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Emotional abuse descriptionManipulation, coercion, isolation... I would imagine that he is a textbook "abusive sociopath". He's probably strong enough to defeat enough challengers that people don't think it's worth challenging him any more... and he maintains that image through charisma.
The way he interacted with Mauh Urha (thank you for correction Valence!) very much reminded me of the way abusive partners can try to charm their way back into the lives of people who are close to getting out. He makes her feel special, convinces her that what she's trying to leave is irreplaceable and vital, and suggests that what he's offering her is worth the "sacrifices" of her social health and mental health. It's a broken economy to any objective outsider, but to Urha at the time - scared of unfamiliarity and of the possibility of facing Wood Wailers, and offered an opportunity to return to familiarity - it makes sense.
Through emotional abuse, he convinces the women that they need him and that without his "protection", their lives will be ruined, abandoned to the mercy of the "worse things" in the forest. Even though in reality, it's probably more accurate to say that they are his protection - once he's gained (not earned...) their loyalty, every one of them will defend him to the death. He likely wants power (in general, and over them) and he probably doesn't care if he ruins a family or a self-esteem or two in pursuit of that. As long as there are vulnerable women for him to prey on, he can keep growing his ranks.
The way he interacted with Mauh Urha (thank you for correction Valence!) very much reminded me of the way abusive partners can try to charm their way back into the lives of people who are close to getting out. He makes her feel special, convinces her that what she's trying to leave is irreplaceable and vital, and suggests that what he's offering her is worth the "sacrifices" of her social health and mental health. It's a broken economy to any objective outsider, but to Urha at the time - scared of unfamiliarity and of the possibility of facing Wood Wailers, and offered an opportunity to return to familiarity - it makes sense.
Through emotional abuse, he convinces the women that they need him and that without his "protection", their lives will be ruined, abandoned to the mercy of the "worse things" in the forest. Even though in reality, it's probably more accurate to say that they are his protection - once he's gained (not earned...) their loyalty, every one of them will defend him to the death. He likely wants power (in general, and over them) and he probably doesn't care if he ruins a family or a self-esteem or two in pursuit of that. As long as there are vulnerable women for him to prey on, he can keep growing his ranks.
(It's been a while since I did the quest, though, to be honest. So I might be mis-remembering. But that was my take on it.)
...it's really dark, anyway. I think we can all agree on that. >_>