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Tinkers

faction · importance 55 · 2 theories

“Wandering traders whose offered goods uncannily fit what travelers will need”

also known as Tinkers, the Ruh tinkers

Appearance§

Tinkers present as ordinary, travel-worn peddlers moving along the roads with their goods, defined chiefly by the packs of wares they carry. The tinker who enters the Waystone in the frame story has a potbelly. One pack is noted to be closed with a tricky, unbreakable knot.

Description§

Tinkers are wandering peddlers of Temerant who travel the roads selling and trading goods, and they are surrounded by long-standing customs and superstitions, captured in sayings such as 'Leave the town, tinker.' Tradition holds that a tinker repays once for a trade, twice for freely-given aid, and thrice for any insult, and ill-treating a tinker is widely held to bring misfortune. They carry packs of wares, one of which is closed with a tricky, unbreakable knot. A tinker outside Trebon offers Kvothe rope and Avennish strawberry wine, which he declines and later has cause to regret; a tinker on the road in Vintas presses a Ramston steel knife on him with the proverb that it is 'the best knife you'll ever have until it breaks.' Repeatedly, tinkers offer travelers exactly the goods they will soon need. The song 'Tinker Tanner' is widely known, and Kvothe's leading the Waystone inn in singing it is how he is recognized in the frame story. Abenthy describes himself as a tinker 'and more.' Tinkers are culturally connected to the Ruh and travel much as Edema Ruh troupes do.

Relationships§

  • Offered Goods Kvothe — Tinkers offer Kvothe rope, wine, and a Ramston knife he later needs
  • Akin To Edema Ruh — Culturally connected to the Ruh and travel similarly to Edema Ruh troupes
  • Song Sung At Waystone Inn — Kvothe leading the Waystone inn in singing 'Tinker Tanner' is how he is recognized
  • Met In Vintas — A tinker on the road in Vintas tries to sell Kvothe a Ramston steel knife
  • Travel Temerant — Wandering peddlers of Temerant who travel the roads
  • Self-Described Abenthy — Abenthy describes himself as a tinker 'and more'
  • Met Near Trebon — A tinker outside Trebon offers Kvothe rope and strawberry wine
  • Sell Ramston Steel — A tinker presses a Ramston steel knife on Kvothe with a proverb about it breaking
  • Namesake Song Tinker Tanner — 'Tinker Tanner' is a well-known song tied to tinker lore

Established facts§

  • Tinkers are wandering peddlers of Temerant who travel the roads selling and trading goods.
  • Tinkers are surrounded by customs and superstitions, such as the saying 'Leave the town, tinker.'
  • Tradition holds a tinker repays once for a trade, twice for freely-given aid, and thrice for any insult, and ill-treating one brings misfortune.
  • Tinkers carry packs of wares, one of which is closed with a tricky, unbreakable knot.
  • Tinkers repeatedly offer travelers exactly the goods they will soon need.
  • A tinker outside Trebon offers Kvothe rope and Avennish strawberry wine, which he declines and later regrets.
  • A tinker on the road in Vintas tries to sell Kvothe a Ramston steel knife, quoting that it is 'the best knife you'll ever have until it breaks.'
  • 'Tinker Tanner' is a well-known song, and Kvothe leading the Waystone inn in singing it is how he is recognized in the frame.
  • Abenthy describes himself as a tinker 'and more.'
  • Tinkers are culturally connected to the Ruh and travel similarly to Edema Ruh troupes.

Theories§

Top contributors§

People on r/KingkillerChronicle who built the theories above.