Remembering Coltaine - Military Fantasy's Finest! 

The High Fist delivering a body blow to A Critical Dragon...

I still remember when I finished Deadhouse Gates for the first time, I was so depressed. Chain of Dogs is so heartbreaking, especially the end.

Coltaine is the ultimate badass of Malazan. As far as I recall he doesn't have any special powers or magic etc. He is literally just a guy who inspires other people.

Thank you all so much for this video. If anything scarred me from the Ten Big Books it was the chain of dogs. So great to hear it discussed in full by a team of experts.

Even thoough the series gets spoiled in the first few minutes, i wouldn't mind getting spoiled on Malazan (i wasn't by the way, not a single spoiler in over a year, which is how long it took me to finish the main ten) because there's so much more to this series then just statement of facts and witnessing of events. Some even go to great turmoil to remain unwitnessed. The importance of that part of the story is still a bit of mistery for me, i foresee a many more re-reads in my future. Great bunch, great talk. Glad i was here for the ride.

Great time! What a team-up. It’s got me thinking of a personal Malazan Mt. Rushmore which along with those mentioned would include Fist Kenneb (the king of using whatever’s handed to him) and Itkovian (for actually getting survivors out of the fall of Kapustan - plus great at delegating). To me Itkovian’s story arc was a sort of one character version of the Chain of Dogs which acted as a scale model of the whole 10 books.

Really enjoyable watch.

Thanks for having me-great topic with great people!!

Great to see you back Ruth. I've seen the recent turmoil over there and I thought about you. I am praying for you and your family and your country. Stay safe big dog. For me, Coltaine is easily the best commander in the entire Malazan universe. I love Coltaine, but I don't share the same passion as you guys for the Chain of Dogs. Yes its a good story...but as a fellow lasers and magic enjoyer, I much prefer other battles. My favorite battle is the Grey Sword scout in force outside of Capustan where they first encounter the KChain che Malle. One other thing I would like to add, I think Tavore is overrated as a commander...without the experienced NCO's(for lack of a better term) like Fiddler, the Bonehunters would have never made it out of 7 cities. Thanks man, have a good one

Coltaine, Tavore, Dassem, Shadowthrone

Great chat, gents! I would be interested to know if Erikson have read “Creation”, given the multiple religions created in the relative short period of “The Book of the Fallen”. Also interesting that most of them are military men, not the scholar-philosophers we are most used to from many modern-day religions. Also pray for the well-being of your friends and family Highfist, during these unfortunately continually troubling times!

Fabulous discussion, darlings . Dead house Gates was my favourite of the ten on first read. Will shortly be re reading it. Very interested to see if it hits the same second time. Absolutely floored me first time. People get shocked by Ned dying at end of Game of Thrones. Bitch please - Erikson fucking crucifies everyone here. Loved the Coltaine discussion. What a guy.

This will be good! Thanks in advance! Watched it: excellent fare, as usual!

I liked Coltaine on the first scene on the boat but it was the 'holy shit' moment of his death, even though it became expected at the end, where his legend surpasses his deeds. And while just in one book, his ghost looms large over the rest of the series both through the Burned Tears and the concept of winning even while losing. And while unfortunately a huge spoiler, the Sub Press cover is gorgeous. And for the Mt Rushmore, I don't thing I would have Tavore as she was more of a politician and organizer like Eisenhower rather than an on the field commander. She just had to get the best people and then get out of their way. For one not mentioned but tossing his name out there, what about the Watch at Lightfall? Or was that basically a battle of attrition with him just killing everything in sight?

Wonderful video. Also I am enjoying your podcast "Malazan for Dummies" greatly. But the anchor link in the video description doesn't seem to work. Just wanted to point that out.

Wow! I can’t stand all the juiciness here!

In hindsight after many re-reads it's fair to say Coltaine an co wouldn't have made it out of Hissar had Leoman been in charge of the rebellion from the outset! same for Tavore she would have been stuck in Aren had Leoman been allowed to command instead of babysitting Felisin. Didn't Coltaine know that he would be reborn after he died so he kinda had a back door out making the last stand less grand if you were a bit synical! I love Mallick Rel obviously not in this book but I find him to be a Kruppe type string puller schemer that had to do some dirty things to survive but who in this series hasn't!..

Can someone please direct me to the defence of Malik Rel vid?

Coltaine is the last competent military strategist/tactician in the books. No idea what happens with Erikson's plot regarding warfare later on, but most of it either doesn't make sense (Coral, MT battles, Y'ghatan) or is straight up stupid (any decision Tavore makes).