[Tatts]

Hi there, brand spanking new to this site. Really a great job here, looks like a good community.

I just finished DG last night, and didn't really absorb the whats and why's of the mass crucifixion.
I understand the Coltaine got whatever refugees were left remaining safely to Aren, and then of course he and his men were wiped out within sight of the gate. Pormqual didn't lend a hand, short of allowing Coltaine to be put out of his misery.
Got it.
PLEASE correct me if I'm missing anything.

Then Pormqual went out on the plain to attack Korbolo Dom's army, while they're "drunk, still exhausted" as Blistig said.
First, WHY in HOOD'S NAME? There were tens of thousands, Hundreds out there.
So they encircle Dom's army. They run, then ready their weapons and turn around and attack.
How did Pornqual's army then in turn get encircled so quickly? Was it an ambush? And was Mallick Rel some sort of turncoat/traitor? Did he orchestrate the whole thing? He was working for the Whirlwind the whole time?

The events just aren't clear to me, sorry. Can someone clear it up for me? Thanks very much!

[Abyss]

Tatts, on 16 July 2012 - 03:55 PM, said:

Hi there, brand spanking new to this site. Really a great job here, looks like a good community.

Welcome. Please present yourself for promptly DNA tagging and brainrinse.

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I just finished DG last night, and didn't really absorb the whats and why's of the mass crucifixion.

There's a Monty Python joke here somewhere....

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I understand the Coltaine got whatever refugees were left remaining safely to Aren, and then of course he and his men were wiped out within sight of the gate. Pormqual didn't lend a hand, short of allowing Coltaine to be put out of his misery.

Porqual didn't even do that much. Blistig and Duiker had Squint shoot the arrow.

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...First, WHY in HOOD'S NAME? ... He was working for the Whirlwind the whole time?

Rel convinced Porm' that the Whirlwind army was an unorganized rabble who would be easily scattered by a Malazan army attack.
When the Whirlwind appeared to flee, Prom ordered a pursuit. The 'flee' part was a ruse and the Whirlwind just envelopped the Malazans.
Porm seeing his own life at risk, and being told he would be spared, ordered a surrender. No one was spared.

Rel may have been using his warren to influence Porm, altho Porm was an idiot regardless.

So yes, Rel WAS a traitor and had been since the beginning.

[Tatts]

OK that does set things straight. Kind of where my mind wanted to go, thanks for the nudge.
Thanks very much.