Karsa Orlong

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Lore & Background

Karsa Orlong is deeply embedded in the mythos of the Malazan world, which was co-created by Erikson and Ian Cameron Esslemont as a backdrop for their GURPS campaign starting in the early 1980s. While the main series spans thousands of years and multiple continents, Karsa's specific journey extends into the future of that timeline. The source notes that 'The Tales of Witness' serves as a sequel to the main ten-volume series, focusing on his singular mission. Unlike the complex interwoven events of the first five novels which are relatively self-contained, Karsa's later story is defined by this destructive quest against civilization itself. His existence bridges the gap between the mortal struggles detailed in 'The Malazan Book of the Fallen' and the future timeline explored in Erikson's post-series works.

In Their Own Story

The narrative surrounding Karsa Orlong continues well after the conclusion of the main series, which ended with 'The Crippled God' in 2011. In the sequel series 'The Tales of Witness,' his story takes a distinct turn as he embarks on a quest to destroy civilization. This new arc was significantly altered during its development; Erikson stated in July 2024 that the planned trilogy would instead become four novels because the second novel needed to be split into two parts. The series includes 'The God is Not Willing' (2021), followed by 'No Life Forsaken' scheduled for 2025, and 'Legacies of Betrayal' set for 2026. These works depict a Karsa who has survived the events of the main saga to face new existential threats, maintaining his status as an integral figure in the author's ongoing exploration of the Malazan world.

Reader's Guide

For readers interested in Karsa Orlong's complete arc, the source recommends following the order of publication rather than chronological event order. His primary appearances begin within the main 'Malazan Book of the Fallen' series, which consists of ten volumes from 'Gardens of the Moon' (1999) to 'The Crippled God' (2011). Following this, readers can turn to 'The Tales of Witness.' This sequel series is written by Steven Erikson and features Karsa in a new capacity. It is crucial to note that while Esslemont's 'Novels of the Malazan Empire' cover simultaneous events regarding the Crimson Guard and the succession of the Malazan Empire, Karsa's specific post-main-series quest is detailed exclusively in Erikson's four-part sequel. The series was expanded from three to four books due to narrative complexity in the second volume.

Did You Know?

• The series featuring Karsa Orlong's quest to destroy civilization, 'The Tales of Witness,' was expanded from a planned trilogy to four novels in July 2024.
• Karsa appears as an important character in the sequel series alongside other key figures like Anomander Rake and Spinnock Durav who also feature in the prequel Kharkanas Trilogy.
• The second novel of Karsa's sequel series, 'No Life Forsaken,' was released in 2025, followed by 'Legacies of Betrayal' in 2026.
• Steven Erikson and Ian Cameron Esslemont created the world where Karsa originates as a backdrop for their GURPS roleplaying campaign in the early 1980s.