KKC Theory Wiki

Chronicler, a Hidden Lackless, Will Open the Thrice-Locked Chest

plausible connection · popularity 98 · 1 source thread

Devan Lochees may share Lackless blood, and that lineage's power over locks could let him open the thrice-locked chest where Kvothe failed.

About: Chronicler, The Thrice-Locked Chest

Also involves: The Lackless Box, Kvothe, Bast, The Archives, Maer Lerand Alveron

The theory§

This theory proposes that Devan 'Chronicler' Lochees belongs to a hidden branch of the Lackless line, his surname being one of the family's many mutations alongside Lockless, Lacklith, and Lackey. Kvothe is near-certainly of Lackless blood himself, and that lineage is repeatedly associated with locked and sealed things, from the Lackless box to the four-plate door. Kvothe's own recurring talent for getting into places he should not, the Maer's lockbox, the Masters' rooms, the Archives, is read as the Lackless blood expressing a power over locks. Since both Bast and the diminished Kote fail to open the thrice-locked chest in the frame story, the theory holds that Chronicler, sharing the blood and additionally knowing the name of iron, one of the chest's locks, is the one who will succeed. A counter-reading turns the surname against the theory: 'Devon Loch' is a racehorse whose name became a byword for a sudden last-minute failure, suggesting Chronicler will botch the attempt rather than fulfil it.

Evidence§

  • it's a recurring theme in the series that Kvothe gets into places he shouldn't, and is good (lucky?) with locks: the Maer's lockbox, the Master's rooms, the Archives
    OP frames Lackless blood as a recurring power over locked things. — u/Amphelian
  • So it's not a stretch to assume the Lackless blood has something to do with unlocking things.
    OP's core premise linking the bloodline to unlocking. — u/Amphelian
  • I think the similarity between Devan Lochees' name and the various mutations of the Lockless name is too glaring to ignore
    OP's name-evidence identifying Chronicler as a hidden Lackless. — u/Amphelian
  • we've seen both Bast and Kote be defeated by the thrice-locked chest in the frame story … I think where both Bast and nameless Kvothe failed, Devan 'Chronicler' Lochees will succeed.
    OP's conclusion: Chronicler succeeds where Bast and Kote failed. — u/Amphelian
  • It is a common theory that he is one of the Lackless branches. Lacklith, lackey…
    Comment corroborates Chronicler-as-Lackless via surname mutations. — u/roseinapuddle
  • He is one of the few people who know the name of iron. I would be surprised if it didn't come up again...
    Adds evidence: Chronicler knows name of iron, a chest lock. — u/scrispb
  • Iron would be hinderance to Bast, but not Kvothe and especially not Chronicler.
    Refines why Chronicler specifically can pass the iron lock. — u/Pep2385
  • I don't know if Chronicler is a Lackless descendant, but I feel pretty strongly that he will screw up the plan, not fulfull it.
    CounterCounter: Devon Loch namesake suggests last-minute failure, not success. — u/chainsawx72

Book refs: NOTW, WMF

Tier reasoning§

name-based but textually anchored, plausible stands

Contributors§

Source threads§