Seven Cities

Seven Cities was a sub-continent north of Quon Tali and west of Genabackis that had been conquered by the Malazan Empire. It was an ancient land, built upon the ruins of countless cities dating back to the First Empire. Hot, dry, and largely desert, its sands obscured forgotten pathways, hoarded power, and soaked up sorcery. Every foot of the land had been walked by Ascendants.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 2, US HC p.51
To the northwest it was bounded by the Sepik Sea and the Dryjhna Ocean. To the north, by the Kokakal, Maadil, Talgai, Otataral, and Bandiko Seas, as well as the Sea of Kaltepe Kadesh. To the east were the Sea of Gallada, the Sahul and Dojal Hading Seas, and Seeker's Deep. To the south lay the Cragg Sea and Quon Tali. The Clatar Sea was contained within the south-central portion of the continent itself.
Whiskeyjack commented that Mock's Hold was about 3000 leagues from Seven Cities.Gardens of the Moon, Prologue, UK MMPB p.5
Seven Cities supplied the front lines on Genabackis.Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 3, UK MMPB p.97
Ganoes Paran thought that the natives of Seven Cities had a predisposition for causing trouble and attributed the problems of the Genabackis Campaign to the pre-dominance of Seven Cities natives in the Malazan 2nd, 5th, and 6th Armies.
== History ==
The subcontinent of Seven Cities was the birthplace of the human First Empire under Emperor Dessimbelackis. 
In modern times, it was conquered by the Malazan Empire under Emperor Kellanved.
Towards the end of Kellanved's reign, an abortive uprising originating in Aren resulted in Malazan retribution. By its end the uprising had been crushed, the Bridgeburners formed, and the Holy Protectors permanently deposed in favour of governing Malazan Fists. The campaign culminated in a siege of the Holy City of Y'Ghatan, during which Dassem Ultor was slain.Memories of Ice, Chapter 4
== Cities ==
=== Holy Cities ===
The Holy Cities from which the sub-continent gained its name were said to have been founded by seven Ascendants thousands of years ago.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 2, US HC p.59 Before the Malazan conquest, each city was ruled by a Holy Falah'd.
The holy "Seven Cities" were:
* ArenDeadhouse Gates, Glossary, UK MMPB p.938
* Ehrlitan
* Karakarang
* Karashimesh
* Ubaryd
* Ugarat
* Yath Alban
The most devout pilgrims pursued the Path of the Seven, a journey to each of the Holy Cities. Pilgrimage was a respected activity and was a tradition unphased by bandits or war.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 3, US HC p.94
=== Other cities ===
Other cities named as Holy Cities included G'danisban, Hissar, Lothal, Mersin, Pan'potsun, and Y'Ghatan.
Lost cities included Hedori Kwil, Kanarbar Belid, Minikenar, N'karaphal, Tramara, Trebur, Vinith, Vithan Taur, and Yadeth Garath.
== Geography ==
* Jhag Odhan
* Khundryl Odhan
* Lato Odhan
* Nenoth Odhan
* Pan'potsun Odhan
* Raraku
* Sialk Odhan
* Ubaryd Odhan
* Ugarat Odhan	
* Caron Mountains
* Jhena Mountains
* Olphara Mountains
* Path'apur Mountains
* Thalas Mountains
* Turul'a Escarpment
* Olphara Forest
* Vathar Forest
* Clatar Sea
* Ehrlitan Sea
==Tribes==
*Anibar - north of Jhag OdhanThe Bonehunters, Glossary
*Arak - Pan'potsun OdhanDeadhouse Gates, Glossary
*Bhelaral - south of Jhena Mountains
*Bhilard - east of Nenoth Odhan
*Can'eld - northeast of Ubaryd
*Debrahl - north regions
*Dhis'bahl - Omari and Nahal Hills
*Gilani - southeastern part of the continentReaper's Gale, Chapter 21
*Gral - Ehrlitan foothills down to Pan'potsun
*Jhena - west of Jhena Mountains
*Kherahn Dhobri - Geleen Plain
*Khundryl - west of Nenoth Odhan	
*Mekhar - west of Aren (functionally extinct)The Bonehunters, Chapter 14, US SFBC p.564
*Oruth - likely extinctHouse of Chains, Chapter 15, US SFBC p.534
*Pardu - north of Geleen Grasslands
*Sanid - likely extinct
*Semk - Karas Hills and Steppes
*Shena - west of Shenohl ForestDeadhouse Gates, Chain of Dogs Second Half map
*Tanno - also spelled "Tano", near Ehrlitan
*Tasse - southwest in the Tasse Hills, extinctReaper's Gale, Chapter 15, US HC p.426-428
*Tithan - south of Sialk
*Tregyn - west of Sanimon
*Vedanik - Thalas MountainsThe Bonehunters, Chapter 2, US SFBC p.84
==Language==
The following is a list of words from the 'Seven Cities (Bisbrha and Debrahl) Language'Deadhouse Gates, Glossary, UK MMPB p.936
* Anabar Thy'lendDeadhouse Gates, Chapter 8, US HC p.223
* Bhok'arala
* Bloodfly
* Chigger fleas
* Dhenrabi
* Dryjhna
* Durhang
* Emrag
* Emulor
* Enkar'al
* Esanthan'el
* Guldindha
* Jegura
* Kethra knife
* Marrok	
* Mezla
* Odhan
* Rhizan
* Sawr'ak
* Sepah
* She'gai
* Simharal
* Tapu
* Tapuharal
* Tapusepah
* Taputasr
* Tasr
* Telaba
* Tralb
* White Paralt
==Flora and fauna==
*Aras deer
*Arch spider
*Bhok'arala
*Bhederin
*Black wasps
*Buther snake
*Capemoths
*Drolig
*Drypthara
*Emrag
*Enkar'al
*Eraga
*Escura	
*Goldfinch
*Gothar flower
*Grey eagle
*Guldindha
*Hen'bara
*Jegura
*Jhag horse
*Karybral
*Mamlak lizard
*Meer-rat
*Rhizan
*Weeping Jegurra cactus
*Y'Ghatan spider
==Customs==
The traditional Seven Cities way to challenge an opponent was to spit on the floor in front of him. When so provoked by Hairlock, Tayschrenn told the mage from Seven Cities that his primitive tribal gestures remained quaint, if somewhat tasteless.Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.67
When Toc the Younger spat past the left ear of his horse, Captain Paran shivered at the thought that in the old days, this gesture would have announced the beginning of tribal war among the Seven Cities. He also thought that the gesture had become the symbol of the Malaz 2nd Army.Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 3, UK MMPB p.115
Seven Cities superstition held that the loss of an eye was also the birth of inner sight.Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 9, US HC p.218
The long-knife was the weapon of choice among Seven Cities warriors.Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 1, UK MMPB p.37
According to Duiker, the saying "Every meal is your last" encompassed an entire Seven Cities philosophy.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 2, US HC p.50
It was common for Seven Cities market streets to be topped by tarps slung between buildings. This created a tunnel effect and likely reduced the heat of the sun.Memories of Ice, Chapter 18, US SFBC p.653
Children partook in "the naming rite" where family spoke for them and gave them their names. For this reason orphaned children often had no names.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 18
If a loved one were to die far from home, the corpse might be left pinned beneath a heavy stone to prevent its discovery by wandering spirits. The ground would then be hallowed by spitting in eight directions, spilling drops of blood on the stone from the left hand, and voicing blessings in the name of the Apocalyptic.The Bonehunters, Chapter 4, US SFBC p.180
Seven Cities pottery was more elegant than its Malazan equivalent. Its shapes were elongated with cream or white glazing on necks and rims and faded red on the body. It was decorated with full-toned and realistic images.The Bonehunters, Chapter 6, US SFBC p.246
In Gardens of the Moon, Paran used a Seven Cities-style saddle which was high-backed with a hinged horn that folded forward.Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 3, UK MMPB p.114
All the oldest legends of dragons in Seven Cities started by saying that they were the essence of sorcery.House of Chains, Chapter 12, UK MMPB p.566
==Slavery==
Slavery was common and tolerated by the continent's Malazan rulers. Slaves who escaped and were recaptured had their faces tattooed with a pattern that resembled shattered glass.House of Chains, Chapter 4, US TPB p.161-164Toll the Hounds, Chapter 10, US SFBC p.398
==Climate==
Summers in Seven Cities were hot and dry. With fall, nights became cooler and leaves turned rust-coloured. Winters were mild and saw an increase in rain along the coasts.The Bonehunters, Chapter 9, US SFBC p.406 Summer in the Seven Cities began with the She'gai, the hot wind.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 6, US HC p.140
==In Deadhouse Gates==
In 1164 BS, the Seven Cities natives launched the Whirlwind rebellion against the hated 'Mezla' occupiers. Fist Coltaine's 7th Army, the only Malazan army stationed on the continent, attempted to march from far off Hissar to safety in Malazan-controlled Aren. They were decimated by constant attacks by the Army of the Whirlwind. Subsequently, the Malazan 14th Army was sent under Adjunct Tavore Paran as a punitive army to cut down the rebellion.
==In House of Chains==
Osric revealed that the subcontinent's name came from the unholy alliance between Dessimbelackis and the seven Deragoth during the time of the First Empire. The Seven Holy Cities of Dessimbelackis' time were not the same cities given that designation at the time of the Malazan Empire.House of Chains, Chapter 21, US SFBC p.687
Adjunct Tavore's 14th Army marched against the rebellious Army of the Whirlwind at their camp in Raraku. Sha'ik was killed and her army routed at the Battle of Raraku. After the Whirlwind Goddess was destroyed, the Holy Desert was flooded and became an inland sea once more. The remnants of Sha'ik's army fled to Y'Ghatan under Leoman's leadership.House of Chains, Chapter 26
==In The Bonehunters==
Telorast and Curdle spoke of an ancient time long before the human First Empire or even the T'lan Imass when Seven Cities was covered by great forests of Blackwood and Bloodwood. The trees were revered by the Tiste Edur and feared by the Eres. The region was also home to vast cities and Shadow Temples.The Bonehunters, Chapter 5, US SFBC p.208-209 
(Information needed)
==Trivia==
Many of the locations in Seven Cities have names based on prehistoric dig sites that Steven Erikson pulled from one of his archaeology text books and moved around some of the letters. Examples include the Dojal Hading Sea, Ubaryd, and Omari.DLC Bookclub Special: Interview with Steven Erikson, author of the Malazan Books of the Fallen - See 28:50
==Map gallery==
Image:Map Chain of Dogs 1.jpg|Chain of Dogs:Coltaine's March, The First Half
Image:Map Chain of Dogs 2.jpg|Chain of Dogs:Coltaine's March, The Second Half
==Notes and references==
Category:Continents
 
pl:Siedem Miast
es:Siete Ciudades
it:Sette Città