KKC Theory Wiki

Auri's Gift Candle May Secretly Be an Ever-Burning Candle Made by Shaping

fringe mechanism · popularity 77 · 1 source thread

When Kvothe finally lights the candle Auri gave him, it may prove to be an ever-burning candle made via Shaping.

About: Auri, Kvothe

Also involves: Shaping, The Underthing, Master Kilvin

The theory§

This theory proposes that the candle Auri gives Kvothe in The Wise Man's Fear may, when he finally lights it, prove to be an ever-burning candle. Auri presents it as a gift and confirms only that she made it herself; Kvothe never burns it or remarks further on it. The reasoning leans on the pattern that artifacts in the series which resist ordinary explanation are the products of Shaping, the deep craft behind Kvothe's nameless sword and the warding stones, and that Auri, brilliant and steeped in the old workings of the Underthing, could plausibly Shape such a thing. An ever-burning candle would also rhyme pointedly with Master Kilvin's lifelong obsession with creating an ever-burning lamp, an everlasting light he has never achieved. A more sober reading notes Auri made the gift in haste because she had nothing else to give, so any hidden power would be incidental rather than the point.

Evidence§

  • Could it be that when Kvothe eventually lights it we find out it's an ever-burning candle?
    OP's core claim: the candle may prove to be ever-burning when lit. — u/saksmladic
  • it’s implied the candle was made with the power of shaping, and we know ancient artifacts that can’t be explained are most likely created by shaping like Kvothe’s sword or the warding stones
    OP's reasoning: candle made by Shaping, fitting the pattern of unexplained artifacts. — u/saksmladic
  • "No, not like this, I want an ever burning lamp, not an ever burning candle!" Kilvin, probably.
    Top comment links the idea to Kilvin's lifelong ever-burning lamp obsession. — u/ainRingeck
  • He doesn’t talk about it one way or another in WMF after she gifts it to him, other than asking if she made it. Could be a cool reveal.
    Supports plausibility: Kvothe never burns it or remarks on it, leaving room. — u/luckydrunk_7
  • What if the Doors of Stone will ONLY open before the light of an ever-burning light, and the masters know that?
    Extends theory: an ever-burning light could have larger plot significance. — u/SecretCabalofDespair
  • she was using shaping because she didn't have a proper gift and so it was a last minute short-cut to create the candle. The candle could still have secret magic, from the shaping, but the context of her being late sufficiently explains her use of shaping to me.
    CounterCounter: Shaping explained by haste, so hidden power is incidental not intended. — u/RentUnlucky343rd

Book refs: WMF

Tier reasoning§

fringe confirmed: rests on an unstated 'implied' premise

Contributors§

Source threads§