[theocean]

Can someone fill me in on some of the details if they are known... Im about 6 chapters in to ROTCG and they have me wondering whats up with them... What type of abilities do they have, do they use magic, where do they rank fighting wise, why are some more powerful than others.

[Dolmen 2.0]

theocean, on 20 August 2013 - 05:05 PM, said:

Can someone fill me in on some of the details if they are known... Im about 6 chapters in to ROTCG and they have me wondering whats up with them... What type of abilities do they have, do they use magic, where do they rank fighting wise, why are some more powerful than others.

The Crimson Gaurd are a "Mercenary" army. Most of them are normal human beings with nothing special about them save for some rigourous training and some very serious battle experience. They are largely comprised of military veterans but have taken in recruits to fill up ranks. The recruits are new to the cause so they are not as committed to the Prince and his right to the lands the Empire took from him. Read further for more on the internal dynamics.

The Avowed are the Elite corps of that army. They partook in a ritual that effectively leveled them up to Zombie-esque resilience to damage. they are very nearly undying. They are augmented by what I'd imagine as a limit removal? they can force themselves to fight faster and harder than most other units, they are not reliant on a need for food or sleep and can shrug of things like drowning, or being burnt alive. They are however slightly flawed. keep reading to get more on how great and/or weak they can be.

This post has been edited by Dolmen+: 20 August 2013 - 05:45 PM

[Abyss]

There was info about the Avowed back in GotG, MoI and MT.
From those books we learned:

- they are humans of diverse talents (soldiers, mages, assassins, sappers, etc) who were in service to Prince Kazz of Unta when he was deposed by Kellanved;
- they took part in some sort of Ritual;
- it made them stronger, faster and way harder to kill than normal humans, but not immortal;
- it also did something horrible to their souls but we don't know what as of the start of RCG;
- not all Avowed are equal - if one was a better swordsman than another before the Ritual, they still are, tho there's nothing stopping the other from improving;
- not all Crimson Guard are Avowed, but it appears that all Avowed are Crimson Guard;
- something horrible with a lot of dying involved happened to the Crimson Guard on Assail;
- there are about 200 Avowed left as of the end of MT.

The rest is RAFO.

[D'rek]

In regards to their limitations, in MT Corlo suggested that much of the Avowed's ability to survive and endure comes from sheer force of will. ie, the Avowed with greater wills would be able to survive more harrowing things and fight for longer than an Avowed with less will.

[amphibian]

The importance of Will cannot be overstated. He's really crucial to everything Erikson does in the Malazan worlds. Great guy, by all accounts.

[YouSikFuk]

if you dont mind a bit of spoiler

MODGOD NOTICE OF WE DO MIND. DELETED.
TO BE FAIR THAT WAS MORE SPECULATION THAN SPOILER, BUT LAYING OUT WHAT ISN'T IN LATER BOOKS CAN BE AS BAD AS SPOILING WHAT IS.

This post has been edited by Abyss: 21 August 2013 - 02:40 PM

[YouSikFuk]

you're right mod made some mistake there
guess i owe you guys a bit apologies hehe

[Grimjazz]

YouSikFuk, on 21 August 2013 - 02:30 PM, said:

if you dont mind a bit of spoiler

MODGOD NOTICE OF WE DO MIND. DELETED.
TO BE FAIR THAT WAS MORE SPECULATION THAN SPOILER, BUT LAYING OUT WHAT ISN'T IN LATER BOOKS CAN BE AS BAD AS SPOILING WHAT IS.

Awwwwww Now I wanna know what it was.

[theocean]

Grimjazz, on 22 August 2013 - 01:22 PM, said:

YouSikFuk, on 21 August 2013 - 02:30 PM, said:

if you dont mind a bit of spoiler

MODGOD NOTICE OF WE DO MIND. DELETED.
TO BE FAIR THAT WAS MORE SPECULATION THAN SPOILER, BUT LAYING OUT WHAT ISN'T IN LATER BOOKS CAN BE AS BAD AS SPOILING WHAT IS.

Awwwwww Now I wanna know what it was.

i do not. Not yet at least

[NefaraisBredd]

I hope this doesn't qualify as a spoiler. When I think of the CG and their vow, I think of the Imass and their Ritual. Persistence taken to its very limits. Longevity makes one.tougher/harder/meaner or they don't last. Not ascendants but damn near.