Chatting with Ian C. Esslemont, Steven Erikson, and Dr. Philip Chase - No Ochre Involved 

What a blast! Not only did we have a ton of fun here, but I think that our two beloved Malazan authors have given fans a whole lot of bones to chew on!

*No pots were sherded in the making of this video* Speaking as a fan of the series and as someone who was introduced to d&d in grade 10 and is still playing, Steve and Cam talking about old campaigns will never be boring. Thanks AP for getting the gang back together. 😁

WhaaaaAAAAttt!!!!!! The whole crew present but no ochre!?? 😱😱😱😭😭😭😭

You know what would be sick? Watching a video of all four of you gaming. I've always found this idea of Steven and Ian having such strong characters and concepts from roleplaying to be quite mystical because it's way too deep and intricate, so watching that playing out would be crazy. Plus, Philip and that Dragon man would add a lot of comedic value and insight. But hey, that's a spoiled fan's wish. I feel we Malazan fans are very privileged to get this much unfiltered and genuine communication. I've learned a lot from these videos and funnily enough (because you joked about this before) they've helped me through severe insomnia. Not because they're boring but because the energy is really warming. Gentlemen, a heartfelt thank you for Malazan and for letting us watch these interactions.

Hello. I have been subscribed to the channel for almost a year and if I haven't said anything before is because I'm that kind of lazy yt user that never writes comments and just shows it's support or appreciation by pushing the Like button. But today, what Steven said by the end about being worried of boring people with the ttprg stories just broke my heart. Steven, I love the stories about the ttrpg between you and Ian. I also have some experience playing ttrpg and have wondered many times how were your games, the way you played, and today both of you have given some good details. And not just that, I feel extremely lucky to be alive in a time where this thing called internet, that is as much powerful as it is fragile, exist and I can watch and hear the creators of a piece of art that I love talking about it’s creation and expand my understanding of it. Thank you Steven and Ian for existing and writing books. And since I'm here I take this opportunity to also say thank you AP. In my experience, on youtube there are a lot of channels where people give their subjective opinions about movies and books, but almost none where you can find subjective analysis about those same things. I don't find much value in the first kind but to the second kind I subscribe and pray for their grow.

Gosh this has to be one of the best talks with Erikson and Esslemont you or anyone's ever had on here, hearing directly about their experiences gaming, their influences, their misremebered stories, etc... Love all this. I always love to hear more about how their time playing together built the world. Fantastic as always AP!

You guys have created a wonderful little corner here on RU-vid. Who could have predicted so much author interaction just a few years ago? It sure enriches my reading life.

Omg when ICE mentions that they were thinking they were going into the wizard tower but it was just their pet immediately followed by the meow in the background was hilarious! Amazing conversation, could listen to you all talk all day

I'm sure I speak for all of the viewers here, but I absolutely love these conversations and I appreciate you all so much for putting in the time for us!

I think Philips statement at the end of the video nailed it perfectly. I dont see how it can get better than this. Well maybe with a little bit of ochre. That could do the trick.

Loved this conversation! It was so special to learn more about the origins in a non-formal way. Great to acknowledge the Malazan world as a way of honoring non-conformity, diversity, as well as gender neutrality in the military. Great to see you four in a video discussion together!

It's always fantastic to have all four of you just enjoying a fun conversation. But then there are also the shiny nuggets like Cam's new book arriving soon(ish), and Kallor wrestling his way into the Kharkanas trilogy! 😍 And yes, I have, do and will listen to people talk about rpg campaigns for hours on end 😂

A great treat to find today! I could listen to Steve and Cam talk about their characters and game sessions all day. Thanks for this A.P.!

No ochre? what do you mean no ochre? I want my ochre Potsherds on rotting ice laying supine! 😂🤣

We might not get ochre but we do get a wonderful and funny chat and some interesting insights into how two writers created the most extensive in-joke in literary history. Thank you, to all four of you!

What a fantastic video! Thank you all for making it.

Four powerhouse dudes. I could watch this all day.

This ochreless offering made my day. Stimulating and tantalising conversation, A.P. Many thanks to all involved!

Regardless of who played whom, I think they both are full of Kruppe. Or perhaps Kruppe is full of Steve is a better way of putting it. But really did enjoy the chat. And letting us in kn the most convoluted play by mail scheme there ever was.

This was SO MUCH FUN! Can we get more of these conversations? Pwease, pwease, pweety pwease! Learning all of these things just adds a new, very flavorful layer to the Malazan world! Thank you for making this possible!

Currently rereading return of the Crimson Guard and The Bonehunter atm. I am very much looking forward to The Jhistal and A Walk in Shadow. The themes and threads of this conversation reminded me of On the Genealogy of Morality (without the antisemitism) in the sense of interrogating and criticizing our values. Knowledge of the history of our ethical conceptions can make us rethink and reevaluate them and may even lead us to change them. The central idea is that the history or cultural context of our moral concepts may give us reasons to revise those concepts.

As a long time reader of both. Its absolutely amazing how you've both created these characters that you both share. And the way you've thrown your own perspectives on them. But by doing that changing our perspectives as we the reader read through. Within this world so many of the characters we all love and talk about constantly are in both your books. SE made me love Cotillion. ICE showed me why he will always be Dancer.

Fantastic! Always love seeing Erikson and Esselmont together. What a pair. Thanks AP and Phillip!

Loved every minute of this chat! Much appreciated. Steve none of us are bored at all with you guys talking about gaming or how Malazan was created. You guys are brilliant. I was really hoping to get an update for the pushed back release date for Jhistal. I'm so excited for that and Walk in Shadow. Thanks guys 🙏

No ochre? Why am I even watching?

A wonderful and insightful discussion! A couple of observations: 1) The comments regarding how the pre-Christian, pagan world was more forgiving of eccentricity ring true when compared to much of modern Christianity, particularly Western cultures dominated by a pious form of Protestantism. But, don't forget that Christianity has had a fair share of eccentric people who have been lifted up as saints, such as the " holy fools" in the Russian Orthodox tradition and visionary mystics such as Sts. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila in the West. 2) The comments regarding the madness and insanity of war were particularly timely considering the events in Ukraine this past week. Thank you very much, gentlemen!

Oh, this was perfect, even without ochre! :) You were all adorable and now I have a huge smile on my face. Thank you :) Very nice to know the origins of Obo, awww, the geekiness! The awesomeness! Hope to see more videos like this one, the stories these two have to tell are amazing :)

Fantastic video! This channel is a treasure!

Amazing video! It's always great to see the four of you together. These discussions are really insightful and thought provoking for fans.

This was AWESOME! Watching you is fun. Always. You and Steve? Great! But having Cam is always such a special treat! And Philip was the cherry on the cake, completing the whole thing. Thank you, wholeheartedly! I enjoyed this a lot. Oh, and I am sure I would enjoy archeology and dig stories as well.

We need more scenes with Kallor. He is the hero we need, but do not deserve.

This was so much fun, but it also made me look forward to Walk In Shadow and the Jhistal even more! #Kallordidnothingwrong, but also #thereisnothingwrongwithochre And Obo 🖤!

I’ll watch this kind of content any day. Thanks for uploading!

This is incredible, thank you ! Love you guys

Thanks for this! I've just started reading Return of the Crimson Guard and am excited for more Esslemont so this interview hits at a great moment for me in terms of headspace

This was great. I especially loved the Catch 22 comparison, as that was (and still is) one of my favourite books. Which character was Major Major Major, do you think?

I definitely saw a lot of Catch-22 influence with the dialogue between Tehol/Bugg and, in particular, Pores/Kindly. Cool to see that reaffirmed here!

I haven’t read any Esslemont yet so the implications of Blood and Bone are minor spoilers to me. Still, it’s just a minor spoiler in this otherwise fun chat. Just finished chapter 20 of the Crippled God. Cried a little. Will be taking a break for Elden Ring before starting Esslemont. You guys are amazing. Cheers.

Guys you can't do this without warning. As if I can go to bed early now. This is the equivalent of a rock festival when you get SE and ICE together. Looking forward to the next hour. Apologies in advance if I over comment.

My favorite books ever.

Thank you for the vid. It's very very inspiring that a friendship could be so profound as to produce such magnificent artistry. Two thoughts. Absurdity is often a reaction to a norm, perhaps a release to counter some mores or traditions. I am guessing the seriousness in the actual books is a deep/psychological examination of the origins of the absurdity that happened in the gaming? Second, Erikson is also a graphic artist, right? I see his painting of Kruppe in the background and think my God, what I would give to see his paintings and drawing of the Mezla world. Images by Eru Illuvatar himself! Perhaps Erikson hasn't published his drawings/paintings in order to not limit or affect the art of fans. But maybe posthumously? :)

More on Shal Morzinn and also the Blackdog campaign please

The part at 38:15 That spoke to me.

Kallor spin off when?

The unicorns are in Shal-Morzinn!

Any thoughts on one of my favourite Shadowthrone scenes. End of reapers gale. Possibly the only scene he appears in and doesnt speak. He immediately starts trying to heal the fallen.

Only 11 minutes into this one and it's so good, so, so, so, so good, so amazing! Oh, I envy you! :P I hav ebeen thinking for a good long while whether or not Kallor burned down his entire empire. I mean, sure, the Thaumaturgs wanted him gone but couldn't kill him. So they brought down the Crippled God. And the world said "you are evil, that is why they resorted to such extreme measures! Therefore, even though they did it, you are to blame for the damaged caused by their actions! (and you are conveniently still alive while they are not)". But from the ghosts of Jackuruku we seem to get a story that Kallor was loved by his subjects. Which would make the Thaumaturgs into an evil bunch that Kallor stood against. Not out of the kindness of his heart, for sure, but he still stood against them. And we did see the quality of people that the surviving Thaumaturgs were. I always saw Kallor as the eternal cynic who isn't afraid of accepting the many evils of human nature and who has lost hope that humans can ever change. And thus he acts on it with the cynicism and experience of a life as old as Anomander's. Like the reverse coin to Anomander: where one found a way to cling to hope and to avoid the cynicism that conquers us all with age, Kallor gave into it. And you can see how they both evolve and how this one little change shapes them and their destiny. Not to mention how it shapes public perception! And just like there is doubt and cynicism in Anomander, which he fights off, there is kindness and humanity in Kallor too. And he keeps it at bay because it hurts too much. Maybe being an Andii means having the strength to keep at bay the evils that one would witness living such a long life, while humanity is far more frail in front of evil and pain. Yet another cautionary tail. I would LOOOOOVE to see Kallor redeemed. At least to a point. You have given me hope. Better not take it away from me :))))

Could we ever get an authorised globe?

Bonus to anyone that finds the unicorn in Malazan.

Obo!

is it spoiler free?

Man... I mispronounced so many names in this series.