KKC Theory Wiki

Caudicus

character · importance 55 · 9 theories

“The Maer's longtime arcanist, exposed as a poisoner by Kvothe”

Appearance§

Having served the Maer for more than twelve years, Caudicus is likely in his late thirties or forties. He wears the dark robes of an arcanist and openly displays his guilder rings, which bite when touched, the same reaction a gram produces. He is characterised more by presentation than by features: he deliberately cultivates a mysterious, learned air, staging his southern tower with a stuffed crocodile, a candle-topped skull, and assorted alchemical apparatus to project power and wisdom.

Description§

Caudicus is Maer Lerand Alveron's court arcanist and physician at Severen, where he has been a permanent fixture for more than a dozen years. He lives in one of the estate's southern towers, which he furnishes with alchemical apparatus, blueflame candles, a copper-and-glass distillery he does not use for genuine alchemy, a candle-topped skull, and a stuffed crocodile he says belonged to the arcanist who lived there before him. He cultivates an air of mystery and learning, displaying his guilder rings and putting on a show of power for the superstitious Vintish court. Caudicus prepares the Maer's medicine, and when Alveron falls ill Kvothe is sent directly to his door to fetch it. Kvothe discovers the medicine is slowly poisoning the Maer with lead and denner resin, and demonstrates the danger to the doubtful Alveron using an apple. When the Maer's soldiers move to arrest him, Caudicus resists, sets a deadly trap, and flees Severen, his deception exposed; he is later captured by Dagon. Before serving Alveron he had lodged for a long time on the Jakis estate, and he freely shares gossip about Baron Jakis with Kvothe. He is well versed in Lackless family history, and when Kvothe asks him about the Chandrian he deflects with a joke, calling them 'hardly mythology' rather than denying them.

Relationships§

  • Exposed By Kvothe — Kvothe discovers his medicine is poisoning the Maer and demonstrates it with an apple
  • Deflects About The Chandrian — Deflects Kvothe's questions with a joke, calling them 'hardly mythology'
  • Family Historian The Lackless Family — Well versed in Lackless family history and its splintering into separate names
  • Patron Maer Lerand Alveron — Court arcanist and physician to the Maer for over a dozen years, preparing his medicine
  • Gossips About Ambrose Jakis — Reports the suppressed scandal of Ambrose's youngest sister found in a brothel
  • Lives At Severen — Lives in one of the estate's southern towers
  • Captured By Dagon — Captured by Dagon after fleeing Severen
  • Poisons With Denner Resin — Slowly poisons the Maer with lead and denner resin
  • Practitioner Alchemy — Keeps alchemical apparatus and a distillery, cultivating an air of arcane learning
  • Gossips About Baron Jakis — Lodged on the Jakis estate and freely shares gossip about Baron Jakis

Established facts§

  • Caudicus is Maer Lerand Alveron's court arcanist and physician at Severen, a permanent fixture of the court for more than a dozen years.
  • He prepares the Maer's medicine, and when Alveron falls ill Kvothe is sent directly to his door to fetch it.
  • The medicine is slowly poisoning the Maer with lead and denner resin.
  • Kvothe demonstrates the poisoning danger to the skeptical Maer using an apple.
  • When soldiers move to arrest him, Caudicus resists, sets a deadly trap, and flees Severen.
  • He is later captured by Dagon.
  • He lives in one of the estate's southern towers, filled with alchemical apparatus, a candle-topped skull, and a stuffed crocodile he says belonged to the previous arcanist.
  • His tower holds blueflame candles and a copper-and-glass distillery he does not use for genuine alchemy.
  • He cultivates an air of mystery and wisdom, displaying his guilder rings and putting on a show of power for the superstitious Vintish court.
  • His guilder bites when touched, the same reaction a gram produces.
  • Before serving the Maer he lodged for a long time on the Jakis estate.
  • He freely shares gossip about Baron Jakis with Kvothe.
  • When Kvothe asks him about the Chandrian, he deflects with a joke and calls them 'hardly mythology' rather than denying them.
  • He is well versed in the history of the Lackless family.
  • He recounts that a falling-out splintered the Lackless family, each piece taking a separate name: the Lack-keys in Atur, the Lacliths in the south, and the Kaepcaen in Modeg.
  • One of his books mentions the scandal of Arliden the bard running off with Netalia Lackless.
  • His gossip reports that Ambrose's youngest sister was found in a brothel and that Baron Jakis paid officials to suppress the scandal.
  • Given over twelve years of service, he is likely in his late thirties or forties.
  • After his fall, Kvothe disperses Caudicus's rings among prostitutes.

Theories§

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