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We know that Sifuu left her path as a bounty hunter to take up smithing after her wife, Taylin, died, and that no one in town seems to look twice at this choice, nor at Ashura’s—who is considered a pillar of the town—choice to “stray” from his path by opening the inn. But we also know Taylin died defending her honor as a bounty hunter, and that when Hassian was fairly young, his family was shamed and run out of town when it was assumed Taylin had lied, betraying her oath and path.

Hassian: “My mothers were bounty hunters. They were assigned to kill a monster that was threatening a nearby village, and the entire village they were sworn to protect ended up dead. The monster momma claimed to have killed was spotted leaving the site. Our people said she lied about killing the monster to get the reward. Momma said the monster died and then somehow regenerated itself. My mother stood by her and we were kicked out of the village as a result. But word of her actions spread and no other village would take momma. So, she went to clear her name by killing the beast… she did not come back.”

We also know from Auni that Reth and Hassian play cards at the tavern frequently enough, and that Reth absolutely kicks Hassian’s ass. Despite how harsh Hassian seems to speak of Reth in the quest Errands for Reth, they’re on good enough terms to hang out casually and play cards, at least more than once.

Auni: “Don't tell Hassian, but I usually like to let him win at cards. He's been beaten by Reth so many times, I feel like I need to do something to get his spirits up.”

And we know that Hassian as a character is ever dutiful and disciplined, with lots of dialogue about his duty as a Majiri son, not indulging too much, getting to sleep at a decent hour, and rising early. Yet he’s *not* infrequently late for his responsibilities, something Sifuu characterizes as “shirking duty,” and he expresses a desire to continue his current lifestyle and a resentment of being “tied down.”

Hassian: “…my evenings are spent apprenticing with my mother. As a proper Majiri, I must do my duty as a son.”

Hassian: “If I were a less disciplined man, I'd be happy to stay up all night stargazing with you. But alas, I have to get some rest. It's the early ogopuu that catches the oyster.”

Hassian: “…Indulging in vices weakens even the sharpest mind.”

Hassian: “As much as I will miss the forest, I will have to accept my duty as a blacksmith after my mother passes.

Hassian: “…growing up I never really belonged to a village… I do sort of miss the lack of a place, if that makes sense. Sometimes I resent being tied down.”

And we know other villagers actually think Reth brave for committing himself to a different path or find it at least acceptable if not a point of pride. Kenli says he finds Reth’s life choices brave. Hodari commends a man who knows how to cook for himself. Ashura says Reth painting himself as a “bad boy” (🙄) is really just a shtick. And then Hassian, for all his talk of duty and betrayal, hits you with, “Despite [Reth’s] betrayal of his Path, the new one he chose is... acceptable for him.”

So, I think a lot of what Hassian has to say about paths and duty is an internalized block from his childhood after being run out of and barred from towns for his momma’s presumed betrayal of her oath and path. It is ultimately a response to Taylin’s death. If duty and honor is everything, then his momma *had* to confront the beast that killed her and he *had* to live a life without her. And so, Hassian, similarly, *has* to follow the path/life his mother, Sifuu, laid out for him. He has convinced himself that he has no other choice because the alternative is the same shunning and displacement his family faced when he was a kid. There is no possible acceptable alternative in his mind. And that is why I think his judgement comes from a place of deep fear and jealousy and his insistence on traditions comes from a place of historic insecurity (his family being shunned and displaced). He associates being a “good Majiri”: pious and dutiful, with greater security.

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