[Yasnian]

I don't think Maels necessarily a bad guy just pragmatic. He did work hard to get the five TT gods and the pack killed. He must have known they would have killed tons of people.


There is two main paths to become a god. One is through followers, either you were alive first and gained the followers, or you were created by worship. The other way is just from being really powerfull. K'rul needed blood cause he was effected by the curse. So Mael probably doesn't need blood to retain a certain degree of power.

Mallick Rel is just a jerk

[Wry]

The impression i'd gotten was that Mael had withdrawn from worldly affairs, he was sick of the lot of us (humans:P) and we could do what we liked so long as he was left alone. which explains the distinct lack of ruse users (Rusers?) and also Rels dodgy actions.

But i think in his little game of being bugg he inadvertantly interested himself in the world again, explaining his increasingly active role in MT AND why he fell in the canal when withals prayer reached him... He thought he didn't care anymore, but it turns out he did again.

[Morgoth]

but then I ask again. Why would Mael be bothered by Malick's actions in the malazan empire? Really, what actions of Mallick would Mael be particularly upsett by? People seem to make the assumption that the Malazan empire = good and that all people and gods see it that way

[Dark Mac]

Morgoth said:

but then I ask again. Why would Mael be bothered by Malick's actions in the malazan empire? Really, what actions of Mallick would Mael be particularly upsett by? People seem to make the assumption that the Malazan empire = good and that all people and gods see it that way

Serving the CG might be an issue for Mael, considering that it seems Mael doesn't like the CG much. I don't think he'd like Mallick betraying the army at Aren much either.

[Wry]

No i agree with that too, I didn't mean that he would come up and put manners on Rel, just that he didn't care about it. this means rel can do whatever he wants with Maels power, but makes no comment on whatever Mael would think of what he does.

I think it's been made pretty clear that the elder beings have a very diferent set of values.

[Morgoth]

Wry said:

No i agree with that too, I didn't mean that he would come up and put manners on Rel, just that he didn't care about it. this means rel can do whatever he wants with Maels power, but makes no comment on whatever Mael would think of what he does.

I think it's been made pretty clear that the elder beings have a very diferent set of values.

Exactly exactly .. And do we know that Rel has joined with the CG? I can't remember any proof of this, nor any strong indication. I only read the book once, but still.. There's not only two sides in the conflict, and not everyone are part of it to begin with

[Wry]

Aye i think the mention of chaotic sorcery doesn't mean that the CG is involved, or that if he is that it's Rel who's his activist. Chaos has meant many different things in the series... only sometimes refering to the CG.

And remember that the many sides are fluid too... people can switch from side to side as circumstances and whim dictate.

[Abyss]

Mael/Bugg was pretty clear at the end of MT that he could have stopped the Edur invasion, but chose not to because he didn't like the Letherii all that much.

He also left Iron Bars in the lurch against the Serghal to go rescue Tehol.

Point being, as 'nice' as Bugg was, he's still not overly fond of humans, except for Tehol.

Another note: blood clearly plays a part in the 'old style' of Elder God worship, but while it reactivated K'rul, I don't think it's accurate to say it's the fundamental source of power to all EGs.

Interesting the the two surviving EGs we've seen, K'rul and Mael, seem to be re-aspecting themselves. Krul to dreams, Mael/Bugg to something more indeterminate... he was an undertaker before Tehol recruited him, he prepped the dead for the Letherii homeless... hmmm....

- Abyss, respects his Elders.

[PannionDude]

I always figured that Mael, uninterested as he is in humanity, doesn't realize that Mallick Rel is using his power. We don't see Mallick Rel drawing heavily on it at any point, maybe he's just below the point where Mael has to care.

I do see Mallick Rel as being a great deal like the CG, in that he wants to avenge the wrong done to the Jhistal with more wrongs, done primarily to people unrelated to the initial tragedy.

[Abyss]

On a different note, the seas, as an elemental force, if you will, are fairly disinterested in humanity.

An elder god is, i assume, somewhat tied to the humanity that worships him/her (altho in the MoI prologue, Krul, Drac and SoCN seem more angry about Kallor's affront to the planet than the deaths he caused), but Mael's indifference to how 'his' power is being used by Rel (if that is the case) is not a complete separation from the sea not caring what ships come and go or whether they sink along the way.

- Abyss, lives in a yellow submarine...

[Ivan the terrible]

I agree, Mael is quite indifferent, all round cool guy. Kinda hints at his power if he finds Rel a elder high mage beneath his notice, that and kicking the crap outta CG.