The Gral were a tribal people on the Seven Cities continent who lived in the Ehrlitan foothills of Arifal down to Pan'potsun.[1][2] Many considered them primitive and backward as exemplified by their warrior castes, cults of blood, and worship of violence.[3] They were known for not respecting the occupying Malazan forces and also for being uncompromising bargainers. They were also known for dealing rapidly and harshly with any perceived insult, often deliberately provoking others in order to pursue a vendetta. Reputedly, they were impossible to surprise from behind.[4]
Gral wore thin bleached linen robes with a hood pulled over their heads.[5] They used Gothar flowers to bleach deer hides.[6]
In Cotillion's view, they were a rather unpleasant tribe.[7]
The Gral were an ancient people dating back at least to the time of the First Empire. Tribal legend spoke of Sidilack of the Bhok'ar clan who served in the armies of Dessimbelackis. The Gral were capable trackers, skirmishers, and shock troops, but even then they preferred their feuds and the spilling of blood in the name of honour.[8]
Known clans
Notable Gral
In Deadhouse Gates
Fiddler disguised himself as a Gral guide in order to safely lead Crokus and Apsalar through Seven Cities.[14]
In House of Chains
Arak tribesmen working for the slaver, Silgar, quietly passed through Gral territory with the prisoners Torvald Nom and Karsa Orlong in tow. Torvald set a fire to draw the Gral's attention resulting in a massacre of their Arak captors.[15]
Later it was revealed that the House Nom outpost in Ehrlitan was the main trading partner of the Gral tribesmen in the city, brokering ransoms for the tribe's kidnapping business.[16] Gral tribesmen accompanied Torvald into the city's Malazan compound to rescue the imprisoned Karsa.[16]
Notes and references
- ↑ Deadhouse Gates, Glossary, UK MMPB p.936
- ↑ Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 3, US SFBC p.108
- ↑ The Bonehunters, Chapter 24, US SFBC p.958
- ↑ Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 2, US HC p.61
- ↑ Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 2, US HC p.60
- ↑ The Bonehunters, Chapter 24
- ↑ The Bonehunters, Chapter 1, US SFBC p.48
- ↑ Reaper's Gale, Chapter 15, US HC p.426-427
- ↑ Reaper's Gale, Chapter 15
- ↑ Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 5, US HC p.126
- ↑ House of Chains, Chapter 18, US TPB p.465-466
- ↑ Reaper's Gale, Chapter 15, US TPB p.427-428
- ↑ The Bonehunters, Prologue, US HC p.30
- ↑ Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 3, US HC p.94
- ↑ House of Chains, Chapter 4, US SFBC p.200-202
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 House of Chains, Chapter 4, US SFBC p.210
| Humans | |
|---|---|
| Assail | Lowlanders • Yag'Quarall |
| Genabackis | Capan • Daru • Gadrobi • Genabarii • Korhivi • Nathii • Rhivi |
| Jacuruku | Adwami |
| Korel | Korelri • Mare • Theftians |
| Lether | Akrynnai • Awl† • Bolkando • Kolansii • Letherii |
| Quon Tali | Dal Honese • Falari • Geni • Hengese • Kanese • Kartoolians • Malaz Islanders • Napans • Seti • Talians • Untans • Wickans |
| Seven Cities | Dosii • Gral • Khundryl • Pardu • Semk • Tanno |
| Others | Meckros |
| Bold = Principal people of the area † = Functionally extinct | |