So, in this runthrough I was actually able to skip the Hortator and Ashlander parts of the main quest. But I'm curious...if there any way to make sure that my reputation with the Ashlanders is in fair esteem? For instance, I'm doing the Marsus Tullius guar hide side quest and if I talk to Tinti or Hairan, they won't converse with me because I never did the Erabenimsun Nerevarine quest. Are these Ashlanders always going to be semi-hostile to me even though I, you know, killed Dagoth Ur and generally am awesome?

If you are not a member, honorary or otherwise to the Ashlander Tribe, they are not going to work with you on most things.

I would imagine that the fact that you can't join the Ashlanders now (as that time is past) means that you won't be able to do quests for them in the future.

You can try Charm them to get their disposition up.

Or, you can get naked in front of them. The naked trick works around the "Goodbye" message by forcing the "Oh, c'mon, put something on, that's ridiculous!" dialogue. Then see if you can converse with them normally. You should, at least after bribing, admiring, etc., if you have high Speechcraft.

I've forgotten... Do the gift-giving customs you learn from Hassour Zainsubani have a role later in the game? Say, can you / do you have to offer a book to an Ashkhan or Wise Woman or somesuch during the main quest? Can you even do that? I have completely forgotten; I haven't played the MQ in a few years.