KKC Theory Wiki

Bast Was the Eolian Satyr Statue Kvothe Freed

fringe identity · popularity 88 · 1 source thread

Bast may be a Fae trapped as the satyr fountain statue outside the Eolian, freed by Kvothe when the cobblestones shattered.

About: Bast, The Eolian

Also involves: Kvothe, The Fae, Chronicler

The theory§

This theory speculates that Bast, who has served Kvothe for only about two years, was a Fae imprisoned in stone as the satyr fountain statue that stands in the courtyard outside the Eolian, and that Kvothe freed him when the fountain was destroyed. The reasoning notes that the satyr statue and the report of shattered cobblestones by that fountain coincide with the kind of catastrophic act that drove Kvothe into hiding, and that such a rescue would explain Bast's fierce devotion and his calling Kvothe "Reshi." A favoured elaboration ties the destruction to the courtyard incident in which Kvothe is said to have summoned a demon in broad daylight. Chronicler recognising Bast on sight is read as support — he would know the tale of the satyr statue. Against this stand timeline and detail problems: Bast recalls falling from a tree about ten years before while picking fruit for a girl, and the broken-fountain version has Bast freed during Kvothe's confrontation with Ambrose, both of which strain the two-year acquaintance.

Evidence§

  • Bast has only been under Kvothe's tutelage for 2 years or so, this suggests that Bast and Kvothe only became acquainted before/during the climatic failure that causes him to go into hiding.
    OP's premise: short acquaintance places Bast's meeting near Kvothe's catastrophe. — u/monskervator
  • Could Bast have been a trapped Fae that Kvothe rescued? The fountain outside the Eolian was a Satyr... We also have the quote from the drunken traveller about the shattered cobblestones by the fountain.
    Core claim linking satyr fountain statue and shattered cobblestones to a freed Fae. — u/monskervator
  • Bast had been transformed to the fountain statue by whatever power at some point and was released when the cobblestones shattered … but because he rescued him that's why Bast has latched onto Kvothe & calls him Reshi.
    Mechanism: freeing the statue explains Bast's devotion and calling Kvothe Reshi. — u/monskervator
  • Doesn't Old Cob say Kvothe summons a demon in the court yard in broad daylight?
    Comment ties the courtyard demon-summoning tale to the fountain's destruction. — u/[deleted]
  • Explains why Chronicler sussed out Bast immediately, because of course he’s heard the story about the satyr statue. And he recognized Bast, when he turned around. … Or maybe as the statue? Seems reasonable.
    Chronicler recognising Bast read as support: he'd know the satyr statue tale. — u/handsomesauce
  • I'm sure there's a line somewhere about Bast remembering falling out of a tree whilst trying to pick fruit for a girl he liked. Pretty sure he put a date on his fall as being ten years ago
    CounterCounter: Bast's ten-year-old memory strains the two-year acquaintance timeline. — u/MattyTangle

Book refs: NOTW, WMF

Tier reasoning§

speculative identity leap with timeline conflicts, fringe stands

Contributors§

Source threads§