The Pact
Undead warriors of the Ritual of Tellann, bound to exterminate all Jaghut—not by oath, but by their very creation.
The Pact is a misnomer often applied to the relationship between the T'lan Imass and the Malazan Empire. In truth, the T'lan Imass were never party to any treaty with the Jaghut; they were created through the Ritual of Tellann in the First Empire era as undead warriors, undertaking a war of extinction against all Jaghut—not merely against tyrants. Emperor Kellanved later discovered and used the First Throne to command the T'lan Imass, not Kallor, though he did not hijack the Ritual itself, nor did he forge any pact with them.
- Parties
- T'lan Imass (created to wage war of extinction against all Jaghut); Malazan Empire (later exploiters)
- Originator
- T'lan Imass (via the Ritual of Tellann, First Empire era)
- Key Mechanism
- Ritual of Tellann (performed by T'lan Imass); later command by Kellanved via the First Throne
- Status
- No canonical 'Reckoning'; T'lan Imass remain bound to their original purpose—the extinction of all Jaghut
- Affiliation
- T'lan Imass (enemies of all Jaghut); Malazan Empire (usurpers of command)
- Nature
- Ancient undead servitude, not an oath or treaty
Lore & Background
The T'lan Imass were never voluntary servants of the Malazans, nor were they bound by any oath to the Jaghut. Their transformation into T'lan Imass was a desperate undertaking to wage a war of extinction against all Jaghut, not merely against tyrants. Emperor Kellanved discovered and used the First Throne to command the T'lan Imass, forcing them into service for Malazan conquest—not Kallor. There is no canonical event called the Reckoning where the T'lan Imass turned on the Malazans due to a broken pact; their actions are driven by their original purpose and the circumstances of their command.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled off the Quon Tali sea, carrying the scent of salt and old iron. Kalam stood on the deck, watching the horizon where the stone ships waited. He remembered the stories told in the barracks—how the T'lan Imass did not breathe, yet they marched with a rhythm that shook the earth. They were bound by the Pact, or so the High Mages claimed. But as he looked at the grey giants rising from the mist, their eyes burning like cold coals, Kalam wondered if any oath could truly hold something made of death and memory.
Reader's Guide
The Pact is a crucial element in understanding the Malazan Empire's military strength and its moral complexities. It explains why the T'lan Imass appear as allies during major conflicts despite being an ancient, hostile race. They are not merely mercenaries but partners bound by high magic. Readers should note that this agreement is fragile. As the series progresses, the breaking of the Pact becomes a central plot point, driving the motivations of key characters like Adjunct Tavore and the T'lan Imass themselves. It highlights the cost of Malazan expansion: power gained through ancient, dangerous bargains often comes with a heavy price that eventually must be paid.
Did You Know?
- The T'lan Imass were created through the Ritual of Tellann in the First Empire era to wage a war of extinction against all Jaghut, not merely against tyrants.
- Emperor Kellanved discovered and used the First Throne to command the T'lan Imass, not Kallor.
- The T'lan Imass were never bound by an oath to the Jaghut; their purpose was the extinction of the entire Jaghut species.
- There is no canonical event called the Reckoning where the T'lan Imass turned on the Malazans due to a broken pact.
More in History & Mythos
Elsewhere in the Malazan universe
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