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Master Lorren Knows the Chandrian or Amyr Killed Kvothe's Troupe

plausible motive · popularity 103 · 1 source thread

Lorren suspects the Chandrian or Amyr destroyed Kvothe's troupe and deliberately steers him away from researching them.

About: Master Lorren, The Chandrian, The Amyr

Also involves: Kvothe, Arliden, The University, The Archives, Edema Ruh, Puppet

The theory§

This theory holds that Master Lorren knows, or at least strongly suspects, that the Chandrian or the Amyr destroyed Kvothe's troupe, and that he deliberately steers Kvothe away from researching either faction. The reasoning leans on Lorren's recognition of Arliden, an unusual familiarity given that Lorren shows no interest in music and Arliden was a performer rather than a noted bard, more plausibly explained by news that the troupe was killed than by reputation alone. As Master Archivist, Lorren commands the scrivs who bring news as well as books to the University and would move in the circles where the troupe is presumed dead, and his private master's library is where the most dangerous lore of his discipline, the histories of the Amyr, Ruach, Chandrian, and Shapers, would be kept. The clinching detail is that when Kvothe asks to search for the Amyr and the Chandrian, Lorren draws a series of hashes through the request in the ledger, scratches out the name, asks whether the interest is more than idle curiosity, and warns that not all at the University respect such curiosity. The theory connects to two adjacent claims: that Lorren is himself one of the Amyr, and that Puppet is an Amyr under his protection whom Lorren shields by discouraging inquiry. A persistent counter-thread argues the Amyr, not the Chandrian, killed the troupe, which would reframe Lorren's interventions as covering Amyr tracks rather than guarding against the Chandrian.

Evidence§

  • Lorren knows kvothe thinks the chandrian or amyr are involved in his Troupes disappearance. How could he not at least suspect?
    OP's core claim: Lorren must at least suspect the truth about the troupe. — u/TheLastSock
  • He knows Arlidens reputation well enough to realize kvothe isn't being supported.
    Lorren's familiarity with Arliden suggests special knowledge of the troupe. — u/TheLastSock
  • it's likely well known in certain circles that they are presumed dead. Circles lorren would have access to, given his scrives bring news as well as books man to the University.
    As archivist Lorren's scrivs bring news, giving him access to the troupe's fate. — u/TheLastSock
  • What seals it is that lorren discourages kvothe from openly searching about either faction. It means he knows kvothe is interested in them and his family is dead.
    Clinching point: Lorren actively discourages searching the factions. — u/TheLastSock
  • I feel like he knows enough to scratch out the chandrian’s name from the search ledger in Tomes. He asks Kvothe if his search is more than just idle curiosity. I think if Kvothe came clean then Lorien would have helped him.
    Refines OP: the ledger scratch-out and 'idle curiosity' question as evidence. — u/codeman2059
  • Lorren brought out a pen and drew a series of hashes through my single line of writing in the ledger book. “I have a great respect for curiosity,” he said. “But others do not think as I do. I would not see your first term unnecessarily complicated by such things.
    Book passage quoted as the textual proof of Lorren's intervention. — u/PlaytheBoard
  • This fits well with the other theory that Puppet is Amyr. Would make sense for Lorren to dissuade Kvothe from researching them if Puppet was under his protection and wanted to avoid his exposure.
    Adjacent claim: Lorren shields Puppet, an Amyr, by discouraging inquiry. — u/daishichi
  • Do you think Lorren could be protecting Kvothe rather than interfering to frustrate his search. Lorren knew Arliden.
    CounterCounter: Lorren's interventions may protect Kvothe, not guard a secret. — u/PlaytheBoard

Book refs: NOTW, WMF

Tier reasoning§

plausible: Lorren's on-page warnings give it textual footing

Contributors§

Source threads§