KKC Theory Wiki

Taborlin the Great

character · importance 55 · 7 theories

“Legendary wizard-hero of Temerant's folk tales and children's stories”

Appearance§

Taborlin is defined by his trappings rather than his face: he is pictured wearing a cloak of no particular color, which listeners variously imagine as a patchwork of differently colored rags or a color too dark to see, and carrying a sword, a staff, and a protective amulet. He keeps a key, a coin, and a candle about him. He is the archetypal storybook magician, recognized by his cloak and tools and his command of lightning and names rather than by any fixed likeness.

Description§

Taborlin the Great is a legendary wizard-hero who lives in the folk tales, children's stories, and tavern tales of Temerant rather than in the present age. In his most famous story he wakes imprisoned, in a high tower in some tellings, deep underground in others, with his sword taken and his tools, key, coin, and candle, all stripped away, before contriving his escape. The tales give him iconic gear: a cloak of no particular color, a sword, a staff, and an amulet that wards off demons, complications, and illness. He is said to know the names of all things and to call down fire and lightning at will, and his stories feature a confrontation with the wizard-king Scyphus. Taborlin serves as the standard of arcane power against which great deeds are measured. Felurian, who is exceedingly old, has never heard of him, placing the origin of his legend after the Creation War.

Relationships§

  • Master Of Naming — Said to know the names of all things
  • Postdates The Creation War — His legend is implied to post-date the Creation War
  • Parallels Elodin — His prison-escape story closely parallels Elodin's escape from the Haven asylum
  • Legend Of Temerant — Appears in the folk tales and tavern tales told throughout Temerant
  • Predates Knowledge Of Felurian — Felurian, exceedingly old, has never heard of him, placing his legend after the Creation War
  • Cloak Echoes The Shaed — His cloak of no particular color, at the heart of his legend

Established facts§

  • Taborlin the Great is a legendary figure who appears in the folk tales, children's stories, and tavern tales told throughout Temerant.
  • In his most famous tale he wakes imprisoned, in a high tower in some tellings and deep underground in others, with his sword taken and his tools, key, coin, and candle stripped from him, before escaping.
  • Legend credits him with seven magical possessions: a cloak, sword, staff, amulet, key, coin, and candle, with the cloak named as at the heart of Taborlin.
  • His cloak is described as being of no particular color, variously imagined as a patchwork of differently colored rags or a color too dark to see.
  • His amulet protects him from demons, complications, and illness or injury.
  • He is famed for knowing the names of all things and for commanding fire and lightning to rescue himself and others.
  • His tales include a confrontation with the wizard-king Scyphus.
  • Felurian, who is exceedingly old, has never heard of Taborlin, implying his legend post-dates the Creation War.
  • His prison-escape story closely parallels Elodin's real escape from the Haven asylum.
  • Taborlin serves as the standard of arcane power against which great deeds are measured.

Theories§

Appears in theories§

Top contributors§

People on r/KingkillerChronicle who built the theories above.