So I picked up Durance again, this time with the intention of reading carefully through his dialog and fully understand what he's all about.
Well, call me thick—I just can't make out most of what he says already from the start.
It is not clear to me what he wants from the protagonist, and what he wants from life in general. I get he hates a lot of people, places, and things (the list includes Magran's enemies, Magran's allies, Magran herself, Raedceras, the Aedyr Empire, Watchers, Ciphers, Animancers, Wizards, the Eothasians...) but I don't get what he actually likes. Is there anything he stands for? If yes, what is it? If not, why does he even bother joining the protagonist?