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The Board is Set
by Gav Thorpe (The Horus Heresy series)
https://www.blacklibrary.com/authors/gav-thorpe/the-board-is-set-eshort.html


- Spoiler Warning -


Did Malacador get punked? or was this just a really good game between old friends with one of them having a little more fun than the other?

In the First Lord of the Imperium Malcador comes off as more pivotal to the heresy and the Emperor's success than the Emperor himself. But here Malcador is reduced by "Revelation" (the Emperor in a different format) to a mere servant when he taunts him over a game of tactics.

What is the Emperor actually seeking to gain by instigating a win by Malcador? Whenever they play the game, they never finish because Revelation quits before the final move, and Revelation doesn't always play the game the same way each time. However this game could be their last as the Traitor Fleet is nearing ever closer.

The game is obviously one way the Big E critiques their grand strategy with the Primarchs. But how?

I've taken in some commentary on this, and one thing that intrigues me is that, if he's really telling Malcador the truth, BiggE is an unquestionable narcissist without redeeming qualities seeking to make himself the very God he once rejected.

I kinda think Revelation was just joshin' Malcador, hoping to gain some insight "speak truth to power" on how to defeat the traitors and fulfill his ultimate plan.

But is his goal just to win? to save ideals? to save the Mankind? to save himself? ...or to become a God?



I listened to this unofficial ambient reading (excuse some of the pronunciations):

I think he’s trying to goad Malcador into resenting him like Horus does so that he can act like that in the game. But also in the end he shows him how much he values his counsel and shows genuine warmth towards Malcador.

Yeah, I think you're right. I got the impression he was just breaking his b's, but it also seems like there's still more in regards to E quitting their games, and needing to know how it ends.

I mean what difference does that make? Also the game plays off their emotions so maybe that's part of teasing Malkey. If he gets him angry his pieces will play like Horus would?

Not sure, honestly. I'd like to hear the author's take.