Bast

Major
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 1

Gender: male
Age: 20s
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 1
Books: 2

Bast first appears in The Name of the Wind as the enigmatic, graceful assistant to the innkeeper Kote, his Fae nature hinted at through his unnatural elegance and fierce loyalty. In The Wise Man's Fear, his true identity as a Fae is confirmed, and his protective instincts toward his master become more overt, culminating in violent confrontations with those he perceives as threats. Across both books, Bast evolves from a charming, enigmatic figure into a fiercely devoted guardian whose otherworldly origins and emotional volatility increasingly surface.

Description

A charming young man with dark hair and fair skin that pales or flushes crimson with emotion stands with an affable expression and quick smile. His face is sharp and delicate, almost beautiful, with striking blue eyes that appear human, and he carries himself with unnatural grace and delicacy as if close to dancing. Average in height but deceptively strong and lithe, he wears a black long-sleeved shirt tucked into black pants that are tucked into soft black boots, presenting as an attractive young man whose movements hint at sinuous speed and power. A handsome young Fae appearing as a dark-haired man in his early twenties with piercing blue eyes and fair skin that can drain to pale or waxy when distressed. He has a lithe graceful build allowing fluid dancer-like movements and feline nonchalance, with dark hair that is often left in disarray after he runs his hands through it. His expressive face frequently shows a rakish toothy grin that can linger too long and seem slightly off, and he typically wears simple practical clothing appropriate for an innkeeper's assistant in a medieval fantasy setting.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Kvotheteacher-student
Bast's relationship with Kvothe (as Kote) deepens from a teacher-student dynamic into one of fierce loyalty and guardianship, with Bast acting as both student and protector across both books.
G
Grahamacquaintance
Bast maintains a casual, friendly acquaintance with Graham, using these interactions to blend into the local community while subtly revealing his Fae nature.
Chroniclerantagonist
Bast's initial suspicion of Chronicler escalates into outright hostility in The Wise Man's Fear, culminating in physical confrontation as he perceives Chronicler as a threat to Kvothe's safety.

Story so far

BOOK 1The Name of the Wind
- Serves as Kote's assistant at the Waystone Inn, displaying unnatural grace and strength.
- Shows deep loyalty and concern for Kote's well-being, calling him 'Reshi.'
- Maintains a charming, affable demeanor while subtly revealing hints of his Fae nature.
BOOK 2The Wise Man's Fear
- Confronts Chronicler physically, viewing him as a threat to Kote's secrets.
- Displays emotional volatility, with his skin paling or flushing in response to distress.
- Interacts casually with townsfolk like Graham, blending in while maintaining his Fae mannerisms.
- Continues to serve as Kote's assistant, reinforcing his role as both student and protector.