Ambrose Jakis

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Ambrose Jakis is the firstborn son of a powerful and wealthy nobleman from Vintas, the Baron Jakis. He plays the part of a major antagonist and rival of Kvothe throughout his time at the University.

Description

Ambrose is currently 11th in the line of succession to the Vintic throne and Kvothe describes him as richer than God. Ambrose has a bad reputation, most specifically for mistreating women. He is depicted as a high ranking gentleman with soft, pale skin and a constant scowl. He writes poetry and is also a Scriv under Master Lorren.

In The Chronicle

Ambrose develops an antagonistic relationship with Kvothe from their first meeting in the Archives. Eventually, their rivalry leads to Kvothe's dismissal from the Archives when he is tricked by Ambrose into entering with an open flame. This series of events leads to an ongoing feud and clash of wills between Kvothe and Ambrose throughout the Chronicle. Most notably this conflict leads to Kvothe first speaking the name of the wind after Ambrose steals and breaks his lute.

Even after the incidents of the first novel, Kvothe and Ambrose continue their hostilities toward each other in catastrophic ways. Their ongoing feud eventually finds Kvothe poisoned by the alchemical potion known as a Plum bob.[1]

Ambrose enters a short relationship with Denna but drives her off by being overly touchy on their second date and pushy on the third. The loss of Denna's ring leads to Kvothe breaking into Ambrose's rooms, Kvothe needing to discover a schema for, and eventually creating a, Gram and Ambrose's possessions being burned.

It is suggested by Sleat that Ambrose is the one who hired men to attack Kvothe in Imre during the first novel. Ambrose has also so far thwarted all of Kvothe's attempts at getting a local patron, forcing him to eventually accept an offer to leave the university to work for the Maer Alveron.

Introduction

We first meet Ambrose in the Archives entrance atrium immediately following Kvothe's admissions interview where he, albeit rudely, informs Kvothe that he can not be admitted into the Archives so quickly after being admitted to the University.[2]

Later, on Kvothe's third visit to the Archives, both Ambrose and Fela are sitting at the entrance atrium desk. Ambrose is leaning close to Fela, reciting a poem he had written for her. It's obvious to Kvothe that Fela is uncomfortable, he notices that she is trying to lean away from Ambrose but he is resting a hand on Fela's neck holding her in place.

  1. The Wise Man's Fear, Chapter 7, "Admissions"
  2. The Name of the Wind, Chapter 37, "Bright-Eyed"