KKC Theory Wiki

Abenthy Was a Retired Chemistry Master From the University

fringe identity · popularity 162 · 1 source thread

Arcanist Abenthy may be a former University Chemistry Master, explaining his skill and University-style habits.

About: Abenthy, The University

Also involves: The Arcanum, Kvothe, Arliden, Naming, Master Lorren

The theory§

This theory proposes that Abenthy, the travelling arcanist who first teaches Kvothe sympathy and naming, is a former Master of the University, most plausibly in chemistry. Its supports are circumstantial: Abenthy calls the name of the wind with ease, where ordinary arcanists command only a name or two; he addresses Kvothe as 'E'lir', a University title, before Kvothe is ever enrolled; and Kvothe is repeatedly reminded of Abenthy when among the Masters, including a chemistry Master whose voice so resembles Abenthy's that Kvothe slips into a quip. The further suggestion is that Abenthy's old correspondence with colleagues explains how a Master had heard of Arliden's name. A substantial counter holds that no one at the University recognises Abenthy at all, that 'E'lir' simply means 'see-er' and is a natural thing for a teacher to call a gifted pupil, and that Abenthy's manner merely reflects his own years as a University student rather than a Mastership.

Evidence§

  • he calls the wind with ease. We learn that most of the masters know a couple of names at max, so him being comfortable enough to call the wind both for show, and to save Kvothe's life, points to Abenthy having abilities exceeding your average arcanist's.
    Core claim: Abenthy's ease with the name of the wind exceeds an ordinary arcanist. — u/9YearOldSergantJames
  • he calls Kvothe E'lir. Other students call eachother that as well, but it is a bit odd to do it when Kvothe is not enrolled in the university.
    Using a University title before enrollment hints Abenthy's University background. — u/9YearOldSergantJames
  • the Chemistry Master (can't remember his name, comments help me out) has a voice that is so alike Abenthy's that Kvothe fumbles and quips back. Considering that Abenthy had an affinity towards chemistry, I find it likely that *insert current chemistry master's name* studied under Abenthy.
    Chemistry Master's voice resembling Abenthy's suggests a teacher-student link. — u/9YearOldSergantJames
  • the Chancellor say "What, no defence", being the exact same words that Abenthy used when he was drilling Kvothe in rhetoric. This was probably because Abenthy used to say that very thing when he was the one drilling students.
    Shared phrasing implies Abenthy once drilled students at the University. — u/9YearOldSergantJames
  • the masters accept Kvothe's "letter of introduction". This is not as solid evidence as the rest, but if Abenthy if fact was a Master that some of the current Masters knew or even had heard of, it would've helped Kvothe's case.
    Acceptance of the letter weakly supports Abenthy being a known former Master. — u/9YearOldSergantJames
  • this post just made me remember/wonder if that's how that one Master had heard of Arliden. Abenthy would have likely been writing his former students/fellow masters wherever he ended up in life
    Refinement: Abenthy's correspondence could explain how a Master knew Arliden's name. — u/tophage
  • Unfortunately nobody at the university has ever heard of Ben. Pat makes a point to show that Lorren knows of arliden but nobody makes the slightest remark about Ben. … His experience of a student teacher relationship is based on his time as a student at the university so it’s pretty likely that he’s going to treat kvothe the way the masters used to treat him.
    CounterCounter: no one recognizes Ben; his manner reflects being a student, not a Master. — u/Gozz1988

Book refs: NOTW

Tier reasoning§

fringe: directly contradicted by no one at University knowing Ben

Contributors§

Source threads§