[Aptorian]

That rings a bell.

[Traveller]

Aptorian, on 05 June 2020 - 06:22 PM, said:

Yeah, just the initial 100 pages of BH is setting up a dozen different moving pieces. That's a lot to keep track of.

By the way, did you skip Night of Knives?

Yeah.. I haven't read it for ages, but I'm not enthusiastic about a second read and I'm behind with the main books.

[Cyphon]

When he first came up I did wonder if it was Tay presenting as middle aged. The hair etc. description was very similar from NoK.

[Cyphon]

I find this book overwhelming compared to the others. So many moving and new threads and new information to sift through.So much I had forgotten too.

Just coming to the end of Chapter 5.

The intrigue about what has happened to the dragons in Shadow and the sky keep Icarium and Mappo go into.

I do love Strings squad's dynamic and Bottle giving his name to the new Captain as Smiles so she got the punishment... and then helping her out.

Heborics group is a grind though. His statements are pretty nebulous even within the context of Malaz.

I liked the little aside that Leoman only keeps Corabb about because he has the Lady's pull... and makes a whole lot more sense.

This post has been edited by Cyphon: 06 June 2020 - 02:46 PM

[Macros]

I was a flip of this, MT swamped me originally, then BH was a comforting return to the main threads (bla bla bla foreshadowing)

Im not sure if it was just th eshit coveres,but I feel like the BH took unwarranted flak on forum at one stage, but I've always liked it

[Cyphon]

I remembered Y'Ghathan as bad, but on the reread its horrific and much more visceral than I remember.

[Traveller]

I just remembering wondering why Malazan olive oil was quite so... incendiary.

[Aptorian]

P. 86

Ah it's these little info morsels I do so love. Rule the Rude is an excellent name.

Quote

‘Welcome, High Fist,’ Quick Ben said, straightening, adding a slightly deferential bow to Tayschrenn. ‘Colleague …’ Tayschrenn’s thin, almost hairless brows rose. ‘A field promotion, wasn’t it? Well, perhaps long overdue. Nonetheless, I do not believe the Empress has sanctioned that title as yet.’ Quick Ben offered him a broad, white smile. ‘Do you recall, High Mage, a certain other High Mage, sent by the Emperor, early on in the Blackdog Campaign? Kribalah Rule?’ ‘Rule the Rude? Yes, he died after a month or so—’ ‘In a horrible conflagration, aye. Well, that was me. Thus, I’ve been a High Mage before, colleague …’ Tayschrenn was frowning, clearly thinking back, then the frown became a scowl. ‘And the Emperor knew this? He must have, having sent you – unless, of course, he didn’t send you at all.’ ‘Well, granted, there were some improprieties involved, and had one set out on that particular trail they might well have been noted. But you did not feel the need to do so, evidently, since, although briefly, I more than held my own – pulling you out of trouble once, I seem to recall … something about Tiste Andii assassin-mages—’ ‘When I lost a certain object containing a demon lord …’ ‘You did? Sorry to hear that.’ ‘The same demon that later died by Rake’s sword in Darujhistan.’ ‘Oh, how unfortunate.’ Kalam leaned close to Quick Ben. ‘I thought,’ he said in a whisper, ‘you told me to relax.’

[Cyphon]

Just finished the digging out. That whole section of the book from battle to Fiddler's release is just brilliantly written.

But what the hell is in the remaining two thirds of the book!?

[Aptorian]

Spiders. Nothing but spiders. Don't look.

[Aptorian]

Okay that Karsa Vs Nahruk fight around p. 100 is still as ridiculous as the first time I read it. Why the fuck does he throw the sword away? It's a gigantic lizard monster that's twice his size and much stronger. That he survives that fight is a God damn miracle. I like that the Nahruk is fleeing towards the end. Like "Get me the hell away from this tiny monster!".

[Aptorian]

P. 132. The Soldier of Death, The Undead Seguleh Second arrives. Ah, I still remember how much buzz that created. A Second Seguleh. On the hunt for Skinner. And then these hints about Darujistan and the coming of a Tyrant. The tyrant stuff was a bit of a dud but still. Great scene.

[Aptorian]

P. 137. Sorrit, the Dragon of Serc, crucified in the Skykeep.

When Cotillion spoke with the chained Dragons in shadow earlier, the implication was that killing them would be a bad idea because they're the magic link to their aspected warren.

So if Sorrit is dead. What happens to the sky/air warren?

[Cyphon]

The wasnt the implication from that that Osserc/L'oric was the last remaining aspect/denizen of Serc. So as long as he lives it continues.

But I suppose if he died would Serc become like Shadow? Or open to usurpation? Presumably the Warren's are manifestations of elemental forces, ala a more refined version of the elder gods, so the belief/need would create the need for a replacement.

This post has been edited by Cyphon: 07 June 2020 - 07:36 PM

[Aptorian]

As I understand it the Warrens, Holds, the source or what ever is not dependent on any other gods than Krul, the dragons and burns flesh.

Osserc merely protects or governs, the magic doesn't come out of him. I think.

[Cyphon]

So that would suggest the conversation is similar to that of vacancy, like Shadow and its usurpers.

[Aptorian]

I'm not sure I got the feeling that if you murderize one of the dragons, the warren... Dies? Becomes defunct? The force behind the magic of course still exists but the warren fails?

[Traveller]

Aptorian, on 07 June 2020 - 06:32 PM, said:

P. 132. The Soldier of Death, The Undead Seguleh Second arrives. Ah, I still remember how much buzz that created. A Second Seguleh. On the hunt for Skinner. And then these hints about Darujistan and the coming of a Tyrant. The tyrant stuff was a bit of a dud but still. Great scene.

Yeah I just read this - that sword throw, what the hell? Supreme confidence in his wrestling ability? He could have won that without taking all the damage. And face full of sewage.

Also, Malazans should really thoroughly check out the structures where they build their forts. This is the second one with a big nasty in the basement.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 08 June 2020 - 07:18 AM

[Aptorian]

Joyful Union! Nooo!

[Abyss]

Aptorian, on 07 June 2020 - 05:02 PM, said:

Okay that Karsa Vs Nahruk fight around p. 100 is still as ridiculous as the first time I read it. Why the fuck does he throw the sword away? It's a gigantic lizard monster that's twice his size and much stronger. That he survives that fight is a God damn miracle. I like that the Nahruk is fleeing towards the end. Like "Get me the hell away from this tiny monster!".

I dont think this was a Nahruk.
Size wise it reads more like the Sentinel or Assassin types we see in DoD.