(Updated with page number references.
Some minor alterations of formatting (some double spaces after full stops).
Added a link to the wider Malazan universe in Trivia and expanded on an existing one.
Noted that the story is the first in the coll...) Tags: Visual edit apiedit |
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| series = |
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| publisher = HarperCollins |
| publisher = HarperCollins |
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| − | | release_date = 22 June 2010<ref> |
+ | | release_date = 22 June 2010<ref>[http://www.harpercollins.com/9780062000286/swords-and-dark-magic HarperCollins.com]</ref> |
| pages = 39 pp (short story)<br> 544pp (HarperCollins softcover) |
| pages = 39 pp (short story)<br> 544pp (HarperCollins softcover) |
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| isbn = 978-0061723810 |
| isbn = 978-0061723810 |
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| − | '''''Goats of Glory''''' is a short story by Steven Erikson, appearing as the first story in the sword and sorcery anthology, ''[ |
+ | '''''Goats of Glory''''' is a short story by [[Steven Erikson]], appearing as the first story in the sword and sorcery anthology, ''[https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062000286/swords-and-dark-magic/ Swords & Dark Magic.]'' It has subsequently appeared in the ''[https://www.prime-books.com/shop/print-books/swords-against-darkness-edited-by-paula-guran/ Swords Against Darkness]'' (2017) anthology. Although the story does not share any characters or locations with the Malazan novels to date, Steven Erikson has confirmed that it takes place in the Malazan world, "just south of [[Shal-Morzinn|Shal Morzinn]] on the same landmass as [[Seven Cities]]".<ref>[http://www.tor.com/2011/07/06/ask-steven-erikson-your-memories-of-ice-questions/#198146 Tor.com - Ask Steven Erikson Your Memories of Ice Questions]</ref> |
== Plot Summary == |
== Plot Summary == |
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| − | Five weary mercenaries, [[Skint|Captain Skint]], [[Flapp|Sergeant Flapp]], [[Wither (Goats of Glory)|Wither]], [[Dullbreath]], and [[Huggs]], travel on horseback through a mountain pass into a river valley. Members of the Rams, they are now five where once they were a thousand after a year of fighting on the Demon Plain. Arriving in the sleepy hamlet of [[Glory]], notable only for a ruined keep looming above the edge of town, they seek cold drink, food, and a room for the night. The local tavern can provide the first two, but there is no inn. Why not shelter the night in the ancient keep on the hill as recommended by the barkeep? As the sky darkens, the soldiers trudge up the hill to their new accommodations. Meanwhile, the town's gravedigger has eagerly prepared five new plots in the local cemetery... |
+ | Five weary mercenaries, [[Skint|Captain Skint]], [[Flapp|Sergeant Flapp]], [[Wither (Goats of Glory)|Wither]], [[Dullbreath]], and [[Huggs]], travel on horseback through a mountain pass into a river valley. Members of the [[Rams]], they are now five where once they were a thousand after a year of fighting on the [[Demon Plain]]. Arriving in the sleepy hamlet of [[Glory]], notable only for a ruined keep looming above the edge of town, they seek cold drink, food, and a room for the night. The local tavern can provide the first two, but there is no inn. Why not shelter the night in the ancient keep on the hill as recommended by the barkeep? As the sky darkens, the soldiers trudge up the hill to their new accommodations. Meanwhile, the town's gravedigger has eagerly prepared five new plots in the local cemetery... |
==Dramatis Personae== |
==Dramatis Personae== |
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* [[Skint|Captain Skint]] |
* [[Skint|Captain Skint]] |
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* [[Flapp|Sergeant Flapp]] |
* [[Flapp|Sergeant Flapp]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
* [[Dullbreath]] |
* [[Dullbreath]] |
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* [[Huggs]] |
* [[Huggs]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
===Townspeople of Glory=== |
===Townspeople of Glory=== |
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| ⚫ | |||
* [[Graves]], a gravedigger |
* [[Graves]], a gravedigger |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
* [[Snotty]], a gravedigger's assistant |
* [[Snotty]], a gravedigger's assistant |
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* [[Swillman]], a barkeep |
* [[Swillman]], a barkeep |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
* [[Widow Bark]] |
* [[Widow Bark]] |
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==Trivia== |
==Trivia== |
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| − | Ever since this story was announced there was speculation among fans whether it was a Malazan tale. In answer to a fan question, anthology editor, Lou Anders, blogged in 2009 that it was "not a Malazan story, but an amazing one."<ref>http://louanders.blogspot.com/2009/10/swords-dark-magic-table-of-contents.html</ref> But a year after publication, Steven Erikson confirmed that the story was indeed set in the same world. |
+ | Ever since this story was announced there was speculation among fans whether it was a Malazan tale. In answer to a fan question, the anthology's editor, [[wikipedia:Lou_Anders|Lou Anders]], blogged in 2009 that it was "not a Malazan story, but an amazing one."<ref>[http://louanders.blogspot.com/2009/10/swords-dark-magic-table-of-contents.html Louanders.blogspot.com]</ref> But a year after publication, Steven Erikson confirmed that the story was indeed set in the same world. |
{{Quote|''Goats of Glory'' is set just south of [[Shal-Morzinn|Shal Morzinn]] on the same landmass as [[Seven Cities]], and hints at a conflict with [[The Three]]. In one respect it’s part of the Malazan canon, but in another, it isn’t, since should I write more about that crew there probably won’t be any cross-over.|Steven Erikson|url=http://www.tor.com/2011/07/06/ask-steven-erikson-your-memories-of-ice-questions/#198146}} |
{{Quote|''Goats of Glory'' is set just south of [[Shal-Morzinn|Shal Morzinn]] on the same landmass as [[Seven Cities]], and hints at a conflict with [[The Three]]. In one respect it’s part of the Malazan canon, but in another, it isn’t, since should I write more about that crew there probably won’t be any cross-over.|Steven Erikson|url=http://www.tor.com/2011/07/06/ask-steven-erikson-your-memories-of-ice-questions/#198146}} |
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Other hints at the wider Malazan world: |
Other hints at the wider Malazan world: |
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| − | * A coin with "three faces" likely refers to [[The Three]], a trio of sorcerer kings, while another coin with a "Castle in the sky" is likely a reference to a [[Skykeep]].<ref name=":0"> |
+ | * A coin with "three faces" likely refers to [[The Three]], a trio of sorcerer kings, while another coin with a "Castle in the sky" is likely a reference to a [[Skykeep]].<ref name=":0">Swords & Dark Magic, Goats of Glory, Eos (Harper Collins) p.11</ref> |
| − | * [[Rustleaf]] is in the coin tray at [[Swillman |
+ | * [[Rustleaf]] is in the coin tray at [[Swillman]]'s tavern.<ref name=":0" /> |
| − | * Sergeant Flapp has a sword of [[Aren]] steel.<ref> |
+ | * Sergeant Flapp has a sword of [[Aren]] steel.<ref>Swords & Dark Magic, Goats of Glory, Eos (Harper Collins) p.22</ref> |
| − | * The description of the moon as "broken" |
+ | * The description of the [[moon]] as "broken" places this story after ''[[The Bonehunters]]''.<ref>Swords & Dark Magic, Goats of Glory, Eos (Harper Collins) p.17</ref> |
==Cover gallery== |
==Cover gallery== |
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<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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File:Swords and Dark Magic cover.jpg|Trade paperback cover art<br />HarperCollins (2010) |
File:Swords and Dark Magic cover.jpg|Trade paperback cover art<br />HarperCollins (2010) |
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| + | Swords and Dark Magic Subterranean cover.jpg|Subterranean Press cover |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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{{Books}} |
{{Books}} |
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| − | |||
[[Category:Books by Steven Erikson]] |
[[Category:Books by Steven Erikson]] |
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| + | [[Category:Dramatis Personae]] |
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Revision as of 12:47, 18 May 2020
Goats of Glory is a short story by Steven Erikson, appearing as the first story in the sword and sorcery anthology, Swords & Dark Magic. It has subsequently appeared in the Swords Against Darkness (2017) anthology. Although the story does not share any characters or locations with the Malazan novels to date, Steven Erikson has confirmed that it takes place in the Malazan world, "just south of Shal Morzinn on the same landmass as Seven Cities".[2]
Plot Summary
Five weary mercenaries, Captain Skint, Sergeant Flapp, Wither, Dullbreath, and Huggs, travel on horseback through a mountain pass into a river valley. Members of the Rams, they are now five where once they were a thousand after a year of fighting on the Demon Plain. Arriving in the sleepy hamlet of Glory, notable only for a ruined keep looming above the edge of town, they seek cold drink, food, and a room for the night. The local tavern can provide the first two, but there is no inn. Why not shelter the night in the ancient keep on the hill as recommended by the barkeep? As the sky darkens, the soldiers trudge up the hill to their new accommodations. Meanwhile, the town's gravedigger has eagerly prepared five new plots in the local cemetery...
Dramatis Personae
The Ram Mercenaries
Townspeople of Glory
- Flowers, a young girl
- Graves, a gravedigger
- Herribut, a cobbler
- Slim, an aged prostitute
- Snotty, a gravedigger's assistant
- Swillman, a barkeep
- Widow Bark
Trivia
Ever since this story was announced there was speculation among fans whether it was a Malazan tale. In answer to a fan question, the anthology's editor, Lou Anders, blogged in 2009 that it was "not a Malazan story, but an amazing one."[3] But a year after publication, Steven Erikson confirmed that the story was indeed set in the same world.
- "Goats of Glory is set just south of Shal Morzinn on the same landmass as Seven Cities, and hints at a conflict with The Three. In one respect it’s part of the Malazan canon, but in another, it isn’t, since should I write more about that crew there probably won’t be any cross-over."
- ―Steven Erikson
Other hints at the wider Malazan world:
- A coin with "three faces" likely refers to The Three, a trio of sorcerer kings, while another coin with a "Castle in the sky" is likely a reference to a Skykeep.[4]
- Rustleaf is in the coin tray at Swillman's tavern.[4]
- Sergeant Flapp has a sword of Aren steel.[5]
- The description of the moon as "broken" places this story after The Bonehunters.[6]
Cover gallery
Trade paperback cover art
HarperCollins (2010)
HarperCollins (2010)
Subterranean Press cover
Notes and references
- ↑ HarperCollins.com
- ↑ Tor.com - Ask Steven Erikson Your Memories of Ice Questions
- ↑ Louanders.blogspot.com
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Swords & Dark Magic, Goats of Glory, Eos (Harper Collins) p.11
- ↑ Swords & Dark Magic, Goats of Glory, Eos (Harper Collins) p.22
- ↑ Swords & Dark Magic, Goats of Glory, Eos (Harper Collins) p.17