Bastan

Bastan (バシュタン, Bashutan) is a minor character in Suikoden V. Bastan is an appraiser, forced to put his own, finely honed, aesthetic sense on hold in order to support his family.

History
Bastan is an appraiser who moved to Haud Village in order to raise money for his family. However, although he actually held a great skill in appraisal, he was forced to pander to the eclectic tastes of both his fellow villagers and Salum Barows, giving him a certain measure of resentment. His sense of self-worth also suffered, with Bastan considering himself a con-man of sorts for his actions.

When the Prince first arrived in Haud, he confided this in him, noting that the Prince was an outsider. Later, when the Prince brought him a rare Ivanov Painting to be appraised, an excited Bastan agreed to join the Imperial City Recapture Army, moving his business to Ceras Lake. Despite his reaction to the Ivanov painting, he was noted to be less interested in painting and sculptures than in pottery and dishes, as he considered the latter as being useful in everyday life as well as artistically valuable.

Bastan's spirit was rejuvenated at the castle as he was able to honestly appraise many kinds of wonderful creations. He sometimes talked with Josephine, where she would complain about her home country. However, Bastan thought that no culture could be called backwards, stating that different cultures bloomed in different regions. Cornelio didn't think highly of him, viewing him as yet another 'mediocrity' due to 'putting prices on pieces of art'. In contrast, Norden thought that he and Bastan would get on well, both having had trouble with the Barows family in the past.

Following the Sun Rune War, he returned to Haud Village to appraise art, but now seemingly at peace with its eccentric citizenry.