The Fantasy Review’s brief history of Kvothe.
Kvothe is the main protagonist of The Kingkiller Chronicle fantasy series by Patrick Rothfuss. The series is a first-person account of Kvothe’s rise from traveling performer to legend.
This article is not a full summary of events in The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man’s Fear, but a quick summary of Kvothe’s history up to his first term at the University.
Early Life and Tragedy
Kvothe was born into a troupe of traveling performers known as the Edema Ruh. His parents were Arliden and Laurian, leaders of the troupe.
While on the road, an arcanist named Abenthy joins the troupe for a short while. He teaches Kvothe some Sympathy, Chemistry, Rhetoric, and Arithmetic, setting him up for his future at the University. It is with Abenthy that Kvothe first sees an arcanist call the name of the wind.
Gifted with a brilliant mind and natural talent for music and acting, he spent his early years honing his skills under the tutelage of his parents and other troupe members. However, his idyllic childhood came to a tragic end when his entire troupe was murdered by the mysterious Chandrian.
Kvothe was the only survivor of this tragedy, with nothing left but his father’s lute on his back. He walks through the woods, playing the lute and getting better and better at it, until it breaks and he is forced to move on. He is helped by a farmer called Seth to reach Tarbean.
Streets of Tarbean
Kvothe spent three years as a street urchin in the city of Tarbean. This was a very difficult period of his life, but in surviving he gains many skills and matures as a character.
While on the street, he hears tales of the Chandarin, setting him up on the trail to hopefully one day find out more about those who murdered his parents and friends.
After many lows, Kvothe finds the opportunity to leave Tarbean (well, was forced to leave when an acquaintance was arrested for blasphemy) and decides to head for the University. On the road, he meets Denna for the first time.
Kvothe’s First Term at The University
At the age of fifteen, Kvothe gained admission to the University, a center of magical and scientific learning. Despite his young age and lack of formal education, he quickly distinguished himself as a prodigy, mastering various fields of study including Sympathy, Naming, and Artificing. However, despite his talents, he finds none of his teachers are quick to be amazed by him.
While at the university, he makes friends with Simmon, Wilem, Manet, and Sovoy. He also makes enemies of Master Hemme (by burning the teacher’s foot by accident) and Ambrose Jakis.
He also meets the mysterious Auri on the rooftops at night and she listened to him play the lute.
Kvothe is eventually granted access to the Arcanum and sponsored to the E’lir (the introductory rank in the Arcanum) by Master Kilvin in exchange for studying artificing. He also studies medicine under Master Arwyl after receiving a whipping (as punishment) and requiring medical aid.
Adventures and Legends
Kvothe’s time at the University was punctuated by numerous adventures and inspiring achievements. He earned his pipes at the Eolian, a famous music hall, becoming one of the youngest musicians to do so. His exploits outside the University, including his encounter with the Maer Alveron and his time in the Fae realm, further added to his growing legend.
“I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me.”
