Who would win: Bloodguard vs. The Avowed?

[[Syl]]

Actually, I don't think it would be much of a contest. Erikson's Midnight Tides spoiler:

Spoiler

I can't see Brinn or Cail taking on five Thelomen Toblakai

Just thought the two seemed amazingly similar.

Spoiler

[I'm Murrin]

Indeed, there may be some influence from the Bloodguard there. There's even some suggestion that

Spoiler

the Avowed might not sleep. Seren Pedac awoke early to find Iron Bars awake before her, and he said that he is always awake first.

It'll be interesting to learn more about the Avowed. Hopefully Ian Cameron Esselmont's Malazan novels - the first of which will be The Return of the Crimson Guard - will provide.

As for the versus, I have to agree. The Haruchai may be strong and fast,

Spoiler

but they're not superhumanly so. Could you see Bannor killing Rhulad and seven other Edur in only a few moments?

[Fist and Faith]

ARGH!! Never read it, so can't read the spoilers. What's the vote? I can't much imagine anybody being so far above the Bloodguard that it wouldn't be much of a contest, so is it the other way around?

[[Syl]]

You really have to Read and Find Out, Fist. If it makes it easier, though, I think you'd have no problem reading Midnight Tides out of order.

[Revan]

I'll get the book. Doesn't sound so bad.

[dANdeLION]

Bah, I bet batman can take them all.

[The Laughing Man]

Actually, I don't think it would be much of a contest. Erikson's Midnight Tides spoiler:

Spoiler

I can't see Brinn or Cail taking on five Thelomen Toblakai

Just thought the two seemed amazingly similar.

Spoiler

what about Esmer?

[Revan]

Actually, I don't think it would be much of a contest. Erikson's Midnight Tides spoiler:

Spoiler

I can't see Brinn or Cail taking on five Thelomen Toblakai

Just thought the two seemed amazingly similar.

Spoiler

what about Esmer?

Bam! No-one can come even close to

Spoiler

Esmer.

[CovenantJr]

Actually, I don't think it would be much of a contest. Erikson's Midnight Tides spoiler:

Spoiler

I can't see Brinn or Cail taking on five Thelomen Toblakai

Just thought the two seemed amazingly similar.

Spoiler

what about Esmer?

Bam! No-one can come even close to

Spoiler

Esmer.

Doesn't saying that defeat the object of the previous post being in spoiler tags?

[Marv]

Actually, I don't think it would be much of a contest. Erikson's Midnight Tides spoiler:

Spoiler

I can't see Brinn or Cail taking on five Thelomen Toblakai

Just thought the two seemed amazingly similar.

Spoiler

Well, i havn't encountered the Avowed yet so far in the series

Spoiler

but Brinn or Cail could definately defeat 2 or 3 Thelomen Toblakai IMO.

and Murrin,

Spoiler

I only know a little about the Tiste Edur but if they are anything like the Tiste Andii then the Bloodguard would prove the stronger. Kallam killed two within a few moments and the Bloodguard are far tougher than any Claw I've come across so far IMHO.

[[Syl]]

I'm unspoilering it.

No doubt even the worst bloodguard on a bad day could defeat a claw. Two could probably even handle Kalam. One... that would be an awesome fight.

As far as a bloodguard taking down a Toblakai... yeah, probably. But no more than two, none if blood oil is involved, and it would take at least eight bloodguard for Karsa, imo.

As for the Edur... yeah, the bloodguard could more than hold their own, I just don't think one would do it nearly as quickly. Trull, though... I don't know.

[Marv]

I'm unspoilering it.

No doubt even the worst bloodguard on a bad day could defeat a claw. Two could probably even handle Kalam. One... that would be an awesome fight.

As far as a bloodguard taking down a Toblakai... yeah, probably. But no more than two, none if blood oil is involved, and it would take at least eight bloodguard for Karsa, imo.

As with most discussions of this nature it usually comes down to the manner in which the fight comes about. The Bloodguard are dangskippy expert ambushers. On the other hand the Toblakai can be virtually silent aswell.

While the question may not have been intended to provoke ideas about how the Bloodguard(not the haruchai) would fare in the malazan world, i cant help but consider it. From the various races and creatures I've encountered so far, i think they would rip the malazan empire to shreds if they chose to unless checked by some magical force. While some of the clans of seven cities are pretty powerful they lack both the deep intelligence of the bloodguard and the tactical acumen. Of the mortal races they would be the most powerful IMO. (all this assuming that there are more than five hundred at any one time, ofcourse)

Give the Bloodguard access to the Ranhyn(i would imagine in Malaz they would have their own warren) and nothing could defeat them.