KKC Theory Wiki

Beyond the Doors of Stone Lies a Demon Plane That Corrupted Lanre

fringe mechanism · popularity 102 · 1 source thread

The Doors of Stone open onto an Encanis-like demon plane; Lanre and later Kvothe are corrupted by what dwells there.

About: The Doors of Stone, Haliax

Also involves: Encanis, Lyra, Denna, Kvothe, The Chandrian, Aleph, Myr Tariniel, The University

The theory§

Built on a close reread of the Tarbean chapters, this theory argues the Doors of Stone open onto another plane of existence, a Temerant analogue of an abyssal demon realm, where Encanis and his kind reside. Its hinge is Skarpi's account of Lanre's final battle: the foe is a great beast with scales of black iron whose breath was a darkness that smothered men, and after the fight the enemy was set beyond the Doors of Stone, language that ties the Doors directly to imprisoning monstrous powers. The theory proposes that Lanre, devastated by Lyra's death, was corrupted into Haliax by contact with these demonic powers, drawing a parallel between Encanis, whose face is wreathed in deep shadow, and Haliax, whose face likewise becomes shrouded. It then forecasts that Kvothe opens the Doors to save Denna, regaining lost powers and killing one of Aleph's angels in the process. A secondary hunch holds that the University stands atop the ruins of an older Arcanum, possibly Myr Tariniel.

Evidence§

  • At the very end of things, Lanre stood against a terrible foe. It was a great beast with scales of black iron, who’s breath was a darkness that smothered men.
    OP quotes Skarpi's story: Lanre's monstrous foe, the hinge of the theory. — u/ErudringTheGodHammer
  • After the battle was finished and the enemy *was set beyond the doors of stone*, survivors found Lanre’s body…
    Ties the Doors of Stone directly to imprisoning monstrous powers. — u/ErudringTheGodHammer
  • When Encanis is described, his face is shrouded in deep shadow. When Lanre becomes Haliax, his too becomes shrouded.
    Parallel between Encanis and Haliax used to argue demonic corruption. — u/ErudringTheGodHammer
  • My theory is that the Doors of Stone are a portal to another plane of existence, the KKC version of the Abyssal plane; where Encanis and his ilk reside. I believe that going beyond the DoS or even opening them … allowed Lanre to be corrupted by Encanis
    Core claim: Doors open onto a demon plane that corrupted Lanre. — u/ErudringTheGodHammer
  • I believe that Kvothe becomes nearly mad with grief after the death of Denna and he opens the DoS to try to figure out a way to save her. … he uses these powers which draws the attention of one of Aleph’s angels who tries to stop him and he kills said Angel
    Forecast: Kvothe opens Doors for Denna, gains power, kills an angel. — u/ErudringTheGodHammer
  • "Encanis and fellow demons sit behind the Doors of Stone" This part is 100% true, imho. I also think Kvothe opens the doors of stone, though I'm not sure why, I think he is misled into doing so.
    Commenter endorses demons-behind-Doors and Kvothe opening them. — u/chainsawx72
  • bast tells us that Iax stole the moon, and. felurian tells us the greatest of all shapers stole the moon but is currently shut beyond the doors of stone. so it's safe to say Iax is beyond the doors of stone. but wether Encanis, Haliax, or demons also live there is a matter of much dbate.
    CounterCounter: in-world clues point to Iax, not demons, behind the Doors. — u/Kael_Denna
  • I don’t think Encanis is the bad guy. I think Encanis is one of alephs angels and is getting the blame put on him by another group
    CounterCounter: Encanis may be an angel, not a corrupting demon. — u/igottabearddoe

Book refs: NOTW, NOTW ch (p. 176)

Tier reasoning§

tier verified: speculative parallel-based leap

Contributors§

Source threads§