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Quon Tali

Unta was the capital city of the Malazan Empire,[1] located on the north-east coast of the continent of Quon Tali. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Unta, the city had been conquered by the Malazans and its ruling family eradicated. The city lay on a broad harbour which was overlooked by an ancient pre-Malazan castle.[2]

According to Tattersail, Unta was about three thousand leagues from Pale.[3] Its population was well over a hundred thousand.[4] The city was defended by at least eight thousand Malazan soldiers and as many as ten thousand poorly trained and unorganized citizen militia members.[5][6]

In its wealthier districts, it was a city of painted spires and domes.[7] Decorative columns were raised to celebrate the accomplishments of the Empire's Armies and list the names of noted soldiers.[8]

Carved into the Imperial Gate of Unta were the words of Emperor Kellanved: "Elemental forces in opposition."[9]

The area around the city was well known for its rich vineyards and orchards.[10]

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 on Genabackis, its citizens could be found working in the Imperial capital in their traditional garb.[11]

Like the Grisians, Untans were characterised by their burly frames and wavy hair.[12]

The basic design and manufacture of the Malazan Empire's envied longswords came from centuries old Untan techniques and were still produced in Untan foundries. Untan smiths used red iron that was commonly found in the Untan Hills but rarely found elsewhere, and they worked with the metal when it was not hot enough.[13]

History[]

Some of the noble families in Unta could trace their lineage back seven centuries to around 400-500 BS, to the tribal horsemen who came to the area from the east. They conquered the cousins of the Kanese who had built villages along the coast and their descendants gradually turned from warrior horsemen to horsebreeders to merchants.[14]

The history of the continent was dominated by two rival provinces, Unta in the east and Quon Tali in the west. Each sought to dominate trade and crush its rival while "lesser states, Itko Kan, Cawn, Gris, and Dal Hon, danced in a myriad of alliances, trade combines and Troikas marshalled against one or both poles." When the Malazans began their domination of the continent, Unta and Quon Tali were the first to fall.[15]

Features within the city[]

Features outside the city[]

The Imperial quarries were located outside Unta, producing a grey-black glittering basalt.[31]

The East Road led from the city to a pier town called Luckless, where slave ships departed for the Empire's mines on Otataral Island.[32]

Notable Untans[]

In Gardens of the Moon[]

After the Itko Kan Massacre, Topper brought Ganoes Paran directly into the Hall of the Throne via Warren. Paran briefly conversed with Laseen before the Empress commanded Topper to bring the young captain to Adjunct Lorn in her palace chambers.[37]

In Deadhouse Gates[]

Empress Laseen orchestrated The Cull in 1163 BS, arresting nobles, scholars, and other Untans thought insufficiently loyal to the Malazan Empire. Their goods and properties were confiscated, and those arrested were shipped off to the Otataral mines on Seven Cities. Among those suffering this fate were Felisin Paran, Heboric, and Baudin.[38]

In Reaper's Gale[]

During the Malazan conquest of Unta, Dassem Ultor's troops had faced Untan knights east of Jurda. The First Sword and Kellanved had observed the knights riding their warhorses back and forth across the field attempting overly complex feints in an attempt to outmaneuver their opponents. Dassem Ultor let the nobles tire out their horses and cloud their own infantry with dust before crushing the entire Untan army and the once-feared knights.[39]

Spoiler warning: The following section contains significant plot details about Unta.

In Return of the Crimson Guard[]

During the events of the Insurrection, the Malazan capital was invaded by the newly reunited Crimson Guard. The Guard seized the city's harbour before securing the routes to the Malazan Imperial Palace. The Guard's interim commander Skinner sought Empress Laseen, but was disappointed to find her absent. With no driving reason to stay, the Guard was soon repelled by a combination of directed Claw attacks and hordes of untrained civilian militia. Independently, the Imperial Arsenal was destroyed in a massive explosion that set off firestorms amongst the holdings of the city's great noble families.[40][41]

In Stonewielder[]

The new new Emperor began a campaign of rapid rebuilding of the Malazan capital.[42]

Significant plot details end here.

In Forge of the High Mage[]

Surly remained encamped in the Malazan capital to keep it quiet while the Emperor was away with Dujek Onearm, Choss, and other members of the Old Guard pacifying the rest of Quon Tali under Kellanved's rule.[43]

In preparation for the Malazan invasion of Falar, Emperor Kellanved visited Unta and other ports aboard the Twisted with Admiral Cartheron Crust seeking to recruit a fleet of "sea-borne thieves, petty smugglers, coastal raiders and slavers" to serve as the navy's vanguard. There were so many promising candidates at Unta, they had to schedule two separate gatherings.[44]

Notes and references[]

  1. Gardens of the Moon, Prologue, UK MMPB p.4
  2. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 4, US HC p.170
  3. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.86
  4. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 2, UK PB p.289
  5. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 5, UK PB p.197
  6. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 2, UK PB p.313
  7. Deadhouse Gates, Prologue, US HC p.24
  8. Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 13, US HC p.344
  9. Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 21, UK MMPB p.848
  10. Dancer's Lament, Chapter 1, US HC p.11
  11. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.115
  12. Dancer's Lament, Chapter 1, US HC p.15
  13. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.690
  14. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 1, UK MMPB p.46
  15. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 2, US HC p.30
  16. Deadhouse Gates, Prologue
  17. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 2, UK PB p.306
  18. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 2, UK PB p.295
  19. Deadhouse Gates, Prologue, US HC p.28
  20. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 2, UK Bantam Press PB p.63
  21. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 4, UK PB p.189
  22. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 2, UK PB p.303
  23. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 2, UK Bantam Press PB p.65
  24. House of Chains, Chapter 8
  25. Deadhouse Gates, Prologue
  26. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 1, UK PB p.30-31
  27. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 2, UK PB p.289
  28. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 4, US HC p.170
  29. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 1, UK PB p.30-31
  30. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 2, UK PB p.289/302
  31. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 1, UK MMPB p.41
  32. Deadhouse Gates, Prologue, US HC p.30
  33. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 1, UK MMPB p.45-47
  34. Forge of the High Mage, Chapter 2, UK HC p.31
  35. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 1, UK MMPB p.49/50
  36. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 1, UK MMPB p.49
  37. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 1, UK MMPB p.42-43
  38. Deadhouse Gates, Prologue
  39. Reaper's Gale, Chapter 16, US HC p.454
  40. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 2
  41. Stonewielder, Chapter 3, US HC p.158
  42. Stonewielder, Chapter 3, US HC p.158
  43. Forge of the High Mage, Chapter 1, UK HC p.7
  44. Forge of the High Mage, Chapter 3, UK HC p.34-36
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