Locations

Seven Cities

Type: Subcontinent / Region | First Appeared: Book 2 (DG)

Overview

Seven Cities is a vast subcontinent lying to the south and east of Quon Tali, separated from the Malazan homeland by a strait of ocean. It is a land of scorching deserts, ancient civilizations, and fierce independence -- a holy land steeped in prophecy and apocalyptic tradition. The subcontinent takes its name from the seven great holy cities that dot its expanse, each a seat of power, faith, and ancient knowledge.

Seven Cities is the primary setting for Deadhouse Gates and The Bonehunters, and features prominently in House of Chains. It is the stage upon which the Whirlwind Rebellion unfolds -- a massive uprising against Malazan occupation led by Sha'ik and inspired by the holy text known as Dryjhna, the Apocalyptic. The subcontinent is a land where the ancient past refuses to stay buried, where the paths of gods intersect mortal lives, and where the cost of empire is measured in blood and suffering.

The continent's culture is deeply tied to its harsh landscape: nomadic desert tribes, powerful city-states with long memories, a complex religious tapestry woven from the worship of various Ascendants and the Seven Holy Falah'dan, and a tradition of resistance to foreign rule that makes Malazan occupation a perpetual powder keg.

Geography / Description

Seven Cities is dominated by vast desert expanses, broken by oases, ancient riverbeds, and scattered settlements. Key geographic features include:

The Holy Desert Raraku -- the spiritual heart of the continent, a vast desert that was once an inland sea. Raraku is a place of immense power, home to the Whirlwind Goddess and the site of Sha'ik's rebellion. The desert holds ancient memories in its sands, including the ghostly remnants of the sea that once filled it.
The Jhag Odhan -- a vast, arid plain stretching across the interior, inhabited by nomadic tribes and dotted with ancient ruins.
The Pan'potsun Odhan -- another great expanse of desert and scrubland.
Aren -- the largest city and the seat of Malazan governance on the subcontinent, located on the southern coast. The site of Coltaine's final tragedy.
Hissar -- a coastal city and Malazan garrison town, where the Whirlwind Rebellion ignites.
Ehrlitan -- one of the seven holy cities, a centre of resistance and intrigue.
Ubaryd, Karakarang, Panpot'sun, G'danisban -- other major cities across the continent.
The Path of Hands -- a convergence of Soletaken and D'ivers drawn through Seven Cities toward an Azath House.

The climate is predominantly arid and harsh, with brutal heat, sandstorms, and scarce water defining the rhythm of life.

History

Seven Cities boasts one of the oldest civilizations in the Malazan world. The First Empire, humanity's earliest great civilization, had its roots here. The continent has been home to powerful mage-kings, the ascendancy of the First Heroes, and the rise and fall of numerous kingdoms over tens of thousands of years.

The Malazan conquest of Seven Cities was achieved through military force and political manipulation, but the occupation was never truly secure. The continent's people remembered their independence, and prophecy foretold a great uprising -- the Whirlwind -- that would purge the foreigners from their holy land.

The Whirlwind Rebellion erupted during the events of Deadhouse Gates, led by Sha'ik Elder (and later Sha'ik Reborn, who was Felisin Paran). The uprising engulfed the entire continent, resulting in the massacre of Malazan settlers and garrisons. The most famous episode of this conflict is the Chain of Dogs -- Coltaine's desperate march to save tens of thousands of Malazan refugees.

The rebellion was eventually broken when Adjunct Tavore led the 14th Army to Seven Cities and defeated Sha'ik's forces at the Battle of Raraku in House of Chains. However, the aftermath saw continued unrest, culminating in the events of The Bonehunters, including the devastating Battle of Y'Ghatan and the eventual departure of the Bonehunters from the continent.

Notable Inhabitants / Visitors

Sha'ik -- the prophetess who led the Whirlwind Rebellion
Coltaine -- Wickan Fist who led the Chain of Dogs
Duiker -- Imperial Historian who witnessed the Chain of Dogs
Kalam Mekhar -- Bridgeburner assassin, native of Seven Cities
Heboric Light Touch -- defrocked priest, key figure across DG and HoC
Leoman of the Flails -- rebel commander, defender of Y'Ghatan
Tavore Paran -- Adjunct who brought the 14th Army to crush the rebellion
Mappo Runt -- Trell guardian of Icarium, wanderer of Seven Cities
Icarium -- half-Jaghut wanderer of legendary destructive power
Bidithal -- corrupt mage within Sha'ik's camp
L'oric -- High Mage in Sha'ik's camp

Role in the Series

Book 2: Deadhouse Gates (DG)

Seven Cities is the primary setting. The Whirlwind Rebellion erupts across the continent, catching the Malazan garrisons off guard. The novel follows three major threads through the continent: Coltaine's Chain of Dogs, the journey of Felisin Paran from the otataral mines to becoming Sha'ik Reborn, and Kalam's assassination mission across the continent. The book culminates in the devastating Fall at Aren and the death of Coltaine.

Book 4: House of Chains (HoC)

The rebellion continues, with Sha'ik Reborn commanding the Army of the Apocalypse from the Holy Desert Raraku. Internal politics within the rebel camp are explored in depth. Adjunct Tavore leads the newly formed 14th Army across the continent to confront the rebels. The novel climaxes with the Battle of Raraku and the shattering of the Whirlwind.

Book 6: The Bonehunters (BH)

The aftermath of the rebellion plays out. Leoman retreats to Y'Ghatan and makes a devastating last stand, nearly destroying the 14th Army. The Bonehunters survive and eventually leave Seven Cities, but the continent remains scarred by the conflict. The Path of Hands convergence and various other plot threads continue to wind through the subcontinent.