KKC Theory Wiki

The Edema Ruh Are Wiped Out and Their Name May Be in the Thrice-Locked Chest

plausible timeline · popularity 61 · 1 source thread

Kote refuses to play music out of guilt because his actions doomed the Edema Ruh, whose name may be in the box.

About: Edema Ruh, Kvothe, The Lackless Box

Also involves: Waystone Inn

The theory§

This theory begins from a discrepancy: in his account Kvothe lays out intimate customs of the Edema Ruh — a people fiercely protective of their own — within a story he expects to be widely heard. The proposed explanation is that the Edema Ruh no longer exist to be betrayed, having been wiped out as a consequence of Kvothe's own actions. Kote's refusal to play music in the frame, despite his evident ability and his willingness to fake injury and hide when traders come to town, is read as guilt for dooming the people who gave him music. The theory goes further, asking whether the name sealed in the thrice-locked Loeclos chest is not Kvothe's own but that of the Edema Ruh themselves. One line of reasoning holds that Kvothe's enemies, knowing his pride in his heritage, hunt down Ruh caravans to flush him out, leading to the systematic destruction of his people — a fitting weight for a story he calls a tragedy. Counter-readings note that Kote's avoidance of music and crowds is amply explained by simple concealment, and that the 'secret' customs are widely known.

Evidence§

  • An odd detail that always strikes me in WMF is that Kvothe details one of the most intimate secrets of the Ruh to the story, a story that, by all accounts, is going to be shared to many people. Why would he betray his people as such?
    OP's core puzzle: why would Kvothe reveal Ruh secrets in a widely-heard story? — u/Daviso452
  • Kote doesn’t play music; he can and has, like when the tinker and traders rolled into town in NotW and he faked hurting his leg. What if it’s because of guilt for causing the doom of those who brought music to his life?
    OP reads Kote's avoidance of music as guilt for dooming the Ruh. — u/Daviso452
  • Could the name of the Edema Ruh (instead of Kvothe) be in the thrice locked chest? Could they be extinct?
    OP's central speculation: the chest holds the Ruh's name, and they are extinct. — u/Daviso452
  • I personally think that after whatever it is Kvothe does, or whoever it is he kills, the Ruh are systematically hunted down and killed. … So perhaps it is assumed he is hiding out amongst a Ruh caravan, and his enemy(s) are hunting him by tracking them all down. Kvothe likely blames himself for the destruction of his beloved people, which certainly fits the mold of the story being a tragedy.
    Adds a mechanism: enemies hunt Ruh caravans to flush Kvothe out. — u/zethren117
  • He does discribe his story as a tragedy, so highly possible as a classic tragedy is known as a story of everyone important dies.
    Supports extinction via the story's self-description as a tragedy. — u/RTooDeeTo
  • I've had the same thought, it doesn't make sense to share that wisdom. But maybe he left a part out or changed a part in the story so it's not the real secret.
    Refines: maybe Kvothe altered or omitted the real secret. — u/Hofnerfender
  • I never thought that was secret. More like a custom of his people that others don't really know about. … Young Kvothe tells other people about it.
    CounterCounter: the custom isn't truly secret, undercutting the betrayal premise. — u/Oida_Sack
  • Kote playing music and/or singing would draw too much attention … Why did he fake hurt his leg and hideaway when the traders came to town? Kote is more likely to get recognized by someone who’s met or seen him before.
    CounterCounter: concealment, not guilt, fully explains Kote avoiding music and traders. — u/Yeah4therealz

Book refs: NOTW, WMF

Tier reasoning§

tier correct: reasonable fit, partly speculative

Contributors§

Source threads§