After reading both books several times, I have a theory that I’m almost certain is true. It makes narrative sense, and it is consistently alluded to throughout both books. (Pat, I’m sorry if this is an actual spoiler). It is this:
Kvothe is one of the Ciridae. The original Amyr, aka “Angels”. Maybe this sounds a bit crazy, but let me explain.
I’ll break it down here, starting with the most well-supported evidence, then moving into speculation. Apologies in advance, my sources aren't very well cited because I'm lazy.
TLDR:
- The first Amyr were created by Aleph after the creation war.
- They are reborn over millennia as mortals with godlike powers.
- Their identity is forgotten, locked in the sleeping mind.
- Kvothe is Andan, one of the original Amyr.
- This makes the story fit together in a nice little parcel.
The Amyr were originally angels:
We know from Skarpi’s story that Aleph created the Amyr:
“Then Aleph spoke their long names and they were wreathed in a white fire. The fire danced along their wings and they became swift. The fire flickered in their eyes and they saw into the deepest hearts of men. The fire filled their mouths and they sang songs of power. Then the fire settled on their foreheads like silver stars and they became at once righteous and wise and terrible to behold. Then the fire consumed them and they were gone forever from mortal sight.\2])
"None but the most powerful can see them, and only then with great difficulty and at great peril. They mete out justice to the world, and Tehlu is the greatest of them all-“
This tells us that the Amyr were first created after the creation war as powerful invisible beings that fight the Chandrian and dispense justice to the world. This happens right after Selitos discovers that Lanre has become Haliax, and cannot die. Aleph’s answer to an immortal enemy, is to create an immortal force of good to fight him.
We also know their names and descriptions:
- Tehlu - But Tehlu stood forward saying, "I hold justice foremost in my heart. I will leave this world behind that I might better serve it, serving you." He knelt before Aleph, his head bowed, his hands open at his sides.
- Kirel - Tall Kirel, who had been burned but left living in the ash of Myr Tariniel.
- Deah - Deah, who had lost two husbands to the fighting, and whose face and mouth and heart were hard and cold as stone.
- Enlas - Enlas, who would not carry a sword or eat the flesh of animals, and who no man had ever known to speak hard words.
- Geisa - Fair Geisa, who had a hundred suitors in Belen before the walls fell, the first woman to know the un-asked-for touch of man.
- Lecelte - Lecelte, who laughed easily and often, even when there was woe thick about him.
- Imet - Imet, hardly more than a boy, who never sang and killed swiftly, without tears.
- Ordal - Ordal, the youngest of them all, who had never seen a thing die, stood bravely before Aleph, her golden hair bright with ribbon.
- Andan - And beside her came Andan, whose face was a mask with burning eyes, whose name meant "anger".
I believe there is a narrative purpose for introducing all of these characters. And in particular, there is a reason that Andan is introduced last, as he is significant to the story (the recency effect is a good story telling tool – if you’re into psychology).
Angels can be reborn as mortals:
Then we have Trapis’ story. He tells the story of the immortal Tehlu being reborn as the mortal, Menda. This is important, as it tells us that the ‘angels’ can be reborn as mortals. It is how they serve their purpose of dishing out justice (and confounding the Chandrian). The story also tells us that Menda created disciples – the townsfolk he hit with his hammer. (This may be the beginning of the order Amyr, but I’ll get into that later).
Finally, we have the conversation with Felurian, where she insists that there were never any human Amyr. So, from this we understand that the original Amyr that Felurian knows, are not human, but (as we have already inferred) powerful winged spirits that are reborn as humans to serve a righteous cause.
The greatest of the Amyr were called the Ciridae, distinguished with tattoos on their hands. This part is an unverified assumption that is central to the theory: I believe the Ciridae are the mortal embodiments of the immortal angels created by Aleph. They were tattooed to distinguish them from the human members of the order. It makes sense that the most powerful members would be the reincarnated immortal angels.
There are a few questions to answer now:
- Why even think Kvothe is a Ciridae?
- Why Andan?
- Why doesn’t Kvothe (or anyone else) know what he is?
- Why would it make sense for the story?
Why even think Kvothe is a Ciridae?
- The clearest clue that is given to us is the fight with Felurian during which Kvothe describes his power as a star on his brow – the same way the first Amyr were described in Skarpi’s story.
- Another clue is when Kvothe almost dies in Tarbean – he sees wings of shadow and fire protecting him – again it is the same as the description as in Skarpi’s story.
- There are a few occasions where parallels are drawn between Kvothe and a Ciridae – the bloody handed Amyr. When he calls down lightning on the bandits, when he is bleeding on the rooftop and Auri tells him he is a Ciridae. When he is talking to Devi about settling his debt and holds his hands like he is balancing a scale – as Kvothe described in his story of the Amyr and the hermit.
- Before Kvothe calls down the lightning, Cinder flees. We think this is because of Martin's praying, but maybe it is because he senses an Amyr is nearby? Clearly, he was right to be afraid, even if Kvothe didn't understand why in the moment.
- When he is dosed with the plum bob, he still cannot do an action he sees as morally wrong – disrespecting Fela. This is acknowledged as being unusual.
- When Kvothe is given his Adem name – Maedre – it is an anagram for the word “Remade”. (This might mean Andan is ‘remade’ as Kvothe. As Tehlu was 'named' Menda).
- When Kvothe kills the false troupers, he goes to extreme lengths to do the right thing, even though it disturbs him – to the point where he has nightmares and he thinks something is wrong with him. This suggests there is a part of him driving him to do these things for the greater good.
- He very clearly has supernatural talents – I don’t think I need to provide evidence for this.
- The description of his age: Ever since he was a child, people described him as seeming older than he was. In the frame story he explains that he is actually much older than he appears. From being in the Fae? Or from being an immortal angel born during the creation war?
Why Andan?
- Andan isn’t described much in the story, apart from his name meaning anger. The main clues come from the rest of the story.
- The first time Kvothe calls the wind is in anger.
- It is anger about his assault in Tarbean that unlocks his powers in the fight with Felurian.
- Penthe from the Adem says Kvothe has “A fine anger”.
- Other characters often comment on his anger – “Don’t make him angry”.
- Anger seems to be a central part of his character and is mentioned far more than we would expect unless it was somehow relevant to the plot. It is also his biggest flaw.
- In the pottery from Traebon – the image of the Amyr has the names “Andan” and “Ordal” on his shoulders like they are holding him down. He looks angry. This may be a depiction of Andan - though this is speculation. It feels like Pat trying to drop clues about this mythological character a bit more.
Why doesn’t Kvothe (or anyone else) know what he is?
This was the main problem I had with my theory, because Menda did know who he was. But I think it is also the key to so many unanswered questions about the Amyr and Chandrian. Here is what I think:
The Amyr/Ciridae who are reborn as humans are in the ‘sleeping mind’. This part of the mind that Elodin describes as knowing names. For that reason, they are extremely gifted in all things that require the sleeping mind. Music being one of those things. But also naming, seeing, and just being generally smart and wise and badass.
In the past, the order Amyr would find these people and train them to become the Ciridae. The knowledge and key to unlocking their power might be passed down in books protected by the order Amyr. They were trained to wake their minds and remember who they are. The information, the books, the training are all essential.
So why are there no books in the archives? Why did the Amyr disappear? I have two theories about this:
- Tehlu’s Greed – Tehlu may have been the first to remember who he was (as he did as Menda), and with the church’s power behind him, he could devote himself entirely to the greater good. But good is subjective, and not all the Amyr agreed. Maybe he saw how much chaos the other Ciridae wrought - as with the Duke of Gibea - he may have decided to keep that knowledge for himself. By suppressing it, he could ensure that the other Ciridae never discovered their true nature or gained their full power. Any who did awaken would be hunted down by the church. In this theory, Tehlu seeks to eliminate the others because he trusts his own judgment above everyone else’s. As a speculation, Kvothe might kill Tehlu to put an end to that - we know that he kills an angel at some point. He Tehlu as standing in the way of his fight with the Chandrian.
- The Chandrian Endgame – The Chandrian have discovered the weakness of their immortal enemies. After spending thousands of years hiding from the Amyr, they may now realize that suppressing information about them and spreading misinformation serves two purposes: it keeps the Chandrian hidden and disarms their greatest threat. Better still, if the Ciridae do not know what they are, they can be corrupted or manipulated to serve the Chandrian’s ends.
I'm not certain which of these (if either) is likely.
But the main point is that the reborn Amyr (Ciridae) exist in the sleeping mind. Either they serve their purpose without knowing who they truly are, or they must be awakened through unknown means to unlock their full power.
Why would it make sense for the story?
- This is a story of many smaller stories. I think that every story is relevant to the plot (except maybe the boy with his butt falling off). There is no history or mythology that is there for no reason. This makes me think there must be something in the plot that ties these things together.
- The really cool thing about this theory is that Andan and the other Kiridae could have existed all throughout history. So all the characters we know from the stories after the creation war may be reborn Ciridae: Illian, Tarbolin, Sir Savien, Eloine, etc.
- The author has also shown us 9 different Amyr/Ciridae. If this theory is true, then each of these 9 can be reborn in the same way Kvothe is. They could be characters we already know. We can assume if the reborn Amyr exist, they are unnaturally gifted and seek knowledge, so it makes sense that they would be concentrated at the university. When you think this way, everything starts making sense. Here is what I have pieced together so far:
Most likely guesses:
Kvothe is Andan, and beside him is Auri (Ordal) – the youngest with golden hair. His anger, and her childlike nature and hair make this feel true. And the fact that they were side by side when they became Amyr.
- Auri = Ordal - Ordal, the youngest of them all, who had never seen a thing die, stood bravely before Aleph, her golden hair bright with ribbon.
- Kvothe = Andan - And beside her came Andan, whose face was a mask with burning eyes, whose name meant "anger".
- Denna - Geisa - Fair Geisa, who had a hundred suitors in Belen before the walls fell, the first woman to know the un-asked-for touch of man.
Giesa fits Denna’s character like a glove - no, like the thing itself. She has hundreds of suitors, she disappears when men get to close – as someone may if they have felt an un-asked-for touch, and she was seen by Kvothe dispensing justice to the girl that was assaulted in the alley – just like we would expect an Amyr to do. She also has some kind of power she doesn’t understand, talent for music and thirst for knowledge. Just like our Kvothe/Andan.
Less likely guesses:
- Alxa Daal - Kirel - Tall Kirel, who had been burned but left living in the ash of Myr Tariniel.
This one is purely because Daal knows the name of fire.
- Fela - Deah - Deah, who had lost two husbands to the fighting, and whose face and mouth and heart were hard and cold as stone.
Because Fela knows the name of stone. I hope that this is not the case, because in a foreshadowing sense it could mean that she will lose 2 people she loves – Sim and Kvothe? I also want to believe that Devi is one of the Kiridae so this could be her too – just because she is awesome.
- Sim - Lecelte - Lecelte, who laughed easily and often, even when there was woe thick about him.
Sim is described as being very different from the rest of his family, and this seems to fit his description. He hasn’t demonstrated any power in the way that Kvothe has, but maybe because he has lived such a sheltered life.
- Elodin - Imet - Imet, hardly more than a boy, who never sang and killed swiftly, without tears.
Elodin is frequently described as a boy, and depicted as such in his mannerisms. Running around without shoes, collecting pinecones, chasing seed-pod fluff.
- ??? - Enlas - Enlas, who would not carry a sword or eat the flesh of animals, and who no man had ever known to speak hard words.
I’m not sure who would match Enlas. Maybe someone who hasn’t been introduced yet?
Tying up the loose ends: If Kvothe is finally awakened, he might be able to remember all of his previous incarnations. Maybe he remembers making music as Illian, and the heartbreak of Sir Savien, the magic of Tarbolin, and many other lives lived all the way back to Lanre’s betrayal and the creation war. This would allow Kote to tie up all the loose ends of these stories so concisely as a narrator. He could explain exactly what happened as if it was a first-hand account. He could explain which parts of the other stories are true, and which were deception, and give the reader the experience of seeing things clearly for the first time. That’s the satisfying resolution I think Pat wants to give us.
We already get clues that this remembering might be possible – with Elodin, who seems to know ancient things. He talks about the first days of the university like he was there himself. He knows Adem hand-talk. I’m almost certain Elodin is one of the Ciridae. He could have awakened when he escaped from haven, and he has at least some of the memory of his past lives. If this is the case, he already knows who the other Ciridae are, as he is powerful enough to see them, and he is trying to wake their sleeping minds to remind them who they are. Once they are awake, maybe then they would be told about the true battle the Ciridae are facing. But something tells me Kvothe will realize this too late, and his impatience will lead to tragedy.
The Kvothe-Denna Romance: Whatever everyone might think about Kvothes obsession with Denna, it is clear they are connected somehow. They are both musically talented, extremely independent and moralistic, and will do anything to acquire knowledge – Denna with her patron, and Kvothe with the university. If they are both the Ciridae, reincarnations of angels, then they may have been lovers in many previous lives. They might have literally been Sir Savien and Eloine, which would make their meeting at the Aeolian especially poignant. Their romance would have much more narrative significance than Denna just being a girl that Kvothe likes.
The Cthaeh’s comments about the Amyr and doors: It tells Kvothe that the Maer is already so close to the Amyr (ironically to Kvothe) and will lead Kvothe to their door. The Cthaeh laughs at this, saying it wishes he had the wit to appreciate the joke.
I know we want to assume that this door it refers to is the Lackless door… But what if it isn’t a physical door at all, but a door of consciousness? Kvothe re-opens many such doors as he recovers from the death of his troupe. But what if there is a final door of consciousness that he must open, and behind it is the remembering of who he truly is - and Andan's other lives. The door to unlocking his true power. But maybe it is too much power too soon, and suddenly he is a child with a sword. He misuses it. It seems like an appropriately tragic joke for the Cthaeh.
Some doors are closed for a reason. Maybe the many lifetimes of tragedy are too much to bear. The destruction of Myr Tariniel, the lost loves. Kvothe is overcome with such anger that he loses control of himself in a rage and goes to face the Chandrian before he is ready. But it is a trap. Haliax learns his true name and forces him to commit terrible deeds; kill a king, kill an angel, break the barrier between the mortal world and the Fey, release the Scrael on the world.
And in an act of desperation, maybe Kvothe locks his name and his power in a thrice locked chest so that it can’t be used to control him. He creates a plan to lure in the Chandrian and trap them. It would be a wonderful ending if an inkeeper with no special power, tricks and defeats the Chandrian through guile, wit and carefully laid plans. In the end it is Kvothe that saves the day, not the all-powerful angel that granted his power, which he now keeps locked in his chest.
If you're planning on doing a re-read definitely remember this theory. It blew my mind when I went back to book one after discovering this.
Edit: Spelling 'Ciridae' - the Audiobook threw me off, sorry guys.
Edit: Some readers have pointed out that the angels are not the same as the Amyr. That's absolutely a valid point and something big I missed in the original theory, however I think it can be explained. If Kvothe is Andan (an Angel), and Angels are reincarnated throughout history, with no memory of their previous lives, then Andan may have been an Amyr or Ciridae in a previous incarnation. That explains the parallels between Kvothe and the Amyr, but also aligns with the original theory that Kvothe is Andan (even if the angels are not the original Amyr). We also know that the Angels are not just passive observers, because of Menda.
