KKC Theory WikiThe Lightning Tree
“Bast's day-in-the-life novella, and the lightning-scarred tree where he trades favors”
also known as LT, The Lightning Tree (short story)
Appearance§
The story's central image is a lightning-scarred tree standing out back of the Waystone Inn near Newarre, around which Bast conducts his dealings with the local children. The tree carries the mark of a lightning strike and produces a tangible zap when touched, as when the mayor's daughter makes contact.
Description§
"The Lightning Tree" is a Kingkiller Chronicle short story by Patrick Rothfuss, first published in the Rogues anthology around 2014 and later expanded into the 2024 book The Narrow Road Between Desires. It portrays a single day in the life of Bast in Newarre, before the frame story of The Name of the Wind begins, and was published standalone. Its centrepiece is a lightning-scarred tree out back of the Waystone Inn, where Bast meets local children and grants favours and advice in exchange for gifts; when the mayor's daughter touches the tree she feels a zap. The story enriches Fae lore: Bast explains the distinction between Glamourie and Grammarie to a child, establishes that some Fae physically cannot lie while others lie expertly, and indicates that he himself struggles to lie and is bound by a code and a kind of karma. He also has a dalliance with an unnamed shepherdess.
Relationships§
- Centers On Bast — depicts a day in the life of Bast before the frame story
- Set Near Waystone Inn — set near the Waystone Inn at a lightning-scarred tree
- Prequel To The Name of the Wind — depicts events before the frame story in The Name of the Wind
- Explains Glamourie — Bast explains the distinction between Glamourie and Grammarie to a child
- Explains Grammarie — Bast explains the distinction between Glamourie and Grammarie to a child
- Set In Newarre — the story is set in Newarre, near the Waystone Inn
Established facts§
- "The Lightning Tree" is a Kingkiller Chronicle short story by Patrick Rothfuss, originally published in the Rogues anthology around 2014.
- It depicts a day in the life of Bast before the events of the frame story in The Name of the Wind.
- It was written and published as a standalone work.
- The story is set in Newarre, near the Waystone Inn.
- Bast meets local children at a lightning-scarred tree, doling out advice and granting favours in exchange for gifts.
- The mayor's daughter touches the tree and feels a zap.
- Bast explains Fae lore to a child, including the distinction between Glamourie and Grammarie.
- Some Fae physically cannot lie, while others are very skilled liars; Bast himself struggles to lie.
- When a child calls Bast a bastard, he affirms it is true.
- Bast describes some Fae as bound by a code and considers himself subject to a kind of karma.
- Bast has a dalliance with an unnamed shepherdess in the story.
- Rothfuss expanded the novella into the full-length book The Narrow Road Between Desires, released in November 2024.