KKC Theory Wiki

Denna Has Deliberately Visited Each of the Seven Cities of the Ergen Empire

plausible connection · popularity 392 · 1 source thread

The cities Denna has visited map closely onto the seven ancient cities of the Ergen Empire, suggesting a purposeful journey tied to Lanre's story.

About: Denna

Also involves: Myr Tariniel, The University, Haliax, Cinder, Maer Lerand Alveron, The Amyr, Severen, The Cthaeh

The theory§

This theory observes that the cities Denna is described as having visited map closely onto the seven cities of the ancient Ergen Empire: Belen, Antus, Vaeret, Tinusa, Emlen, the twin cities of Murilla and Murella, and Myr Tariniel. On the ride back to Imre she names Tinue, Vartheret, and Andenivan, which correspond to Tinusa, Vaeret, and Antus; the University's address Belenay-Barrow is taken to mark the site of Belen; and Anilin, where she travels after first meeting Kvothe, may stand in for Emlen. The pattern implies her wandering is a deliberate circuit rather than aimless travel, consistent with her admission that she has been 'all over the world digging up pieces of this story' for her Lanre song. The Cthaeh's hint that the Maer will lead Kvothe to the Amyr's door is taken to place Severen near the ruins of Myr Tariniel, tightening the geographic link, though this is contested since Myr Tariniel sat between two tall mountains while Severen has only one, and 'Severen' may simply derive from 'sever.' The driving question remains who directs her route, with her patron, the Chandrian, or the Amyr each proposed.

Evidence§

  • Has anybody else noticed that Denna seems to have visited at least the seven cities of the Ergen empire? … They are named within the text as, Belen, Antus, Vaeret, Tinusa, Emlen, the twin cities of Murilla and Murella and Myr Tariniel.
    OP's core claim: Denna's travels map onto the seven ancient Ergen cities. — u/Lkqrzk1985
  • She told me about the cities she had seen: Tinuë, Vartheret, Andenivan. … This would cover Tinusa, Vaeret, and Antus
    Book quote OP uses to match three named cities to three Ergen cities. — u/Lkqrzk1985
  • The university is address is Belenay-Barrow, which I think we all assume is Belen.
    Maps the University site to the Ergen city Belen. — u/Lkqrzk1985
  • This would only leave Emlen out, but I suspect this was the first City Denna visits after meeting Kvothe for the first time - Anilin
    Fills the last gap by mapping Anilin to Emlen. — u/Lkqrzk1985
  • she's certainly collecting the story of Lanre from most cities for her song
    OP ties the purposeful circuit to Denna gathering her Lanre song. — u/Lkqrzk1985
  • "What do you know about the research I did?" she demanded. "You haven't the slightest idea! I've been all over the world digging up pieces of this story!" … The realization that Denna is visiting the sites of Creation War cities … is the lynchpin in all the numerous small details supporting that. It's the very thing that shows that she's on a quest.
    Comment supplies Denna's own quote confirming a deliberate worldwide quest. — u/aerojockey
  • The Cthaeh tells Kvothe "He's already come close to them though he doesn't realize it. Stick by the Maer and he will lead you to their door." … If Severen = Myr Tariniel, then the Maer literally lives close to the Amyr and their door.
    Adds Cthaeh hint to support Severen being Myr Tariniel near the Amyr. — u/thek3vn
  • Also I doubt Severen is Myr Tariniel. We know that Myr Tariniel was made up of two tall mountains: one where the city was and the other where Selitos watched over it from. Severen has only one.
    CounterCounter: geography rules out Severen as Myr Tariniel. — u/cnks
  • I'd say a more natural read on the etymology of Severen is the word sever, as in the one city which was split apart from the rest.
    CounterCounter: Severen likely derives from 'sever', not Myr Tariniel. — u/Grant_Helmreich
  • It's a common theory that Denna is working with the Chandrian or the Amyr. … I think she is being ordered to one city or another by her master (Chandrian or Amyr).
    Context: proposes who directs Denna's deliberate route. — u/roseinapuddle

Book refs: WMF, NOTW

Tier reasoning§

tier kept: loose name-mapping is a reasonable but unproven fit

Contributors§

Source threads§