Tormod is someone who has great potential and will to do his deed, but who is lacking in discipline. His support conversations in Path of Radiance have the running trend of bringing his inadequacies as a student (Calill), companion (Devdan), and leader (Reyson) to the forefront. These weaknesses are not mutually exclusive—in fact, they feed each other to make an uncontrollable runt out of Tormod, albeit one plagued with a deep-seated insecurity.
Muarim's expression of horror at Tormod's thoughtless badmouthing of Apostle Sanaki, and Tormod's subsequent inability to fathom why this is so wrong, casts a negative light on his tendency to speak his mind. His outbursts in a professional and political setting, warranting Ike's sharp reprimand, demonstrate his lack of self-control, which is made even more apparent when he shirks his studies under Calill's tutelage after begging her for lessons. Similarly, his desire to take shortcuts in his chores and in his pursuit of power show his youth, drawing reactions of shock from his wiser peers.
Except for Sothe, all of Tormod's support conversations are with older adults, who impart unto him the knowledge to warn him off of his reckless path. Calill remonstrates with him that his refusal to take his magic lessons seriously will cost not just his safety, but that of his loved ones as well; Devdan and Reyson make similar statements that spook Tormod, because what he wants might harm others around him.
While these supports show Tormod's ability to listen and grow from the error of his ways, perhaps the most significant development to glean from these interactions is the origin of his selfish desires. Although he is overconfident to a point, his ambitions to become the "most dangerous mage around" stem from the pure place of wanting to protect his friends and give the freed slaves a better home—and the darker one of not being adequate enough to do his part, which he confides in Devdan. His multi-dimensional circumstance and vulnerability win his mentors over in the end, and he benefits from their sage counsel.