KKC Theory WikiIax's Lust for Lyra, Counseled by the Cthaeh, Sparked the Creation War
Iax, advised by the Cthaeh, trapped Lyra's name in the Fae, and her husband Lanre's vengeance ignited the war.
About: Iax, Lyra, The Creation War
Also involves: The Cthaeh, Selitos, Haliax, The Moon, The Fae, Shaping, Naming, The Doors of Stone, Myr Tariniel, Arliden's Lanre Song, Drossen Tor
The theory§
This theory retells the Creation War as a single tragic chain set in motion by desire and the Cthaeh's counsel. Among the most powerful namers were Selitos, lord of Myr Tariniel, and Lyra; the greatest Shaper was Iax; the strongest by arms was Lanre, Lyra's husband, who had no naming skill. Iax lusted after Lyra and sought the Cthaeh — the creature that does not name but sees all futures and seeks only chaos — for counsel on how to capture her, then used his flute to lure her into the Fae. The theory equates the theft of the moon with the trapping of Lyra's name, binding her to the Fae through the lunar cycle, so that Lanre's rage at his enslaved wife rallies the mortal realm to war. That war runs through the Blac of Drossen Tor, where Lanre slays a great beast and dies and is restored, to Iax's host being sealed behind the Doors of Stone — framing the moon's theft and Lyra's captivity as the same event.
Evidence§
Besides the creator Aleph, the most powerful namers were Selitos, lord over Myr Tariniel, and Lyra. The most powerful among the Shapers was Iax. The most powerful by strength of arms was Lanre, husband to Lyra.
Sets up the principal players: namers Selitos and Lyra, shaper Iax, and warrior Lanre. — u/chainsawx72And there was another powerful creature, the Cthaeh, who did not name, but could see all futures, and who sought only chaos and destruction. Iax lusted after Lyra, and he sought the Cthaeh's advice on how to capture her for himself.
Core claim: Iax's lust plus the Cthaeh's counsel as the prime mover. — u/chainsawx72With the Cthaeh's advice, Iax used his flute to lure Lyra to visit him at the fae. Lyra enjoyed the flute and the fae and Iax, but when she tried to return home Iax trapped her name.
The trapping of Lyra's name via the flute lure into the Fae. — u/chainsawx72since Lyra was wise and terrible she was able to escape the fae, only to be drawn back into the fae for a few days each lunar cycle, enslaved periodically to Iax.
Equates trapped name with the lunar cycle, binding Lyra to the Fae periodically. — u/chainsawx72Enraged, Lanre convinced the people of the mortal realm to start war against the people of the faen realm. The war was called the Creation War
Lanre's rage over his enslaved wife ignites the Creation War. — u/chainsawx72After the battle was finished, Iax and his shaper army were set beyond the doors of stone. Lyra called out Lanre's name, and Lanre's returned to life
War's end seals Iax behind the Doors of Stone; Lyra restores Lanre. — u/chainsawx72What's even more interesting is that we know Arliden steals Laurien away. Similar to Iax Stealing Lyra. We know Arliden whisked her away with his charm and music. Did Iax do something similar to Lyra? Music seems involved.
Comment reinforces the music-as-lure motif by parallel to Arliden and Laurian. — u/MattFirenzeBeatsI'm a little skeptical that the war started with Lyra and Lanre; the impression I get is that Lanre at least was probably born after the war started. (Skarpi's story mentions Myr Tariniel being "untouched by centuries of war"
CounterCounter: Lanre may postdate the war's start, so it didn't begin with him. — u/elihuThat was a good read... right up until it all became Selitos fault. That bit just didn't scan
CounterCounter: the shift of blame onto Selitos's betrayal is unconvincing. — u/MattyTangle
Book refs: NOTW, WMF
Tier reasoning§
no change; identifies Lyra's captivity with the moon-theft as its distinctive connection, fringe is correct