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This article refers to elements from Original Dune Pages for this subject as it appears in other canons: |
For the character in the film series, see Liet Kynes
Liet-Kynes (10156 AG - 10191 AG), known outside of the Fremen as simply Dr. Kynes, was the son of Pardot Kynes and the father of Chani (who became the concubine of Emperor Paul Atreides). Kynes was the imperial planetologist/ecologist of Arrakis, the Judge of the Change, and the secret leader of the Fremen at the time House Atreides took control of Arrakis in 10191 AG.
Despite his loyalty to the Imperium, Kynes was the secret spiritual leader of the Fremen. Kynes would later become conflicted in his opinion of the Atreides, but found himself allying himself with them. Kynes later aided Paul and Jessica in their escape from the Sardaukar and Harkonnen troops, an action which would cost him his life.
Biography[]
Early life (10156-10191)[]
Kynes essentially took on his father's mantle and served as both the planetary ecologist of Dune, and leader of the Fremen. He continued his father's vision of gradually terraforming the planet from a harsh desert world into a temperate world with precipitation, greenery, and open water. Compared to his father, Pardot Kynes, who almost entirely focused on the ecologic reformation of Dune and at times appeared to be tactless (though he was kind nonetheless), Liet-Kynes paid more attention to the Fremen and was overall significantly more Fremen and less single-minded than Pardot.
Desert War (10191)[]
Involvement with House Atreides[]
Upon the arrival of House Atreides on Arrakis, Kynes acted as arbiter of succession in regard to the change of fief, as ordered by the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV. Kynes' role was to report to the Landsraad and the Emperor regarding the legality of the processes used by the Atreides in taking control of the planet, after House Harkonnen was ordered to leave.
The Atreides did not know that Liet and Kynes were the same person. To them, Liet was just a mystical figure from the desert. Liet was the secret sietch name of Dr. Kynes.
Through his intelligence network, Duke Leto Atreides quickly came to realize that, as well as maintaining official imperial duties, Kynes also possessed some authority with the Fremen. Reports indicated that Kynes had "gone native". As a result, Duke Leto attempted to show Kynes as much as possible that he was taking control of the planet in an honorable fashion. Moreover, Leto realized that if he could get Kynes on his side, it could possibly go a long way in winning over the Fremen, who had long-standing suspicion and distrust for the Faufreluches due to their lack of concern for the welfare of the native inhabitants of Arrakis.
Loyalty & death[]
Kynes died in the desert, over a pre-spice mass that had reached the critical point. Before dying, he had heard his father (a hallucination) repeat to him all of his teachings on ecology. Kynes' act of saving the Atreides served to illustrate a point: the Atreides, through their honorable ways, could instill fanatical loyalty in people, to the point where they would give their life for them. In the case of Liet-Kynes, this is indeed what happened. Upon the return of House Harkonnen to Arrakis, Kynes was captured as an accomplice to the Atreides, the Fremen, and witness of the dishonorable ways of the Harkonnens. He was abandoned in the desert without water or a stillsuit, and ultimately killed when heat exhaustion, dehydration and delirium prevented him from escaping a massive spice blow.
Legacy[]
Kynes' line was continued by his daughter, Chani, who later became concubine of Paul. As a result, he was grandfather to the God-Emperor, Leto Atreides II, and his twin sister, Ghanima Atreides. Kynes' descendants continued the terraforming of Arrakis, until it became a lush and fertile world.
Description[]
Kynes was a tall, thin man with long, sandy hair, a sparse but mussed mustache and beard, and, under heavy brows, eyes that were fathomless blue-within-blue.
Quotes[]
- Kynes: "It's a rule of ecology that the young Master appears to understand quite well. The struggle between life elements is the struggle for the free energy of a system. Blood's an efficient energy source."
- Soo-Soo: "It's said that the Fremen scum drink the blood of their dead."
- Kynes: "Not the blood, sir. But all of a man's water, ultimately, belongs to his people - to his tribe. It's a necessity when you live near the Great Flat. All water's precious there, and the human body is composed of some seventy per cent water by weight. A dead man, surely, no longer requires that water. Forgive me, my Lady, for elaborating on such an ugly subject at table, but you were being told falsehood and it needed clarifying."
- Soo-Soo: "You've associated so long with Fremen that you've lost all sensibilities."
- Kynes: "Are you challenging me, sir?"
- Soo-Soo: "Of course not. I'd not so insult our host and hostess."
- — Kynes squares off with a Guild banker at Leto & Jessica's banquet[src]
"I'm not here to take your part. Arrakis has seen men like you come and go. Take good care of your family. The desert's not kind to humans either." - To Duke Leto, 2021 film
Trivia[]
- Kynes was portrayed by Max von Sydow in the 1984 film, Karel Dobrý in the 2000 miniseries and Sharon Duncan-Brewster as a gender-swapped female Kynes in the 2021 film.
Gallery[]
.jpg "The Illustrated Dune - Dr. Liet Kynes (art by John Schoenherr).jpg (44 KB)")
_at_the_Arrakeen_Residency_official_banquet_(Frank_Herbert%27s_Dune,_2000,_Sci-Fi_Channel).jpg "Dr. Liet Kynes (Karel Dobrý) at the Arrakeen Residency official banquet (Frank Herbert's Dune, 2000, Sci-Fi Channel).jpg (42 KB)")
Videos[]
| Preceded by Pardot Kynes |
Judge of the Change 10175 AG - 10191 AG |
Succeeded by None |
| Preceded by Unknown |
Leader of the Fremen ? - 10191 AG |
Succeeded by Paul Atreides |