KKC Theory Wiki

Ambrose May Be the First to Realize Kvothe Is a Lackless Heir

plausible connection · popularity 52 · 1 source thread

As Vintish nobility with Archives access, Ambrose could piece together that Kvothe descends from Netalia Lackless.

About: Ambrose Jakis, Kvothe

Also involves: Meluan Lackless, Laurian, Edema Ruh, The Archives, Maer Lerand Alveron, Caudicus, Arliden, The Lackless Box, Vintas

The theory§

This theory holds that Ambrose Jakis is uniquely positioned to deduce Kvothe's concealed Lackless heritage, perhaps becoming the first character to realise it. As Vintish nobility, Ambrose would know the story that Meluan Lackless's sister ran off with, or in Meluan's telling was kidnapped by, an Edema Ruh trouper; through court and University rumour, or directly from Caudicus, who has recently stayed at the Jakis estate, he could also learn that a redheaded musician appeared at the Maer's court and fell out with Meluan. Crucially, Ambrose works in the Archives and processed Kvothe's registration as 'Kvothe Arlidenson,' giving him documentary evidence of Kvothe's father's name; since Arliden was a renowned trouper, Ambrose could connect Netalia Lackless's elopement to Arliden specifically rather than merely guessing. The theory supposes Ambrose might assume Kvothe's feud with him springs from this heritage, deepening his hatred over a perceived rival claim near the throne. The strongest objection is that Kvothe himself does not yet know his mother was noble, and Ambrose's elitism may make him incapable of imagining the 'gutter trash' Ruh as the son of a noblewoman; the supporting detail is also that almost the entire chain of reasoning would unfold off-page.

Evidence§

  • As a member of the Vintish nobility, Ambrose would be familiar with the story that Meluan’s sister ran off with (or if he believe’s Meluan’s version, was kidnapped by) an Edema Ruh trouper.
    OP's foundation: Ambrose's noble background gives him the elopement story. — u/iron_red
  • He will also know either from court rumors, University rumors, or even direct information from Caudicus (who mentioned recently staying at the Jakis estate) that a redheaded musician turned up to the Maer’s court and eventually had a falling out with Meluan Lackless.
    OP: Ambrose has channels linking a red-haired musician to Meluan's court. — u/iron_red
  • Ambrose is in a unique position to have the context to put it altogether. He might not even realize that Kvothe doesn’t know. Ambrose might assume that Kvothe feuds with him *because* of his noble heritage.
    OP's core claim: Ambrose uniquely positioned, may misread the feud's cause. — u/iron_red
  • Ambrose works in the archive making him one of the few people that knows kvothes father's name since Kvothes registered for university as Kvothes Arlidenson.
    Comment adds documentary evidence: Ambrose has Kvothe's father's name. — u/ertgbnm
  • So it wouldn't just be guesswork for Ambrose to put together. Instead he'd have actual evidence.
    Refines: Arliden's fame means Ambrose names the trouper, not guesses. — u/ertgbnm
  • But with the context of him putting kvothe arlidenson down at the archives. I think it's very likely. … And he knows kvothes whole name.
    Supports: the registration name makes the deduction plausible. — u/Charlaminge
  • No, he didn’t. He doesn’t even know that his mother is a noble yet in the story.
    CounterCounter: corrects OP; Kvothe himself doesn't know his mother was noble. — u/NoGoodDM
  • Ambrose comes off as pretty self-centered and elitist, I don’t think he could really conceive of Kvothe having been spawned by nobility. … From his clothes and poverty he mentally assigned him as gutter trash
    CounterCounter: Ambrose's elitism blinds him to a noble Ruh. — u/vercertorix

Book refs: NOTW, WMF

Tier reasoning§

tier confirmed: Ambrose's Archives access gives a reasonable basis

Contributors§

Source threads§