What is the Cthaeh? 3 Theories on Its Identity | Kingkiller Chronicle Lore

In The Kingkiller Chronicle, there's a creature that resides within a tree in the Fae realm known as the Cthaeh, however, we never get a glimpse of what it truly looks like. What really is the Cthaeh? When looking at the various myths & legends across the Four Corners of Civilization, there's several clues leading to its possible identity. Here are 3 theories (well kind of 4) on the Cthaeh's identity! Let me know your theories!

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ART CREDIT: Credit & links to all the artwork I used can be found in this google document:
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Reddit Theories:

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[CapturedInWords]

Also ignore the weird graphical glitch at 3:33 ;)

[arifreyr]

I always image Rothfuss watching these videos and chuckling to himself holding The Doors of Stone.

[DiscreetStigma]

I love that you treated all the theories fairly equally.

I think you make some logical jumps that could just be theories. For example you said that the skin dancer asked Kote “te rinte?” And decided that meant “are you a Chandrian?” Which is a good logical jump, but rinte is the Ademic word used for the Chandrian, but remember it actually means “shaped one”. To me this implies that the skin dancer may have asked “are you a shaped one?”, which could be a larger group of beings than just the 7.

Like the skin dancer asked “your name has been changed?”

Great video dude! Give us more.

[lorettacattano]

We know of 3 beings that have spoken to the Cthaeh, and they are each known by 2 names: Iax/Jax, Lanre/Haliax, and Kvothe/Kote. I wonder if the Cthaeh’s sight is confounded by changing one’s name. It has been speculated that Tehlu’s name might be translated as “First Lock”, indicative of his Lockless (Lackless) bloodline. If Encanis is the Cthaeh, could the reason that Kvothe was able to approach the Cthaeh uninterrupted be because Tehlu bound Encanis (the Cthaeh) to the tree, Kvothe and Tehlu are both of Lackless blood, and whatever notifies the Sithe of someone approaching the Cthaeh is not triggered by a Lackless? Was Elodin formerly known as Taborlin and did he have to change his name after meeting the Cthaeh?

[gwyncoram]

no one:
literally nobody:
not a single soul:
some poor bastard on a walk during moonless night in the beginning of 2020: wow, speaking tree!

[heygus]

So glad to have you back! However, I think I can safely write that the entire subscriber base is hoping for the best for you and your family. We are willing and able to wait patiently for more amazing videos while you care for you and yours.

[lidu]

I'm so glad I'm already subscribed to you and I don't have to wait for youtube to recommend this video to me in 2035

[wobh]

I give a 33% chance that _The Doors of Stone_ ends with a cheesy pun.

[ShinkaTV]

Man. Videos like this inspire me to write considerably more complex stories. You are an awesome reader and I'm sure Patrick is honored you've put this much passion into his work.

[bovarfririksson]

I was just thinking the other day that I hadn't seen a video from you for a long time. Now I understand why, remember breath and remember it is OK to take a step back! Best wishes to you and your family.

[Merrick]

Jax...
if the the J is like an I (as in Hebrew) Iax (ee-axe)
if J is soft (like Spanish) Hax
Halaxel, Haliax,


Amyr
if the A is "not" or "away from" or "without" (like Latin or Greek)
A Myr (Tiriniel).

[sentient.ball.of.stardust]

I'm not good at theories, but is there something in Encanis's name? I know Canis means dog and En mostly stand for on or into, with a lot of mentions of Encanis biting and scratching.... then the Ctaeh's choice of words "sending a young pup like yourself snapping at his And we all know how much Rothfuss loves language and word play. I think there's something there...

[Jmrecordd]

Love these King Killer videos, you bring up a lot of theories that get my brain working overtime

[SuperDoctor]

These are some really cool theories, it's good to see you back!

[EntertainmentBreeze]

Praying for continued good health for you and your mom!

P.S. Love your videos. Thanks for such consistently amazing content :)

[ardasth]

Honestly, I feel like the Ctaeh, even though his influence is great in the development of the story, has nothing to do directly with the end, all due to Bast's reaction of Kvothe meeting the Ctaeh. He couldn't have set him free, because Bast would have known it. Bast have been with Kvothe for quite some time, even getting to know Denna in the flesh. So, the Ctaeh leaving the tree would've been a major incident in the Fae Realm, taking in consideration the way Bast describes what the Ctaeh means to them. And Bast would want to know wheter Reshi set him free o not if he was free.

[Tahdiniz]

I'm watching all the videos about the Kingkiller Chronicle and I'm in love! Finally a place to gather all the Reddit theories. Congratulations on the work, your videos are very well produced!

[GabrielRodriguesYT]

Love this series and the videos. It's great to compile theories whilst the last book doesn't come out.

[talesarcane]

Such a delight to have you back! Your content is genuinely on the next level, especially when you're looking at the Kingkiller world. Keep up the amazing work 🙏

[Westly.]

Welcome back Jay, sorry to hear about you are your mums health troubles. As an ex nurse I totally understand that family comes first. No matter what dude you have the support of your subs and community here on YouTube and social media. We never mind how often you post. Your vides are more about quality over quantity, personally I like the content you upload because you always put in 110%. I bet your mum would be proud and appreciative of all you do here on YouTube and what you have done for her over the last few months. Cheers bro and welcome back. Take care also!