[Otataral Toblakai]

Several characters have just dropped out of the limelight - despite their importance. Here they are:

1. The reborn High Mage who leads the Tlan Imass (Tattersail, I think). She was an important part of the tales. Where is she? I expect a whole book on events sorrounding her.
2. The jaded hands dude (nearly Destriant to the boar god, destriant to Treach and now something else - possibly destriant to the Chained God or to the jade giants)
3. Apsalar - her last fight was freaking awesome. Shadowthorne even said that he had never seen Cotillion do that good an assassination. Where is she??

What do you think?

[Defiance]

1. ICE is writing an Assail novel in the far future. Expect her to play a pivotal role here.
2. Heboric was mentioned at the beginning of DoD, in the prologue. I'm sure we'll hear from him again in TCG.
3. No clue. She just wandered off at the end of BH.

[WhiskeyJackDaniels]

1. Her name is Silverfox, she is a mortal Imass bonecaster born with the souls of Tattersail, Nightchill and Bellurdan.

[Blueiron]

I`ve thought about Apsalar before. My bet's that she stuck around in Malaz city and became some tavern regular. It's what happens to most of the world's retired badasses, apparently.

[Otataral Toblakai]

 Defiance, on 30 October 2010 - 09:46 PM, said:

1. ICE is writing an Assail novel in the far future. Expect her to play a pivotal role here.
2. Heboric was mentioned at the beginning of DoD, in the prologue. I'm sure we'll hear from him again in TCG.
3. No clue. She just wandered off at the end of BH.

Is Silverfox (thanks, Whiskeyjack) fighting the Assail at Kolanse or are these other Assail? I sort of deduced that these are other FA, but what do you think? I think Apsalar may either join Icarium's House or possibly come out (somehow, looking at her connection with Telorast & Curdle (Dragons)) as part of Starvald Demelain (renewed?)

[Otataral Toblakai]

 Blueiron, on 30 October 2010 - 10:32 PM, said:

I`ve thought about Apsalar before. My bet's that she stuck around in Malaz city and became some tavern regular. It's what happens to most of the world's retired badasses, apparently.

Maybe. Maybe not. Apparently she sort of disappeared into blackness at the end. I expect her to be back in TCG.

[Defiance]

 Otataral Toblakai, on 30 October 2010 - 10:39 PM, said:

Is Silverfox (thanks, Whiskeyjack) fighting the Assail at Kolanse or are these other Assail? I sort of deduced that these are other FA, but what do you think?

Apparently, it's a human empire on Assail. We have almost no idea what the hell is going on, save for a few vague hints. The biggest, and perhaps most startling, comes at the end of the 3rd book in MoI:

"The continent of Assail. Our losses: twenty-nine thousand eight hundred and fourteen Kerluhm. Twenty-two thousand two hundred Ifayle. Eight months of battle. We have lost this war."

Lady Envy was silent for a long moment, then she said, "It seems you've finally found a Jaghut Tyrant who is more than your match, Lanas Tog.

The T'lan Imass cocked her head. "Not Jaghut. Human."

Sends shivers down my spine every time.

[Brys Beddict]

2. Heboric shows up in more than just the prologue of DoD. He actually ends up talking to Kalyth at one point.
3. Apsalar is most likely back in Itko Kan. Or at least thats where Cutter expects to find her when he sets out at the end of TtH.

[Otataral Toblakai]

 Defiance, on 30 October 2010 - 10:53 PM, said:

 Otataral Toblakai, on 30 October 2010 - 10:39 PM, said:

Is Silverfox (thanks, Whiskeyjack) fighting the Assail at Kolanse or are these other Assail? I sort of deduced that these are other FA, but what do you think?

Apparently, it's a human empire on Assail. We have almost no idea what the hell is going on, save for a few vague hints. The biggest, and perhaps most startling, comes at the end of the 3rd book in MoI:

"The continent of Assail. Our losses: twenty-nine thousand eight hundred and fourteen Kerluhm. Twenty-two thousand two hundred Ifayle. Eight months of battle. We have lost this war."

Lady Envy was silent for a long moment, then she said, "It seems you've finally found a Jaghut Tyrant who is more than your match, Lanas Tog.

The T'lan Imass cocked her head. "Not Jaghut. Human."

Sends shivers down my spine every time.

Ah.. Sorry about that.. I forgot that it was the assail continent with humans (or it may be some sort of human/assail hybrid (sort of like Icarium who's Jaghut/Toblakai) who acts as Tyrant over the FA - very very scary if its true.. Still, it isnt surprising that humans can do that.. Look at Kallor (who I believe is responsible for everything).. Look at the ME (made up of humans, aye)

[Otataral Toblakai]

 Brys Beddict, on 30 October 2010 - 11:07 PM, said:

2. Heboric shows up in more than just the prologue of DoD. He actually ends up talking to Kalyth at one point.
3. Apsalar is most likely back in Itko Kan. Or at least thats where Cutter expects to find her when he sets out at the end of TtH.

Ah just remember the Heboric/Kalyth meet - although its significance isnt clear to me... Actually, I think, it was never mentioned that Cutter was going to Itko Kan (since he's with Spite and I expect Spite will end up at Kolanse)..

[MTS]

 Otataral Toblakai, on 30 October 2010 - 11:17 PM, said:

 Brys Beddict, on 30 October 2010 - 11:07 PM, said:

2. Heboric shows up in more than just the prologue of DoD. He actually ends up talking to Kalyth at one point.
3. Apsalar is most likely back in Itko Kan. Or at least thats where Cutter expects to find her when he sets out at the end of TtH.

Ah just remember the Heboric/Kalyth meet - although its significance isnt clear to me... Actually, I think, it was never mentioned that Cutter was going to Itko Kan (since he's with Spite and I expect Spite will end up at Kolanse)..

Spite is going to Seven Cities, and Cutter goes with her because it's 'close enough'. There's a whole bit where Apsalar tells him to 'come find me' before he goes and kills Gorlas.

[Otataral Toblakai]

 MTS, on 31 October 2010 - 04:08 AM, said:

 Otataral Toblakai, on 30 October 2010 - 11:17 PM, said:

 Brys Beddict, on 30 October 2010 - 11:07 PM, said:

2. Heboric shows up in more than just the prologue of DoD. He actually ends up talking to Kalyth at one point.
3. Apsalar is most likely back in Itko Kan. Or at least thats where Cutter expects to find her when he sets out at the end of TtH.

Ah just remember the Heboric/Kalyth meet - although its significance isnt clear to me... Actually, I think, it was never mentioned that Cutter was going to Itko Kan (since he's with Spite and I expect Spite will end up at Kolanse)..

Spite is going to Seven Cities, and Cutter goes with her because it's 'close enough'. There's a whole bit where Apsalar tells him to 'come find me' before he goes and kills Gorlas.

Sorry missed the talk b/w Apsalar & Cutter and Spite's destination.. Would have to read it again.. Since all events are to intersect at Kolanse and since CUTTER is a major character, I still expect him to end up their with Apsalar - via Seven Cities.

[MTS]

Well, here are the passages I was talking about:

Quote

Much farther down the road, Cutter rides on a horse stolen from Coll’s stable. His chest is filled with ashes, his heart a cold stone buried deep.
He drew a breath, sometime earlier that day, filled with love.
And then released it, black with grief.
Both seem to be gone now, vanished within him, perhaps never to return. And yet, hovering there before his mind’s eye, he sees a woman.
Ghostly, wrapped in black, dark eyes fixed upon his own.
Not this path, my love.
He shakes his head at her words. Shakes his head.
Not my path, my love.
But he rides on.
I will give you my breath, my love. To hold.
Hold it for me, as I hold yours. Turn back.
Cutter shakes his head again. ‘You left me.’
No, I gave you a choice, and the choice remains. My love, I gave you a place to come to, when you are ready. Find me. Come find me.
‘This first.’
Take my breath. But not this one, not this one.
‘Too late, Apsalar. It was always too late.’

Quote

When Sister Spite stepped on to the deck, she saw Cutter near the stern, leaning on the rail and
staring out over the placid lake. She hid her surprise and went to join him.
‘I am returning to Seven Cities,’ she said.
He nodded. ‘That’s close enough.’

Cutter is not a major character as far as events in Kolanse are concerned. Wasn't even that major a character in the events he was in, only seemed that way because he was a POV character (well, post GotM anyway).

Many people won't show up in TCG, and I'm pretty sure Cutter will be one of those people. His main concern is finding Apsalar and making sweet babies with her, and Apsalar is now free of Shadow's influence, so I don't really expect her to get involved in all of what they're planning. Thus, there's no incentive or reason for either of them to be there.

This post has been edited by MTS: 31 October 2010 - 10:52 AM

[Abyss]

 Otataral Toblakai, on 30 October 2010 - 09:35 PM, said:

Several characters have just dropped out of the limelight - despite their importance. Here they are:

1. The reborn High Mage who leads the Tlan Imass (Tattersail, I think). She was an important part of the tales. Where is she? I expect a whole book on events sorrounding her.
2. The jaded hands dude (nearly Destriant to the boar god, destriant to Treach and now something else - possibly destriant to the Chained God or to the jade giants)
3. Apsalar - her last fight was freaking awesome. Shadowthorne even said that he had never seen Cotillion do that good an assassination. Where is she??

What do you think?

RE T'SAIL - As mentioned upthread, the Imass are engaged on Assail against a purportedly human empire. That said i think back to Endest's chat with Brood on TtH and i wonder if Jaghut and FA aren't involved. Jaghut can soul-jump and FA, it seems, can breed with humans, which means there may be a lot more going on there than just a particularly stubborn and powerful nation of fanatics. In TB Cotillion chastisez the Imass for their war on Assail against the TyrantS-plural on Assail. Anyhow, that's where she is.

RE HEBORIC - he pappeared at least twice in DoD to speak with Kalyth. Not sure just what's going on there but he re-appearance and link to the Jade Chunks certainly suggests he's still in the game.

RE APSALAR - i still hold out hope for Cotillion sending an elite squad of his aspected assassins, including Crokus, Apsalar and Kalam, into the final mess in TCG to stick a thousand knives or so into the CG. It may be a forlorn hope, since Apsalar's story seemed closed after TB and Crokus' after TtH, but i'll hold out until i read it.


In terms of really and truly forgotten characters, i remain really curious about what happened to Udinaas' Wyval - it was scouting for Silchas' group at the end of MT, and in RG someone mentions that Silchas' send it away on a mission. I am SO curious what that mission was. Since Silch is back in play as of DoD we may yet find out.

Oh - and we're overdue for an appearance by Aragan.

[Sinisdar Toste]

not to worry, Aragan will sail up from the east once the big throw down in kolanse is over, emperor mallick rel in tow to negotiate the annexation of kolanse into the malazan empire

either that or he shows up in the darujhistan novel at the malazan embassy

[MTS]

Please, the last paragraph will be Aragan as master of the universe complaining about a hangover.

[Bauchelain the Evil]

And of course there is the Enkaral inside the TTT body who is the MS of the Wolves. I really hope he appears in TCG but something tells me he won't.

[QuickTidal]

It's funny, but hasn't Heboric been a floating head-style entity, appearing in dreams, otherworldly visitations and the like avec mes jolly green jade giants ect...since like TBH?

He keeps showing up at odd moments. In DoD it's like his conversations with Kalyth are mostly one-sided and he doesn't even realize he's talking to her. He never looks at her once in that convo and instead keeps his eyes on the giant finger. I am convinced Heboric has completely gone round the bend, not to mention some status of dead too...he MUST show up in TcG...but how and for what purpose?

[D'rek]

 Abyss, on 01 November 2010 - 02:38 PM, said:

RE APSALAR - i still hold out hope for Cotillion sending an elite squad of his aspected assassins, including Crokus, Apsalar and Kalam, into the final mess in TCG to stick a thousand knives or so into the CG. It may be a forlorn hope, since Apsalar's story seemed closed after TB and Crokus' after TtH, but i'll hold out until i read it.

Apsalar did her job for Shadow (assassinating a bunch of dudes, from Mebra to Pearl) and ST said she owed them nothing more and they wouldn't ask her of anything else, after which I think she was finished assassinating people and really just wants to "retire" to something else. I wonder how Crokus' relations with Shadow stand, now. He visited Drift Avalii and tried to escort Felision for Cotillion, but they never negotited an end to is service or anything like that. I guess Cot could rope Crokus in and then Apsalar might come for Crokus' sake, but it'd be a pretty dick move for Cot...

[Jade-Green Pig-Hog Swine-Beast]

FELISIN YOUNGER. What's happened to her?