Mott Plains
A blood-soaked battlefield central to the Pannion War.
The Mott Plains are a canonical location within the Malazan Book of the Fallen, first appearing in *Memories of Ice*. This vast, windswept region in central Genabackis is infamous for the brutal battles fought there, most notably the Siege of Capustan and the subsequent confrontation between the Malazan forces and the Pannion Domin.
- Type
- Canonical Region
- Status
- Extant
- Prominence
- Major
- Canonical Source
- Memories of Ice
Lore & Background
The Mott Plains are steeped in the blood-soaked history of the Malazan world. This region served as the primary theater for the Pannion War, where the Malazan 2nd Army, alongside allies such as the Barghast and the Grey Swords, clashed with the fanatical armies of the Pannion Seer. The plains are also the site of the tragic fall of the city of Capustan. The very soil is said to be saturated with the memories of countless dead, and the region remains a scarred, haunted landscape long after the war's end.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled across the Mott Plains, carrying nothing but dust and the scent of dry grass. A lone rider paused atop a small rise, looking out over the endless horizon. There were no flags flying here, no banners snapping in the breeze to mark territory or allegiance. Just the silence of open land waiting for history to write itself upon it again.
Reader's Guide
The Mott Plains represent one of the many lesser-known geographical features in the Malazan universe. While they do not anchor major plot points like the Bridgeburners' journey or the Bonehunters' march, they contribute to the world's sense of vastness and exploration. For readers, this location serves as a reminder that the map extends beyond the main narrative paths. It highlights the scale of the continents where empires rise and fall without leaving permanent marks on every patch of soil. Its role is primarily atmospheric, reinforcing the gritty realism of a world where geography often dictates fate more than destiny.
Did You Know?
- The Mott Irregulars, a mercenary company that operated in the region long before the Malazan Empire's arrival, are named after the Mott Plains.
- The plains are bordered by the Barghast highlands to the north and the city of Capustan to the north as well, making them a strategic corridor for armies.
- Despite the devastation of the Pannion War, the Mott Plains are still home to scattered tribes and hardy settlers who endure the harsh, windswept conditions.
More in World & Geography
Elsewhere in the Malazan universe
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