, so crushing

[Bl1nder]

It has to be Trull's death. It's just so pointless, the cause of it being single minded spite, ignorance and rage, it was really depressing for me since that idiot practically had no reason to do it, he only did it because hes a twat. Pisses me of just thinking about it >.>

This post has been edited by Bl1nder: 28 October 2009 - 02:13 AM

[Benito]

Beaks death, while somewhat expected is the most emotional moment in the series for me so far. That scene is heartwrenching even on rereads.

[Use Of Weapons]

In order of the strength of the effect on repeated reading:

1. Itkovian in MOI (especially the construction of the barrow)
2. Dujek learning of Whiskeyjack's death ('I have lost a friend.')
3. Felisin's last thoughts after being killed by Tavore ('Oh mother, look at us now')
4. Harllo remonstrating with Stonny ('There was me!')

[gkapitso]

lots of emotional moments in TtH.... but one that made me stop and actually put the book down for a couple of minutes was Chalice's suicide. The writing was beautyful and the whole description with the globe with the prisoner moon inside as a metaphor for her life and end was one of the saddest things i hav eever read.
"dreams never linger, but their dust rides the wind for ever".... simply heartbreaking

[Salt-Man Z]

Definitely the death of Coltaine through the end of that chapter. ("Like a prayer, Squint, like a Hood-damned prayer.") That's the part of the MBotF I've read more than any other, and I tear up every time. Going hand-in-hand with that, as Mushroom pointed out (and which earns him a thumb from me) is the end of MoI, which I just looked up on Google Books, and which made me mist over when I read it. As such, I feel like quoting the bulk of it here:

Quote

Coll slowly leaned forward. "So, you'll finally talk, will you? It's about time, Picker."

"Not me," she replied. "Not to start, anyway. Captain? Refill your cup, sir, and weave us a tale."

The man grimaced, then shook his head. "I'd like to, Picker."

"Too close," Spindle grumbled, nodding and turning away.

"Hood's breath, what a miserable bunch!"

"Sure," Spindle snapped, "a story to break our hearts all over again! What's the value in that?"

A rough, broken voice replied, "There is value."

Everyone fell silent, turned to Duiker.

The Imperial Historian had looked up, was studying them with dark eyes. "Value. Yes. I think, much value. But not yours, soldiers. Not yet. Too soon for you. Too soon."

"Perhaps," Baruk murmured, "perhaps you are right in that. We ask too much--"

"Of them. Yes." The old man looked down once more at the cloth in his hands.

The silence stretched.

Duiker made no move.

Picker began to turn back to her companions--when the man began speaking. "Very well, permit me, if you will, on this night. To break your hearts once more. This is the story of the Chain of Dogs. Of Coltaine of the Crow Clan, newly come Fist to the 7th Army..."

[Salk Elan]

1. Itkovian in MoI
2. The death of the Malazans following Lady Envy at the End of MoI, when she misunderstands them so gravely...
3. Beak's sacrifice.
4. Pearl's death... of course (poor, misunderstood Pearl...)

This post has been edited by Salk Elan: 21 November 2009 - 08:41 AM