From Ally to Antagonist: Tragic Luc In Suikoden
- Amethyst
- 8 July, 2025
- Amethyst
- 24 June, 2025
The Lasting Impact of Suikoden II on Suikoden III
The remnants of the Dunan Unification War in Suikoden II are visible. The Kingdom of Highland is no more, and the New Alliance Republic is victorious.
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Sixteen years later, the echoes of this war have a ripple effect on the events of the second Fire Bringer War, in Suikoden III.
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In this article, we trace the characters and locations which appear or have been mentioned, in both Suikoden II and III.
After reading it, you are up to speed on how Suikoden II connects to Suikoden III.
From Highland to the Grasslands: The Political Fallout
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The fall-out of the Dunan Unification War is most visible in the Karaya tribe, who hail from the Grasslands. Siding with the Highland Kingdom at first, Lucia has withdrawn following the events at L’Renouille. (Highland’s capital).
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The dynamics of power near Harmonia’s southern border shift because of the war, and a refugee crisis occurs in the Grasslands. Tension between the Grassland clans and the Kingdom of Zexen rises. Its’ boiling point is displayed in Suikoden III, when the second Fire Bringer War is fought.
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In this case, you will follow it from the viewpoint of three characters. Hugo, the son of Lucia, living in the Grasslands. Chris Lightfellow, a noble knight from the Kingdom of Zexen. Finally, Geddoe, a former assistant to the first Fire Bringer, a mercenary captain of Harmonia’s Southern Frontier Defense Force.
Recurring Characters: Suikoden II → Suikoden III
Let’s take a look at all the recurring characters from Suikoden II in III:
| Character | Suikoden II (c. 475 IS) | Suikoden III (c. 491 IS) |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | Military strategist under Mathiu Silverberg, joins the hero’s force at Toto Village and fights throughout the Dunan Unification War | Now 33 years old, serves as a political adviser and diplomat in the Grasslands, lending wisdom and counsel to the new Flame Champion’s army |
| Beecham | Veteran Karaya Clan warrior who sacrifices everything to buy Lucia’s escape at L’Renouille Palace | Reunites with Lucia post–Dunan War, fighting alongside her as a stalwart aide in the War of the Champions |
| Bright | Baby dragon hatched on Rakutei Mountain and raised by Futch after Black’s death | Fully grown dragon mount of Futch—fearsome in battle yet gentle off the field—participates in the Alliance’s campaigns |
| Futch | 9th-Rank Dragon Knight partnered with Black; rescues and raises Bright, joins New Alliance Army as a scout | Vice-Commander of the Dragon Knights, fights with the Fire Bringer in the War of the Champions, and continues dragon research afterward |
| Jeane | Mysterious rune sage who aids the hero at key moments (e.g., Forest Ruins, Mercenary Fortress) | Reappears as the ethereal Chiketsu Star, guiding the protagonists with her rune wisdom throughout the Trinity Sight chapters |
| Leknaat | Gate Rune bearer who mentors Luc and orchestrates key events behind the scenes | Serves as an elusive figure safeguarding True Runes; her interventions shape the course of the War of the Champions |
| Lilly Pendragon | Seven-year-old daughter of Gustav Pendragon; helps investigate Highland cruelty in Tinto City | At 22, leads the Tinto Republic’s diplomatic missions into the Grasslands, seeking the Flame Champion’s aid—accompanied by Reed and Samus |
| Luc | True Wind Rune wielder introduced as a supposed ally during the Dunan Unification War | Antagonistic “Destroyer” revealed at Flame Champion’s hideout; his mastery of wind magic and summoned monsters challenges all three protagonists |
| Lucia | Karaya Clan chieftain who briefly opposes the hero at three battlefields before allying with the New Alliance | Honored chief of Karaya, she leads her people against both Zexen and Harmonia, ultimately negotiating peace after the War of the Champions |
| Mamie | Mentioned as Bashok’s daughter; her illness sparks a cook-off subplot at Muse City | Meets the protagonists as a traveling chef in the Grasslands; cooks for them during the Horse–Duck Clans siege |
| Nash Latkje | Minor cameo as a Harmonian noble spying on New Alliance movements | Key ally and spy—knight of Harmonia’s Frontier Defense Force—who repeatedly aids and obstructs protagonists in complex political games |
| Sasarai | Earth Rune bearer who aids in the assault on Muse City, ultimately siding with the New Alliance | Returns as an advisor to Luc’s Destroyers, deflecting Grasslands attacks with his True Earth Rune in Chapters 4–5 |
| Tuta | Child medic apprenticed to Doctor Huan, delivers medicines to Viktor’s Fortress and later to the New Alliance Army | Becomes field medic for the Fire Bringer; treats wounded across Grasslands fronts and trains under Doctor Huan |
| Viki | Chisoku (Gate) Star recruitable in S2 via internal Gensopedia lore; assists at key points in the Highlands coup | Child-version appears in Karaya Chronicles; mature Viki aids as a Zexen mage in post-war reconstruction |
| Yuber | Ice-obsessed swordsman who duels the hero at Tenzan Pass, then disappears into legend | Faces off against Hugo’s party in the Karaya Hideout; his uncanny resilience foreshadows his eventual wanderings |
Spotlight Characters: Lilly, Futch, and Luc
Three characters will stand out in this Suikoden, compared to their roles in Suikoden II. Lilly Pendragon, Luc and Futch.
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Lilly is the daughter of Gustav, mayor of Tinto.
She escapes Neclord when the New Alliance comes to save her and Lo Wen, with the help of the Celestial / Star Dragon Sword. She’s now become the diplomat for Tinto, seeking the aid of the Flame Champion.
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Futch has grown up after finding Bright on Rakutei Mountain.
He’s now Vice-Commander of the Dragon Knights and fights alongside the new Flame Champion. Bright is now a fully grown dragon and is able to battle alongside Futch.
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Luc has the biggest role switch of all Suikoden characters.
Where he stood alongside the heroes by order of Leknaat, he’s known as the main antagonist. Saved early by Leknaat from the grip of Harmonia, he’s left her supervision. He wants to destroy his True Wind Rune to break the never-ending cycles of war haunting the world. To do so, he searches the other true Runes to absorb their power.
Legacy Locations: A World Changed by War
The Grasslands
In the solar year of 475, the Grasslands hosted refugee camps, while Highland skirmished around Muse City. Now, in 491, there are peaceful townships and trade caravans. Examples of them are the Lizard Clan, Karaya Clan and the Duck Clan.
It’s the meeting ground for the three heroes, including Hugo of Karaya.
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Muse City
No longer besieged, it’s a bustling trading city once again. The daughter of chef Bashok, Mamie, is on her way as a travelling cook. Bashok is a cook that appeared in the cooking mini-game of Hai Yo, and mentioned that Mamie was sick. Now cured, she will become your new chef.
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Rakutei Mountain
With the loss of Black in Suikoden I, Futch has found Bright in a dragon egg in Suikoden II on Rakutei Mountain. With his new dragon, he returns home to Goya in the Toran Republic, after the Dunan Unification War. After fulfilling his training and becoming Vice-Commander, he enforces the position of the Dragon Knights in the lore of the Suikoden series.
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Tinto City
The rescue of Lilly Pendragon in the city of Tinto sparks the birth of a new republic. The Tinto Republic namely doesn’t join the New Republic in the Dunan region. Separated by mountains, its defence is more than capable to stay independent.
Lilly now is the official ambassador and diplomat for Tinto. She tries to make new connections with both Zexen and the Grasslands. To achieve those goals, she seeks help of the Flame Champion.
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The Holy Kingdom of Harmonia and the True Rune Legacy
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Sasarai is the faithful bishop from the Holy Kingdom of Harmonia, and earlier aided the Highland Kingdom. This happened when Harmonia, Zexen and the Grasslands allied with Highland against the New Alliance.
He’s an artificial clone of ruler Hikusaak, and bears a true rune. Hikusaak wants to own all the true runes and puts them in clones, as one can only carry one true rune. Therefore, Sasarai and Luc look very much alike, as they resemble Hikusaak himself.
Sasarai carries the True Earth Rune, while Luc has the True Wind Rune. Learning of Luc’s desire to destroy the true runes, he becomes disillusioned with the ideals of Hikusaak and Harmonia. Seeking to stop Luc’s path of destruction, he also joins the Fire Bringer in this new war.
New Player or Veteran: Why Suikoden III Still Matters
For new players starting in the series, Suikoden III is a decent entry point. The first game released on PS2, it offers a standalone story. It’s enriched with some, but not many characters from the past, like I to II.
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For longtime fans there are many easter eggs. Nods to the past in the dialogue, or some reused melodies in the music. Even cross-game stories that pay off sixteen years later in-game time.
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Suikoden III has a meaningful connection to Suikoden II.
The aftermath of the Dunan Unification War is felt in the second Fire Bringer War. Miscommunication, manipulation and different viewpoints highlight this game.
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