Kvothe
Kvothe (kəˈvōTH) is the main character in The Kingkiller Chronicle. Much of what is known about him is self-reported to accomplished scrivener Devan Lochees and may not be fully reliable. While he has proven to Devan (Chronicler) to be quick of wit and sharp of memory, he also admits at times in his telling of his tale that his mind was not always "fully awake," or to have been under the influence of mind-altering chemicals, and some of his alterations to his story may be intentional.
Description
Kvothe has pale skin and green eyes, though the intensity of this color is often noted as changing throughout the series. His eyes are similar to the description of his mother's eyes. He has extremely red hair often compared to a flame. He is exceptionally intelligent, quick-witted, sharp-tongued and clever, as well as a talented musician. He is also very curious, a quality that often gets him into trouble. He has a nasty temper and acts reckless when emotional.
Kvothe is a skilled Arcanist in Sympathy and Sygaldry, often outstripping his peers. He quickly picks up many new things to the amazement of those who have mastered it, from methods of shorthand-writing such as that by Devan Lochees, the entire ballad of "The Lay of Sir Savien Traliard" from hearing it sparingly, or the entirety of basic Sigaldry. It is this proficiency for learning that convinces his early tutor Abenthy that Kvothe will grow to be great at whatever he does, comparing Kvothe to Illien and Taborlin the Great.
Early Life
Kvothe was born to Arliden and Laurian, the leaders of a troupe of Edema Ruh known as Lord Greyfallow's Men. His early education was spotty - mostly focusing on music and acting.
In his youth, Kvothe meets an elderly Arcanist named Abenthy and witnesses Abenthy call the name of the wind to frighten off town officials who are pestering him. This sparks Kvothe's interest in naming. Soon after, Abenthy is invited to join the troupe in traveling in exchange for his services as an arcanist.
This encounter is pivotal for Kvothe's life, as Abenthy recognizes that Kvothe is extremely intelligent and agrees to educate him. Kvothe receives education in Sympathy, Chemistry, Rhetoric, and Arithmetic in preparation for admittance to the University. Abenthy instructs him in several useful mental tools, such as the "Heart of Stone" to be able to think without emotional attachment, and the "Alar," faith powerful enough to influence the physical world. Abenthy serves not only as an instructor but a close friend of Kvothe. Abenthy eventually leaves the troupe, to Kvothe's dismay, but not before gifting a copy of Rhetoric and Logic, the only book in Abenthy's possession that Kvothe did not read cover-to-cover.
Kvothe, Defend yourself well at the University. Make me proud. Remember your father’s song. Be wary of folly. Your friend, Abenthy
After Abenthy's departure, Kvothe is left depressed. His troupe attempt to keep up with his education to distract him, teaching him the skills of acting and the stage to little avail. One night, while Kvothe is away in the woods playing, the troupe is brutally murdered by the Chandrian. Kvothe comes upon the eerie scene in shock, hardly believing what he is seeing. He has a brief encounter in which he witnesses several supposed signs of the Chandrian to include wood rotting, iron rusting, and blue flame. Young Kvothe comes face to face with the Chandrian, chiefly Cinder who mocks and antagonizes him, and Haliax who rebukes Cinder.
Traumatized by the experience of finding his troupe and family dead, Kvothe flees with his father's lute into the woods. Kvothe describes his mentality at this point and, for some time later, as being "not fully awake." Using skills taught to him by Abenthy and the troupe, he manages to survive in the wild. It is during this time he learns to play the lute so well, he can conjure up specific feelings and images with the notes. He learns to play his lute with fewer and fewer strings as they break, until so many break that he is forced to leave the forest, walking with the intent to find a town to buy new strings. He meets a humble farmer name Seth, who takes him the rest of the way to Tarbean.
