Dujek Onearm

Lore & Background

His campaign begins just after the events of Gardens of the Moon and runs simultaneously with Deadhouse Gates. Unlike previous loyalist campaigns, his forces operate outside direct imperial command, branded as renegades. He coordinates a complex strategy involving the Bridgeburners division, who successfully enlist the aid of the nomadic White Face Barghast clans. This alliance is secured through a combination of Trotts proving his worth in single combat against the Barghast warleader and the revelation that the Barghast gods were imprisoned beneath the city of Coral, not Capustan. Dujek's forces also integrate with the Children of Darkness and Brood's 30,000-strong army to create a unified front against the Seer's cannibalistic hordes.

In Their Own Story

The allied march culminates in the liberation of Capustan, where Dujek's troops arrive to find the city burning. They enter immediately, driving the Pannion Domin forces out and into a prepared trap. The battle turns when Anomander Rake assumes a dragon-like form to demoralize the starving cannibal peasants, forcing their surrender and capturing the enemy leader Anaster. Following this victory, Dujek advances with half his army toward the Seer's stronghold of Coral, accompanied by the Bridgeburners who were sent ahead with Moranth support. The assault on Coral proves costly; during the chaotic fighting, Whiskeyjack, Dujek's second-in-command, is killed by Kallor, a traitorous lieutenant in Brood's army allied with the Crippled God. Despite this loss, the coalition prevails as Quick Ben and Talamandas trap the Seer while Rake uses Moon's Spawn to crush the enemy redoubt.

Reader's Guide

His key campaign involves marching with allies Anomander Rake and Caladan Brood to break the siege of Capustan and defeat the Pannion Domin. He orchestrates the integration of the Bridgeburners and White Face Barghast, securing their aid through tactical diplomacy and combat validation by Trotts. Dujek's strategic decisions lead directly to the defeat of Anaster at Capustan and the subsequent assault on Coral. In this final engagement, he suffers the death of Whiskeyjack but continues the offensive until the Seer is captured. His campaign concludes with the destruction of the Pannion threat and the laying to rest of fallen Bridgeburners within the drifting Moon's Spawn.

Did You Know?

• Dujek Onearm leads the Malazan Fifth Army which has allegedly turned renegade.
• His allied force includes an army of exactly 30,000 led by warlord Caladan Brood.
• The Bridgeburners secured Barghast aid through Trotts's victory in single combat and the revelation that the Barghast gods were imprisoned beneath Coral, not Capustan.
• Dujek's second-in-command, Whiskeyjack, was killed by Kallor during the Battle of Coral, not by a K'Chain Che'Malle.
• The events of Dujek's campaign occur simultaneously with Deadhouse Gates and begin four months after Gardens of the Moon.

The Renegade March and Allied Forces

He leads this force alongside allies including the immortal Children of Darkness under archmage Anomander Rake and an army of 30,000 led by warlord Caladan Brood. Their unified goal is to counter the Pannion Domin on Genabackis. Dujek ensures the cooperation of the Bridgeburners division, who secure the aid of the White Face Barghast clans after Trotts wins single combat and confirms the imprisonment of their gods at Capustan.

The Siege of Capustan and Strategic Defense

The allied army arrives at Capustan as it burns, finding the Grey Swords mercenary company overwhelmed by Pannion cannibals. Dujek's forces enter the city and drive the enemy out into a trap. Anomander Rake takes a dragon-like form to break the morale of the starving mobs, leading to the capture of leader Anaster and the breaking of the Pannion army.

The Assault on Coral and Personal Sacrifice

Dujek leads half his army toward Coral while the Bridgeburners assault ahead with Moranth aid. During the battle for the Seer's keep, Dujek's second-in-command Whiskeyjack is killed by Kallor, who had secretly allied with the Crippled God. Despite this loss, Quick Ben and Talamandas evade magical poisoning to trap the Seer, while Rake crushes the redoubt with Moon's Spawn.

Resolution, Legacy, and the Aftermath

The conflict ends with the Seer captured and his sister freed from a rift by Quick Ben. The Seer cooperates in slowing the Crippled God's corruption using ice magic. Dujek witnesses the restoration of Tool's mortality and the reunion of gods Togg and Fanderay. The fallen Bridgeburners are buried inside Moon's Spawn as it drifts over the ocean, while survivors retire to open a bar.