[FistOFun]

Hi.

I've just finished reading MoI and loved it. This is going to be a slightly strange question, but basically Im just designing a character for an RPG whom I want base around "the teachings of Iktovan".

What would people say were the main tasks of the Shield Anvil and the key aspects of Iktovan?

Thank you for any reply.

[Ain't_It_Just_]

The main purpose of a Shield Anvil is to accept the pain and anguish of other souls. That's why Itkovian helped the T'lan Imass.

Itkovian's main aspects were forgiveness, kindness, redmeption...etc.

[FistOFun]

Thanks. What would you say his military responsibilities?

[beru]

make thesoldiers content and advice the mortal sword on tactics and strategys i belive you will see more Shield anvils later and they dont have the same aproch on their job as icovian had, so every one is difrent i supose

[FistOFun]

Thank you very much.

[Eispeis]

Depending on which RPG you're playing of course, but in D&D (haven't played since 3.0) I see Itkovian as a Paladin or Cleric. He's not a healer (as the Destriant is), but maybe if your DM is positive to some experimentation you could make a Cleric or Paladin with Itkovian's abilities. For example a speciality of removing fear or sorrow effects after failed Will-saves etc. This is a very narrow and specific ability, so it might not be too useful.

Just a thought experiment while I'm waiting for something to do at work.

[FistOFun]

Currently using the fate based system, which basically means you can design it how you want. I'm not so much trying to create Itkovian as PC but rather have him as a hero who died long ago and since a city was established in his name using him as a foundation for a good way to live their lives.

[beru]

read TTH
wont say why just read it
(yes it have somthing to do with the topic)

[FistOFun]

Awesome. Though Im currently just starting HoC, though given how addictive the books are Ill probably get to TTH pretty soon. Thankfully the GMs are pretty lax and will probably allow me to make minor changes if I decide to provided it doesn't really affect the plot.

How many books am I away from TTH?

[beru]

hoc
MT
BH
RG
TTH

[FistOFun]

Curses . Ahh well it will be a fun journey.

[beru]

and in RG and Dod (in particular dod) we see another shield anvil
and the posstion is mused on in Hoc and BH

[Heimdall]

I think Itkovian more as a general, for his role in the Grey Swords, for 2 reasons...

1. When the attack in Capustan started, it was only Itkovian watching and giving orders... Brukhalian at that time was talking with the Mask Council...
2. After the assault, Itkovian was thinking how he failed Brukhalian, since he was asked for 6 weeks and only gave him 3 days...

So, this make me believe that in the matter of tactics, Itkovian was No 1 inside the Grey Swords... Brukhalian was only making general demands, Itkovian was taking all the decisions... Sorry for my English, is not my native language...

[Eispeis]

Heimdall, on 03 February 2010 - 12:26 PM, said:

I think Itkovian more as a general, for his role in the Grey Swords, for 2 reasons...

1. When the attack in Capustan started, it was only Itkovian watching and giving orders... Brukhalian at that time was talking with the Mask Council...
2. After the assault, Itkovian was thinking how he failed Brukhalian, since he was asked for 6 weeks and only gave him 3 days...

So, this make me believe that in the matter of tactics, Itkovian was No 1 inside the Grey Swords... Brukhalian was only making general demands, Itkovian was taking all the decisions... Sorry for my English, is not my native language...

Welcome to the forums Heimdall (inspired by norse mythology?).

It's been over a year since I read MoI so I may remember wrong, but in general I think i the Mortal Sword is the military tactician, or at least the one with the final say in tactical and military matters. However the Destriant, Shield Anvil and Mortal Sword are "co-leaders" (in lack of a better word) of the Grey Swords, and they defer to each other in different matters.

Minor DoD spoiler:

Spoiler

In DoD we see another Mortal Sword and Shield Anvil sharing the tactical and military leadership during a battle, though that may be because of who the two characters in question are, and the situation they're in more than anything else.

I still see Itkovian more as a paladin than anything else, but I may be wrong. Awesome character nonetheless.

This post has been edited by Eispeis: 03 February 2010 - 12:51 PM

[Heimdall]

Thanks for the welcome, ive been following the forum for many months now, and it really helped me in my readings, so thank you guys...
Heimdall is indeed Norse, used to be a Viking in my previous life...

Anyway, the Mortal Sword is indeed the leader of the Grey Swords, but nowhere in the book we see him interested in tactics. Itkovian is responsible and taking the decisions but they are based on the demands of the Mortal Sword... Thats why i said he is No1 in the tactics, i dont think that Brukhalian would ever disagree with any of the Shield Anvil's decisions.

[WhiskeyJackDaniels]

I look at it this way, Dassem Ultor was the First Sword of the Malazan Empire. Basically that meant he was its champion, and supreme military commander. The problem with that is, you can't lead and give orders from the front. So after he committed himself to battle he would turn over the general tactics to his sub-commanders. I would say the Mortal Sword probably outranks Shield Anvil and Destriant (especially for the god of war), but once battle is joined they are supposed to spend a lot of the time fighting, and therefore the Shield Anvil is the ranking commander in the rear and in charge of general tactics for the battle.

[Elephant Tamer]

Actually, I think Destriant is the first rank among the three, at least outside of direct warfare. In matters of strategy and tactics, the Mortal Sword leads. But generally, the Destriant is the head priest, so has an ear closer to their respective god. Then again, when your a mercenary company, perhaps its the other way round? It may not be a clearly defined hierarchy at all.

[Heimdall]

I dont agree with the Destriant's position... In any other religious war group, he might had the lead, but in Fener's chosen, who are commited in warfare, he is clearly outranked by the Mortal Sword and the Shield Anvil... We must not compare them with the Malazan First Sword though... It has been clearly stated that he is the supreme commander of the Malazan forces taking all the decisions, but when he was commited in the battlefield, decisions could be taken by the High Fists... In any case, the Malazans encourage iniative... But back to the Grey Swords, Itkovian is not discussing any tactical issues with Brukhalian, like for instance Dujek and Whiskeyjack do on their march to Coral... Rather, we see him isolated on the battlements taking decisions and dispatching couriers all the time... It's absolutely clear that the Mortal Sword is the leader of the company and outranks all of them, but i was pointing out that he doesnt seem to care about any tactical decisions... The Mortal Sword of Trake also behaves similarly during the siege of Capustan...