Malazan | Battle of Sekala Crossing

[@RuthanBadd]

Damn dude, this is precisely the type of content I crave for. There are so many great battles in the series but nobody on youtube who can bring some clarity to it through these simple maps. I'm a huge military buff but there is no way I could've broken this down the way you have. You possess a very instinctive understanding of how visuals can be used to explain maneuvers, tactics and terrain. I know it's super time consuming and you're probably exhausted, but I hope you know that its totally worth it. This is without a doubt a major boon for anybody who loves the military fantasy part of the series. Please keep doing more like this; a collection of videos breaking down Malazan battles will be an invaluable addition to the larger conversation. Most people attempting to do something like this would just end up presenting hazy clutter, but your clarity here confirms that you are the perfect guy to do content with maps and battle tactics. Thanks for posting this.

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Thank you very much for this! I was extra interested in your opinion since I know you're a military buff. I appreciate the kind words, and I'll definitely be continuing on in battles! Working my way through most of them. Really glad you liked it!

[@tbskeene]

Vms

[@AN-jz3kf]

I haven't read Malazan, but it speaks to the writing detail that you could make such an in-depth video on a battle

[@QuickJen]

I love maps and have always wished battle chapters were preceded by a map of the terrain. Erikson does a great job with description, though, and this is exactly how I pictured this battle (though the armies were slightly less colorful and boxy in my head 😉). Great job! I would love to see something like this for other battles in the series!

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Right!? I'm always a fan of more maps, even for mundane areas. I'll be doing several of the Chain of Dogs battles, but I'm really really looking forward to one campaign from later in the series ;)

[@feral7523]

@@gracelesspassion1750 I don't envy you the task of taking on the Kolanse campaign!

[@joel6376]

The sappers paved the river bottom.

[@annarien4333]

This is probably the BEST THING ON THE INTERNET! I read the battle scenes in this book at least 10 times over and for the Sekala crossing, I never could figure out exactly where Coltaine was before he and his Crow clan hurried to cross. You did such an outstanding job at illustrating the staging and the movements of troops. This is a labor of love that is highly appreciated. I may have giggled at the cute, chibi Coltaine icon you used at one point and also at the warlock cellphones. 😁 This first battle scene that we see in the Chain of Dogs is awesome in the set-up too. At the jawing session (as Lull calls them) before the crossing, even the army officers have no idea what's being done with the wagons, only a distinct few people actually know what Coltaine has cooked up. And then everyone in the 7th is not only fully convinced they are in the hands of a brilliant tactician, they say Coltaine is a cold blooded lizard, but he's all theirs. And they are no longer just Malazan soldiers, they are Coltaine's. Those lines make me smile so much, seeing that the 7th weren't all that keen on their savage new Fist. And fast forward to the very end when it's the last standing engineers who provide the final guard for Coltaine up on the hill, at the Fall. Didn't notice that before and boy did it make me cry. Thank you so much for making and sharing this video.

[@Jagonath]

I also love the historian Duiker's perspective on the battle (working to record the battle for Coltaine), since we mostly see the battle through his eyes. It builds a huge sense of tension, because Duiker doesn't know any of the plans. Spoilers: Everywhere he looks he sees disaster for the defenders. He doesn't know Coltaine's genius or that he's planned the whole battle in his mind. Doesn't know the wagons "full of wounded" that go first are actually full of cut stones to pave the ford as they cross. Doesn't know what the Warlocks are capable of with raising the dead, or the spirits of the dead forest. He thinks the refugees and soldiers are panicking because of the speed of the crossing. Doesn't know about the explosives under the ford to cut off the pursuing army until the whole thing goes KABOOM. The whole battle is epic.

[@Sasoridellasabbia]

I was totally lost while reading this, please keep doing these kind of videos I feel like I will need them. THANK YOU.

[@DrToddAnderson]

Just finished the Crippled God, and I was curious about KZbin content. I don't usually comment on content. However, I have to give props where they are due. Great job!

[@rogerdefoe8713]

That's exactly what I need. I prefer audio books so having an image really helped me understanding these chapters. Bless the internet! Long live the Graceless Passion!

[@shellfire6931]

Coltaine the Freight Train is the absolute best character in the entire series, change my mind.

[@laughtrack1426]

Coltain the Freight Train and Karsa the Locomotive

[@dkirlin501]

Just discovered this and right when I’m doing my second read through of the series. I also just finished book two and am on book three. Love love love this and can’t wait to watch the next two battles of coltaine’s March.

[@SpitfireStoryboards]

This is fantastic

[@ubermika]

This saved me😭 thank you so much for these videos

[@ReallyGoodandKind]

Booya Here we go. Also, first. I think Terry may make a video about his tactics are superior.

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Terry is indeed tactically superb, but is he better than the Captain of the Engineers? Hmmm

[@ReallyGoodandKind]

@@gracelesspassion1750 in all seriousness this is fantastic

[@ThorOdinsson29]

This is fantastic. Now the whole battle makes sense.

[@savageire]

This really helped me. Perfectly explained!!! I didn't want to read that part of the story again but now i have to.

[@sw3dge]

This was the first book I've read with such complicated tactics. Turns out I didn't miss quite as much as I had thought, but you really brought it together clearly.

[@WisdomThumbs]

I'm glad my dad had us build stone retaining walls for all the bad erosion zones in our fields. Because of him I knew what an Oxbow Island would be, even though my knowledge of erosion was severely limited before your video. Thanks for the helpful graphics and details about erosion!

[@gabebarnes2254]

Thank you so much for this & your other videos, definitely gonna spend the day binging your channel.

[@mandrake1211]

Thanks so much for creating this! I must admit l was a little confused when l read the chapter. It all makes sense now :-)

[@jcwoodman5285]

Well done!

[@violet6069]

This is awesome! Had problem visualizing the Sekala Crossing..

[@flyingpickle7]

Man you should really do more battle videos They are amazing... I often don't understand the descriptions of places where battles took place. GREAT JOB 👍

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Thank you very much! More are on the way. Editing Vathar river right now, I wanted it out by now, but taking a bit longer than expected. Hope you enjoy it when I'm done :)

[@JorgePradoCasanovas]

Wow what a discovery! This is amazing content ❤❤

[@Xxpastore10xX]

Dude, you are a legend.

[@DanielVasoff]

Wow, what a great video! The battle now makes a lot more sense to me. I really hope you'll have some time to prepare something similar for the battle at Patha's crossing (Gelor Ridge), where it was even harder for me to visualize it :) Anyways, even if you don't, I'd like to thank you for your time and commitment, really appreciated!

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Really glad you liked it! I am writing and planning one for Gelor Ridge currently! It will take a while however so I have a couple shorter vids planned between it :)

[@Jack72607]

I read The Sekala Crossing Chapter for the first time just yesterday. This is just perfect

[@taXicity]

This is really awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@thebluejay1593]

Wow I wish I had seen this video long ago when I was first reading Deadhouse Gates! These maps and explanations are just fantastic! Thanks for making this video and I’m craving for more!!!

[@nick_sgaming]

Such a helpful video! Thanks for making this 😊

[@Voxdalian]

It's a pretty good breakdown, one thing I missed was the Wikipedia-style table with losses on both sides, though I suppose there may not be much numbers available, especially for the opponents. Also, I've just watched your entire catalogue, and I'm very impressed with the quality of your videos. You've definitely earned my subscription, I'm looking forward to whatever video you're going to make next. And if I see anyone in need of an explanation for anything Malazan related I know where to refer them to.

[@FranzBinder20]

Incredible work!

[@meris8486]

Part of why I loved the conflict in the Chain Of Dogs is it's so well mapped out and realised, the stakes are clear, Erikson thought hard about logistics, resources and more. Plus the Chain are massive underdogs and Coltaine is such a badass, Duiker too. It's a gruelling story but I was on board all the way, great explanation :)

[@themanabroad7800]

Really enjoyed your videos, I am just sad that there are so few. I have now binged watched them all in a day

[@sethulakovic3722]

A quick question, I will pose it to other Malaztubers. What author, living or dead, would you like to see let loose in the Malaz world and what would you like them to tackle?

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Personally I would have loved to see Ursula LeGuin have some free reign in the brutality of Malazan. She was extremely well versed in using dark situations to make scathing reviews of the negatives in humanity, while still projecting hope for the future.

[@taXicity]

Scott Lynch writes a s couple of stories that take place in Letheras and Darujhistan. Locke and Jean meet Tehol and Bug, and the Phoenix Inn Crew. That and i can die happy :)

[@johnscroggins7897]

just found your channel and i really like the format and art style your videos are very informative and on point keep up the great work man ill be watching from now on !!!!

[@JohanHerrenberg]

Excellently done!

[@myowngenesis]

Well done video. Iskar jarak makes videos about malaz too. I think I should join in the discussion one of these days. Hope to see more of the malaz legendarium here...

[@Goosfab2]

My friend, hats off to you. I needed a bit of help with this scene and you delivered said help with such cutting precision like the internet has never done me before. Such impressive work

[@XenoCake]

This was really helpful! Thanks!

[@mohdaamir5979]

This was Very great video🔥

[@omaramat4813]

Great video, great battle, confusing but this vid clarifies it very well

[@droka1564]

This is really good, love it! As for suggestions, I think arrows are an alright idea so long as they fade, otherwise they tend to clog battle maps. I’d suggest a single arrow for the movement of each component of the army, rather than one arrow per unit. If it’s not too much work, it might also sell the scale better to work out some kind of proportion of troops to symbol (e.g. 1:250 for infantry, etc) just so that the disparity in numbers really hits home. Small things really, it’s a very well done video.

[@droka1564]

Also, maybe pull out some quotes directly to describe the most impactful moments, and display those quotes on screen. Also coltaine’s name was tiny on his unit marker, maybe settle for just a bigger raven symbol or a crown.

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Thank you very much, those are great points! I was thinking arrows just popping up for a split second as I say troops, but I don't want to be too overwhelming haha. I like the idea of one arrow to show the general area. I'll make some changes to the "Commander" markers next time too, thank you. The numbers is something I was going to touch on in an addendum video since estimating some figures was a bit of a trial since Erikson uses number of tents, which can have vastly different troop numbers in them haha. I appreciate the feedback! It will make the next battle much better :)

[@droka1564]

@@gracelesspassion1750 looking forward to it! :)

[@krapniknil]

This video is a lifesaver. Just yesterday I was reading about this battle but it was after a really long reading session and since I am not good at reading battle scenes, my comprehension of what was happening was close to none. And today, Your video came in clutch and I don't have to reread 30 pages full of tactic language. Outstanding job! Thank You so MUCH! You are make my reading experience so much better with these videos! Please keep it going :>

[@gracelesspassion1750]

This is the exact reason why I wanted to make battle videos! I'm really glad you enjoyed it :) More on the way, editing Vathar River right now

[@drcox012]

Bud listen I am likely not going to watch this whole video for a while. Mostly because I've already read book 2. Partly because I'm just about to hit the climax on book 7 and am NOT ready for whatever deaths are gonna be thrown at me (rip Hela for example tragic misunderstanding that, wasn't it just?). But I am going to sub to your channel simply for the 15+ minute length Malazan content. The fact this series isn't pasted all over the internet like its contemporaries is a crying shame. Which is ironic because Malazan is probably the only book series that's made me cry.

[@lukei4655]

This was excellent content and could really help a lot of people who have a hard time visualizing the battles in MBotF. I think the way you paced the explanation and how you moved the units was really good so that further objects like arrows were unnecessary. Thank you for making this. I hope you do more, heck, I hope you do them all. Seeing a version of this for the urban battles would be epic!

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Thank you for the feedback! I'm definitely doing more, it was very fun but time consuming to make. I'm hoping it'll go faster as I get better. I'm working up to a full Capustan siege but I need to get much better first haha

[@rafaelaudy3880]

This is really great, thank you!

[@saurabhm8614]

Awesome bro!...Please keep uploading. Great work, helped a lot to actually feel the rage and stakes in the battle

[@Dom2Wan]

Really well done! The algorithm pushed you to me and it was well worth it; some of the best Malazan content on KZbin.

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Really glad you liked it! I'm hoping to have Gelor Ridge up before the end of June, should be even better! :)

[@alyssonbarcellos]

This video was awesome, really made me understand the battle, thank you SO MUCH for this ❤️

[@zadig08]

This is so awesome. Thank you so much!

[@adityakalahasti6202]

This is a godsend, I can't overstate how amazing this video is. I just finished reading Deadhouse Gates the other day and though it was super amazing, I wasn't able to make total sense of all the battles so these breakdowns are so amazing. Thank you so much for this, and please post more videos - I know I'll be watching 😄

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Really glad it helped! I'm working on the next battle (Vathar river) right now, and that one was the most confusing for me on my first time through. Really hoping I can bring some clarity for it as well!

[@adityakalahasti6202]

@@gracelesspassion1750 Can't wait 🙏🏾

[@greatgreencreatures6680]

This was an amazing walkthrough of the battle, looking forward to more!

[@TheTrueAlpharius]

Great work! It's been a few years since I read the series but the Chain of Dogs is burned into my brain, along with so many other outstanding moments. This truly is the greatest and most memorable series I've ever read. Maybe it is time to revisit it in the near future.

[@yvinreinvikjohannessen1543]

Loved this!

[@Rice_sama]

I just got into this series. Halfway through deadhouse gates. I like it a lot but I find it reaaaally confusing as a first time reader. I was hoping to find some battle videos to help me visualize things, sad this is the only one I could find! But good job !

[@faelanisawesome]

more of this please!

[@kad9964]

This was great! One of my favourite battles from MbotF. Wish you had mentioned when they secrifice a horse's life force to gain advantage during a charge uphill.

[@gracelesspassion1750]

That's actually a part of the Gelor's Ridge battle which will be my next video! Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@wolfJack-qp6si]

Great work hope to see more, please consider doing videos on the Black Company Series. The Battle of Charm i believe would make a great video. Kind Reguards

[@fantasticphilosophy181]

Thanks! i always find it very difficult to imagine a battle scene.

[@entreri12345]

Awesome stuff.

[@lorenzimoreno3567]

We need more!!!

[@---rm8do]

Do all 4 final battles

[@marovt2233]

Great video!

[@peterrichards5969]

Brilliant, that was so helpful. Such a confusing set piece has been demystified by your graphics and commentary. What really hits me is that I don't know who's side I should be on. The Malazans are an invading force, occupying a continent not their own, presumably with a history of atrocities towards the 7 Cities peoples. Yet the uprising is horrific, 7 Cities natives doing unforgivable things. So who are the 'bad guys' here? Morally complex story telling, very grown up and reflective of life itself.

[@matthewdeancole]

Good work

[@daydev2599]

Great video. I've only read two books so far, the battles in Malazan seem to be pretty strong in terms of emotions, but could use some work in terms of clarity of proceedings, although the Sekala battle was one of the more detailed ones, I thought. A point of confusion, though. I thought they hid stone blocks on the wagons and then dumped them into the river under the cover of night to make a road, not that they literally rode on the lined-up wagons. It doesn't seem to clearly say one way or the other, but the ford floor was raised only by 2.5 feet, it says, which seems too low for it to be on top of the wagons.

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Yeah gotta love the details that Duiker brings to a battle point of view :) Made forming my plan pretty easy. Oh wow!That's a really good point,I had never thought about it that way, but honestly makes way more sense. You are most likely correct, I don't know why my brain filled in the blanks as the wagons, they'd be too high anyway. Whoops! Thank you :)

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Edited the description with that info! Thanks again

[@daydev2599]

@@gracelesspassion1750 You're welcome, the video is spot on otherwise!

[@gertvc858]

Great video! Love battle tactics, but I really mess up north and south in my head and while reading I had the tendency to took at the battle from the top of the map (since the crossing is at the bottom of the map), so was really confused with directions untill I figured it oug that it was regular map view with Coltaine coming from the right-East. Funny that watching your video most details where still upside down in my memory. So great help, think I will re-read the battle again just after I see your vid! Already looking forward to your next battle vid! (also remembered the stones being put on the wagons and later stones on river bed, but @daydev made that remark already) As for tips, maybe an indicator for the unit you talk about would help a bit. Doesn't need to be an arrow, a glow around said unit or ellipse around it should do the trick. My 2 cents.

[@Jagonath]

The sappers definitely paved the road. They spent weeks before the battle cutting stones and hiding them in the wagons full of wounded. During the meeting before the battle, one of the nobles points out that there are twice as many wagons full of wounded as there should be, and they look super heavy. He's promptly kicked out of the meeting before Coltaine's plan is exposed to anyone listening.

[@SouravUldyssian]

I loved it. Please do the same for the other battles in Deadhouse gates, like Gelor Crossing and Vathar River crossing.

[@MrHawkMan777]

You should do some of the other battles from that book as the one with with giant ramp had me confused

[@gracelesspassion1750]

That one is Gelor Ridge, I am currently editing it :) Gonna be another week or two til it's out! I do plan on doing all the other major battles as well

[@MrHawkMan777]

@@gracelesspassion1750 that's so sick, can't wait

[@chriseaton1525]

Keep it up. Thank you.

[@feral7523]

Love it...

[@apollokylo8719]

Just missing one of my favourite scenes where the sappers emerged with turlte shells from the sand. When everyone thought they deserted.

[@gracelesspassion1750]

That's actually in the next battle at Gelor Ridge, and it's one of my favorite scenes too! Especially with the Foolish Dog cavalry charging up the ramp behind the sappers :) I'm working on that battle currently, but it's slow going

[@ariakashaylo1810]

I'm waiting for for Vanthar crossing..

[@twistgaming3089]

Very cool content, now do the entire siege of capustan ! (Joking)

[@gracelesspassion1750]

That is the plan after I do Coltaine's other battles and I get better :) Glad you liked it!

[@riiya7928]

What do you use to animate all of this? I love this so much

[@crackfloor]

Make more please :’)

[@gracelesspassion1750]

More is on the way!

[@Kruppes_Mule]

How the hell am I just now seeing this channel?

[@rawadosa90210]

Fucking madlad. Liked and subscribed.

[@Luinedhel]

Nice inkarnate battle map there. You can watch my battle animations made with inkarnate too, they're on my channel, if you want.

[@OneMoreMeme_INeedYou]

This was incredible. Quite the invaluable resource for us readers who could hardly tell what was going on, haha, so thank you. Btw, nice Kurisu figure :3

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Thank you! Really glad you liked it :) She is best girl, gotta have her represented ;)

[@rowan4371]

Aw man, this video is in my recommendations and I haven’t gotten their yet. Someone mind replying to this comment in like two months lol?

[@blueskiesabove2641]

you said malazan munitions! give credit where credit's due, moranth munitions 4ever!

[@gracelesspassion1750]

Ahh how rude of me! Moranth munitions 4ever! They're a super interesting people, I love that they basically substitute alchemy for magic

[@tiagodagostini]

That is the best battle in the series. Np.. the battles in the 3rd book are horrible, full of military stupid moves. This one was a bit far fetched, but beliavable.