Malaztober 2023

The following images were created specially for the Inktober Challenge 2023. Jake Parker created Inktober in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year. The original challenge was to draw an image with ink at each of the 31 days of October and post it with the hashtag #inktober. Since 2016 an official prompt list is also published
For the 2023 Inktober Shadaan put again a Malazan themed prompt list together. After an objects and creatures this year’s Malaztober Challenge will be the Locations of Wu edition. Kudos to Shadaan for all the work!680x600px|center
===Participating artists===
*Shadaan
*Corporal Nobbs
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==Day 1 – Malaz City==
File:Day 1 - Malaz City by Shadaan.PNG|Malaz City by Shadaan
File:Day 1 - Malaz City by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Malaz City by Corporal Nobbs
'My travels have brought me to the heart of the old Empire. Here I hope to begin my search for the visage of night. The matron will reward me for my piety.'
- Myzilik of New Morn, age of the shattered sky.
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Malaz City was an island city and the birthplace of the Malazan Empire. The city was located on a
small Island, southeast of Quon Tali.
==Day 2 – The Stormwall==
File:Day 2 - The Stormwall by Shadaan.PNG|The Stormwall by Shadaan
File:Day 2 - The Stormwall by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|The Stormwall by Corporal Nobbs
'In Malaz I met an ancient claiming to have stood on the Stormwall. A Koreli volunteer, he had fought the stormriders and lived. He claimed to have guarded a noteworthy champion. This spectre in red bore a mask of Ebon hue, black as the void. The riders avoided that one. When his turn was done this warrior left the Stormwall by warren, his form wreathed in amber flame. The ottataral chains were all that remained...now fused to the stone.'
- Myzilik travel Journal, age of the shattered sky.
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The Stormwall. A defensive fortification over a hundred leagues long, straddling the Dead Shore of Korel Island. The wall was built to guard from attack by the Stormriders.
==Day 3 – Li Heng==
File:Day 3 - Li Heng by Shadaan.PNG|Li Heng by Shadaan
File:Day 3 - Li Heng by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Li Heng by Corporal Nobbs
'From the harbors of Malaz City we sailed to the continent of Quon Tali. The Napan sea welcomed our ship with warm currents. My crew and I disembarked at Cawn, travelling into the grass covered planes of this blessed continent. Oh, if the Matron could be besides us as we crested the hills. Li Heng! the fortress city. If ever there was a skykeeps envy upon the face of burn. It is here we shall trade our oils for information and an audience with an initiate of D'rek. The profits will see us to the island of Kartool. I must remember to replenish our stock of medicines.'
- Myzilik travel Journal, age of the shattered sky.
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Li Heng, a city famous for its titanic walls which could be seen from as far as a day's travel away.
==Day 4 – Kartool==
File:Day 4 - Kartool by Shadaan.PNG|Kartool by Shadaan
File:Day 4 - Kartool by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Kartool by Corporal Nobbs
'Kartool, the old seat of the worm. I have walked the streets and smelt the oils of decay that permeate this city. The spiders skitter everywhere and weave their traps. I feel caught by the ancient ghost of their god. I am told it is here the champion I seek begun his pilgrimage. This champion now travels to holy Raraku. The heat will serve my scales well...'
- Myzilik travel Journal, age of the shattered sky.
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Kartool is a City located on an island off the east coast of Quon Tali. Its known for being infested by fist-sized paralt spiders.
==Day 5 – Raraku==
File:Day 5 - Raraku by Shadaan.PNG|Raraku by Shadaan
File:Day 5 - Raraku by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Raraku by Corporal Nobbs
"I have seen him! At the edge of the isle once called the Pan'arak. An oasis at the center of all things. There, on the fourth hill, did he awaken something, and the land gave answer. Serc and another flavor, there is a hint of spice in the air. I would hurry after him, but these winds interrupt the matrons gift."
- Myzilik of new morn, a witness.
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Raraku is a holy site on the continent of Seven Cities. Events in the book have transformed the land, but the spirits remain.
==Day 6 – Darujhistan==
File:Day 6 - Darujhistan by Shadaan.PNG|Darujhistan by Shadaan
File:Day 6 - Darujhistan by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Darujhistan by Corporal Nobbs
"Sit oil-blood, let us talk. Your pursuit of me grows tiresome." This from a whisper behind me.
"Then I am discovered in fair Darujhistan."
"You are bold to track me. I sense it is this mask upon my face that you seek. I would let you know the mask is inflicted upon me. It is not a choice."
I turn to observe the champion in red, surrounded by blue light, a head enveloped in darkness.
"The Visage sits ill upon you."
"I am here to find a means to rid me of it. I feel in this our interests align."
- Myzilik of new morn, a witness.
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Darujhistan, the city of blue lights. The "City of Cities" located on the southern shore of Lake Azur, in the centre of the continent of Genabackis.
==Day 7 – Y'Ghatan==
File:Day 7 - Y'Ghatan by Shadaan.PNG|Y'Ghatan by Shadaan
File:Day 7 - Y'Ghatan by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Y'Ghatan by Corporal Nobbs
We found an inn. There, my new acquintence surrendered their tale.
"I recall waking within a burning abyss." The ebon mask tilted, as though weighed down with memories. "I knew of nothing else save the flames above me and below. I fought my way to the surface and emerged from the earth, a smoking ruin behind me. "
"Ah yes, the fires of Y'ghatan burn within you." I noted. "Yours was not an easy ascent."
I told the champion of my new resolve to free them of the visage and present it to the Matron as a gift. To do this, I suggested we seek wisdom from the house of darkness itself.
- Myzilik of new morn, a humble servant.
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Y'ghatan, the first holy city.
==Day 8 – Moon's Spawn==
File:Day 8 - Moon's Spawn by Shadaan.PNG|Moon's Spawn by Shadaan
File:Day 8 - Moon's Spawn by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Moon's Spawn by Corporal Nobbs
Darujhistan at our back, we set out heading east for Black Coral. My new compatriot wished to make the journey by foot.
"Tell me friend, do you know of the Tiste Andii?"
"I know a little from my travels in Quon Tali. They are an elder race, not much unlike your own Matron, led by a lord only now it is a different lord? They travel by a shard of the moon and wield darkness like a blade."
"A fair description, but to call Moon's Spawn a mere shard is a breathtaking injustice... Alas it has met it's fate, but in it's day, it was a sight to behold. As disinclined as I am to acclaim Nahruk heresy even I could not deny it's splendour."
"Would that I had seen it."
"It is my worry, my friend, that you will."
- Myzilik of new morn, an amiable companion.
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Moon's Spawn, the fang of darkness, a floating mountain and the chosen stronghold of the Tiste Andii.
==Day 9 – Black Coral==
File:Day 9 - Black Coral by Shadaan.PNG|Black Coral by Shadaan
File:Day 9 - Black Coral by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Black Coral by Corporal Nobbs
We approach the city of Black Coral, winding past the burrows, a testament to an old war. The Darkness envelopes us, almost an embrace. Despite this we are stopped at the gates. A rider on a dead steed approaches. A retinue of soldiers fan out behind her. We are told not to enter. A dragon roars in the distance. Ah, she smells the oils. "Would I could explain, I am no Nahruk."
"It would not matter to her, 'new' morn is far too recent a memory." the rider observes. A second roar, the darkness congeals around us. "I am called Nadera and I am here to take you to the one that made that thing on your face. I would warn you, this is not an offer my lord would let you refuse."
"And where would such a one be?" My companion asks. She smirks and already the answer is clear.
"Tell me Oil-blood, can you swim?"
Matron preserve me.
- Myzilik of new morn, A dry companion.
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Black Coral, a city shrouded in perpetual darkness. Home to a mix of Tiste Andii and the free people of Coral.
==Day 10 – Hood's Gate==
File:Day 10 - Hood's Gate by Shadaan.PNG|Hood's Gate by Shadaan
File:Day 10 - Hood's Gate by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Hood's Gate by Corporal Nobbs
The woman from Black Coral opened her warren, an odour of dust and decay erupted from the rent in the air. Stepping through we were confronted by two towering pillars. A path wound its way past these pillars continuing off into the horizon.
"This place is familiar to me." commented the champion. "Hood's own?"
"Not for some time now. Truly you suffer under the visages weight. let us hurry, I would not test the shepherds."
the dead steed turns away from the gate. I note some longing in its hollowed eyes and reflect.
- Myzilik of New Morn, age of the shattered sky.
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Hood's gate, a threshold, to the afterlife, different to each observer.
==Day 11 - Moon's Spawn==
File:Day 11 - Moon's Spawn Throne by Shadaan.PNG|Moon's Spawn Throne room by Shadaan
File:Day 11 - Moon's Spawn Throne by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Moon's Spawn Throne room by Corporal Nobbs
Eventually, an anchor point was reached within hood's hold. Something pulled at us, drawing us in but pushing our guide aside. Without much warning we fell heavily upon the floor of a great hall. The first feeling was pressure. An immense weight. As I'd feared, we are drawn into the depths. To be drowned at a mere 3 centuries! Oh Mael, turn away! And yet, despite of the pressure, we drew breath. My companion looked up first, freezing in place as though cast of stone. I followed my companions gaze and realized that before us, lit only by the ocean beyond, sat an ancient being. The creature was darkness itself, a font of power unbridled. Ofcourse we did not drown, I thought to myself. Two oceans cannot inhabit the same place. A voice rang out to fill the hall.
"That mask, was a gift."
"Unappreciated it would seem."
"None of my gifts are."
- Myzilik of New Morn, an appraiser of well-made gifts.
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One man's ruin is another man's refuge.
Moon's Spawn Throne room
==Day 12 - Letheras==
Day 12 - Letheras by Shadaan.PNG|Letheras by Shadaan
Day 12 - Letheras by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Letheras by Corporal Nobbs
The being explained the nature of the mask to us. He told us the visage of night was a gift to his grieving daughters that bestowed unto them a measure of his own strength, Something the other would not abide. To remove it the maskless daughter had to come close and caress the masked daughters face. In removing the visage one daughter would share a memory of import to the other. The being had hoped the two would steal from each other enough times as to fully appreciate each other. It would seem they had found a way to inflict this gift upon an innocent instead.
To remove it, the mask would need to be touched by both daughters. "I last saw one of my daughters in Letheras. She loved the waters of the river running through the city. At sunset it was green, like an emerald. she was fond of such things..."
- Myzilik of New Morn, a witness.
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Lether once locked away from the rest of Wu. Lether was a jewel of a city. Garish, terraced and litered with domes and towers. The city was cut by a river, It's opulence as prevalent as its history with debt.
==Day 13 – Capustan==
File:Day 13 - Capustan by Shadaan.PNG|Capustan by Shadaan
File:Day 13 - Capustan by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Capustan by Corporal Nobbs
"My other daughter is another matter entirely. Last I saw her, she was walking away from the Gates of Capustan."
"She dwelt in the city of Capustan?" The champion in red seemed struck by the words.
"Indeed, the fallen city, reborn. I suppose she was not pleased with the cities revival. An absence of misery holds no interest for her."
I nodded in understanding. "So we seek strife and there we shall find her?"
The entity nodded its head. "I wish you luck in this, for too long have my daughters been their mothers' children. It is time they experienced some grace."
- Myzilik of New Morn, a witness.
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Capustan, a city once besieged by hunger itself. Consumed, hollowed out, refilled.
==Day 14 – Coral==
File:Day 14 - Coral by Shadaan.PNG|Coral by Shadaan
File:Day 14 - Coral by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Coral by Corporal Nobbs
The being ended our discussion with a wave of his hand. We found ourselves in darkness. The champion found then that the visage of night could navigate in the complete absence of light. I was led forward by hand. Half a day's walk, then suddenly we were expelled. We found ourselves in an opulent chamber. Before us a man, Tiste Andii in origin, painting a mural.
"The siege of Coral?" I remarked,"quite a depiction. my kin speak of the day often."
"Yes, a poignant day for my people as well." The artist continued to work."I take it the consort has spoken to you? for him to deliver you here..."
"My apologies. Where are we and, who are you?"
"You are within my castle in Black Coral. I am called Nimander.
My scales grew cold. "Forgive us this intrusion, Lord."
"I take no offense-." It was then that I noticed my companion had already stepped through a warren. Kurald Galain, I could not follow through Galain.
"I shall pursue the one called Envy. You shall pursue Spite." The warren closed, and I stared at the spot for but a moment. I turned back to Lord Nimander, studying his work. It was then that I heard a Dragons screech.
"My Lord... could I trouble you for a map?"
- Myzilik of New Morn, an unwelcome guest.
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Coral was a harbor city on the continent of Genabackis, well defended and at one point the Pannion Domin's seat of power.
==Day 15 – Silver Lake==
File:Day 15 - Silver Lake by Shadaan.PNG|Silver Lake by Shadaan
File:Day 15 - Silver Lake by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Silver Lake by Corporal Nobbs
Lord Nimander shared some advice, suggesting I seek Spite on Drift Avalii. I set off, choosing Rashan for my journey. The Hounds flushed me out short of the Lamtath plains. It wasn't long before I found what I sought. I happened across a Caravan of the disposessed as I began preparations. They invited me to their fire. A Guard spoke for the group. She was a large Sunyd woman with scars on her wrist. She shared tales of Northern Genabackis. She recounted a tale of her shattered homeland and the time the Shattered God first paid the slavers a visit.
"Would I had seen it." I grinned.
"Indeed. On that day, oil-blood, we all stood witness."
Her tale inspired. My ritual would work I could feel it. Here in that one's shadow, Tellan would respond.
It was then that I threw my newly gifted map into the fire, drawing deep from the Matrons essence I summoned a demon.
- Myzilik of New Morn, A witness.
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Silver Lake, a hamlet known to the Teblor situated on northern Genabackis. The hamlet grew into a town at the edge of a body of water of the same name.
==Day 16 - Drift Avalii==
File:Day 16 - Drift Avalii by Shadaan.PNG|Drift Avalii by Shadaan
File:Day 16 - Drift Avalii by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Drift Avalii by Corporal Nobbs
The demon licked at its claws amidst the devastation of the camp. The Sunyl woman had been the hardest to sacrifice, with her death the pact was complete. I demanded the demon carry me to the island of Drift Avalii. It grinned its consent. It did not take long for the map demon to find the Island. The creature was a specialty of the Trygalle Trade Guild. A well-trained but costly thing afforded to New Morn in exchange for access to healing unguents. We arrived on the island to sounds of battle. I rushed to the source only to witness several Andii, and Edur battle a single woman. She had dark hair and wore leathers shrouded by a green cloak. Spying me enter the clearing the woman snarled, veering into an elient and leaping into the air.
Without any form of consent, my demon grabbed me by the waist and threw me. The Soletaken woman turned towards me jaws snapping. I unleashed Rashan.
- Myzilik of New Morn, A witness.
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Drift Avalii, an island that moves about the Quon Tali continent. Home to old mysteries.
==Day 17 – Morn==
File:Day 17 - Morn by Shadaan.PNG|Morn by Shadaan
File:Day 17 - Myzilik of New Morn by Shadaan.PNG|Myzilik of New Morn
File:Day 17 - Morn by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Morn by Corporal Nobbs
It is not in one's nature to fight a Soletaken. Elient. The revered ones. To share a soul with chaos itself! To face such a thing is not what one is bred to do. When Gunth'an Mach travelled to old morn, she learnt the truth of things. The Kchain Chemalle had not been driven to extinction by our war with the Nahruk. No. We succumbed to our inability to change. Indeed, Individual thought was dangerous to the nest. But if carefully guided, individual agents could become the fulcrum the nest needed to adjust.
Human children, raised to the scent of obeissance. Raised to manipulate the warrens and the oils, turning them against our enemies. Kchain Churok she had nicknamed us. Like blades at the arm. Even so, it is not in our nature to fight the Elient. But it is in our blood to try.
- Myzilik of New Morn, A weapon.
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Morn. A barren wasteland with a rent in the sky, once the site of tremendous sorceries, a last-ditch effort to turn the world to ruin.
==Day 18 – Bastion==
Day 18 - Bastion by Shadaan.PNG|Bastion by Shadaan
Day 18 - Bastion by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Bastion by Corporal Nobbs
Two soldiers stood at the gates of Bastion, sharing some bread and a cut of meat. The city had once been something significant, a true seat of power. But recent times had been hard, the lake had disappeared, trade had died out. The war had reduced Bastion to little more than a hovel. The two soldiers contemplated their future. The last member of the Pannion revival cult had been crucified last week. The angry mob found itself lacking a focus, without much to rage against on the outside inevitably the hate turned inward. 3 days later the town had experienced its first 'True' murder. Both soldiers knew where things were going. They'd served a very long time.
"We need to leave this place." The first soldier observed.
"Aye, its all turning bad."
"I saw the mayors widow bite the butcher yesterday. Haven't seen her since. Worse still todays cut is unusual."
"Aye, It's a bit Gamey."
The soldiers chewed. Above them they saw a grinning demon speed out of a rent in the sky. A dragon tore its way past shortly after. The Beast spat a gout of flames at the demon, but the demon spun out the way, slipping into another hole in the sky. The dragon screamed in fury, tearing after the demon. The soldiers continued to chew.
"Perhaps we should leave right now?"
"Perhaps we should."
Neither soldier moved.
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- Bastion, age of the shattered sky.
==Day 19 – Faces in the Rock==
File:Day 19 - Faces in the Rock by Shadaan.PNG|Faces in the Rock by Shadaan
File:Day 19 - Faces in the Rock by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Faces in the Rock by Corporal Nobbs
The woman held me aloft, my arm in her other hand, torn from my shoulder. Her raven hair cascaded down her face, the same fury she'd held in her soletaken form rode her brow like a storm. She had caught me at last, and as I'd suspected, I was no match.
"My lady, I meant no offence." I coughed up bile. struggling to continue. "I merely wished to grab your attention."
"Such a thing will cost you more than you can pay." I saw then her fury was not directed at me.
"Lady, I seek one of your kind, an ascendant named Spite."
The woman grinned maliciously. "I am she."
"Matron be praised. Sister Spite, I have word from your father."
"Hah!" she scoffed "he sends an abomination to me with a message? Speak then lizard."
"Your sister, Lady Envy. has recovered the visage of night."
The ascendant narrowed her eyes. "Impossible, she promised!"
"And you believed her?"
And for a second staring into her eyes, I saw genuine panic.
- Myzilik of new morn, A humble messenger.
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The Seven Faces in the Rock were worshipped by the Teblor. However, as deities go, theirs was a singular deceit.
==Day 20 - Blackdog Forest==
File:Day 20 - Black Dog Forest by Shadaan.PNG|Blackdog Forest by Shadaan
File:Day 20 - Black Dog Forest by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Blackdog Forest by Corporal Nobbs
She began her march South, claiming to sense her sisters intentions. I suppose living with a sibling as long as they had afforded one...insight.
She spoke of the hundreds of times her sister had failed to be true. The thousands of times her sister had betrayed her. By the seventh day we had entered Black dog forrest. in the mud, surrounded by swamp. She turned to stare at me, a wild look in her eye.
"I've had enough of her deceit. I'll kill her first, then I'll murder that sad excuse of a father. I'll be an orphan! free of these tangles! free of these lies! free!"
I saw a hope in her eyes, ancient, wise and terrible.
- Myzilik, A witness. Age of the shattered sky.
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Blackdog Forest - Once the a site of conflict between the Malazan army and the Crimson Guard and allied forces. A site remembered for its mosquitos, leeches, poisonous snakes and blood sucking lizards.
==Day 21 – Ugarat==
Day 21 - Ugarat by Shadaan.PNG|Ugarat by Shadaan
Day 21 - Ugarat by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Ugarat by Corporal Nobbs
The journey, she explained, had to be by foot, over land and then by sea. To find her sister, the connection had to be sensed, here on the face of burn. It was their malicious intent towards one another. Sibling love.
"It's all a big game to her Lizard. All of it, every little detail, an elaborate dance across the board." We sat at the edge of Oach harbour awaiting our ship. I poured Rye wine in our cups as she spoke.
"I had controlled a continent once. She stole it. Ugarat had been the worst. I was there when Enqura burned the scrolls. Relics from the empire I had helped Dessimbeleckis build...I could hear Envy cackle as the Malaz army made its way towards the city gates."
I raised a glass in commiseration. Knowing well the tale of Ugarat's fall. The lady chuckled. "Oh we fought in earnest then Lizard. I tore her favorite dress, it was perfect."
- Myzilik, A witness. Age of the shattered sky.
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Ugarat a city of knowledge and scholarship located in Seven Cities. The site of an important battle in the Malazan incursion of the continent for a variety of reasons.
==Day 22 – Assail==
File:Day 22 - Assail by Shadaan.PNG|Assail by Shadaan
File:Day 22 - Assail by Corporal Nobbs.PNG|Assail by Corporal Nobbs
Our ship arrived along the coast of the Sea of Gold. Spite used her warren to guide the ship. I helped as much as I could. My remaining arm wove Mockra about us, shifting Maels attention away. Spite grew ever more animated with each passing league. The daughter of darkness trembled with emotion. I realized then, this was it. Envy was there, waiting. I thought of the crimson champion and the visage of night. Why here? why this place of all places? My eyes inexorably, searched inland, gazing up, towards the Blood range, Towards the Ice Plain Peaks. Something called to us. I smelt old ice on the wind. Old Ice and something akin to...judgement.
- Myzilik, A witness. Age of the shattered sky.
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Assail - A continent in flux. Alive with potent magics and ancient mysteries.
==Day 23 - Kurald Emurlahn==
==Day 24 - Pale==
==Day 25 – Baruk's Tower==
==Day 26 – Shadow Keep==
==Day 27 – Tremorlor==
==Day 28 – Morn==
==Day 29 – The Great Spire==
==Day 30 – Light Fall==
==Day 31 – Kurald Galain==