The Well of Ascension
50
by Sanderson, BrandonAllrianne Cett, a young noblewoman with Allomantic abilities, encounters a band of rough bandits led by the toothless Hobart while searching for her father’s army. She skillfully manipulates their emotions using her Rioting powers, ensuring their cooperation by promising a reward. The bandits, initially intent on robbing her, quickly shift to aiding her after she influences their desires. Allrianne reflects on the simplicity of such men, who are easily swayed by basic incentives like money and food, contrasting them with more complex individuals she has encountered in the past.
As they approach the army camp, Allrianne maintains control over the bandits’ emotions to prevent any betrayal, knowing their loyalty is fragile. She also subtly calms the approaching soldiers to avoid conflict, demonstrating her adeptness at emotional manipulation. The scene highlights her confidence and cunning, as she navigates the encounter with ease, ensuring both the bandits and the soldiers comply with her wishes. Her ability to read and influence emotions makes her a formidable figure, despite her youthful appearance.
Allrianne’s thoughts drift to Breezy, a man she once manipulated into loving her, whom she regards as a rare challenge due to his emotional awareness. She admires his nobility and laments how others underestimate him, drawing parallels to her own situation. This reflection reveals her strategic mindset and appreciation for complexity, as she takes pride in her ability to deceive those who dismiss her as a frivolous girl. Her musings underscore the theme of perception and power, as she leverages others’ underestimation to her advantage.
The chapter concludes with Allrianne smoothly transitioning from the bandits’ company to the safety of her father’s army, ensuring the bandits are rewarded for their service. Her commanding tone and effortless control over the situation reinforce her authority and intelligence. The encounter serves as a testament to her skill in manipulation and her ability to turn potential threats into tools for her own ends. Allrianne’s character is portrayed as both charming and calculating, a blend of youthful innocence and sharp cunning.
FAQs
1. How does Allrianne use her Allomantic abilities to manipulate the bandits and soldiers in this chapter?
Answer:
Allrianne is a Rioter, meaning she can enhance specific emotions in others. She uses this ability strategically throughout the chapter. First, she Rioted the bandits’ greed to keep them focused on her promised reward rather than harming her. Later, when approaching her father’s army, she Rioted the soldiers’ calmness to prevent violence toward her “rescuers.” The text specifically mentions she maintains “a firm hold on their emotions” and notes how easily base men like Hobart can be influenced by simple emotional pushes like promises of wealth.2. What does Allrianne’s internal monologue reveal about her true personality versus how others perceive her?
Answer:
While Allrianne presents herself as a naive, silly young girl, her thoughts reveal she’s highly calculating. She reflects that being underestimated makes manipulation easier, comparing herself to Breezy (who also benefits from being dismissed). She takes pride in having manipulated the “expert” Breezy into loving her, calling it a “true accomplishment.” The chapter contrasts her frivolous exterior (“Oh, honestly” eye-rolls) with sharp observations about human nature and intentional emotional manipulation tactics.3. Analyze the significance of Allrianne’s reflections about Breezy in this chapter. What do they reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
Allrianne’s thoughts about Breezy reveal a deep, genuine affection beneath her manipulative tendencies. She considers him noble and undervalued by others, showing she sees past his facade. Their relationship appears to be one of mutual understanding—both use being underestimated strategically, and Allrianne respects Breezy’s emotional intelligence. Her rhetorical question (“Do any of your friends even understand…”) suggests she believes she uniquely appreciates his true nature, implying their connection goes beyond superficial Allomantic games.4. How does the author use contrast to characterize Hobart’s bandits versus the soldiers?
Answer:
The bandits are portrayed as crude (“wiped his nose on his sleeve”) but easily manipulated by simple emotions like greed. The soldiers, while more disciplined, are similarly susceptible to Allomancy—Allrianne must calm them to prevent violence. Both groups highlight Allrianne’s skill: she adapts her approach from base rewards (for bandits) to authoritative commands (for soldiers). The contrast emphasizes that regardless of social standing, most people are emotionally manipulable, which reinforces Allrianne’s worldview about human predictability.
Quotes
1. “There was a certain charm to simple men, like Hobart’s crew. They really only wanted three things: money, food, and sex. And they could usually use the first to get the other two.”
This quote reveals Allrianne’s perceptive understanding of human nature and her ability to manipulate basic desires. It showcases her pragmatic approach to dealing with bandits while hinting at her own privileged perspective.
2. “People who underestimated you were easier to manipulate. Yes, Allrianne understood this concept quite well—for there were few things more quickly dismissed than a young, silly girl.”
This is a key insight into Allrianne’s character and strategy. The quote demonstrates how she weaponizes others’ underestimation of her, turning societal prejudices to her advantage.
3. “Getting a man like him—a man so expert in Allomancy, so determined that his age made him inappropriate for her—to love her … well, that had been a true accomplishment.”
This quote reveals Allrianne’s pride in her emotional manipulation skills and her appreciation for complex challenges. It contrasts her current situation with bandits against her past romantic conquest, showing her growth and self-awareness.
4. “She kept a firm hold on their emotions as they rode down toward the camp. She didn’t want them reaching any disappointing conclusions—such as ‘Ransoms are usually bigger than rewards.’”
This demonstrates Allrianne’s active use of her Allomantic powers (Rioting) to maintain control. The quote highlights both her practical caution and her darkly humorous awareness of the bandits’ potential thoughts.