The Well of Ascension
12
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter opens with a vivid description of the Conventical of Seran, a fortress nestled in a massive crater, shrouded in mist and darkness. Sazed, a scholar with stored knowledge in metalminds, observes the fortress’s unusual design, noting its lack of defensibility against armies but its effectiveness in providing solitude. The Inquisitors, who once inhabited the fortress, clearly intended to deter visitors, as the location is hidden and difficult to access. The eerie atmosphere sets the stage for the exploration of this abandoned stronghold.
Sazed and Marsh, an Inquisitor, stand on the crater’s rim, surveying the fortress below. Sazed uses his vision tinmind to enhance his sight, examining the dark, windowless walls and rusted steel plates. Despite the lack of visible activity, Marsh confidently asserts that the Inquisitors are gone, though he cannot explain how he knows. Sazed questions Marsh’s certainty, but the Inquisitor remains adamant, suggesting the group has moved north, possibly toward Luthadel. The tension between Sazed’s logical skepticism and Marsh’s unexplained certainty adds intrigue to their mission.
The duo decides to investigate the fortress, though Sazed feels uneasy about the venture. Marsh, indifferent to Sazed’s reservations, leads the way to a cage-like contraption designed for descending into the crater. However, they discover the pulley system is meant to be operated from below, rendering it unusable. Marsh impulsively releases the cage, sending it crashing to the crater floor, a decision that underscores his reckless determination. This act highlights the stark contrast between Marsh’s boldness and Sazed’s cautious, scholarly nature.
As the chapter concludes, the pair prepares to find another way into the fortress, their mission underscored by mystery and danger. Sazed’s internal conflict—between his scholarly disposition and the demands of their perilous journey—adds depth to his character. The abandoned Conventical of Seran serves as a symbol of the Inquisitors’ enigmatic past and their uncertain future, leaving readers curious about what secrets the fortress might hold and what Marsh’s connection to the missing Inquisitors truly signifies.
FAQs
1. What are the key defensive weaknesses and strengths of the Conventical of Seran’s location?
Answer:
The Conventical of Seran has significant defensive weaknesses from a military standpoint: its position at the bottom of a crater makes it vulnerable to siege engines that could attack from the high ground of the crater rim. However, its location provides excellent natural defenses against discovery and casual intrusion. The crater makes it nearly invisible from a distance, with no marked paths leading to it, and the sheer sides of the crater pose a significant obstacle to approaching visitors. These features suggest it was designed primarily for secrecy and isolation rather than military defense.2. How does Sazed use his Feruchemical abilities to examine the fortress, and what limitations does he experience?
Answer:
Sazed taps his vision tinmind, a Feruchemical device that stores eyesight, to enhance his vision and examine the Conventical in detail from the crater’s rim. This allows him to see the fortress as if he were standing close to it, noting details like rust on steel plates and lichen on walls. However, using this ability comes with drawbacks: tapping too much vision causes nausea and fuzzy peripheral vision, demonstrating the physical costs of Feruchemical power use.3. Why does Marsh believe the Inquisitors have left the Conventical, and where does he speculate they have gone?
Answer:
Marsh asserts with certainty that the Inquisitors are gone, though he cannot explain how he knows this—hinting at possible residual knowledge from his time as an Inquisitor. He suggests they have traveled north, possibly toward Luthadel, though he cryptically adds “among other things,” implying broader movements or purposes. His confidence contrasts with Sazed’s uncertainty, highlighting Marsh’s unique connection to his former brethren.4. What internal conflict does Sazed face as they prepare to enter the fortress, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Sazed hesitates at the prospect of infiltrating the Inquisitor stronghold, feeling out of place as a scholar and servant rather than an adventurer. This reveals his self-perception as a man of “books and genteel service,” uncomfortable with direct confrontation or danger. His internal struggle underscores the tension between his intellectual nature and the physical demands of their mission, adding depth to his character as someone thrust into unfamiliar roles.5. What practical problem do Marsh and Sazed encounter with the cage mechanism, and what does this imply about the fortress’s design?
Answer:
They find that the cage pulley system is designed to be operated from below, not above, making descent impossible without assistance. This reveals the fortress’s intentional isolation: it was built to keep people out, not to facilitate entry. The design assumes that anyone arriving would be expected or assisted by those already inside, reinforcing the Inquisitors’ desire for controlled access and secrecy.
Quotes
1. “The crater made it difficult to find, for a slight rise in the land around the crater’s lip made it practically invisible until one drew near. No roads or paths marked the way, and travelers would have great trouble getting down the sheer sides.”
This quote highlights the intentional isolation of the Conventical of Seran, emphasizing how the Inquisitors designed their fortress not for military defense but for absolute secrecy and seclusion from the outside world.
2. “This fortress, however, had not been built to defend against enemy soldiers. It had been built to provide solitude.”
A concise statement revealing the true purpose of the fortress, contrasting its apparent weaknesses as a military stronghold with its effectiveness as a hidden sanctuary for the reclusive Inquisitors.
3. “I do not know if they will return, but we should exploit this opportunity.”
Marsh’s pragmatic declaration captures the tense, opportunistic nature of their mission, while also hinting at the mysterious disappearance of the Inquisitors that drives the chapter’s suspense.
4. “He was a man of books and genteel service. Traveling the countryside to visit villages was enough removed from his experience to be discomforting. Infiltrating the Inquisitor stronghold…”
This introspective moment reveals Sazed’s internal conflict, emphasizing his scholarly nature and how far outside his comfort zone this dangerous mission takes him, adding depth to his character.