The Amyr (PR: /'eɪmiɹ/)[1] is a mysterious group known by most as church knights during the Aturan Empire, the highest ranking being the Ciridae (PR: /'sɪɹɪdeɪ/)[2].
Description[]
Human Amyr[]
The Holy Order of the Amyr is believed to be founded by the Tehlin Church in the early days of the Aturan Empire. Their credo was "Ivare Enim Euge", which roughly translates as "For the Greater Good". The members were equal part knight-errant and vigilante. They had judiciary powers in both the religious and secular courts. All of them, to varying degrees, were exempt from the iron law.
The legendary hero Sir Savien Traliard was one of the Amyr. Another Amyr mentioned is Atreyon (and the Eight Oaths of Atreyon). Also, Kvothe suspects that the infamous Duke of Gibea, who performed dubious medical experiments on many people in Atur to enhance his medical knowledge, was either an Amyr or worked for the Amyr.
The Amyr's symbol was a flaming tower, and they tattooed the hands of their high-ranking members, the Ciridae. The Ciridae were trusted so implicitly that nothing they did would ever be questioned, as it was presumed that the Ciridae in question was taking any action he may have taken "for the greater good." Some severe actions taken by the Amyr in the name of this "greater good" are believed to be largely responsible for their eventual denouncement by the church and disbanding.
The group was disbanded roughly 300 years before Kvothe's story begins. The disbandment was one of the factors that eventually led to the collapse of the Aturan Empire.
Myth Amyr[]
Some tales imply that the origins of the Amyr predate the Tehlin church and the Aturan Empire both. A story told by Skarpi states that the Amyr were created by Selitos, himself a founding member, at the end of the Creation War, in order to avenge the destruction of his city Myr Tariniel. The name Amyr is a homage to the city in this version of the story.
Some of the former members of the Ruach joined Selitos in forming the initial group of the Amyr, and they stated their purpose as opposing Lanre and his Chandrian. They are mentioned by Haliax as one of the few things they fear.
Felurian, who has been living since before the Creation War, claims that there were never any Human Amyr. This suggests that the Amyr exist in the Fae and play an important role in Fae politics. It could also mean that the Amyr, which did exist in the Human realm, were inspired by the much older Fae Amyr.
Speculation[]
Speculated members of the Amyr include the following:
- Master Lorren - Because of the pruning of the archives, and his discouraging of Kvothe's pursuit of the topic.
- Dagon - Because he, "Would raze half the eld" to catch wrongdoers, in the same way that Amyr would commit horrific deeds for the Greater Good.
- Skarpi - Because of his knowing Kvothe's name and the story he told.
- Duke of Gibea - Because of the illuminated text in his notebook which held the Amyr's words.
- Stapes - Could potentially be in a good position to act for the Amyr's purpose in secret.
One hint about the Amyr comes from the Cthaeh. It tells Kvothe that if he sticks with the Maer, he would lead him to the Amyr's doors, and then adds that Kvothe will eventually get the joke. One idea is that the infamous Doors of Stone are some sort of other-worldly prison, as the man who stole the moon was put behind it. Since this is the title of the third book, one can assume that they are important. If they coincide with the strange door in the archives is another debate, but the doors of stone are important.
Now, the Cthaeh surely knows about the doors of stone and its choice of words, namely that the Maer will lead Kvothe to the Amyr's "door" suggests that the Amyr and the doors of stone are inevitably linked. Maybe the Amyr are some sort of guards for the prison behind the doors of stone. Or the realm behind the doors of stone, whatever turns out to be the case. This is all entirely speculation, of course.
Because of that and the foundation myth:
- Lady Lackless - as it is sung in the two poems concering her.
- "... | Right beside her husband's candle | There's a door without a handle | ... "
- "Seven things stand before | The entrance to the Lackless door. | ..."
- Puppet - because he guards the door.
Real world references and Parallels[]
- The Amyr share a lot of similarities with the Knights Templar - a Catholic military order founded in 1119, and active until 1312 when they were perpetually suppressed by Pope Clement V by the bull Vox in excelso.