As many of you know, Kvothe is one of the final four remaining fighters in Suvudu’s fantasy cage match. After beating Aslan and Dumbledore, he’s come head-to-head with Jaime Lannister from Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire books.
Right now I’m losing. And while that stings a little, it doesn’t sting nearly as much as what Sarah said to me last night.
“Are you still losing to Jaime Lannister?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “By a couple percentage points.”
“Well, Jaime’s a pretty awesome character,” she said. “I don’t think that Kvothe will be able to beat him.“
Now she’s entitled to her own opinion, of course. But still, what the hell? Whatever happened to “Stand by Your Man?” Even leaving aside the fact that I’m the pater familias, you’d think that she might at least show a little brand loyalty. After all, Kvothe as the one who puts food on our table and gives us the money to buy Oot jingly toys.
Seriously. Ow. My authorial pride is all hurty now.
Anyway, since I had a lot of fun writing up the Kvothe Vs. Aslan scenario, and a bunch of people asked for something similar for Kvothe vs Jaime, I decided to type one up. I just sent it in to Suvudu site, so it should be up there for you to see pretty soon.
Here’s a link to the fight, if you want it.
And remember, this round of the fight only lasts until Friday (tomorrow) noon. So if you want to vote in the last two matches, you need to do it soon.
pat
100 Comments
I loved this write up! Go Bast!
*squeels*
Rothfuss that write up is amazing!!!! Here's hoping GRRM responds in kind :D
Pat,
You may be the pater familias, but are you bonified?
Go Kvothe!!!
rip
A nice story, although it was a little more Jamie vs. Bast than Jamie vs. Kvothe. Still you get points for being original.
Sweet, I'll go check this out. Has to be good.
I already voted for Kvothe but I have to go read this!
Bring up Kvothe's numbers, vote for him twice!
Wow Pat you captured the very essence of Jamie in that. Are you sure you don't do fan fiction anymore? Well anyway Kvothe made his way to the final four with only the prestige of ONE book. It took Lannister four, Rand Twelve (I think), And Drizzt the entire west wing of the Library of Congress. This proves at least to me you are the best writer of the four. You may not win with Kvothe but that will only be because you have not had as long to build up your minions (spelling?)
Absolutely brilliant write up Pat. I just love how even through a fan pandering cage match scenario you are still able to add life and story to your characters.
So Kvothe really has lost everything? Even naming?
Sad…
I have the feeling the end of this trilogy is going to seriously depress me. But realism in fantasy is always a nice breath of fresh air.
Your characterization of Jaime was pretty spot on, gotta say. bravo.
Great write up, really enjoyable and a great snapshot of Jaime as well. I'm reluctant to log in to multiple computers to cast multiple votes, but I'm really hoping something awesome happens and Kvothe breaks through to the finals. I am also slightly terrified that this may have revealed a little more than any of us want to know about Kvothe, but I don't really think you'd do that to us. Would you Pat?
It's always the surprize twists that do it. Assuming this meets with the rule of the competition, this is a fabulous twist and one that nobody saw coming (except you, of course). I can tell you took a few days to think it through. I'm glad you did. You have such a fantastic way of putting your reader into the scene with the characters. No wonder we're all waiting with stinky, baited breath for book II.
Thank you for my day's entertainment.
I love asoiaf, and I understand why people like Jaimie in terms of character depth and such, but I wouldn't even pick Dany over Kvothe. She has three dragons, an army of well trained eunuchs, Fat Belwas, a bunch of Dothraki body guards, and the aging but still deadly Barristan Selmy, yet I'd still have to take Kvothe.
I guess that probably doesn't make the pain go away. I suggest beer, it solves all of my prob…hmmm.
We're catching up, though! 48 to 52 is not bad… Go Kvothe! And Bast! And awesome write-upsni
Fantastic write-up, as was the one with Aslan. Thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to write these up.
Asking Bast to best Jaime is great. Another point towards Kvothe's intelligence (I bet he has at least a 20, if not 22) and trickery.
Thank you. I like Bast, I like the broken Kvothe and I like the odd friendship between the two of them. Jaime is ok too. And I enjoyed your lovely little story very much.
And ehm. About that authorial pride of yours.
I am extremely protective of my books. I have never before killed a book by reading it for too many times. I have NEVER killed a book in any other ways either. But I think I will have to buy a new copy of The Name of the Wind very very soon…
So, patiently waiting and looking forward to get a chance to murder The Wise Man's Fear too!
(Hmm, that was meant to be a compliment, really!)
Moona
Oh! Oh! Oh! Bast is my very favorite! Thank you so much for the write-up, it's beautiful! Whether you intended it or not, they really are quite a cute (platonic?) couple.
I have to wonder though, if Bast had something to do with Kvothe not expecting Jaime until noon…
dear patrick,
please forgive me. this was like a sophie's choice of literary character cage match ups (that's the first time anyone has ever written down such a ridiculous sentence).
anyway, what i'm writing to tell you is that i had to go with the guy who popped my epic fantasy cherry. grrm.
i'ts just that i've just spent so much more time with jaime then with kvothe. maybe kvothe and i can rectify this in the future but until then i'll be…
your mostly loyal fan,
the well educated pony
To say I loved the write-up is an understatement of epic proportions. It was a hard choice, but I pray the vote rallies in Kvothe's favor.
Bast met the man’s glassy eyes. “You’re right. He’s not what he used to be. He’s lost everything. No magic. No music. No joy. No hope. You know what he has? You know what’s left?” Bast leaned closer, his voice low and vicious. “Me!” He practically spat the word, his eyes were wild. “He has me!”
That was absolutely brilliant, Pat. The whole thing was good, but that last… moving as all hell. I'm glad you decided to do this write-up, regardless of what happens from here.
loved the write up, but it would have been so much better had bast just incapacitated jaime with the wine, and when he hit the floor, the previously unseen Oot should have dropped from the rafters and shredded him with the kind of frenzied tazmanian devil-like attacks that only a rothfuss progeny could display.
But can Kvothe beat Rand? That's the write up I want to see. . .perhaps we could get one even if Kvothe doesn't make this round?
Only 89 vote difference right now though!
– Dave
up to 50/50! Kvothe is only down by about 75 votes!
I think Kvothe could win.. the trick of it is that in GRRM's novels anyone can die. including Jamie
GO GO GO !! Only 62 VOTES APPART!!!!
Okay, I know this is a silly internet thing that's just for fun. But I am genuinely uneasy to outraged about the results (I will concede in advance that this is a pretty silly thing to be outraged about).
My problem is that the results are drawn by fanboyism rather than an actual bone fide attempt to ascertain who would win a particular fight. I mean can anyone tell me with a straight face that they actually think Drizzt would've beat the Shrike? (or, for that matter, Ged).
After reading GRRM's account of the Cthulhu vs. Jaime battle my outrage subsidized but I still think the wrong call was made. (same with Aslan vs. Kvothe). Both cases the argument was too meta. The whole point of a cage match is that the characters fight. Once you start hedging away from that where do you stop? "Oh, the other character's just from a book therefore I win."
Again, it is pretty silly for me to dislike that this has turned into a popularity contest – because is that really that worse than nerds arguing over who would actually win in a fight? I say that I had hoped my fellow nerds would resist the bandwagon effect.
That write up was amazing thank you.
I'm sure it won't stay like this for long, but I was the tie breaker! Kvothe is ahead by one vote!
Kvothe 50% (4,304 votes)
Jaime Lannister 50% (4,303 votes)
Bast for thw Win! /o/ \o/ \o\
Yeah! Kvothe up by 12!!
Got a little goose-bumpy from that write-up. Thanks! Can't wait for the next book. Really, really can't wait.
Holy hellfire and hoops, Pat! Kvothe is actually winning this thing!
That's amazing…
I mean, sure he's awesome and all. But Martin's characters have been around so much longer, and are a much bigger part of our fantasists' universe.
(though I'm sure once your trilogy is finished, this will be rectified)
I was a bit saddened by the write up cause I was hoping to get some insight into whatever little fight is left within Kvothe, and well… that blurb was just adding fuel to the yaoi fire already brewing.
Then again, Kingkiller Chronicles isn't about swords and kicking asses anyway. It's about humanity and bonds.
So I guess the write up was perfect.
Here's hoping Kvothe has a way around balefire. (cause thousands of us would suddenly feel intense sorrow, never having been enriched by the beauty of NotW)
Geyter
"adding fuel to the yaoi fire"
"Here's hoping Kvothe has a way around balefire."
You've answered your own question. Kvothe should totally fight balefire with yaoifire.
This hearkens back to the eternal argument of "Who would win, Superman or Mighty Mouse?" I mean, Mighty Mouse can pick up a train, but Superman lifted up California. Normally I'd go with Supes in this case, but I'm not certain we've really seen all the rodent has to offer. I mean, he's a cartoon while Superman is real, but is that a disadvantage or an advantage? It's all up to the artist, isn't it?
Well, in this case it's up to the fans. Kvothe's leading at the moment, but I wouldn't be surprised if M. Martin engaged his not inconsiderable fanbase and pushed this battle over the edge for the Lannister team.
Perfect write-up.
The whole point of a cage match is that the characters fight. Once you start hedging away from that where do you stop?
Are they allowed to use the terrain? Are they allowed to bring weapons? Are they allowed to use the artifacts they've collected on their travels? People pretend there's some "purist" way to have two characters go at it, but it's just not so. Different books have different idioms, and how a fight played out would depend enormously on the milieu.
In the end, for me, if other characters are allowed to use artifacts they acquired in their journeys, and magical powers they've been granted, a character like Kvothe is allowed to use the wits he honed and the friendships he built.
After all, Bast would gladly admit he's another "weapon" in Kvothe's arsenal – the brightest, shiniest, most deadly.
And, frankly "two people are dropped in a pit naked and they fight and the stronger one wins." is a damn dull story.
Some fires are better quenched than used. D:
The hosts of the cage match don't pay even token respect to the concept of the cage match. How can I root for anyone when each "How we think the fight will go" sells short both the victor and the victim?
The fans are trying, but the hosts are not.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the Pat-supplied write-ups. May you get the chance to do another ;)
I really couldn't decide on this one. I just love Jamie and Kvothe both so much. It was like a fangirl dream come true/worst nightmare. And having met both you and Mr. Martin, I couldn't go with which author was more awesome, because you're both awesome. Then I saw this write up, and also remembered that you're the only author I've knitted for. So, I guess you got my vote. How's Oot liking his Serenity burp rag, btw?
Woot! Kvothe is currently beating out Jaime by over 150 votes,
Kvothe: 4652
Jaime: 4495
Time to start working on Kvothe v. Rand Al'Thor. ^.~
Great write-up. I loved it! I just voted for Kvothe and he's up by about 200 votes. Go Kvothe!
I have to admit that I think either Jaime or Kvothe will have a difficult time in the finals against Rand and I'd much rather see Jaime get hit with Balefire… although I would love to see your write up for Kvothe verus Rand (even if Jaime wins).
Go Kvothe!
*Does the jiggity jig*
I was extremely excited to see your story on Suvudu! I had been hoping that you'd do a write up for Kvothe's fight against Jaime (isn't that French for "to like"?), so I was extremely happy!
It was sort of really unexpected that you didn't even throw Kvothe in there, but I feel myself sort of liking Bast more that I used to (I never really spared him any thought), but I was sort of disappointed that Kvothe's super awesomeness wasn't included.
When Kvothe beats Jaime (I'm trying not to be bias, seeing as I've never read the Song of Ice and Fire books, but I think that Kvothe is going to win because he is much cooler and more powerful than what I've heard of this Jaime), please write Kvothe's final fight in the tournament (if this isn't it)! If you don't, I shall be very sorely disappointed.
Just voted for Kvothe… you are at this very moment beating Jaime 51-49! I'm so proud of you! :o
And that write up… pure genious!
I think the winner should be whoever publishes first. And since GRRM is only on his third publication date… Kvothe wins!
I loved your write up. It rivals GRRM's explanation for Jaime's victory over Cuthulu. I'm now desperate to know why Bast is so loyal to Kvothe. Bast is a Fae so it makes me curious to discovery if Bast's loyality is given or compelled.
Ser Scot
Damn, dude… just… damn.
I need to send Suvudu a "Thank You" card or something for giving you this excuse to write more about your characters.
Can't wait to see what you come up with for the next match (Kvothe is in the lead now!)
Oh no! Is Bast going to die now? If you kill him… *menacing look* But anyway awesome write up, I loved it!
oh jr this is so exciting
i hope you're going to win you are up 2% way cool
I wonder if this is the piece of fanfiction you mentioned earlier on. It certainly has some Bast/Kvothe undertones XD
I voted for Kvothe (or Bast, whichever way you want to look at it), of course!
I love your write up! It so true to the story! the same reason I liked the aslan one, it was almost plausible that those thing would've happened. Its as if, after reading your write up, I can't imagine any other way that it would go…and now kvothe is winning!! yay. I'm telling you its because of your write up.
Blimey, I missed the previous round looks like, guess Kvoth got Dumbledore without your help.
I went for Kvoth on this one, I went for Kvoth over Aslan because of your write up… and a similar thing with Jaime over Cthulu.
I've had an inkling about your trilogym my expectations being that books 1 and two would deal more with what has gone before with book three moving forward the present timeline. The way you've written up this encounter I think I am perhaps correct… though props to you for keeping Kvothe as he is at the conclusion of book 1 in the present timeline; you could so easily have cheated
"By the end of book three Kvothe has eye Lazerz!!! Pew, Pew, Pew and everyone is dead…" then when this doesn't happen call it a revision ;p
But anyway, I reckon if Mr Martin can use Tyrion then you're well able to use Bast and I vote Kvothe. [plus looks like he's got a comfortable lead atm.]
KVOTHE SURGES INTO THE LEAD!! \o/
Kvothe making a serious come back! It's over for the Kingslayer! Kingkillers do it better.
I didn't write this but it was just too fantastic not to post here. In response to how a series with only one book so far could beat GRRM's epic Lakesidey wrote:
Four books for the former archmage of Roke
Seven for Lannisters rolling in sin
Fourteen for that balefire-wielding bloke
One for the kingkiller in his dark inn
In the city of Tarbean, where the shadows lie
One book to rule them all
One book to tame them
One book to bring them all
And in the darkness name them
In the city of Tarbean, where the shadows lie
That's how :)
Haha. I love lakesidey's poetry. I mean, doing a write-up in poem form? That was pretty beastly. (Though he did have Jaime winning. But just because of his fans.)
looks like that writeup has put Kvothe in the lead (although tentative)! I like Jaime Lannister. A lot. But I give Kvothe a bigger chance down the road against Rand, so go Kvothe! Great writeup Pat!
One interesting thing people are glossing over- Kvothe has sword skills? Guess it could simply be reputation.
The first write-up was good, but this one was freaking amazing. I like the serious tone you took in writing this. Very, very impressive. Thanks for putting in the time even though you're busy and tired from all the traveling! Your undivided love for your fans – this is what separates you from other authors. Best of luck to Kvothe (and you)!
I'm sure Sarah hadn't the intention to hurt you at all when she said that, don't feel down because of it, man. At least, Kvothe's(and also yours) legion of fanatical minions is here to assure how great he is.
Loved Bast in your version, he was so damn lovely. Jamie was great too, just as he actually is.
Bwahahaha… I love that story. It was like garlic bread before the main course :). Finally the right dose of hilarious, smart, fantasy :D
Woo! Kvothe is winning!!
I love Bast
Way to find the emotion in it!
Looks like Kvothe's gonna take the win now…
i read your version of it and i'm a bit concerned. i suppose i had hoped that kvothe could still do magic, that there would be music again. but your write up seemed to suggest otherwise.
About 12 hours left and Kvothe is up by 6%! This is exciting!
I'm hoping the reason Bast was so prominent in this one is because Kvothe's saving for the next round. Don't get me wrong, Bast is awesome, but Kvothe in his element would be epic.
Oh, and thanks for writing NotW in the first place. It's one of those books you read, buy, and force/trick/tell others to read. Once they read it, all you've got to do is gently nudge them in the right direction and you have another convert.XD
We would love it if you could find the time to write another write-up. Now I just need to remember to vote tomorrow in the final round…
Thanks for being wicked awesome. :)
Kvothe has got Jaime's number. If it were Tyrion Lannister, I might be worried. Jaime is a cream puff.
Kvothe's up 53% to 47%. YAY!
JAIME… OWNED!!!!!!!
That was epic. I'm glad that "The Broken Tree" version of Kvothe got into this competition, rather than the "I speak names you die" Kvothe that seems to be cropping up. Cheers for the epic write.
AND KVOTHE TAKES THE LEAD!!! BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
What a beautiful writeup! You paint both Aslan and Jaime spotlessly.
Though, isn't it funny that we've got the Kingkiller fighting the Kingslayer? I'm surprised the Suvudu folks didn't make hay about that.
GRRM responded in kind :D
http://grrm.livejournal.com/144367.html
Sorry, I think this writeup had serious flaws… Kvothe not fighting himself after he defeated even a god? Letting Bast do the dirty work? And honestly, I don't think poisoning someone can be counted as "proper fight". I do not like this line-up as I always voted for both Jaime and Kvothe. But this is really craven, I'm sorry to say that.
I'll vote for Jaime who knows how to fight. See GRRM's write up.
Make another write up, pat! Kvothe is losing his leading position!
Oh no, we have an emergency. GRRM posted his write-up. Which, by the way, is rather poor. It has several problems- it's not the Wayfarer inn, Kvothe wouldn't be dictating his story to chronicaller with townspeople there, and he wouldn't rely on straight-up swordplay in a fight for his life. Anyway, the point is, it's swaying the vote back into Jamie's favor. Kvothe need's our support.
Oh. OH. I didn't think it was possible for anything to make me to love Bast any more than I already did, but you somehow managed.
Bloody brilliant. This is legendary. I love GRRM's work, but if it comes to Kvothe vs Jaime? Kvothe will win. He WILL.
Damn! Kvothe is loosing again…well, could be his present condition causing that…
But those dirty Bastards don't deserve to win against someone who killed an angel. The sword of such a man would not have been destroyed easily, not by fucking valyrian steel either.
But whatever…you made a good match against Martin, win or loose…martins writeup has no soul. Yours has Pat.
Its no matter if Kvothe will win or not. But kvothe will win!prepusne
Mr Martin didn't put lot of attention in this write-up clearly. He could do so much better.
Kvothe SHOULD win this match.
Where are you?
Come and vote!
Then change the brauser and vote again.
It's cheating, but hey, Kvothe cheats, when it's needed.
looks like Kvothe won't be winning… ): that's a shame, it's been the highlight of my entire week. But the write ups were amazing, and unlike Jaime and Drizzt, Kvothe made it this far with only one book. He's the very, very best.
Amazing write up, just as I believed it would be. GRRM's was good as well, however, and could possibly be what keeps Kvothe from getting this one. Still pulling for him in the end though.
How bout we NOT diss GRRM's write-up? He didn't have to do it, so if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything. They are meant to be quick, fun little reads not ultra-realistic scenarios that take every possible aspect of each character's life into account.
I voted for Kvothe, based on the fact that I like both characters equally but Kvothe simply must have an edge with regards to magic and even swordplay (we know Jaime just isn't that great with his off-hand).
Looking bad for Kvothe, curse it. I really hope we'll all put this match behind us either way and vote for the winner to beat Rand in the Finals, though.
I'm not here to bash GRRM, I really enjoy his books as well, but will say this. Pat, your write up was gret, because you really nailed both your characters and his. After reading this I'm not sure Martin has even read NOTW. I'll say it again, I really enjoy both works (SoI&F & KC) but at least in this little skirmish of scribe vs. scribe Pat wins by a landslide!
Long live Kvothe!
Maaaan, that was an AWESOME write-up. I have my hops set for a last-minute flourish of Pat-fans =).
Perhaps you should have your luffly lady-friend have a conversation with Bast about Kvothe's merits, so she can fully understand [not to say it'll end the same way, that is].
Long Live Kvothe!
Wow, people are definitely getting pretty emotional about these. I hope people realize that it is less about the characters and more about the ability to mobilize a large fanbase. I think it's very cool that both authors took the time to push their champions. They might not be extremely familiar with the other's character and world, but I think they were both written well and respectfully. I was glad to see Kvothe make it this far in a cage match tournament even though, from what we've seen, he's not really a "fighter".
It ensaddens me that Kvothe is losing, but I can't hate on GRRM. He is my second favorite author ATM (I best you can't guess #1).
Congrats on making it this far, Kvothe/Pat. You guys are awesome!
I love both series, but was pulling for Kvothe. Pat's write up was so much more entertaining then GRRM's (but the latter was entertaining).
I'm still hoping Pat will do us the honor of one last write-up, maybe sneak Kvothe into it somehow…
You were in the lead yesterday afternoon after you posted. More rallying is needed! Everyone please note if you have two computers you may vote twice….
Honestly, what I wanted to see in the final round was Kvothe and Ged. Since it would have to be Rand al'Thor… meh. Anticlimactic.
A really great write up. And I love it that you always try to find a creative solution, not like Martin who is just using a…well, in German it's called "Holzhammer-Methode", so I think in Englisch it should be something like a "sledgehammer approach". Anyway, Jaime Lannister is always winning just because of his mighty sword (TM) and his fighting skills. So Pat, take it this way: Even if Lannister wins, Kvothe is a far more creative and intelligent character. Kvothe is a genius, Lannister is only a swordsman. ;)
I really love ASOIAF, as much as NotW. You know, good things about loving books is that mostly they are not jealous =)
No disrespect to GRRM meant above.
Still, GRRM's write-up was not so good to read.
I don't know, why, probably different cultures, but on my homeland you may also express negative opinions, until you do it without naming and hate.
I'm glad he made this, of course, but I could have write better in my native language, truly.
Mr Rothfuss, on the other hand, gave me something really great to read.
Hey, we all love good story! That's why we care about books. Not because of authors, mostly (sorry, mr Rothfuss), but because of the characters and the story.
Good story deserves to be praised, but if you praise everything, where the difference between good story and not-good story shows?
Aw, looks like Martin rallied his fanbase overnight. I much prefer Pat's version of the fight. :)
Perhaps it's for the best… Jordan (may he rest in peace) created a very interesting (if cliché-ridden) world, but his prose makes me cringe and his characters are obnoxious.
I would've hated voting against Kvothe in favor of any WoT character… but I can't honestly see Rand losing. Jaime I have no qualms about exploding or setting aflame. :)
Pat,
Since you wrote about George R.R. Martin's character in your version of Kvothe vs Jaime, are you now a fan fiction writer? Do you have to give back your WGA card (at least until book 2 is published)? Does the fact that GRRM wrote about your characters mitigate any of this?
Just curious.
TieRant
P.S. Kvothe was robbed. The fix was in. Jaime? Seriously? He's a swordsman who lost his sword-hand! I'd demand a recount, if I were you.
Long live Kvothe!
Long live Kvothe!
Well if it's any consolation Rand al'Thor is probably going to utterly destroy Jaime Lannister.