So this is literally a quest fantasy group. We got Professor Fireball, who is obviously a mage. Dr Fantasy. Well he's a doctor, so obviously the healer, and the scholar Jimmy Nutts, the wrestler . The barbarian who can crush enemies. (The more civilized, erudite barbarian) And Erikson. Who is obviously a bard. Who are basically tellers of stories at there hearts.
Healer and scholar -- I'll take that! This way, I can mostly avoid monsters and such while the barbarian and the mage take care of business and the bard sings about it.
Thank you, Petrik! I very much hope to have the chance to meet you in person someday too. Please let me know if you're ever anywhere near New York City!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy you'll soon find yourself having another version of you as nemesis. Who would win, in an I against I situation? What are Professor Fireball's true interests when trying to achieve this new identity? :P
Can’t help but add to the many comments you need to reply to, Philip! 😄 I’ll keep this one short though. This was such a wonderful discussion with a great exchange of insights between the four of you. I recently reread the prologue to Gardens of the Moon, and the words sparkled off the page. Loved the thoughts on meaning in great ideas, construction of themes, moral perspectives, and reimagining fantasy conventions!
Beautifully said, Johanna! Isn't it amazing how much richer the prologue (and the entire series, really) becomes on a second read because you're catching foreshadowing and embedded themes and references? Just amazing. And answering your comments is a joy!
Epic convergence of ascendants, indeed, and a elder god, of course. This was fantastic. RIP AP´s ponytail, going thorugh hood´s gates at this very moment.
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Well jet lag and work will probably kick my butt this week, but I will definitely have to have more conversations with my nemesis. Thank you so much, my friend.
The convergence of convergences! You have made my day better! Should I admit I watched the first 2 minutes at least 5 times, just because it was too damn funny? 😅🤣 Thank you for sharing this with us!
Ha ha! Thanks, Livia! We weren't sure what we were going to say when we started recording. The task was to say outrageous things about Steven Erikson, but A.P. and Jimmy were giggling too much to be completely effective, thus leaving me to drop the bombshell "revelation".
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy the Ayn Rand line was hilarious and it was not scripted, I think? I saw how it took the other two by surprise, they had the same sudden reaction. So good!
@@liviathemalazanpotatonoob5014 Yes, we had no idea what we were going to say when we hit record. We were just going to have each of them appear one at a time!
I'm so happy that this brought you joy, Rox! It was an indescribably beautiful experience. I may be biased, but people who read fantasy, and especially Malazan, just seem wonderful to me. Hugs right back to you!
I think we've all been waiting for the inevitable in person meeting of you and AP. Can't wait to be able to watch the video later on in all of it's glory!
My first thought was NO F**KING WAY!!! Second thought was WHERES ALAN?!! I hope you guys had a great time at the conference! I’m sure it’s created some amazing memories.
I always appreciate how each of you are so interested in and respectful of what the others have to say! Thank you for all the entertainment you guys have given me. It's great to see everyone together in person.
It was more wonderful than I can express, Rob. Alas for the ponytail, though. Someone must compose a lament! Perhaps Brash Phluster will be up to the task . . .
Ha ha! A.P. transforms into a centaur only when the moon is full. Steven Erikson knew we were going to say ridiculous things, but none of us knew what we were going say. I loved his reaction!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Can't believe you had Erikson there. You lucky people! Working like mad on my channel. Thumbnails in the making, decent ones. Then there's a new program I need to learn to navigate... Well, one day I might be on a podcast or live-call with you. Just give me another lifetime here. :D
This looks like the Malazan Conference of Yalta or Potsdam... I enjoyed seeing and hearing the four of you all together in the (sometimes bare) flesh. Very special!
Lovely party, pity I wasn't invited. Haha, just joking. You guys dropped a bomb on RU-vid with this, Philip. Great to see you all together like this. Also quite scary to see AP from a different angle.
So wonderful to see you all. I didn't realize how much I wanted to see you all together. Meant so much. You must do this again. Hunker down somewhere, and talk.
This is so awesome watching you guys all together! I never comment , just silently enjoy all the content lol. But just felt compelled to say this is great! Keep up the great work, love the Dear Doctor Fantasy thing you have going on , can’t wait till the next episode
I was going to say the same as someone else, what a treat this was. Looking at the picture thumbnail, it was either a really good editing job, or these guys are all hanging together! This was fun to watch, it seems like you had a blast chillen with your buds
I certainly thought the thumbnail was photoshopped at first. In fact, I was wondering why an older picture of AP was used because it was clear that his hair was short.
I don't have nearly enough talent to photoshop a thumbnail that well, though my daughter could probably figure it out . . . But I'm happy to say it was all real (though I keep pinching myself to make sure)!
Awesome! Just so happens I plan on finishing my first read of Malazan this weekend. So I’ll jump back onto this video tomorrow night. Have a great day :).
Great, very enjoyable conversation. I took a chance and watched it through even though I haven’t finished the BoTF yet (taking a break at the midway point), so I’m glad the spoilers were rather light!
What an amazing opportunity to meet in person with people you have interacted with for so long! That is incredible! I am very happy for you! I had to skip around in order to not get too many clues on the series since I'm only on Book 2, but what a collection of minds!
Thank you, Ercy! There were no major spoilers, but we did wander near spoiler territory at times. It really was an incredible experience to meet those great people.
Well, most of this convo went a bit over my head as I stil haven't embarked on my Malazan journey, but it was just so much fun to see you all chat in real life! Truly brings a smile to my face to see you all together. Hope you had a wonderful time (though from watching this, I am guessing it's safe to say you did, haha). All the best!! :)
What a treat to find this surprise on the channel today! Happy to see you all got together in person. Was that the first time getting together face-to-face for some of you? Great to hear the conversation too. As always, insightful and entertaining. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of the conference!
Thank you! The only ones who had met in person before (many, many times) were A.P. and Steven Erikson. It was absolutely fantastic to be able to meet and chat for hours and days.
NICE and a surprise indeed! Looks like you had tons of fun. So I have no idea how, between the sun, the partying and the gaming, you actually found the time to film a video.😁
OH. MY. GOD! THIS was the super secret project?! I am gobsmacked. I can't imagine how much of a good time you were all having while you were planning this, and I sincerely hope you're all wringing the most fun possible out of being able to just hang out with each other. Thank you for sharing with us!!!!!!
Malazan has taken over my current obsession and has made me love it furthermore knowing erikson being an anthropologist. His work on Malazan (including ICE) is unmatched in fantasy and the way he ties stuff well in each book is amazing.
Love this! Next time you meet up with Mr. Erickson, ask if he has ever considered doing a kickstarter to rerelease his books in hardcover or if his publisher has considered doing a rerelease in hardcover? I’m just curious as I would like to get all the books in hardcover. My local bookstore recently received all the hardcovers (used copies), but when I inquired on pricing for the set, they wanted in the $700 range. I love Malazan but that was slightly more than I’m (or my husband) is willing to pay.
It's an issue, for sure. It seems the only Malazan books that are readily available are the mass market paperbacks. I much prefer the trade paperbacks, and it would be a dream to own the Subterranean Press editions. I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Carolyn!
I really enjoyed this discussion. Makes me want to dive back into Malazan. I left off in book 2 of Deadhouse Gates. I'm just taking my time with the series. I remember most of what I read lol. It's a challenging read for me because of all the details but such a good read. I know this is one of those series worth reading.
I have definitely found it worth reading, Roxie. Of course, there is no hurry, and there is no reason to rush an experience that can be savored. My very best to you!
It was incredibly hard to find a moment to record. However, there will be one more very short video from the conference, probably during the next The Week That Was on Saturday. Cheers, Michael!
So hard to grasp the idea that this unassuming guy dreamed up and *published* such a deep and imaginative fantasy world. There’s nothing like Malazan, it is so immersive, so challenging, and so rewarding.
I am hoping to hear the true story on AP's ponytail. I suspect AP was in a drunken stupor, which Dr Fantasy took advantage to cut it off, knowing the ponytail was the true source of APs power. Dr Fantasy then used his superior mind controlling power, knowing AP no longer had the protection of the ponytail, to convince AP that he chose to cut it off himself. As an added bonus Dr Fantasy convinced AP to wear shorts in the extreme closeup angle of the camera shot. Brilliant. Dr Fantasy triumphs again.
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I was just happy to see that the Nemesis Wars seems to have gotten past the slog phase. Although those less discerning than myself may have missed this completely. By the way, those other two secondary characters in this story had an admirable performance. The mystery now is whether they are in on Dr Fantasy's brilliant maneuver.
For so long I've heard so much about Malazan, so...I ordered a copy of Gardens of the Moon. The bit about a soul trapped inside a poppet piqued my interest. I may like it, I may not but I'll have a sample on hand to examine as the spirit moves me. If I need to I'll thank you later.
I don't think I have ever seen a group of people lacking in acting skills more than you guys put together :))) Although you, Phillip, were the most credible one. It was fun to see you all together. And I must confess I felt a pinch of envy as well :P
Ha ha! I don’t think any of us will ever be winning an Oscar. Someday, I very much hope to have a similar meeting with you and so many other lovely people we interact with here on RU-vid. I hope MalazCon will happen!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy That would be great! I have seen this idea of a MalazCon around, but I have no knowledge of anyone attempting to make it happen. Do you know anything about that?
@@claudiaiovanovici7569 As far as I know, no one is actively trying to organize a MalazCon. Unfortunately, many of us fantasy readers are dreamers but not practical people who know how to organize big events. I think it would first take someone with a certain skill set who is willing to get the ball rolling. Not to mention a lot of money.
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I have been trying to get Steve here, to Romania, since 2019. I had it all set to go for the spring of 2020, but then we got the pandemic. Now that the pandemic has eased, there is war at our borders and who knows how that situation will develop? But unless the aliens attack or the dinosaurs return, I will do flips and pirouettes and I will get Steve here, if not this year, then the next. Now I don't know about the lots of money needed or the skill set, but I am willing to try and to learn as I go. If I can get him here for a bookstore tour, then perhaps I can try to upgrade for some kind of MalazCon event. I guess I can keep that in mind....
@@claudiaiovanovici7569 Please keep me posted, Claudia, and I will do everything I can to promote the event (if it happens) through my channel. I’m sure others will do the same.
I'm only 2 minutes in but HOLY SHIT WHAT IS THIS!!! Regardless of what you talk about, what the rest of the video is, this is insanely cool and not only am I glad simply for the 4 of you, that you got to meet up and hang out in person (which seems like such a much bigger deal now than it was 2 years ago... right?) but that we get to see it!! LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Awesome! Hopefully that one is more spoiler free... I actually had to stop this one about 3 minutes in, when Jimmy (the Nutt guy) started talking about why re-reading the series is so meaningful... I get that he didn't go into detail, but he said enough that I had to stop immediately, and I've been thinking about what I heard way too much since then, and I hate it!! Not saying I'm mad at him or any of you, just saying :) I'll have to come back to this one after I finish The Crippled God (about 2/3 into Reaper's Gale atm)
@@slidenaway No worries! I don’t think he, or any of us, gave away anything important. That said, it’s probably best to avoid the rest if you want to steer clear of anything even remotely resembling a spoiler. The next video from the conference is short and won’t spoil anything at all. Cheers!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy dunno if you'll see this but I did finish the series and came back to watch the rest of this! I probably overreacted earlier, but the issue was when Jimmy said something (around 3 minutes in) about trying to figure out or keep in mind who are the good guys and who are the bad guys, and talking about how much we get wrong before reading the ending -- basically just how much your perspective on everything changes when you get to the end. My mind went wild trying to think about what that could mean, like could the Crippled God actually be the HERO of the story??? Obviously that's ridiculous, and I'll take this one on the chin -- Jimmy didn't say anything spoiler-y, I just have an overactive and overanalytical mind. Oh well :) Anyway it was great to hear the rest of the convo, I'm super jealous that you get to hang out with those guys, all 3 of them!! Savor the feeling, it's an amazing thing you got to do :)
@@slidenaway Thank you, Chris! In my book, an analytical mind is a mind being put to good use, so absolutely no worries. I’m happy you finished the series - congratulations!!!
