Haurchefant's Mother

[Rosenoire]

I vaguely recall a bit where he mentions that his mother was devout and physically frail, but I can't find the exact quote anywhere. Is it actually in the EN localization? Did I dream it?

[FJerome]

I vaguely recall a bit where he mentions that his mother was devout and physically frail, but I can't find the exact quote anywhere. Is it actually in the EN localization? Did I dream it?

It wasn't in any cut-scene - Haurchefant has a lot of changing dialogue if you hike back to visit him at Dragonhead between quests, it was one of those.

[Anonymoose]

It this it?

...My dear mother was a woman both beautiful and righteous, yet terribly, terribly frail. Thus, have I ever been fascinated by those blessed with physical fortitude and spiritual conviction in equal measure.

[Rosenoire]

Yes! That's it. Do you happen to know what that's in response to?

(Also, he's a sweetheart, but his mother couldn't have been all that righteous...)

[Anonymoose]

I think the context is actually meant to be less about his mother per se and more an explanation for why he's so much of a creeper. You're about to head out on a dangerous task and he's saying that he's not worried for you, because of course you will be victorious, and that he's excited to see how the victory will improve your heroic qualities (read: and your wonderful bod).

[Airias]

Since we're on the topic of bastard's mothers, does anyone recall anything specific about Aymeric's mother?

[Rosenoire]

I would imagine that would come across as even creepier if you're a Lalafell.

[Rosenoire]

I don't think we've been told anything. I'm very curious, not least because I'm having a hard time imagining Thordan as having any qualities that would make a woman want to have his child.

[Airias]

1/2

Not sure how much choice women in Ishgard have regarding birth control, but I can't imagine they'd plan having a child with a man they can't marry because of his position. The NPC women in Ishgard give us a very medieval image of marriage, so having a child out of wedlock is probably a terrible sin.

Likely motives for a woman to bed Thordan could be a misplaced hunger for power, or being attracted by power, if he already was Archbishop or close to becoming it around the time. On the other hand, Thordan doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who'd be above rape or whoring and the lack of affection for his son gives us an indication that he wasn't in love with Aymeric's mother.

[Airias]

2/2

In the german localization, Aymeric says he's from low nobility and Lucia said he's the child of the Archbishop and his mistress, but there is nothing like that mentioned in the english version, so I'm not sure how much is lost or added in translation or if that's euphemized. Still, this reduces the possibilites and explains why everyone in Ishgard seems to be so sure about the connection - mistresses were hardly ever kept a secret in history, not even pope's mistresses.

The woman might have been married off to a low nobleman as soon as she became pregnant so the child would be taken care of. Makes me wonder if Aymeric had a stepfather and how that relationship went, or that with his mother. He must have his strong sense of justice from somewhere.