Map of Genabackis from GotM
Pale was one of the Free Cities on the continent of Genabackis.[1] According to Ganoes Paran, it was about a thousand leagues from Genabaris although this may have been a figure of speech.[2] Tattersail estimated Pale to be about three thousand leagues from Unta.[3]
Many of the roofs were tiled[4] and the streets cobbled.[5] In what was likely the Krael Quarter, a maze of shanties and lean-tos crouched against the city walls.[6]
The city had massive ancient stone walls, the foundations of which were built on a huge glacial dump which covered the entire valley area. Below the city walls this rock pile filled a giant crevice reaching so far underground that even with magic it was hardly possible to find its bottom.[7]
Captain Paran's impression of Pale was that of a dying city as he observed the 'faded canopies over sagging balconies' indicating the 'bleached tints of long-lost glory'.[8]
After the Siege of Pale, the streets were ill-lit. Whether this had always been the case was not made clear.[9]
The people of Pale traditionally wore leggings and tunics, the exact appearance of which was not described.[10]
Politics[]
Pale had a long-running and bloody history with the Moranth.[11]
When the Malazan Empire advanced on the city, the mages of the city made an alliance with Anomander Rake.[12]
Organisations[]
- Vellum Makers' Guild[13]
In Gardens of the Moon[]
The Malazan Empire, under High Fist Dujek Onearm, had laid siege to Pale for three years by the time the Siege of Pale ended in the late winter of 1163rd year of Burn's Sleep.[14] Once the city had been conquered, the Moranth were given an hour to take retribution, resulting in 18,739 people being killed, one for every Moranth confirmed as a victim of the trade war they had fought with the Free City.[15][16]
Afterwards, the dead were cleared from the city and Malazan healers swept the city to eliminate the outbreak of plague and treat common ailments as part of the Empire's procedure to win over the commoners of the conquered populace. The nobility, however, faced a culling that may have seen as many as nine out of ten killed by public execution.[17]
In Memories of Ice[]
The city served as the base of operations for the now-renegade Dujek and his army. Tensions with the city's populace were high as the normal Malazan bureaucratic and financial controls exercised in conquered cities were outside the expertise of the conquering army.[18]
In The Bonehunters[]
After the Siege of Coral, half the garrison of Pale joined Onearm's Host to pacify the Whirlwind rebellion in Seven Cities.[19]
In Toll the Hounds[]
After Humble Measure and the surviving members of his household fled One Eye Cat, they followed the Rhivi Trail from Patch to Pale. They did not stay long before the Malazan Empire began the Siege of Pale, and they joined the other refugees fleeing to Darujhistan.[20]
In Return of the Crimson Guard[]
It was fashionable for wealthy Untan households to employ emigrants and refugees of the Imperial conquests as servants in their households. After Pale's fall, its citizens could be found in the Imperial capital working in their traditional garb.[10]
In Orb Sceptre Throne[]
Malazan troops maintained a garrison at Pale that served as the headquarters of Fist K'ess. When Darujhistan's new Legate demanded Pale's allegiance and the expulsion of the Malazan occupiers, the citizenry of Pale were quick to comply.[21] Beseiged in their burning garrison by crowds of rioters, the Malazans were forced to fight their way out of the city.[22]
Known locations in Pale[]
- Barracks[23]
- Eltrosan Square[24]
- Knobb's Inn
- Krael Quarter
- North gate
- North Market Round[18]
- Old Palace[25]
- Opal Quarter[24]
- Vimkaros Inn[24]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Glossary, UK MMPB p.711
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 3, UK MMPB p.99
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.86
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.74
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 3, UK MMPB p.116
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 4, UK MMPB p.161
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.61
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 3, UK MMPB p.123
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 4, UK MMPB p.150
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.115
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.53/84
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.61
- ↑ Toll the Hounds, Chapter 5, US SFBC p.148
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.52/86
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 8, UK MMPB p.257
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.53/84
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 9
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Memories of Ice, Chapter 4
- ↑ The Bonehunters, Chapter 6, US SFBC p.250-254
- ↑ Toll the Hounds, Chapter 3, US SFBC p.97-98
- ↑ Orb Sceptre Throne, Chapter 6
- ↑ Orb Sceptre Throne, Chapter 7
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 3, UK MMPB p.118
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 10, US HC p.233
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 4, UK MMPB p.142/146