I think that the Skrael are creatures from the fae world. I don't have any legitimate proof of that, it's just a thought.

Yes I thought of that as a gram as well. Before we learned the existence of the gram, I thought it was the cross (or whatever the shape it was) that all Arcanists get when they graduate. I'm sure that cross can do some things. I doubt it's just the equivalent to a diploma.

...holy ♥♥♥♥ I completely forgot that his lute wasn't mentioned in the Inn. Thanks for pointing that out.

Don't feel bad, just talking about the Kingkiller Chronicles is fun all the same.

Hate to give you bad news (especially since you're done with all the books), but I'm going to go on hiatus from ZU for a little while. Feel free to have discussions (at least about the first book) with other ZUers in the social group I created. It was meant for that purpose.

-BGS

I think they are talking about a Lackless woman from looong ago. I find it that maybe the Lackless box is meant to be closed. It could very well be this world's "Pandora's Box", in the sense that not much good can come out of it.

Both songs mention: A Ring, A word, a candle, a door, dreams, and the box. And I can't help but think that the candle could also mean a lantern (like the one Kilven mentions). Who knows, maybe (and this is just HEAVY speculation from just one word) Taborlin the Great was married to a Lackless (which would mean Kvothe is related to both)

Another thing to bring up:
"On the first hand he wore rings of stone,
Iron, ambuer, wood, and bone.
There were rings unseen on his second hand
One was blood in a flowing band
One of air all whisper thin
and the ring of ice had a flaw within
Full faintly shone the ring of flame
and the final ring was without name."

I think that some of his rings could be referenced to his friends whom are namers. For example, Fela has a ring of Stone. I'm not saying she gave her ring to him, but I'm saying that she is an ally of his. At least that's just another way of interpreting it. I think the Iron/Bone/Wood are from Bredon/Stapes/Meluan. I believe the Wood ring is from Meluan and not from Auri because of his pride as a trooper (and her hatred for them). The Iron Ring could be from Bredon, OR it could just be the myth that he has power to destroy demons (like that huge iron spoke wheel used to kill the Dracus).

As for his other hand, I just think Kvothe would be too powerful of a character if he honestly learned the names of blood, ice, and flame. But again, it's said that these are "rings unseen on his second hand", so they could very well be the allies of other namers...which could make Fela's Stone Ring part of his second hand and not his right (if that's the case, then maybe the ring of stone could have a connection to the Doors of Stone).

As for the ring with no name, I don't know why, but I just have this feeling that it's connected to Denna in the sense that there is a strong connection he has for her, but he can never call her whenever he wants. She always changes her name. If it's not Denna, then maybe it's what's inside the Lackless box.

-BGS

Here's another song that was sung:

"Seven things has Lady Lackless
Keeps them underneath her black dress
One a ring that’s not for wearing
One a sharp word, not for swearing
Right beside her husband’s candle
There’s a door without a handle
In a box, no lid or locks
Lackless keeps her husband’s rocks
There’s a secret she’s been keeping
She’s been dreaming and not sleeping
On a road, that’s not for traveling
Lackless likes her riddle raveling."

"Black dress", is that in reference to funerals? Are the Lackless family cursed?
"One a ring that's not for wearing, there was a lot of talk about rings in this book. Could it be a Namer's ring? A Ring that's connected to the Chandrian (look how the wedding vase was treated, that wasn't meant to be seen either)?
"door without a handle" this could be referred to the Doors of Stone
Lackless keeps her husband's rocks Ahem! Umm is the song implied that she has his testicles in that box?0_o
On a road, that's not for traveling The passage to the Fae? Are the Lackless family connected to the Fae? And how are the Chandrian connected? Are the Chandrian trying to eliminate ALL connections to the Fae? That would be like someone trying to eliminate everything about the Lost City of Atlantis:p

"Seven things stand before
The entrance to the Lackless door
One of them a ring unworn
One a word that is forsworn
One a time that must be right
One a candle without light
One a son who brings the blood
One a door that holds the flood
One a thing tight-held in keeping
Then comes that with comes with sleeping"
A ring unworn: A wing made of wind?
A word that is forsworn = one a sharp word, not for swearing?
One a time that must be right: entrance to the Fae usually happens at night, maybe during a phase of the moon.
One a son who brings the blood: Could this be in reference to Kvothe? He could be a son of the Lackless family:/
One a door that holds the flood: The war?

-BGS

I agree (about Meluan being Kvothe's aunt...which means Kvothe has royal blood in him). Not only is there the familiar look and the story behind why Meluan hated the Ruh, but don't you recall the song Kvothe's father was writing before they died?

"Dark Laurian, Arliden's wife,
Has a face like a blade of a knife
Has a voice like a prickledown burr
But can tally a sum like a moneylender.
My sweet Tally cannot cook.
But she keeps a tidy ledger-book
For all her faults I do confess
It's worth my life
To make my wife
Not tally a lot less..."

The song implies that he calls his wife Tally because she's good with numbers, but the much more likely reason is because Tally is short for Netalia...(it is mentioned that the stolen away lackless sister's name is netalia)

Furthermore, the last three lines, when spoken aloud sound like "It's worth my life to make my wife Netalia Lockless". It seems likely that the real reason Kvothe's mother made his father sleep under the wagon after he made that song is not because it had a bad meter as Kvothe claims but because it gave away her identity as Netalia Lockless.

And considering the Chandrian killed the whole troupe because they were "singing songs about them", it's possible that the Lockless family has a connection to the Chandrian.

-BGS

When it comes to his anger, yes, that's what I was talking about. But there's more to be said about the Lackless family. I just can't wait until you're done with the book so we can have full-out discussions of what we've read.

-BGS

Well for example, instead of using bullets, they may create a type of bullet that upon impact will emit a poisonous gas or something.

Keep reading...it's hard to keep my mouth shut for much longer.

-BGS

The "problem" is, as long as there is a better shield/armor, people will try to find a way to make deadlier weapons. I highly doubt we'd revert back to hand-to-hand combat. People like killing each other the quick and easy way. Just point and shoot.

Not only you but also to the other Kingkiller fans. I'm the only one that has read both books:/ And recall it's called the Doors of Stone. Plural. There must be more than one.

I find the Adem somewhat interesting. Their culture is somewhat a mixture of sign language and martial arts. I just hope that from what Kvothe learns in this part of the world it'll be worth it.

-BGS

A great force, or great density. If only we could invent mini-flying robots that just follow you. I just had the idea of a police badge being used as a mini-portable bullet catch. It would give more influence to the name "Shield".

Yes, I've been waiting for you to get to that part. I've had to keep my mouth shut this whole time.

-BGS

We need a "bullet catch" in order for it to be somewhat easier to live in this world. I mean, we went from arrows, to bullets. What's going to be worse than a bullet? I do recall a scene in the movie called Batman: Gotham Knight where Lucius invents something that is very much like a bullet catch, however it deflects the bullet and makes it possible for an unsuspecting victim to get hurt:/ So it's not exactly perfect. It would be perfect if it could make the bullet stop in it's track and fall to the floor.

-BGS

Indeed, I know. I was hoping someone else was going to do the grunt work, but that's ok.

I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the book. I don't know why, but I LOVED Kvothe's invention the "Arrow-Catch". It makes me think "Why can't we have something like that in the real world for bullets"?

-BGS

Yeah, I heard. you go put the guy behind bars man!

FYI: I've found some other ZUers whom are fan of the series. I've seen that hoodedone has already introduced himself to you (and no, I didn't tell him about your jury duty. I find that somewhat personal and didn't think it would have been right for me to say anything about it), and there's also John, and amanda (whom has been inactive for some time, but hopefully she'll return).

-BGS

Judging by your vm wall, i guess you're the other fan of The Name of the Wind that BGS mentioned. Hi I'm Hoodedone, big fan of the first book, and about to start part 2.

It's no biggie. Real life > online life, and you can't get more real than jury duty Take your time.

-BGS

Thank you

Hmm just remember the "lost at sea" bit. That might come back.

I forgot the other cat's name, but I don't think it was a fictional name (or else I'd remember it).

-BGS

He's a fine breed donkey you can see it in his stride,
And for a copper penny he'll let you take a ride!
Jackass, Jackass! Jackass, Jackass!
Jackass, Jackass! Jackass, Jackass!

I love Auri too. Would you mind telling me what page that happens when she says she'll take care of Kvothe? I'd like to re-read that chapter

I have a mini-story about the name "Auri". The person whom recommended me the book The Name of the Wind has become a good friend of mine. After months of getting to know her she said that she and her boyfriend are looking to adopt two cats and were trying to find a good cat shelter to adopt from. I gave her the number to a cat shelter that's close to where I live, and she adopted two kitties (and named one Auri!).

-BGS

Let's not get into a discussion quite yet about the details of The Wise Man's Fear, but, I am curious, how do you like the book so far?

-BGS

Don't rush it. Feel free to get back to me once you've finished the book.

-BGS

lol Well there might be an advantage of her being away. She could be a princess, but I doubt that they'd allow her to be married off to become a queen in her current state. So if she is the only heir to the throne, they'd want to protect her as much as possible (especially if you don't want word getting out about her in/breaking out of an insane asylum). That would reflect badly on her family and her kingdom.

His first book came out in '07 (when he wasn't pressured to do anything). His second book came out in '11 (when he's gone touring, signing books, and gained some fans, like myself). If he wants to keep his fan-base happy, he would have Doors of Stone released by 2014 at the latest.

I have a feeling that Kvothe is the fly in Ambrose's soup, if you know what I mean. His life was perfect before Kvothe flew in. Kvothe may be drowning and powerless in this war, but if Ambrose gets too close, he might just choke on the fly.

Yes, I can't wait for your notes^_^

-BGS

I honestly don't know about someone from court coming to visits. Things seem to be more lax in that world compared to this world (where we must know where everybody is at any given moment).

Like I've said before, the second book doesn't have a lot of meat to it (it's long, but we get very few answers which is really annoying). So my guess is his involvement in the second book leads to where he is in the present day and could result to this impending war.

Other than the Masters of the University, Ambrose doesn't respect anybody. I sorta wish there was at least one other character that was richer than Ambrose to at least have him kiss his ass or something.

I only know some of the answers to your questions, but certainly not all. I'd save your money for New York, buy the book later. NY can be pretty expensive even to visit.

-BGS