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"You think I'm playing at some game? You think iron will keep you safe? Hear my words, manling. Do not mistake me for my mask. You see light dappling on the water and forget the deep, cold dark beneath. Listen. You cannot hurt me. You cannot run or hide. In this I will not be defied."
― Bast to the Chronicler

Bast is Kvothe's assistant, student and friend who lives with him at the Waystone Inn. He is a main character in the frame story and was present for the majority of Kvothe's narration.

Description[]

Bast is described as dark and charming, with sharp and delicate features, a quick smile, and cunning blue eyes.[1] He wears a black long-sleeved shirt, black pants and soft black boots.[2] Bast is later revealed to be a Fae creature under glammourie.

His true appearance is similar, except that his eyes become fully blue with no sclera and his boots become cloven hooves.[2] He is over 150 years old and a noble of the Faen Courts. His full title is Bastas, Son of Remmen, Prince of Twilight and the Telwyth Mael.[3] He moves 'with a strange delicacy and grace as if he were close to dancing'.[4]

In The Chronicle[]

Bast and Kvothe have a seemingly close relationship, the origins of which are not yet known. Bast alludes to having an overreaching plan to restore Kvothe's power by making him remember his past, and all the things he has accomplished. The character, Chronicler, becomes entangled in this plan due to Bast, who later reveals that he purposely leaked the location of Kvothe in hopes of attracting attention.

Bast claims to care for Kvothe very much, often referring to him by the name "Reshi," which from contextual clues seems to refer to his position as Bast's mentor. He seems to have a sort of reverence toward Kvothe and his abilities, listening attentively to the narration of his story and also encouraging him to excel.

Bast's alignment is very ambiguous throughout the series. He is often described as graceful and displays a lascivious demeanor. Conversely, he often privately displays a darker side of himself in many scenes with Chronicler and in his final scene of The Wise Man's Fear.

Bast also appears as the focal character in the short story "The Lightning Tree," which was published in the Rogues anthology. In this story, we learn that Bast conducts a sort of business, making deals and trades with the children of Newarre.

Speculation[]

There is some speculation among fans that Bast is likely of some relation to Felurian, due to her title, Lady of Twilight. However, in The Lightning Tree, Bast shows some disquiet when she is brought up in his conversation with Kostrel.

Trivia[]

  • Bast shares a name with an Ancient Egyptian goddess, who is often portrayed as a cat or human with a cat's head. Bast is repeatedly described as having cat-like grace and mannerisms (napping in sunlight, hissing when angered). Both are associated with fertility, and the latter was sometimes called "eye of the moon".
  • His goat-like legs, lecherous personality and fondness for playing reed pipes suggest he was at least partially inspired by the satyr or faun, mythical creatures from Ancient Greek and Roman stories.
  • On Pat's twitch stream Q-and-A, he mentions Bast practices the Latantha as a martial art. (30 Nov 2016) (May have misspoken)

Fanarts[]

References[]

  1. The Name of the Wind, Chapter 1: "A Place for Demons"
    "He was dark and charming, with a quick smile and cunning eyes."
    ―Narrator
  2. 2.0 2.1 The Name of the Wind, Chapter 13: "Interlude ― Flesh with Blood Beneath"
    "He was dressed simply: black long-sleeved shirt tucked into black pants; black pants tucked into soft black boots. His face was sharp and delicate, almost beautiful, with striking blue eyes."
    ―Narrator
    Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "tnotw13es." defined multiple times with different content
  3. The Name of the Wind, Chapter 13: "Interlude ― Flesh with Blood Beneath"
    "Chronicler, I would like you to meet Bastas, son of Remmen, Prince of Twilight and the Telwyth Mael. The brightest, which is to say the only student I’ve had the misfortune to teach. Glamourer, bartender, and, not last, my friend. Who, over the course of a hundred and fifty years of life, not to mention nearly two years of my personal tutelage, has managed to avoid learning a few important facts."
    ―Kote
  4. The Name of the Wind, Chapter 1: "A Place for Demons"
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