List of characters in Suikoden V

This is a list of characters in the PlayStation 2 computer role-playing game Suikoden V. The Prince of Falena is the main character of the game; Lyon, Georg, and Sialeeds are also major characters, featured prominently on the front cover.

This list is organized by Falena's political factions. The main factions are the Royalist faction, the Godwin faction, and the Barows faction. 108 Stars of Destiny (Suikoden) also has a list of these characters, laid out by their order in the Stars of Destiny instead, and Notable Suikoden characters has a list of relevant non-Star characters.

Royalist

The royal family in Falena is not as strong as it would prefer, with large portions of the army more loyal to their local nobles than to the Crown and a powerful Senate to check the Queen. Still, the royal family maintains direct control over the capital Sol-Falena and armies based there. Once, the town of Lordlake also counted itself as very loyal to the Queen, though Lordlake became embittered after Arshtat's harsh punishment of them in the revolt two years prior to the start of Suikoden V.

Royal family

In official publications and the novelization of Suikoden V, the royal family's last name is given as "Falenas," though this is not seen in the North American localization of the game.

Arshtat

Arshtat (アルシュタート・ファレナス, Arushutāto Farenasu^?) is the Queen of Falena and bearer of the Sun Rune, one of the 27 True Runes. Ferid is her husband, the Prince is her son, and Lymsleia is her daughter and heir. Sialeeds is her sister and Haswar is her cousin; she was born to her mother Queen Falzrahm and her father Kauss Barows. She is 34 years of age at the beginning of Suikoden V, though due to having the Sun Rune affixed two years prior, she likely stopped aging at 32.

Arshtat's mother Falzrahm was the younger of two sisters born to Queen Olhazeta, Arshtat's grandmother. Since the elder sister, Queen Shahrewar, bore a daughter in Haswar, Arshtat was not slated to become Queen. However, Falzrahm wanted the throne to herself, and started a covert cloak and dagger conflict in which many nobles on both sides were killed. The royal assassins, Nether Gate, had their loyalties splintered, and typically aided whichever side paid them more. However, Shahrewar proved an unsteady ruler; tired of conflict, she surrendered her claim on the throne and allowed Falzrahm to ascend as Queen. At some time in this lull, Falzrahm convinced her sister to allow Arshtat to have her Sacred Games, the ceremony in which the husband of the Heir Apparent, the future Queen, is chosen. Surprisingly, rather than a nobleman's gladiator winning, a traveler from the Island Nations named Ferid won. This is considered a good thing, as it is speculated by some characters in Suikoden V that if a noble had won, the conflict between the Godwin and Barows factions would have restarted and perhaps even flared into full-blown civil war, as whichever faction that did not get their preferred candidate would feel that they'd have to strike now or else have no chance.

Falzrahm, paranoid and thinking that renouncing the throne was a trick, had Nether Gate kill her sister. Queen Falzrahm ascended to the throne, but died after reigning only two years due to illness. After this, the three princesses of Falena, Arshtat, Haswar, and Sialeeds, entered into a pact to prevent any type of succession war from happening again. Arshtat would take the throne uncontested to ensure there would be no doubt who the successors would be while Haswar and Sialeeds renounced their claim to the throne, and both of them agreed never to marry or have children.

Arshtat's marriage to Ferid was soon blessed with a son and daughter. Arshtat was known to be a kind and devoted mother as well as a wise ruler. She diplomatically ended a war with the nearby nation of Armes with very favorable conditions, stopped the worst abuses of the gladiator trade, and disbanded Nether Gate, which had grown confused and disloyal during the previous succession struggle.

In the 447 (two years prior to the start of Suikoden V) there was an uprising and a revolt by the people of Lordlake. Although it appeared as though the people were angry with the Queen, the reason they were protesting was because Lord Barows was constructing a dam that was contaminating their water. Lord Rovere, the lord of Lordlake and one of the Queen's closest allies, tried to keep the peace, but the people managed to destroy the dam. To prevent something like this from happening again, the people wanted to go to Sol-Falena and make a formal protest to the Queen. However, Lord Barows sent some of his soldiers into the Lordlake forces and incited them to attack the East Palace instead. While attacking, Lord Barows's forces stole the Dawn Rune housed there and returned it to their lord. The Godwin faction had been plotting for power for some time, and this incident was thought to perhaps be a spark for their action as well. Lord Godwin's adviser, Lucretia Merces, advised the Queen to bear the Sun Rune herself to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, betraying Lord Godwin himself to tell the Queen this. Though punishment was called for, under the influence of the Rune, Arshtat used the power of the Sun Rune to exact judgment upon Lordlake, blasting the land with the power of the sun and drying up all the water and destroying all vegetation.

The Queen proceeded to have several fits of mania over the course of the next two years, through Ferid was usually able to calm her down. She nearly incinerates Stormfist and the Godwins after learning from Sialeeds and the Prince as to how they insulted her daughter by fixing the games. Perhaps suspecting that the end was near, she tells her son the Prince that she believes things are going to be very difficult for him very soon, but he'll be fine no matter what. After Lymsleia's engagement ceremony, the Godwins execute a coup by placing Dark Arcanum in the banquet food. The royal family and certain guards take an antidote prepared by Murad beforehand, thinking they could trick the Godwins into signing their own death warrants. However, the unexpected appearance of Nether Gate allies on the Godwins' side turn the fight against the royals. While being defended by Ferid and Queen's Knight Galleon in the throne room, Arshtat uses the Sun Rune to save Ferid from an archer's attack. Unfortunately, she loses herself in the Sun Rune, and Ferid is unable to control her. Ferid is slain by the Sun Rune, which brings Arshtat briefly back to a sobbing sanity, but soon loses it again to incinerate the other assassins. Forewarned by Ferid, Georg Prime kills Arshtat.

If the Prince acquired all 108 Stars of Destiny, after he defeats the incarnation of the Sun Rune he sees a brief image of his mother and others he knew who had died.

Ferid

Ferid (フェリド, Ferido^?) is Arshtat's husband and the Commander of the Queen's Knights. The Prince and Lymsleia are his children. He is 34 years old at the beginning of Suikoden V. It is heavily implied that he is the son of Admiral Skald Egan, which would make Bernadette Egan his sister. This is commented upon during Egan's appearance in the main storyline, where he makes several references to the Prince having "Island Nations blood" and is later discussed by himself and Georg Prime before the Prince leaves Nirva Island.^[1][2]

Ferid comes from the Island Nations and came to Falena about 16 years before the start of the game, when the Sacred Games for Arshtat took place. While most expected Arshtat's hand would be won by the champion of a noble, the foreigner Ferid wins in a surprise upset. An actually capable commander of the Queen's Knights was unusual, and proved useful in the war against Armes, where Ferid, Raja, and Lucretia Merces helped lead Falena against the invasion. He participated in various noble policies, such as restricting gladiators in Stormfist and commissioning a mapping of Falena from Takamu. After Arshtat decides to bear the Sun Rune, Ferid fears that she is losing her grip on her sanity and arranges for his old friend, Georg Prime, to be a Queen's Knight shortly before the events of Suikoden V. Should Arshtat lose control of the rune and Ferid is unable to kill her, he asks that Georg finish the task.

During Lymsleia's Sacred Games, Ferid develops an interest in the Kanakan swordsman, Belcoot, and orders his son to investigate Belcoot. Unfortunately, the Godwins arrange that Zegai, the champion of the rival Barows family, is disqualifed and Belcoot is drugged before the final match. Though Ferid and Arshtat suspect the Godwins of underhanded tactics, which are confirmed by the Prince and Sialeeds, Ferid is unable to act without more information and concrete evidence; instead, Zegai is taken by the royal forces to be interrogated.

When the Godwins realize that they are under suspicion and the increasingly unstable Arshtat would soon concoct an excuse to either arrest them or annul the marriage engagement, they launch a coup backed by their Nether Gate allies. Ferid, Georg, and Galleon stay at the Audience Chamber to protect Arshtat. When Ferid is targeted by a Godwin archer, Arshtat uses her Sun Rune to save him and kill the soldier. She loses control afterwards and begins slaying Nether Gate members without restraint; Ferid is unable to stop her and is incinerated in the process. Georg is forced to kill the queen when she threatens to destroy all of Falena with the Sun Rune.

Ferid is voiced by Douglas Rye in the North American release.

Prince of Falena

The Prince of Falena is the silent protagonist of Suikoden V; he possesses no dialog except as occasionally directed by the player in conversation trees. He is referred to in the novelization as Freyjadour Falenas (sometimes shortened as Frey), as Faroush (a portmanteau of Arshtat and Ferid's names^{[citation needed]}) on the save file on the promotional Japanese Suikoden V memory card, and as Ardil in the Japanese mobile phone manga. The Prince is the son of Arshtat and Ferid and Lymsleia's older brother. He possesses a strong relationship with the members of his family, especially Lymsleia. As a male, he is unable to inherit the throne to the Queendom. The Prince is approximately 16 years old and eventually becomes the leader of the royalist force attempting to reclaim the rule of the country after a coup d'état.

Falenan royal princes are not generally accorded much respect, as they cannot inherit the throne in a Queendom. As such, the Prince performs mostly ceremonial functions; due to his lack of duties, he is also free to explore and leave the capital. In the opening of Suikoden V, the Prince tours the ruined town of Lordlake as part of an investigation for Arshtat with his bodyguard Lyon, his aunt Sialeeds, and Sialeeds' bodyguard Georg Prime. While his father gives him a warm reception upon his return, his mother Arshtat behaves erratically — welcoming him initially, but turning cold and distant upon the reminder of Lordlake's treachery and is calmed only by Ferid.

At the Sacred Games, the Prince is the only one of the royals able to move about without attracting heavy suspicion; Ferid sends him, Sialeeds, Lyon, and Georg to investigate the gladiator Belcoot as well as Zegai, the Barows family's champion. These investigations raise the Prince's suspicion of the Godwins, as do a variety of other "convenient" events at the Games. The Prince and Sialeeds later accompany Lymsleia, who must receive the blessing of the (missing) Dawn Rune and be purified in the holy land of Lunas in preparation of for her engagement.

Before the engagement ceremony, the Queen confides to the Prince their plans concerning the Godwins and that they have no intention of letting Lord Godwin have his way with the country. Nevertheless, she fears things will become much more difficult for children; she hugs her son and tells him she's quite proud of him regardless, though he'll probably have to do a lot of difficult things in the future. During the Godwins' coup, the Prince and Sialeeds fight back assassins, but are advised to flee by Georg Prime when he informs them that the Queen and Ferid have perished. The Prince, aware that Lymsleia will be used as a puppet queen, attempts to rescue his sister, but reluctantly leaves her behind after he is assured she is in good hands.

The Prince becomes a figurehead for an uprising against the Godwins, initially allying himself with the Barows family until it is discovered that they were the ones responsible for the theft of the Dawn Rune. Instead, after recruiting strategist Lucretia Merces, he sets out to personally lead the movement and becomes the eventual bearer of the Dawn Rune. The Prince recruits many of the various factions of Falena to go against the Godwins, notably the town of Lordlake to "make up" for Arshtat's mistake.

At the end of the game, if all 108 Stars of Destiny are not recruited, Lyon dies and the Prince becomes the new bearer of the Twilight Rune. If very few Stars of Destiny are recruited, the Prince then wanders off into the frozen mountains alone in despair. If all 108 Stars are recruited, Lyon is miraculously saved, and the Prince can choose between leaving with Lyon on a journey elsewhere with Georg, or staying in Falena and becoming the new commander of the Queen's Knights (if the player has been "nice" to Lymsleia).

The Prince employs a sansetsukon, or tri-nunchaku, as his weapon in battle, along with the Dawn Rune. The Prince's voice, only heard in combat through yelling, is done by Johnny Yong Bosch.

Lymsleia

Lymsleia (リムスレーア・ファレナス, Rimusurēa Farenasu^?), often shortened to Lym, is the Princess of Falena and heir to the throne. She is the younger sister of the Prince and the daughter to Queen Arshtat and Ferid; Sialeeds is her aunt. She is 10 years old at the beginning of Suikoden V. She is polite and dutiful to her family, and dotes on her older brother. She is protected by the Queen's Knight Miakis, who is also her friend. Despite being young, Lymsleia proves quite adept at politics.

Lymsleia is less than thrilled with the prospect of the Sacred Games because she will not be able to meet or choose the man she will marry. Her opinion of her possible husbands is equally low, especially of those who use champions as representatives in the game since her father Ferid won Arshtat's heart on his own. After Gizel Godwin wins the Princess's hand, Lymsleia is obliged by tradition to go through a purification rite. With her brother and Sialeeds, Lymsleia travels to the East Palace to receive the blessing of the (stolen) Dawn Rune and briefly encounters Zerase, whom Lymsleia dislikes immediately because of her impertience. The group proceeds to the holy shrine of Lunas for purification in a sacred spring, where Lymsleia comes to realize her relationship with her brother will change as her engagement approaches and is grateful for his kindness, love, and forgiveness, even after how she looked down upon him in their childhood.

During the Godwin's coup, Lymsleia, Miakis, and Galleon are unable to escape from Zahhak, Alenia, and the Nether Gate members and learn that Arshtat and Ferid are dead. Lymsleia is confined in her room and left to her sorrow. Though she is aware the Godwins intend to use her as a political puppet, Lymsleia agrees to be crowned as queen when Gizel threatens the safety of Miakis and her servants, reassuring Miakis that she has been destined since birth to become Queen of Falena.

After Gizel, Zahhak, and Alenia all fail to defeat the Prince, Lymsleia smugly declares that as queen, she will fight on the front lines to end the war as soon as possible to bring peace to her country, despite how she is advised otherwise. Though she speaks sincerely, Lymsleia secretly plans to provide the Prince an opportunity to capture her; her plan is successful until Sialeeds turns against the Prince and returns her niece to the Sun Palace.

After the Sun Rune is returned and the war ends, Lymsleia consolidates royal power and dissolves the Senate to prevent any new Godwins or Barows from gaining power just as Sialeeds had intended. Instead of a Senate, the new queen creates a parliament with elected representatives from the towns and gives the beavers and the cave dwarves a voice in government.

Lymsleia is voiced by Philece Sampler in the North American version.

Sialeeds

Sialeeds is Queen Arshtat's younger sister, and thus the Prince and Lymsleia's aunt as well as Haswar's cousin. Like Haswar, she has renounced her claim to the throne, which resulted also in cancelling her engagement to Gizel Godwin. Sialeeds, not tied down by politics at Sol-Falena, frequently travels with the Prince and instructs him and Lymsleia on the nation. She is considered by both Haswar and Arshtat a canny politician, and she detests the greedy nobles dividing Falena.

With no claim to the throne, Sialeeds lived life with a carefree attitude. She was known to drink, is quick to hold parties, and to sleep well into the day, punching out anyone who dares to wake her before she was ready. However, she is known to be quite skilled in the use of magic runes and with thrown chakram, as well as being having a sharp intellect and instinct for politics.

When she accompanies the Prince to Lordlake, Sialeeds is least affected by the tragedy, knowing full well what exactly happened to the city. She and the Prince travel to Stormfist in preparation for Lymsleia's Sacred Games and become suspicious of the Godwins, who intend to sabotage candidates of the games in their favour. Though Sialeeds is able to discern that plotting allowed Gizel to win and presents her suspicions to her sister, she lacks solid evidence and suggests that Ferid interrogate Zegai, the disqualified Barows champion. Subsequently, Sialeeds joins the Prince in accompanying Lymsleia during a purification rite; she ends up helping Haswar quietly return two Raftfleet members attempting to steal gold dust from Lunas and introducing her nephew to Admiral Raja.

Sialeeds, the Prince, and Lyon all survive the Godwins' coup, but discover that the Queen and Ferid are dead and that they must flee without Lymsleia. After finding sanctuary in Lunas, Haswar advises them to seek shelter with the Barows, who are only ones with the enough military might to protect them from the Godwins. However, Sialeeds comes to suspect Lord Barows of acting in his own interests and instead believes they should approach Raftfleet for help. She reluctantly has the Prince accept Lucretia Merces as his tactician to dispose of Lord Barows and his allied Armes forces. They recover the Dawn Rune from Lord Barows soon after.

During the Queen's Campaign, Sialeeds unexpectedly betrays the Prince by returning Lymsleia to the palace, but shows no inclination of following Gizel. She comes to possess the Twilight Rune soon afterwards and uses its power against the Godwins, the Barows, and the Prince, who is able to counter his aunt with the Dawn Rune. She confronts him one last time during the siege of Sol-Falena while attempting to destroy a dam to protect his army from the Sun Rune. She and the Prince end up using the combined power of their runes to stop the Sun Rune. As Sialeeds dies, she passes the Twilight Rune to Lyon and converses with Lucretia Merces about the Prince and his abilities. Her intentions for betraying are the Prince are heavily implied by various characters that she wanted to rid Falena of the Barows and Godwin factions so the country would be left in the hands of her niece and nephew.^[3][4][5][6] Her body is buried in the Prince's Army Castle. Regardless of her true motives, the fact that she betrayed the Prince prevented her from being buried in the Royal Cemetery of the Sun Palace in Sol-Falena. She is last seen with the spirits of Arshtat and Ferid, congratulating the Prince wordlessly.

She is voiced by Karen Strassman in the North American version.

Haswar

Haswar is the daughter of Mardas Godwin and Shahrewar, the eldest daughter of the late Queen Olhazeta. While Shahrewar had the better claim to the throne, the younger daughter Falzrahm successfully contested it in a succession struggle. After Queen Falzrahm died, Haswar, Arshtat, and Sialeeds entered into a pact - Arshtat would take the throne uncontested, and Haswar and Sialeeds would never marry or bear children to fend off another bloody succession struggle. Haswar instead becomes the Oracle of Lunas, wherein she is aided by the elf Isato. The Oracle has no desire to become queen, though several priests at Lunas believe that Haswar, as the daughter of Queen Olhazeta's elder daughter, is the rightful Queen of Falena rather than Arshtat. A cheerful and kind woman with a strong affinity for children and cute things, Haswar self-admittedly has little skill in politics.^[7]

After the Godwin coup, she shelters the Prince and Sialeeds, though they are eventually forced to flee to Rainwall to seek sanctuary with the Barows family. Haswar later comforts Lymsleia during the Godwin occupation and remains with her in Sol-Falena until the New Queen's Campaign. After the civil war, she oversees the placement of the Dawn and Twilight Runes alongside the Sun Rune at the Sun Palace. Haswar continues to support Lymsleia and later decides to marry after all.^[8] No information is given as to who Haswar married.

As a descendant of the Godwins, Haswar is on somewhat friendlier terms with them than the Prince. Haswar is the only member of the royal family other than the Prince to be a Star of Destiny as the Tensyo Star. She is voiced by Mari Devon.

Queen's Knights

The Queen's Knights are the personal bodyguards of the Queen and the rest of the royal family. Only the finest warriors receive the training to be a Queen's Knight. The Queen of Falena 's husband — Ferid, at the beginning of Suikoden V — is the commander of the Queen's Knights. The Knights themselves typically command army divisions in wartime.

The current crop of Queen's Knights in Suikoden V is unusually young; many former Queen's Knights were slain in the war against Armes. The only remaining Knights from that period are Ferid, Galleon, and Zahhak. Miakis was especially accepted as a Queen's Knight at rather young age.

Georg Prime

Main article: Georg Prime

Georg Prime is a Queen's Knight and old friend of Ferid's. He serves as Sialeeds' bodyguard. He is 29 during the events of Suikoden V.

Ferid brought Georg into the Queen's Knights for one main reason: Ferid felt that if Arshtat finally lost her grip on sanity to the Sun Rune, he'd need a backup to kill her should he fail to either bring her wits back or kill his wife himself. Knowing Georg's superb talent, and with Georg owing his eye to him, Ferid felt that Georg was the only one he could trust for this delicate task. During the coup, Georg does indeed kill Arshtat, and is blamed for the entire coup by the Godwins. Georg is forced to go into hiding afterwards and resurfaces to join the Prince to reclaim Falena, though he briefly leaves the group when Miakis confronts him for killing Arshtat. After the war, Georg exiles himself from Falena and he travels abroad.

Before coming to Falena, Georg fought the Scarlet Moon Empire's Succession War as one of the Six Great Imperial Generals of Barbarossa Rugner. After leaving the Queendom, he returns to the Northern Continent and eventually serves in the Dunan Unification War (Suikoden II) on the side of Jowston City States.

Georg is voiced by Jamieson Price.

Lyon

Lyon (リオン, Rion^?) is a Queen's Knight apprentice and the bodyguard of the Prince. She is not only the Prince's loyal protector, but his dearest friend, and a love interest. She accompanies the Prince everywhere, often serving as his mouthpiece (since the Prince does not speak). Lyon is 16 years old at the beginning of Suikoden V.

Originally named Mismar, Lyon was trained in her youth to be a member of Nether Gate. Ferid rescued from Nether Gate, renamed her Lyon, and discreetly had Oboro (unsuccessfully) locate her parents.^[9] To repay Ferid's kindness, Lyon decided to become the Prince's bodyguard and trained hard as a Queen's Knight apprentice.

During the New Queen's Campaign, Lyon is mortally wounded by Dolph while protecting the Prince. She is saved from death by the Dawn Rune and Galleon's medical skills, but falls into a coma. To save her, the Prince sets out to unlock the powers of the Dawn Rune with Miakis, Zweig, and Lorelai. He eventually returns and successfully heals her with newfound powers. After spending time recuperating and exercising, she returns to aid the Prince during the siege of Sol-Falena. She becomes the new bearer of the Twilight Rune as Sialeeds dies.

Lyon duels and defeats Dolph in the Sun Ruins, but ends up sacrificing her life again for the Prince, passing the Twilight Rune onto him. If the Prince has acquired all 108 Stars of Destiny, the Dawn, Twilight, and Sun Runes combine to miraculously revive her. She either becomes the youngest-ever Queen's Knight alongside the Prince, who becomes Commander of the Knights, or she joins Prince on his journey toward the northern continents with Georg.

In battle, Lyon uses a nagamaki, modified to use as a claspknife. The blade was given to her by Ferid. Lyon is familiar with Nether Gate drugs, such as such as Raging Nostrum and Dark Arcanum. She is voiced by Carrie Savage in the North American version and Eri Sendai in Japanese version.

Miakis

Miakis (ミアキス, Miakisu^?) is a member of the Queen's Knights and the personal bodyguard of Princess Lymsleia. She is 22 years old. A cheerful and affable person, she is friends with Lymsleia, the Prince, Sialeeds, and Lyon.

Miakis was born in the Sauronix castle-town, and originally wanted to be one of Sauronix's famed Dragon Cavalry. While training, she became friends with Roog and Rahal. However, women were prohibited from joining the cavalry; Craig Laden, the commander of the cavalry recognized her skills and sent her to Sol-Falena with a recommendation for her to serve the royal family as a Queen's Knight instead. Miakis honed her skills as a fighter and magician and eventually was chosen to become Lymsleia's personal bodyguard. Her parents retired soon after to travel around the world; she is unaware of their current whereabouts.^[10]

During the attack on the Sun Palace, she witnesses Queen Arshtat's death by Georg's hand, although not the events preceding that. She and Galleon return to escort the Princess away, but are stopped by Alenia, Zahhak, and surviving Nether Gate assassins and surrender to protect Lymsleia. They are kept on as Queen's Knights for show, though in reality they are political hostages. Miakis continues to comfort the Princess until Gizel Godwin marries Lymsleia; Miakis is then removed from her position and sent to aid Alenia in the defending of Doraat. She falls into a depressive state from being unable to protect Lymsleia until the Prince defeats her in a duel and assures her that he will return Lymsleia.

At the Sindar Castle, she confronts Georg and accuses him of killing Arshtat. Though most in the Prince's camp believe it to be a rumour spread by the Godwins, Georg gives no answer and leaves. Miakis later aids an attempt to "kidnap" Lymsleia during the Queen's Campaign, but the plan is thwarted when Sialeeds betrays the Prince. They capture Galleon instead, who reveals why Georg killed Arshtat, who had gone insane from bearing the Sun Rune. Miakis briefly serves as the Prince's bodyguard in Lyon's place and participates in the final march into Sol-Falena.

In battle, Miakis uses daggers and initially bears a Shield Rune. Miakis is voiced by Fumiko Orikasa in the Japanese version and Kate Higgins in the North American version.

Galleon

Galleon (ガレオン, Gareon^?) is the most senior of the Queen's Knights and a veteran of the war with Armes.^[11] He hails from Lordlake, though since becoming a Queen's Knight he has spent most of his time protecting the royal family in Sol-Falena. He was once married to an army doctor named Silva, but they divorced twenty years earlier for "private reasons". Galleon uses a halberd in battle.

Galleon believes he should have been the one to escort the Prince to Lordlake since he is familiar with the area, but is not assigned to do so; Georg believes that Ferid choose not to give the order as he felt it would have been heartless to remind Galleon of Lordlake's devastation. During the Godwin coup, Galleon fights alongside Ferid and Georg to protect Arshtat. After the queen's death, Galleon aids Miakis in defending and helping Lymsleia escape, though they are prevented from doing so by Alenia, Zahhak, and the Nether Gate.

Galleon remains in the castle afterward and leaves the palace only when Lymsleia decides to ride out to war herself. He guards Lymsleia in the battle and fights the attacking Prince; when defeated, Lymsleia asks him to stand down and intends for them to join the Prince. However, when Sialeeds betrays the Prince, Lyon is mortally wounded by Dolph. Sialeeds, furious as she did not intend for anyone to be hurt, orders Galleon to administer first aid because "he's better than most doctors."

Thanks to Galleon and the Prince's usage of the Dawn Rune, Lyon is saved. Galleon takes her to recover in the Sindar Castle, where she enters the care of Silva, and then reveals the actual circumstances concerning Arshtat's death and Georg's involvement. He prepares to leave soon after, knowing that he was unable to help the royal family and his stubbornness caused both the Prince and Lymsleia grief. Silva chastises him and he offers to enter the Prince's service. He retires soon after the war to help rebuild Lordlake.

He is voiced by Tom Wyner in the North American version.

Kyle

Kyle (カイル, Kairu^?) is a member of the Queen's Knights. He has a tendency of being very casual and familiar with his superiors and members of the royal family. He is 24 years old. He frequently clashes with Alenia and Zahhak; while Alenia, a supporter of the Godwin faction, believes that the Sun Rune should be used aggressively, Kyle does not and is mistakenly seen as a supporter of the Barows faction; Kyle's views of Arshtat's actions are seen as open criticism of the Queen, which displeases the uptight and rule-abiding Zahhak.

Kyle was born in Lelcar and was looked after by the aggressive Volga.^[12] He enlisted in the army for the Armes invasion and caught Ferid's eye, thus later getting the opportunity to train as a Queen's Knight.^[13] He helps the Prince escape from the Sun Palace during the Godwins' coup by helping drive off Dolph and Childerich with Zegai, though he fails in his attempts to save Lymsleia and prevent the Sun Rune from falling in the Godwins' hands. He subsequently helps the Prince navigate through Lelcar's troubles and joins the Prince to free Falena from the Godwins' control.

Kyle is something of a playboy and can usually be found on the prowl for girls when not on duty. That said, he also apparently has special feelings for Sialeeds and is one of the people who comment regarding her intentions behind her betrayal. At the end of the Falenan Civil War, he leaves the Queen's Knights, and lives a quiet life abroad.

Kyle uses a katana and bears a Water Rune in battle. He is voiced by Daisuke Kishio in the Japanese edition and Yuri Lowenthal in the North American edition.

Zahhak

Zahhak (ザハーク, Zahāku^?) is a Queen's Knight and veteran of the Armes invasion 10 years prior. An unemotional and formal man, he stresses the importance of fulfilling one's duty over all else and considers Ferid too idealistic; Zahhak expresses to the Prince that the best way to do things is not necessarily the most ideal. His calculating, almost megalomaniacal, perspective on how to defend Falena sharply contrasts with those of Kyle, with whom Zahhak frequently argues with as a result. He is a distant relative of the Godwin family, and was recommended to his post as Queen's Knight by Marscal Godwin. When the coup occurs at Sol-Falena, Zahhak sides with the Godwins.

During the civil war, he is one of the major commanders of the Godwin forces along with Dilber Novum and Childerich. He is responsible for the burning of Lelcar to enable his troops to escape, a major public relations disaster for the Godwins. He later accompanies General Sparna of Armes, serving as the government's adviser to their forces, and accompanies Lymsleia during the Queen's Campaign alongside Galleon; though he quickly discerns that Roy has been employed to divert attention, he is unable to keep Lymsleia from the Prince as a result of arguing with Kyle. Zahhak is killed in battle at Sol-Falena after using Raging Nostrum. His last appearance is among the spirits who congratulate the Prince after he defeats the Sun Rune's incarnation.

He is voiced by Paul St. Peter in the North American version.

Alenia

Alenia (アレニア, Arenia^?) is a Queen's Knight, trained since childhood by her father, who was a Queen's Knight under Falzrahm, to follow in his footsteps. She has a strong militant view of strengthening Falena and openly supports the Godwins' political policies. As such, she seemingly admires Gizel Godwin a great deal, and aids the Godwin coup at Sol-Falena. Alenia doesn't get along very well with Miakis, as is noted when they are both sent to Doraat.^[14]

Jeane later affixes the Twilight Rune to her, despite the lack of compatibility; Alenia uses it in the defense of Doraat, much to Zerase's chagrin. She only narrowly escapes from Doraat thanks to Dolph's intervention, and Gizel has the Rune removed afterward in favor of Sialeeds. Determined to prove herself to Gizel, Alenia later tries to defeat the Prince during the New Queen's Campaign, but ends up fighting Roy and Zerase, unaware that Roy is impersonating the Prince during the battle. She is sent to be the Godwin adviser to Shula Valya's Western Marine Corps, where she is frustrated at Shula's failure to do much for the Godwin side. Alenia is killed in battle at Sol-Falena with Zahhak after using Raging Nostrum, despite Gizel telling her to leave and save herself. She is last seen among the spirits who congratulate the Prince after he defeats the Sun Rune's incarnation.

She is voiced by Dorothy Elias-Fahn in the North American version.

Godwin

The Godwin faction is one of the major factions of Falena and were involved in the succession struggle between Falzrahm and Shahrewar. Their base of powers is the city of Stormfist, the old capital of Falena, and they exert influence over the Herschville Naval Base, Doraat, and parts of Lelcar.

After the succession conflict, the Godwins prospered, in part because their land was untouched during the Armes invasion eight years earlier. Marscal and Gizel Godwin proved to be capable administrators who successfully stopped Ferid and Arshtat from banning gladiatorial combat, the mainstay entertainment of Stormfirst, entirely and instead accepted regulatations in which gladiators received better treatment.

Marscal Godwin

The Godwin family is led by 58 year old Marscal Godwin. His wife, Rosalind, was slain in the succession struggle between Falzrahm and Shahrewar, along with Shahrewar's husband, Mardas Godwin. Marscal and the Godwins remain bitter with Rosalind's death during the succession struggle and offer some members of the Nether Gate sanctuary in return for their services when Arshtat disbands them.

While he apparently supports his son's plans to marry Lymsleia, Marscal warns Gizel that his methods to win Sacred Games were only effective in the short run; the Prince appears to have changed from the incident and Gizel has not befriended any member of the royal family, who are now aware that he is entirely too hungry for power. He expresses a high interest in learning how to manipulate the power of the Sun Rune, though is well aware that he cannot bear the True Rune and is not surprised that rune will not affix itself to either Gizel or Lymsleia, despite the aid of the rune mistress Jeane.

When Gizel is finally defeated by the Prince, Marscal flees to the icy mountains north of Lunas with the Sun Rune. Though the Prince's advisors fear that Marscal intends to use the Sun Rune to melt the glaciers and flood Falena, he actually has a different plan in mind. Marscal dies after the Prince and his allies fight the Sun Rune's incarnation in the mountains. When the Prince sees a vision of Arshtat in the Sun Rune, Marscal and Gizel are also seen among the crowd, saluting the Prince.

He is voiced by Michael McConnohie in the North American version.

Gizel Godwin

Gizel Godwin is Marscal's 24 year old son who firmly believes that his mother would want him to make Falena into a strong nation so no one would suffer as a result of war. He is scheming, manipulative, and enjoys plotting for its own sake.

Gizel was once slated to marry Sialeeds and both of them were reportedly happy with the union. However, after Arshtat becomes queen, Haswar and Sialeeds both agreed never to marry or have children to avoid another succession conflict. Gizel and Sialeeds unhappily cancelled their engagement. Years later, Gizel plots to win the Sacred Games of Princess Lymsleia, allowing him to become her husband, by eliminating competitors who can potentially defeat his champion, Childerich, though sabotage and manipulation. He succeeds, but realizes that there is a considerable amount of time before he attains enough political power to avoid being caught for his intrigues or Stormfist is annihilated should Arshtat succumb to another fit of madness brought on by the Sun Rune.

With Alenia and Zahhak, Gizel arranges for the royal family, save Lymsleia, and the guards to be poisoned and killed during a coup d'etat. Though Arshtat and Ferid anticipate this and take effective counter measures, the unexpected appearance of elite Nether Gate agents on the side of the Godwins allow them to succeed. Lymsleia, Miakis, and Galleon are captured while Ferid and Georg stop Arshtat from unleashing the full power of the Sun Rune; Ferid is killed in the process and Georg flees after being forced to kill the queen. Gizel takes command of Sol-Falena and acts as strategic commander while he allows others to lead his armies. Georg is blamed for the deaths of the queen, Ferid, and the palace guards and the disappearances of the Prince and Sialeeds.

The legitimacy of the Godwin coup is cast into doubt when the Prince raises a "rebel" army against him and restores Lordlake without bloodshed. Gizel begins to lose public support and causes demihumans of Falena to join the Prince when Gizel attempts to strengthen his army and waste the Nether Gate's talent on attacking neutral innocents. Gizel also gives the Twilight Rune to Alenia and sends her with Miakis to Doraat, while aware that Doraat will likely fall and the Twilight Rune will be lost. To further complicate matters, he is unable to control Lymsleia until he threatens Miakis' safety; after Lymsleia is crowned queen, the pair constantly attempt to get the better of each other. Lymsleia nearly succeeds in escaping from Gizel's grasp, failing only when Sialeeds unexpectedly betrays the Prince and returns Lymsleia to the palace.

With a renewed opportunity to win the war, Gizel recruits the gullible Commander Sparna and the Armes Southern Mountain Corps to his side by offering Armes all of the former Barows territory. However, the critical mistake of nominating Childerich to become a Queen's Knight turns the tide against him once more. The Godwin faction crumbles and Gizel prepares a final stand against the Prince. After making an empty threat against Lymsleia's life, Gizel is defeated in a duel to the death against the Prince.

Gizel Godwin is voiced by Doug Erholtz in the North American version.

Godwin allies

Dilber Novum is the General of the West. He commands the army in the western, Godwin-affiliated sections of Falena and is quite loyal to Marscal. He is killed in battle at Stormfist.

Bahram Luger is the Admiral of the Fleet. He both studied and served under Raja previously; he ascended to his position with Raja's retirement. Though Luger does not show any particular loyalty to the Godwins, he nevertheless serves the new government under Queen Lymsleia after the coup, and is killed in battle at Doraat when trying to save the rest of his fleet by having his ship suicidally charge the Dahak.

It is not entirely clear in Suikoden V as to who controls Agate Prison; presumably, it was under direct royal control, as Lucretia Merces was not immediately executed following the coup, and she was imprisoned by Queen Arshtat's orders. However, the enemies encountered there by the Prince when he is attempting to free Lucretia are listed as "Godwin soldiers" and wear Godwin-style uniforms. Additionally Killey is imprisoned here by the Godwins. In any case Lelei and Cius are both guards at the prison assigned to watch over Lucretia. Lelei also becomes Lucretia's student in strategy, serving as an alternate advisor to the Prince. It is also implied that Lelei and Lucretia share a romantic relationship, or at the very least that Lelei has romantic feelings for Lucretia.

Haleth is a corrupt supply official at Port Herschville. He smuggles goods on the side and is a friend of Logg's. Shoon is a gladiator at Stormfist owned by the Godwins. He aids the Prince in investigating the suspicious occurrences prior to the Sacred Games, and much later aids the Prince in sneaking into Stormfist to avoid a costly assault.

Orok is the leader of the western islet of Lelcar and acts as the Godwin's intermediary there. Mohsen is an armorer in Lelcar sympathetic to the Godwin cause. Zahhak's burning of Lelcar sours both of them from the Godwin's side, however.

Barows

The Barows clan was once the most powerful of all the nobles in Falena, though the Godwins have been steadily rising in power. Arshtat's father, Kauss, was a member of the Barows clan and married into the royal family. Rainwall is their base of power; Haud Village, Estrise, and Sable all fall under the Barows sphere of influence as well.

During the Armes Invasion, the lands of the Barows suffered most. Not surprisingly, they favour a more open trading agreement and friendship with Armes, since having the nearby border would allow the Barows to profit from such a deal.

Salum Barows

Salum Barows (サルム・バロウズ, Sarumu Barōzu^?) is the head of the Barows family during Suikoden V and 65 years old. He has three children; his eldest son Hiram died in the previous succession struggle, most likely at the hands of Nether Gate assassins. Salum's wife, Alison, has since locked herself in her room and refused to go out since. Salum is considered an eccentric, but an effective political plotter and is referred to as "that snake" by Sialeeds and others.

Salum and Euram attend Lymsleia's Sacred Games and send Zegai as their champion; their plan to have Euram marry Lymsleia to secure political power against the rival Godwin family fails when Gizel successfully has Zegai disqualified. After the Godwin coup, the Prince flees to Rainwall, where Salum welcomes and offers his support, along with the hand of his daughter, Luserina. Salum goes on to suggest the Prince secede from Falena to form an independent state in the Barows' territory, but apparently intends for the Prince to be disposed and slain by "allied" Armes soldiers after the Barows have established themselves. After Salum realizes the Prince will not be manipulated, he attempts to force an alliance with Armes upon the Prince, creating the appearance that the Prince approved of decision.

After it is discovered that the Barows were responsible for the theft of the Dawn Rune, Luserina and many Barows allies leave Salum. Bereft of allies, the Godwins take Rainwall and capture their old rival. The Godwins later abandon Rainwall because it cannot be defended; Sialeeds then arrives to continue her campaign against the nobles of Falena by killing Salum, taunting him that Luserina "has forgotten all about" her father.

Euram Barows

Euram Barows (ユーラム・バロウズ, Yūramu Barōzu^?) is Salum's second son and is 19 years old. He is politically incompetent and shares his father's lack of morals.

When his father's proposals to the Prince fall through, the Prince's tactician, Lucretia Merces hires Oboro to investigate the Barows. The investigation reveals that Euram was the Commander of the Guards during the Lordlake uprising and miserably failed to control the situation, inciting things to be even worse. During this conflict, the Barows stole the Dawn Rune for themselves. Discovery of this incident results in Luserina and many of the Barows allies leaving Salum and joining the Prince. Left only with Rainwall, Euram personally blames the Prince for the misfortune of the Barows.

Euram attempts to thwart the Prince in various ways as the war goes on, inciting Roy and his bandits to ruin the Prince's name in Sable, trying to use a cursed book on the Prince, and attempting to get the Maximillian Knights Isabel and Mathias to attack the Prince as a traitor. When Rainwall falls, Sialeeds executes Salum, but spares Euram because she believes his incompetence is enough to lead the Barows into ruin.

With his father's death and if Eresh has not been recruited, the Prince and Luserina can recruit Euram, who vows to mend his ways.

He is voiced by Ezra Weisz in the North American version.

Luserina Barows

Luserina Barows (ルセリナ・バロウズ, Ruserina Barōzu^?) is Salum's daughter and 17 years old. Unlike her brother, she inherited her father's skill with politics, but none of his amoral treachery. She is competent, idealistic, organized, and good at heart. Her beauty and ability to manage the affairs of Rainwall are points of pride for her father. Interestingly, she is unable to understand the concept of art and has little sense as to whether any artwork is good or bad.

While the Prince takes shelter in Rainwall, Luserina shows a special affection for him and this is shown throughout the game until the final dungeon. When her father plans for her to marry the Prince, she realizes immediately his true plan: to make himself the father of a king. She puts her feelings aside and secretly warns the Prince.

When it is discovered that her family is responsible for the theft of the Dawn Rune for their own ambitious plots, Luserina elects to leave them and joins the Prince against the Godwins, taking most of the Barows allies with her. Her father's eventual demise leaves her unfazed and she considers his death a just punishment for the number of deaths he caused at Lordlake and for standing by silently as the innocent Lord Rovere and his entire family were executed. If Euram is recruited afterwards, Luserina solemnly accepts her brother's repentance and vows to help him restore the honour of the Barows family's name. Following the war, she becomes an administrator of the new government and contributes to the rebuilding of Falena.

Barows allies

Boz Wilde is the lord of Estrise and commands its army. Solis Raubel is the leader of Sable. He is quick to support the Prince and the Barows family against the Godwins; later, when the Prince is suspected of being a bandit, he stands by the Prince's innocence. Both Boz and Lord Raubel are acknowledged by Sialeeds as the few nobles who remain uncorrupted in the Queendom.

Dinn is a high-ranking soldier of Sable who later marries Solis Raubel's daughter, Salisha. Norden was a member of the guard under Euram's command that failed to control the Lordlake protest, and stole the Dawn Rune. He has since become a drunk, attempting to forget his actions, but later agrees to aid the Prince in order to gain retribution. Chuck is a large and slow-witted storage guard loyal to Luserina.

Lordlake

Lordlake was formerly considered the most loyal of all the towns to the Queen, and was extended special privileges. Lord Rovere, who ruled the town, was highly respected in the Senate as a rare upstanding voice of virtue. However, after Lordlake was implicated in the theft of the Dawn Rune, Arshtat nearly obliterated the town with the Sun Rune, drying its lake and wasting its vegetation.

Talgeyl acts as Lordlake's representative and is the current leader of the town. He is Lord Rovere's former steward, sharing Lord Rovere's ideals, and remains courteous to the royal family when the Prince and Sialeeds visit Lordlake. After the war, he becomes the leader of the new parliament established by Queen Lymsleia. Toma, Talgeyl's grandson, is an angry boy who eventually decides that the Prince wants a new start with Lordlake. Following the war, he trains under Galleon and becomes a Queen's Knight apprentice. Toma is voiced by Mona Marshall. Goesch is a farmer.

The Queen's Knight Galleon is from Lordlake. Silva is Galleon's former wife and Lordlake's doctor. She is a severe woman who holds the royal family in poor regard because of Arshtat's actions against Lordlake and believes that Lordlake suffers most because of the town's lack of fresh water. She is voiced by Barbara Goodson.

Raftfleet

Raftfleet is an autonomously governing city that moves about on the Feitas River. They are rather independent, and do not typically pay taxes.

Raja

Raja is the leader of Raftfleet and the former Admiral of Falena's navy. She joined the Navy as a girl and rose so quickly through the ranks that she was nickname "Hurricane" Raja. Raja was appointed Admiral by the Prince's great-grandmother, Queen Olhazeta. She served with distinction during the Armes Invasion eight years prior to Suikoden V and was a key figure in the defense, along with Ferid and Lucretia Merces. She has since retired and given her position to Bahram Luger, her former student.

Raftfleet chose not to immediately swear allegiance to Lymsleia after the coup. After the Prince assisted Raftfleet in stopping the Falenan fleet's advance on Raftfleet (led by Bahram Luger), Raja threw her and Raftfleet's lot in with the Prince in gratitude. During the war, she commands the Navy from her flagship, the Dahak.

Raja is a fan of the tea ceremony, but only allows older folks to participate. The only younger people who have had the Admiral's tea are the Prince and Lun.

Other Raftfleet

Logg and Lun are members of Raftfleet who tried to pan for gold in Lunas's river, considered sacred and off-limits. Since the Prince did not have them executed, they owe their lives to him. They aid the Prince in various ways, such as getting to Agate Prison and general transportation around the Feitas River. Kisara is Logg's wife, Lun's mother and Raja's chief assistant in running Raftfleet. Lun is voiced by known voice-actress Lia Sargent.

Sairoh is a retired merchant and trader. Shinro is also a trader and Sairoh's grandson. Subala is a fisher who grew up with Lun and is her rival to a degree; she also has an unrequited crush on the Prince.

Dragon Cavalry

The People of the Dragon were not originally Falenans, but allied with Falena in gratitude for Falena helping them drive off Nagarea's attack years ago. The Dragon Cavalry is pledged to stay out of internal disputes, and only guard the border against foreign invaders. However, when the Godwins buy some factions of Armes to support them (thereby becoming traitors and inviting foreign enemies into the country), the cavalry sees no reason not to enter the civil war. However, the Godwins had planned ahead, and sent Nether Gate to Gordius to hold the eggs of the dragon horses hostage. Thanks to the efforts of Georg Prime, Roog, and Rahal, the eggs are saved, and the Dragon Cavalry enters the war on the royalist side. (Depending on the player's choice to defend Ceras Lake Castle, the Prince of Falena may have aided in freeing the eggs as well.)

Roog and Rahal are both members of the Dragon Cavalry, seen at Stormfist for the Games and at various other times by the Prince's group. The two are old friends of Queen's Knight Miakis. Rahal is voiced by Kirk Thornton. Respectively, their mounts are Lance, a red male dragon horse, and Flail, a blue female dragon horse. Craig Laden is the current head of the Dragon Cavalry. He is 44 years old. After the war, Craig returns to Sauronix, but soon retires his position to Rahal. Nick is a young boy training to be a member of the Dragon Cavalry; while his riding is adequate, he is horrible at flute playing.^[15] Ax is his violet-colored mount. Yoran is a Gordius stable boy and friend of Nick. Rania is Rahal's older sister and a crafter of the flutes the Dragon Cavalry uses to communicate with the dragon horses.

The Queen's Knight Miakis is also from the Sauronix area. Females are not allowed to join the Dragon Cavalry, so she was sent to train as a Queen's Knight instead so as not to waste her talent - her father was friends with Craig Laden.

Nether Gate

Nether Gate is an organization that functioned as the royal assassins for Falena's monarchy. After the struggle for succession and Queen Arshtat's ascendancy to the throne, Nether Gate was disbanded by her order. The Intelligence Division was the only part of Nether Gate to take this order gracefully. Marscal Godwin was able to recruit at least some members to his service by offering them shelter. In a book detailing the history of Nether Gate found in Stormfist, it is indicated that at least two leaders of Nether Gate fled to Nagarea: Kayanu, the head of the assassin training division, and Takefute, the overall commander of Nether Gate and head of the assassin division. Tsurunami, the head of the pharmaceutical division, was quite possibly allied with the Godwins considering the large usage of drugs by Godwin-affiliated members of Nether Gate.^[16] Hinoyagi, the head of the sabotage unit, resisted the order to disband and openly made a stand against the Queen; he was eventually cornered by the Queen's Knights and committed suicide to avoid capture. The leader of the intelligence division's name is indicated to be Shinatsu; it's possible that Oboro is Shinatsu, but this is never revealed, even if the Prince investigates Oboro himself.

Childerich

Childerich is a 27 year old Nether Gate assassin and a large part of Gizel's plans. He was Gizel's champion during the Sacred Games and also participated in the coup at Sol-Falena. During the attack on the palace, Childerich's job is to assassinate either the Prince, Lady Sialeeds, or both of them if possible. However, the Queen's Knight Kyle and Zegai are able to protect them.

Later in the war, Childerich is made a Queen's Knight by Gizel despite the objections of both Alenia and Bahram Luger, and is put in charge of the Godwin's western army around Doraat (with Bahram Luger and Dilber Novum). At Stormfist, Childerich waits to ambush the Prince's party; the plan is foiled by Sialeeds, who incinerates the soldiers involved with the Twilight Rune. Childerich then takes Raging Nostrum, a chemical designed to give superhuman strength. Members of the Prince's party, particularly Belcoot and Zegai, compete over who will kill Childerich in an ensuing duel.

Childerich possesses a large amount of bloodlust and is seen killing people for the smallest of transgressions (such as at Doraat after it is retaken). A favourite of Gizel Godwin's, he is erratic, cruel, and extremely emotional, unlike most other assassins; Oboro notes with disdain that these qualities should actually make him a poor assassin. Childerich is voiced by Lex Lang.

Dolph

Dolph, also known as Michafute, serves as Nether Gate's emissary several times in Suikoden V. He is 20 years old. Dolph knew and trained with Lyon, then known as Mismar, and offers her to come back into Nether Gate's fold. He also offers Oboro service with the Godwins, leads the assault on the Beaver Lodge, and negotiates with Sialeeds for her plan. Despite his having killed Marscal's wife, he is accepted as a servant to the Godwins and serves them faithfully. He later accompanies Marscal to the northern mountains, and is killed in a duel there against either the Prince or Lyon.

Dolph never shows expression and has a monotone voice. It is unclear if he intentionally hides his emotions, or simply can not show them.

Oboro Detective Agency

Oboro is the main detective for the Prince's Royalist Army and a former member of the Intelligence Division of Nether Gate. He is 38 years old and tries to spread the practice of using business cards with little success. He is assisted by Shigure and Sagiri, who are also former Nether Gate members, and Fuyo, who keeps the books at the Detective Agency.

Oboro grew up as a member of the Intelligence Division of Nether Gate. After Nether Gate was disbanded, Oboro, Sagiri, and Shigure struck out on their own to form the Oboro Detective Agency, putting their skills to civilian use. Some time later, Fuyo abandoned her parents to join them.

Oboro is a contact of Lucretia's, and is recommended by her to the Prince of Falena in order to investigate the Lordlake matter of two years prior (which, incidentally, was the indirect cause of Lucretia's imprisonment). Oboro lightly interrogates Norden, the vice-commander of the guard at the Lordlake protest. Norden reveals that Euram Barows panicked and turned the protest into a riot by ordering the troops to attack and that Barows agents then stole the Dawn Rune in the confusion after sending the rioters toward the East Palace. If the Prince aided in this investigation, Oboro will agree to join the Prince's side exclusively. Otherwise, Oboro requires constant nagging by the Prince to join his cause. Regardless, Oboro will refuse Dolph's offer to join the remnants of Nether Gate siding with the House of Godwin. His assistance is required for the Prince to recruit Nakula. Lucretia later asks for Oboro's team to spread alarming rumors in Doraat of the Godwin forces; Oboro will order his compatriots to start a faux fire (largely smoke) to Doraat and blame the Godwin troops. The panicked towns people open the gate, preventing a long siege.

Despite his impressive qualifications with regards to the plot, Oboro is not particularly helpful to the Prince and player in-game with most of his investigations. Unlike other Suikoden detectives, he very rarely offers many hints on how to recruit a character; he can only even attempt to discover their whereabouts, and very often fails at even that. Some of Oboro's investigations are rather amusing; if Oboro investigates Zerase, Zerase starts leaving threatening messages in the Prince's suggestion box. Shigure indicates in a message himself that he's the one stuck investigating her, and pleads that the Prince stop asking Oboro to put him through this. If asked to investigate Jeane, Oboro flagrantly holds back whatever information he finds, saying "So you really want to know, eh? All right, fine. Jeane is... a very nice young lady, with absolutely no mind-boggling secrets to hide. None whatsoever. Moving on..."

At the end of the events of Suikoden V, Oboro leaves for Nagarea to "settle things.^[17] He leaves Fuyo in charge of the agency, dropping in every so often to check up on her, Shigure, and Sagiri.

Other Falenans

Roy is a bandit in the Sable area, hired by Euram Barows to impersonate the Prince. Aside from hair and eye color, Roy bears an uncanny resemblance to the Prince, and he can wear a wig to disguise his hair. After being discovered, he works as the Prince's double, posing as him for strategic reasons. Roy is jealous and somewhat resentful of the Prince, and has an odd relationship with Lyon. He is actually in love with her, and can't bear the fact that she, on the other hand, is in love with the Prince. He is assisted by brother and sister Faylon and Faylen who, like Roy, are both thieves.

Babbage is an inventor in Estrise. He designed the revolving bridge after the Lordlake revolt to ensure that the East Palace and Sol-Falena could be shut off from the east in case of emergency. He is assisted by Sorensen, a young inventor and apprentice to Babbage, and Lu, a crazy girl who hangs out with Babbage and Sorensen and likes to help them with inventions, but tends to break them instead.

Murad is a traveling doctor who once worked with Silva. He treats Belcoot in Stormfist, and helps administer the antidote to Dark Arcanum to the royal forces prior to the coup. Egbert Aethelbald is the scion of the Aethlebald family which previously ruled Stormfist before the Godwins gained control. Egbert still nurses a grudge against the Godwins and considers Stormfist "his" town; he also keeps detailed genealogical charts documenting his claim. Raven is a thief who bears the Raven Rune which allows him to become invisible; he is lured out by the promise of stealing Egbert's chart, and caught (again) by Oboro, who, to the thief's great annoyance, constantly refers to him as "Crow". Nikea is a fighter who unsuccessfully attempts to enter the Sacred Games, apparently without realizing that the winner would marry Lymsleia. She later takes a job as Orok's bodyguard in Lelcar.

Volga is the leader of the eastern inlet of Lelcar, and is sympathetic to the royal side. He helped raise the Queen's Knight Kyle. Wasil is the diplomatic leader of the central isle of Lelcar and the one who initially solicits the Prince's aid.

Bastan is an art appraiser in Haud Village, though he considers Salum and the other residents of Haud's taste awful. Cornelio is a composer of Haud obsessed with the "DoReMi elves." These elves are not Stars of Destiny, but they are usable in battle. They include FaSoLa, LaTiDo, MiFaSo, ReMiFa, and SoLaTi.

Mueller leads a small mercenary outfit along with Wilhelm. Richard is a swordsman in training who greatly admires Mueller. Linfa is a gambler deep in debt. Retso is a cook bent on recreating a special sashimi once made by his mentor. He is assisted by his daughter Shun Min, who eventually marries Hai Yo, a chef from Suikoden II. Alhazred is a collector of rare tomes and is seeking the cursed Book of Condemnation (sold to Euram Barows). Taylor is a journalist who publishes the Dawn Times for the Prince's side. Takamu is a top-notch cartographer who was commissioned by Ferid to create an accurate map of Falena for the population's use.

Demihumans

The demihumans in Falena do not usually consider themselves Falenans or bound to the human government at all. They govern themselves and ignore the humans; in return, they are ignored back. The Prince makes some effort to reach out to demihumans; the Godwins, meanwhile, believe the demihumans a blight upon Falena and attempt to kill them off, even sending their elite Nether Gate agents to do such work. Such attacks towards a "Falena for Falenans" drive the beavers and dwarves to the royalist side.

The elves of Falena live in the northern forests, hidden from almost all prying eyes (only Zegai and Takamu allow the player access to the path). Isato is an elf who left the village to aid Haswar at the temple. Urda is an associate of Isato's who is constantly nagging him to return to the elven village of Alseid and to abandon the short-lived humans, though she eventually relents. They both use a bow and arrows as weapons.

The dwarves of Falena live underground, with their camp being near Agate Prison. Gunde is a dwarven digger who is friends with Logg. Wabon is an informal elder of the dwarven village and has a certain fondness for the dwarf mining carts. Dongo is a blacksmith. Zunda is a window maker. Bergen is also a dwarf, though he doesn't seem to have anything to do with the other dwarves, spending all his time with Levi instead.

The Beavers live in a lodge near the Ceras Lake ruins. They aided the Godwins in the construction of Hatred Fortress, which sealed off the river to Lordlake; they felt rather guilty over this and have since retreated from human politics. Fuwalafuwalu is the chief of the Beaver Village; other Beavers include the siblings Maroon, Meroon, Miroon, Moroon, and Muroon. The beavers greatly respect the creature Genoh, an ancient sentient sea turtle. Byakuren is a strange, snake-like monster that lives in Ceras Lake.

Armes

Shula Valya is the commander of the Armes Western Marine Corps and member of the moderate Madra Clan. He is voiced by Yuri Lowenthal. Shula is assisted by Sharmista and Nifsara, who also serve as his bodyguards. Josephine, whose true name is Yuma, is his younger sister and a self-proclaimed "fashion diva." She despises her true name and living in Shula's successful shadow.

General Maha Sparna is the commander of the Armes Southern Mountain Corps. Jidan Guisu is her subordinate. She makes an ill-considered invasion of Falena due to an offer by the Godwins to cede large amounts of eastern Falena to Armes. It is pointed out by Shula and others, though, that if the Godwins gained control of the Sun Rune, they'd likely attempt to take the territory right back, and perhaps even invade Armes itself.

Zegai is a warrior from Armes who ended up a gladiator in Salum Barows' service. He was to fight as Euram's representative at the Sacred Games, but was framed as a conspirator by Gizel Godwin, disqualified, and arrested. Nakula is another Armes warrior. He swore vengeance upon Nether Gate for the killing of his father (done by Sagiri). He is initially found wounded in Sable after Jidan Guisu's retreat from the short-lived Barows alliance. Gavaya attempted to join the Sacred Games, but was rejected due to him being from Armes. He is known for ineffectually courting women and can only be recruited if the Prince is accompanied by several young women.

Island Nations

The Island Nations were the setting of Suikoden IV. Commander Ferid is originally hailed from the Island Nations, though he moved to Falena after winning the Sacred Games and Arshtat's hand. The Island Nations are basically uninvolved in the civil war, though Admiral Egan gives Shula Valya an excuse to leave Estrise by moving his fleet against Armes in a feint.

Admiral Skald Egan is the delegate the Island Nations Federation sent to Lymsleia's coronation as Queen. He supports the Prince's cause, but knows that the Island Nations Federation is not eager for a war. Skald is implied, but not directly stated, to be Ferid's father. His daughter Bernadette Egan, a vice-captain, volunteers to aid the Prince in order to stave off her father from doing anything rash. Bernadette is aided by Nelis and Yahr; they are technically charged with finding Rune Cannon ammunition, though they abandon this in order to aid the Prince (at least if the player performs certain actions in helping them). Yahr also destroys Rune Cannon ammunition rather than recovering it.

At Nirva Island, Chisato is a voice mimic and stages puppet shows for children.

Outlanders

This includes foreigners and people of unknown origin.

Lucretia Merces

Lucretia Merces (ルクレティア・メルセス, Rukuretia Merusesu^?) is the chief strategist of the Prince of Falena's army. She is 31 years old at the beginning of Suikoden V.

Lucretia's exact origins are unclear besides the fact that she hails from an unspecified region to the north, on the Northern Continent, though a Grasslander necklace that she constantly carries^[18] and her aesthetic appearance suggest a Karayan descent. Much of her character background is unknown, but the game confirms the following information: Some time during her tenure in Harmonia, she met and befriended Cathari, a gunner and member of Harmonia's Howling Voice Guild. Marscal Godwin found her on a trip north and brought her back with him to Falena, where she became his advisor (though initially, people thought she was his mistress).^[19] Lucretia eventually cuts ties with the Godwins, notably by suggesting that Queen Arshtat bear the Sun Rune herself to protect it from nobles who would want the power themselves — in other words, the Godwins that Lucretia was theoretically supporting). This caused Arshtat's gradual change in personality by the corrupting power of the Sun Rune, and indirectly eventually led to Arshtat's death. Because of this, the queen's younger sister, Sialeeds, does not like Lucretia.

When the Dawn Rune was stolen in the Lordlake revolt, Lord Godwin used the excuse to exact revenge on Lucretia. Lucretia counseled clemency on Lordlake and Lord Rovere, but Arshtat, influenced by the Sun Rune, instead took draconian punishment measures. Marscal claimed that Lucretia had been disloyal with her suggestion to allow the outrage to go unpunished, and asked for her execution. Arshtat agreed to a point, but imprisoned her rather than executing her. During this time, she became close friends with two guards, Cius and Lelei, and began teaching Lelei the art of strategy. She predicted that either Lord Godwin would find her and execute her, or that Lord Barows would come seeking her help. Instead, the Prince of Falena comes. Lucretia informs the Prince beforehand about what went on between her and Arshtat and that if, at any time, Lucretia believes the Prince is doing the wrong thing, she will betray him. He still accepts her services.

Lucretia's first efforts are against Lord Barows's, in investigating his dealings with Armes and the theft of the Dawn Rune. During the course of the game, Lucretia plans meticulous strategies to return the royal family to power, while at the same time, promoting the Prince's image as a tolerant and good figure. An example of this effort was in getting the conscripted and scared guards of Hatred Fortress to abandon their posts before it is destroyed. She also anticipates the actions of the Godwins; knowing that the Godwins would expect the Prince to go to Raftfleet (should the player choose to abandon the Ceras Lake Castle), Lucretia insures that the Prince's double, Roy, is there instead.

During the siege of Sol-Falena, Lucretia talks to the dying Sialeeds. Despite Sialeeds' hatred for Lucretia, they both respect each other, and both believe the Prince is a wonderful young man, though Lucretia seems to have more confidence in his constitution than does his aunt. After the war, Lucretia vanishes, along with Lelei.

Lucretia believes a strategist should never make a public apology, because then people will lose faith in them, and that apologies are made only in private to the general. This issue comes up when Lelei apologizes in council to the Prince after the burning of Lelcar. When Lucretia suggests the name of the Ceras Lake Castle to be "May Sigh Shimmering On The Pale Blue Water", Raja comments that "You are an extremely talented tactician, but are awful in naming." Lucretia is the first strategist to the Hero in the Suikoden series who does not have any known connection (bloodline or not) to the Silverberg family (Shu was not a Silverberg, but did train under Mathiu Silverberg).

Her white feather fan is likely a reference to a Chinese novel, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", in which Zhuge Liang - Liu Bei of Shu's legendary strategist - is often described as wearing Daoist robes and a white feather fan.

Belcoot

Belcoot is a Kanakian fighter expert in Falcon-Style Swordsmanship. Originally a young mediocre gladiator in Falena's ex-capital Stormfist, he managed to escape and made his way to Kanakan where he dramatically improved his skills under the tutelage of the renowned master Roundier Haia. He competes in the Sacred Games at Stormfist, though he loses the final match against Childerich due to being betrayed and drugged by Marina, an inn maid in love with him. Later, he may join the Prince's forces and aid them against the Godwins. If he is amongst the Prince's party in the assault at Stormfist, he may offer to replace the Prince's place in dueling Childerich.

Belcoot is one of three known disciples of Master Haia to have appeared in the games, the other two being Valeria and Anita, though it's unclear whether he is an acquaintance of the two women. His fighting style also differs in that he uses a two-handed sword instead of fencing swords like the two women.

Hazuki is a swordswoman who considers herself a rival of Belcoot's and wishes to avenge a loss in a duel to him.

Zerase

Zerase (ゼラセ, Zerase^?) is a mysterious sorceress. She is quite knowledgeable about the Sun, Dawn, and Twilight Runes, and seems to be connected to the Night Rune.^[20] She bears the Star Rune, a rune considered associated with the Night Rune. She initially meets the Prince of Falena, Lymsleia, and Sialeeds at the East Palace, where she chastises them about the missing Dawn Rune before disappearing.

When the Prince of Falena finds the Dawn Rune and it chooses him as to bear it, Zerase appears again to tell him that he should work on being a worthy successor to the rune; should he fail to so, she will kill him to release the rune and then present it to a worthy bearer.

When the Sindar Ruins reveal themselves from Lake Ceras, Zerase shifts from threatening the Prince to aiding him. However, she remains closed-mouthed regarding the true nature of the Runes, and maintains an imperious and haughty demeanor. When the Godwins begin to use the Twilight Rune, she shows a reinvigorated zeal, and demands to accompany the Prince to Doraat, where it was used. She takes great offense when Alenia cannot use the rune properly, and is eager to fight her both in Doraat and in the Queen's Campaign. However, during the siege of Stormfist, Zerase finds that Sialeeds, the new bearer of the Twilight Rune, is able to use the rune to great effect and able to force Zerase to a standstill.

After the war, Zerase departs the company of the Prince and is not heard from again. She appears briefly behind Haswar, who oversees the Dawn and Twilight Runes being placed alongside the Sun Rune, and silently expresses her approval before disappearing from sight.

Zerase is an acquaintance of both Jeane and Leknaat. Zerase, like Leknaat, has the ability to summon the Tablet of Stars and Zerase recognizes Jeane's advanced abilities as a rune mistress. According to Oboro's investigations, Zerase is not seen sleeping at all.^[21] Additionally, her pale skin never becomes flushed, even in hot water.^[22] This leads some to suspect that she is not human. If Zerase is brought to the ancient Genoh, he will say that "I think I sense...someone who has lived quite long...I must've mistaken." This suggests that Zerase is perhaps considerably older than she appears.

Zerase is also referred to (generally sarcastically) as Cloak Lady, Crazy Druid, Bearer of Stars, Traveler of Night, and the Lady in Black. She is voiced in the North American version by Carol Stanzione.

Jeane

Main article: Jeane (Suikoden)

Jeane is the runemistress of Sol-Falena. She has appeared in every Suikoden game to date, and is somewhat more revealing about her past in Suikoden V. When she is first introduced, she is referred to as a 'hussy' by Princess Lymsleia due to her revealing attire. Jeane aids the Godwins in the examination of the Sun Rune, and affixes the Twilight Rune to Alenia in spite of the lack of compatibility between them. She also seems to know Zerase to a degree, and takes an interest in Sindar Ruins, as she asks the Prince to go there to retrieve an item for her. Jeane also seems to know the mysterious Eresh, as she invites the Prince to aid her at the same Ruins after sending him a request through the Prince's comment box.

Jeane's hair color was changed from silver to pink for Suikoden V, so as not to cause confusion with the royal family's famous silver hair.^{[citation needed]}

Viki

Main article: Viki (Suikoden)

Viki is a clueless girl who bears the Blinking Rune. She teleports near the Prince at the Ceras Lake Ruins, confused, and decides to help the Prince out with her teleportation magic. She has appeared in every other game of the main Suikoden series.

Sindar experts

Further information: Lorelai (Suikoden) and Killey

Zweig is a scholar researching the Sindar civilization. He knows Lucretia, and while not exactly friends, they are both intelligent and know when their goals coincide. Zweig thought that Marscal Godwin's gathering of Sindar experts was suspicious and avoided it, thus earning Lucretia's interest.^[23] Zweig is voiced by Taliesin Jaffe in the North American version.

Lorelai is a young explorer who desires to see the inside of ruins. In exchange for their expertise and help, the Prince opens various Sindar Ruins and allows them inside, notably the Ceras Lake Ruins and the Western Ruins. Killey is a rune expert brought in by the Godwins to examine the Sun Rune. However, he was seen as too suspicious and curious about the wrong things by Gizel, and was subsequently imprisoned at Agate Prison. If the Prince sets him free, he can later be recruited for the Prince's side at the Western Ruins.

Eresh is a highly unusual and mysterious woman with the appearance of a girl and a great familiarity with the Sindar ruins of the Ancient Armes Kingdom near Rainwall, capable of reaching to a greater depth within the ruins than even Jeane. She dresses in the clothes of high-ranking clergy from Nagarea, despite the rank is usually held by those at least double Eresh's apparent age, and refers to her current form as a "vessel".

Other outlanders

Cathari is a member of the Howling Voice Guild of Harmonia. She studied with Lucretia in Harmonia for her education. She is in Falena to try to ensure that the powerful Sun Rune does not fall into irresponsible hands - it is implied that if the Godwins won the civil war and started to use the Sun Rune wantonly, Harmonia would intervene and likely attempt to assassinate Falena's new leaders.

Ernst is a human cursed by the Beast Rune to take the form of a leopard and can only stay in human form for long periods of time during the full moon. Norma is trying to help Ernst remove the curse, and eventually solicits the aid of the experienced mage Levi (who is assisted by the dwarf Bergen). It can be implied that Norma and Ernst share a stronger bond than mere friendship.

Isabel is a Maximillian Knight assisted by Mathias. Euram Barows attempts to rope them into attacking the Prince, though this ploy does not work.

References

The main reference is Suikoden V itself.

1. ^ Oboro's 2nd investigation of Bernadette: "She looks more like Admiral Egan´s grandchild than his daughter, being the youngest of eight siblings and all. Her siblings are soldiers, explorers and shipping agents. Some she keeps in touch with. Others, not so much."
   Oboro's 3rd investigation of Bernadette: "Georg once said she was in a position similar to Sialeeds. What do you suppose he meant by that?"
2. ^ Comment Box from Kyle on "Bernadette" - "Doesn't she remind you of somebody? I can't put my finger on who..."
3. ^ Sialeeds's death
   Sialeeds: Do you really think my little nephew is capable of cleaning up the Senate...? I don't... That's why I...
   Lucretia: I knew what you were trying to do. But your logic is no different from Godwin's.
   Sialeeds: Ha ha ha... What can I say...? I guess, I'm just not as smart as you are... It was the only thing... I could think of... to do for them... Listen... Take care of the Prince for me... will you?
4. ^ Gizel's death
   Gizel: But in the end, it wasn't you [the Prince] who won... It was... Sialeeds.
5. ^ If the player speaks to Kyle at Sialeeds' grave after her death
   Kyle: Prince, I've been thinking. Maybe Sialeeds' ultimate goal was the destruction of the Godwin and Barows families...That's why she prolonged the war until the Godwins collapsed. And why she killed Lord Barows herself. Of course, uh, I wouldn't have any inside information on the subject. All just, uh, speculation on my part!
6. ^ If the player speaks to the maid in Sialeeds' room in the Sun Palace after Sialeeds' death: "Executing Lord Godwin or Lord Barows after the war's over would create a lot of ill-feeling. People would think of you and the Princess as merciless, cold-blooded tyrants. But if you don't do anything, it'll leave a source of trouble in Falena that could surface again in the future. Lady Sialeeds must have been trying to use war to eliminate all of those problems once and for all."
7. ^ Haswar: Right after the previous Queen died, Armes ruthlessly attacked us. And the only reason we managed to hold out was because Arshtat did such a wonderful job as queen. If I had been the queen, we would all be the subjects of Armes right about now...
8. ^ Haswar's ending text: "As the oracle of Lunas, supports the new queen both publicly and privately. One day she announces a surprise wedding..."
9. ^ Oboro's 2nd investigation: "Actually, if you want to know, Ferid once asked me to find her real parents, I checked everywhere, but... nothing. Lyon's probably better off not knowing about that, though..."
10. ^ Oboro's 3rd investigation: "Her father was a Dragon Cavalry soldier. When his daughter became a Queen's Knight, he retired, and he and his wife began a leisurely trip around the world. Even Miakis doesn't know where they're traveling right now."
11. ^ Oboro's first investigation: He's the oldest active Queen's Knight. Back in the Armes Invasion, he fought right on the front, brave as all hell. He's from Lordlake, and ever since the uprising there two years ago, he seems worried about something...
12. ^ Oboro's 2nd investigation: "When he was in Lelcar, Volga often looked after him. Even as a kid, he hit on every girl in sight, whenever he wasn't pummeling his sparring partners. Even for Volga, that kid must have been a handful."
13. ^ Oboro's 3rd investigation: "About 10 years ago, he had some trouble in Lelcar, packed his bags, and left. During the Armes invasion, he became a volunteer soldier and fought like mad. His performance caught Ferid's eye, and that led him to what he is today."
14. ^ Oboro's 2nd investigation of Miakis: "She's the kind of person who could get along with just about anybody, but I hear Alenia couldn't stand her. I guess it was some kind of instinctual thing..."
15. ^ Oboro's 2nd investigation: "He's the best swordsman in his class and his riding's top-notch, but at playing the flute, he's just hopeless. He says it's because he can't sing, but you don't have to be a good singer to play an instrument."
16. ^ Comment Box from Sagiri on Raging Nostrum: "That drug loses its power quickly, so you can't make a lot of it in advance. So the stuff they're using can't be from the old organization. They have to be making new batches. They know how to make it, so that means they'll use it again. I'd be careful if I were you."
17. ^ "Oboro's ending text: "Leaves the agency to Fuyo and departs apparently to Nagarea, to 'settle things once and for all.'"
18. ^ Oboro's third investigation: She always carries this unusual necklace, with braided cord and gems, but I´ve never seen her wear it. It looks like it might have come from a Grasslands clan, way up to the north.
19. ^ Oboro's second investigation: Lord Godwin originally found her on a trip to the northern continent and came back with her. At first, people called her his mistress, but after all she did during the Armes invasion, no one ever bad-mouthed her again.
20. ^ Oboro's second investigation: She keeps up a calm face, but people have overheard her grumbling. Like "the Sword of Night, blah, blah, blah," or "Why do I have to do this?" What's she talking about? I'm working on that.
21. ^ Oboro's third investigation: You know, I´ve never ever seen her sleep. Does she, even? Eh? Do I usually watch women while they're sleeping, you ask? That's strictly confidential.
22. ^ During the bath scene between Zerase, Bernadette, and Nikea, Nikea expresses surprise at Zerase's presence, stating that the idea of Zerase bathing never occurred to her. This causes Zerase to become angry and reply, "Of course I bathe! What do you think I am?" Then she leaves Nikea and Bernadette, who are left to consider her odd choice of words.
23. ^ Oboro's 2nd investigation: "A few years ago, when Lord Godwin first started gathering up Sindar civilization experts, Zweig thought it was suspicious and didn't go. Lucretia heard that he´d refused and tracked him down in secret. That's how they first met."