Control-Value Theory

 

Siffrin has experienced a great deal of loss in an otherwise short life. He lost the memorizes of his entire country and culture. Lost his language and above all lost whoever his family was. And there's no finding them. Even trying to remember it's name would be a painful and impossible task, let alone trying to find people you don't remember and who don't remember you. From what we know of their past, they had left home briefly, likey for something entirely petty, it was while on a small boat that this mysterious Event occurred. Regarding control, Siffrin would have felt powerless, so very confused, and afraid. In the months after, he would have had to navigate a country he doesn't know, with effectively no life experience, all while learning a new language. They would have been entirely unmoored, drifting about Vaugarde and pulling together money for food every night. 

Not all was horrible, eventually, however. At some point Siffrin would watch a stage play, being utterly entranced by it, becoming a big fan of the art medium. They would also meet their party during this time. Filling that gap in their life for purpose and connection. They could save the country and go adventuring with their new friends! This period was probably the closest thing Siffrin had come to being at peace since the Event. They had been given the responsibility of taking lead when the party would travel because of how quick and observant he was, building his self-efficacy and - in his mind - justifying his purpose with the group. He kept them all safe.

This newfound balance would change at the end of their journey, with the realization that the group may not stay together after they succeed at their mission of defeating The King. All of his friends have lives to return to, but he has nothing. No one. At least in his mind. In reality, his friends would not have abandoned them as easily as they believe but their low self-esteem makes his hard for them to see that. This lack of control over his present and future would be what causes Siffrin to make his wish, for the group to never separate, unknowingly trapping himself in a time loop upon his first death. Thus begins Siffrin's slow descent with each new loop, learning more and growing stronger, while finding himself more trapped in the loops and explanations and escape plans become more and more unlikely.