[Bottle]

What do you Daru, and Gadrobi look like? And is the city really so cosmopolitan that when they see a group of road workers consisting of (excuse 'real world' terms) a black man (kalam), an a dark skinned [arabic/indian] (Quick), a Neanderthal-esque (trotts) Fiddler with his Ginger hair (I'm pretty sure HoC mentions his beard turning from ginger to grey) and whatever the rest of the bridgeburners look like, to upon seeing them only make comment of their strange accents, and not for a second wonder that all these men have genealogy of races assimilated into the Malazan empire!?

In simpler terms; how did the bridgeburners not get spotted as Malazan?
Or had there already been sufficient migration from the peoples now assimilated into the malazan empire into the city. But if that where the case then why where their accents noted as 'strange' and not malazan (or as the multitude of accents of the assimilated malazans)?

That’s all, its probably been asked before but I wasn't around for the answer

[caladanbrood]

Because everyone ignores road-crews? They do in England, at least;)

[Dolorous Menhir]

They spoke Daru with innocuous accents. Kruppe only found out there were Malazans in the city by accident, when one of the Bridgeburners dropped something and cursed in Malazan. At one point in Darujhistan it is assumed from their appearance that QB and Kalam, black-skinned Seven Cities natives, are from southern Genebackis.

So it's clear that the BB's blended in very well in Darujhistan, without any need for magical intervention by QB.

Bottle;165013 said:

What do you Daru, and Gadrobi look like? And is the city really so cosmopolitan that when they see a group of road workers consisting of (excuse 'real world' terms) a black man (kalam), an a dark skinned [arabic/indian] (Quick), a Neanderthal-esque (trotts) Fiddler with his Ginger hair (I'm pretty sure HoC mentions his beard turning from ginger to grey) and whatever the rest of the bridgeburners look like, to upon seeing them only make comment of their strange accents, and not for a second wonder that all these men have genealogy of races assimilated into the Malazan empire!?

Not sure what Daru & Gadrobi look like, but it's not really important. As noted above Kalam and QB (who are from the same place, so QB is not "arabic/indian" if Kalam is not) pass for southern Genebackans. Trotts is a Barghast, and there are plenty of those in Genebackis. There's no reason to think that Fiddler is somehow out-of-place because he is a ginger-haired Falari. It's not really a problem.

Darujhistan was the lone prize worth taking on Genebackis. Capturing the wealth of the city was a prime motive for the Malazan invasion of the continent. It must be a cosmopolitan place.

[paladin]

it also has natural gas.. maybe the moranth are looking for new and interesting ways to blow things up!

[mmdw45]

Dolorous Menhir;173413 said:

Darujhistan was the lone prize worth taking on Genebackis. Capturing the wealth of the city was a prime motive for the Malazan invasion of the continent. It must be a cosmopolitan place.

Sorry, cite? I thought there were other cities which were becoming nearly as wealthy under Malazan rule. Invading a continent just to conquer a single city seems a bit... extreme, and besides it seems like a Malazan thing to want to control *everything*. Otherwise, why not just start with Darujhistan in the first place instead of Nathilog?

-Max

[Binder of Demons]

Don't forget that a lot of the motivation for the Malazan conquest is about power, and not just monetary wealth.

Darujhistan has a long history that may have also been part of the reason for wanting to conquer it. Such as the presence of an Azath house. And the likes of Mammot etc. and their knowledge.

As for the BB's not sticking out, Dolorous has already covered that (re: QB,Kalam and Trotts), and everyone knows that gingers get everywhere.

[Dolorous Menhir]

mmdw45;173752 said:

Sorry, cite? I thought there were other cities which were becoming nearly as wealthy under Malazan rule. Invading a continent just to conquer a single city seems a bit... extreme, and besides it seems like a Malazan thing to want to control *everything*. Otherwise, why not just start with Darujhistan in the first place instead of Nathilog?

-Max

Rake to Baruk:

Gardens of the Moon, on p 213, said:

"I'll tell you this. For the Empress your city is the lone pearl on this continent of mud. She wants it, and what she wants she usually gets."

That's not quite the same as invading a continent just for one city, but it is clear that of all Genebackis, Darujhistan is the real prize to be won. There's another quote elsewhere about how much the Empire wants, or even needs, the wealth of Darujhistan to come under its control, but I can't find it just now.

As for your other question, the answer is simple - geography. The Malazan invasion force landed in the north, at Genebaris, and work its way south down the continent. Darujhistan lies in the centre of the continent, so presumably it would have been bad strategy to go straight for it without first taking the other 11 Free Cities (especially Pale) to the north.

[paladin]

darujhistan is the home of the trygalle trading guild correct? that alone probably makes it the home to the most money/valuables of any on the continent, probably across more continents.. they move BIG bucks and get paid more. not to mention have many magic users in their employ, something you dont hear too much when talking about other private ventures..

[Dolorous Menhir]

(belatedly edited - this entire thread is a spoiler now)

Spoiler

I'm fairly sure the Trygalle came from somewhere further to the south of Genebackis, the region that the Grey Swords originated from. The name escapes me...unless it is actually Trygalle they are from.

Anyway, I'm fairly sure they are not originally from Darujhistan.

[Sa'yless Lorthal]

Trygalle Trading Guild, recently I had re-read DG and there is a reference about this Guild. You are correct they operate in a place called Trygalle, small fortress city south of the Lamatath Plain on Genabackis continent. This guild comprises of mages, retired pirates and wreckers. Karpolan Demesand is one of the original mages and he was the leader of the caravan that brought food and water to the Chain of Dogs before the battle engagement in Sannion Valley.
Interestingly, it was the leaders in Darujhistan that had contracted Trygalle Trade Guild to get provisions to Coltaine. I had always wondered why Dujek OneArm would be this generous to Coltaine. I had thought that Bult was the one who severed Dujek arm, unless I am mistaken it was not Bult. Help?

[Illuyankas]

You sure it's Trygalle and not Elingarth? As (MOI spoilers)

Spoiler

Itkovian recognises the Trygalle symbol as coming from his (and the Grey Swords') home town of Elingarth, and is proud of their success.

And DG spoilers,

Spoiler

it's Bult's horse who crushes Dujek's arm, but Dujek and Coltaine are both Fists of the Empire, I imagine that it's not an issue any more.

[caladanbrood]

Yes, I thought the Trygalle Trade Guild was from Elingarth. An intruiging-sounding city, by all accounts.

[Sa'yless Lorthal]

not too sure really, have to look around for that detail.... however this Guild will work for anyone for the right price. Their home base sounds like it is in Trygalle hence the name yet have business contacts existing in Elingarth and Darujhistan to strengthen their network.

[caladanbrood]

Yep, found the quote, and it looks like you're right - they did start in a city called Trygalle. I got the distinct impression that the bulk of their business is based in more major cities though, like Elingarth and Darujhistan.

[Kurt Montandon]

caladanbrood;177684 said:

Yep, found the quote, and it looks like you're right - they did start in a city called Trygalle. I got the distinct impression that the bulk of their business is based in more major cities though, like Elingarth and Darujhistan.

Any chance you could cite that, since I don't have my books on me? I remember that Itkovian felt a bit of pride at seeing the Trygalle Guild mark on some crates, while approaching the Capustan summit meeting; pride because they had their beginnings in Elingarth.

EDIT: Ah, having had a chance to check my copy of MOI, I see that both he and the Trygalle are indeed from Elingarth, but that's a region and not a city. Later, near the end, Itkovian tells the T'lan Imass that he's from the city of Erin.

[Illuyankas]

Interesting, I didn't know that. I wonder if the map has Elingarth down as a region and it just didn't register with me?

[caladanbrood]

It just says "To Elingarth" on the map.

Page 418 said:

The preposterous man stepped forward, suddenly solemn. He spoke softly. 'Alchemists, mages, sorcerers have all contributed, offering vessels with capacities belying their modest containers. Coltaine of Crow Clan, Chain of Dogs, I bring you food. I bring you water.'
Karpolan Demesand was one of the original founders of the Trygalle Trade Guild, a citizen of the small fortress city of the same name, situated south of the Lamatath Plain on the continent of Genabackis. Born of a dubious alliance between a handful of mages, Karpolan among them, and the city's benefactors - a motley collection of retired pirates and wreckers - the Guild came to specialize in expeditions so risk-laden as to make the average merchant pale. Each caravan was protected by a heavily armed company of shareholders - guards who possessed a direct stake in the venture, ensuring the fullest exploitation of their abilities. And such abilities were direly needed, for the caravans of the Trygalle Trade Guild - as was clear from the very outset—travelled the warrens.

[Dolorous Menhir]

Maybe a mod could move this thread to a later forum (MoI at least) since the discussion has totally left GotM behind.

[caladanbrood]

Sorry, I posted that quote without even thinking about spoilers, seeing as it's not really plot stuff...