Rothfussians discussion

I'm not even going to try to prove my thought processes because it's just pure crazy. But it's fun to throw stuff out there.

What if Bast is Cinder?

What if Kvothe killed Cinder, but realized his son, Bast, was hiding in the shadows watching all of it go down? Does that make Bast the next Kvothe?

Hmmmm, it would explain the blind passion he has for "bringing Kvothe back".

Bast teeters between good and bad. One moment he's Kvothes son and the next he's acting mysterious like demon or something.

Even if that is off the wall it does raise the question of The Chandian's Spawn. You'd think if they've been around for hundreds of years that they'd have some kids running about.

Is there a secret army of them somewhere?

Interesting theory, but I don't think any of The Seven are Fae, and Bast is Fae. Bast could theoretically be Cinder's son, as Samuel suggests. But in reference to Jessica, Bast is Fae, they are neither good nor bad, they just are. They are creatures of instinct, with no moral compass. They act in accordance to what suits them, they are who they are.

Interesting theory by Kenneth there too, I don't think that anyone has posed the idea of children of The Seven. They probably wouldn't stick around to raise their children, but maybe influence them, and corrupt them, and lead them down a dark path little by little throughout their life. Maybe this is what is happening to Denna. Most believe that her patron is actually Cinder, so maybe Denna is Cinder's daughter, and he is corrupting her.

I agree that they wouldn't stick around but I feel like there would definitely be effects of being one of the children. If you subscribe to the theory that Kvothe's parents were not his biological parents (I do not) you could even wonder if Kvothe was Cinder son and that's what feeds their connection.

I wouldn't even see how someone would make that connection that Cinder is Kvothes father. He is too much like his REAL parents to be of Cinder's blood. In fact... I would be so pissed off if it turned out he was Cinder's son, I would burn my hardcover signed copies. I would never read another Rothfuss line again. I subscribe to my own theory that Kvothe has amounted so much power that he has is own "sign" like the Chandrian do, but not that he is related to them in any way.

I am on the side claiming Kvothe's parents are who we see in the beginning. Buuuut I don't think it's entirely possible he's not. He acts like them and has similar interests because he was raised by them. One doesn't have to be blood related to take after someone else. Adoption is a perfect example if this. The only thing that's really made me question his parents... I don't think either if them had red hair? Just seems weird but it could be a recessive gene. Who knows?

As for Bast, I get he's Fae and that should be enough. But it's just not for me. What he is has been something I've never understood. it seems like more of an excuse for him to act as he does rather than an explanation. Just frustrating.

For some reason I thought that Laurian was described as having auburn hair. But now I can find no proof of that. Well, like you say, its possible either way. But I for one feel that would be an unfortunate turn of events for the story.

And as far as Bast goes, I don't think he changes any. I believe that he is 100% committed to Kvothe. He may do things that seem dark, but they are Bast's way of trying to bring back the real Kvothe. For me, Bast clearly cares about Kvothe like a relative or best friend, and he sees day by day that Kvothe is dying. He sees that Kvothe has given up and resigned himself to a slow death. Bast clearly knows Kvothe from when he was in his prime or very near it, and he dearly wishes to bring that person back to life. Only Bast is Fae, and so the things he does may seem evil, but to him, he's just helping his best friend. Even if he has to murder a few assholes he paid to beat up his best friend. Realistically, Bast probably never thought that those thugs he paid to jump Kvothe would have ever left the Waystone alive. Bast probably thought that Kvothe would have killed them.

Jessica wrote: "I am on the side claiming Kvothe's parents are who we see in the beginning. Buuuut I don't think it's entirely possible he's not. He acts like them and has similar interests because he was raised ..."

Red hair definitely *is* a recessive gene so... *thumbs up*

Interesting. That would explain why we never really get a physical description of arliden. That's something that's bothered more since my reread. We get extreme detail about Natalia but nothing about his dad. Just weird.

Reshi - I could get behind your theory there of Kvothe being changeling. Though I feel that the eyes thing isn't enough substance, I'd want further proof. Also, and I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I've heard human eyes slightly changing color with their mood.

And as for my theory of Kvothe's sign, I thought it obvious. Rothfuss only writes it directly. "the third silence was his", I believe that Kvothe's sign is Silence. Now was to what that actually means, I'm not sure, but maybe... naming cant be done in his presence (except by himself). maybe he actually has to be exerting his will to create the silence, maybe this is why it is his. Maybe he creates the silence to hide and protect himself from the Chandrian.
And as to Kvothe's strength, I highly doubt that his days at the University are when he is in his prime.

True enough, I see where Kvothe is downing in depression and hopelessness. This seems like the type of issue that Pat would write about.
And since you pointed out that this is the 'Crackpot Theory' thread, let me throw this knuckle. all at you.
On the flip side of this coin, let us not forget that Kvothe is Edema Ruh to the marrow of his bones, and they are if nothing else, story tellers. From his beginning at the University he has been writing his own (Taborlin the Great) legend within his own lifetime. Now I understand that Pat has made it clear that Kvothe's story is a tragedy, but maybe that is the next chapter in the legend that Kvothe is writing (telling) for himself, a tragic ending. Wherein he is now free to live his life free of Chandrian.

At the time I posted the thread, I hadn't finished my reread of the 2nd book. That said...I agree Bast isn't Cinder. I just keep having a gut feeling there's something more to him that I don't trust. I can't explain it. He just doesn't sit right with my conscience. Maybe it's the Fae.

Reshi - maybe I poorly worded my last comment, but you misunderstood me. I didn't mean that he was currently free of the Chandrian for ever. I meant that after he has finished crafting the tragedy of his legend, then he would be free of the Chandrian. it would have to be an incredible fake suicide indeed. Hell, it would probably fool the IRS. ;)

My Crackpot Theory
Everything has been set in motion by the Chandrian , haha that would be a little much huh . Consider this then , They need the king of Vint killed this starts there little destroy the world so we can rebuild it the way they think it should be . Cinder is up there stealing taxes meant for the king , the Maer can't pay the taxes possibility of war But K steps up and stops that little plan , so up to next idea whatever it may be , result = K killing the king . War and general chaos ensue . I know crazy , right ?


The Chandrian kill anyone who they find talking , singing or whatever about them so why isn't Denna dead . I mean she is around the wedding when everyone is killed because of the vase that was found , she sang a song about them . Is Cinder her patron is that why she has been spared . I mean K's parents sing a song and pretty soon there dead , people up on barrowhill find that vase ( prob never even knew what it was or about ) dead .

I am sure I am just ravelling lunatic as well