Kwaan's inscription
This article contains the full text of Kwaan's inscription in the Conventical of Seran and a comparison with Sazed's copy, that was corrupted. The inscription was first discovered by Sazed on his visit with Marsh. He transcribed it for later study.[1] Unfortunately Ruin modified it, leading to his unleashing when Vin was at the Well of Ascension.[2] Sazed then returned after Ruin's release, and read the unmodified version.[3]
Full Text
The full text of Kwann's inscription was found by Sazed in the Conventical of Seran. The full, uncorrected inscription is revealed in The Well of Ascension epigraphs. Expand on the right to display the full text of Kwann's inscription: |
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Ruin's Corruption
Ruin altered specific portions of Sazed's copies of Kwann's inscription in order to misdirect Vin into releasing him from his prison.
Version | Text |
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Original Text | "I am afraid, however, that all I have known - that my story - will be forgotten. I am afraid for the world that is to come. Afraid that my plans will fail. Afraid of a doom worse than the Deepness." [4] |
Corrupted Text | "I am afraid, however, that all I have known - that my story - will be forgotten. I am afraid for the world that is to come. Afraid that Alendi will fail. Afraid of a doom brought by the Deepness." [5] |
Here Ruin obscures the revelation that Kwann is concerned about a threat greater than the Deepness--Ruin himself.
Version | Text |
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Original Text | "Alendi's height struck me the first time I saw him. Here was a man who towered over others, a man who - despite his youth and clothing - demanded respect." [6] |
Corrupted Text | "Alendi's height struck me the first time I saw him. Here was a man who was small of stature, but who seemed to tower over others, a man who demanded respect." [5] |
Here Kwann describes Alendi's physical appearance as it pertains to the prophecies of the Hero of Ages. Ruin's changes allow for the misinterpretation that Kwann was mistaken and Vin is the prophesied hero.
Version | Text |
---|---|
Original Text | "When I finally had the realization - finally connected all of the signs of the Anticipation to Alendi - I was so excited." [7] |
Corrupted Text | "When I finally had the realization - finally connected all of the signs of the Anticipation to him - I was so excited." [5] |
Ruin replaces "Alendi" with a gender neutral pronoun (translated here to "him") in order to encourage the idea that the prophesied hero isn't necessarily male.
Version | Text |
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Original Text | "Rashek is to try and lead Alendi in the wrong direction, to discourage him or otherwise foil his quest. Alendi won't know that he has been deceived, that we've all been deceived, and he won't listen to me." [8] |
Corrupted Text | "Rashek is to try and lead Alendi in the wrong direction, to discourage him or otherwise foil his quest. Alendi won't know that he has been deceived." [9] |
Here Ruin directly removes a portion of the text to hide the realization of some greater deception that is occuring.
Version | Text |
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Original Text | "If Rashek fails to lead Alendi astray, then I have instructed the lad to kill Alendi." [10] |
Corrupted Text | "If Rashek fails to lead Alendi astray, then I have instructed the lad to kill my former friend." [9] |
This changes leads Sazed and Tindwyl to be confused about Kwann's insistence that Alendi cannot be trusted. Sazed assumes that it emphasizes the greatness of the threat posed by the Deepness.
Version | Text |
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Original Text | "Alendi must not reach the Well of Ascension, for he must not release the thing that is imprisoned there." [11] |
Corrupted Text | "Alendi must not reach the Well of Ascension. He must not take the power for himself." [9] |
With this change, Ruin both hides Kwann's limited knowledge of his existence and tricks Sazed and Vin into believing that the power at the Well of Ascension must be released.
Notes
- ↑ The Well of Ascension part 1#
- ↑ The Well of Ascension part 6#
- ↑ The Well of Ascension epilogue#
- ↑ The Well of Ascension chapter 7 epigraph#
- ↑ a b c The Well of Ascension chapter 30#
- ↑ The Well of Ascension chapter 10 epigraph#
- ↑ The Well of Ascension chapter 13 epigraph#
- ↑ The Well of Ascension chapter 55 epigraph#
- ↑ a b c The Well of Ascension chapter 41#
- ↑ The Well of Ascension chapter 56 epigraph#
- ↑ The Well of Ascension chapter 59 epigraph#