Thursday, September 9 2010

Standard Castle Services

From Gensopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

General Overview

The following is a list of standard castle services found in the Suikoden series; each of the following services have appeared in all of the regular Suikoden games (Suikoden I - Suikoden V) The descriptions explain what each services provides and also lists the persons who provide these services.

Unique castle services (those which are found in only one of the games in the series) can be found on the following page: Unique Castle Services.

Additional castle services (those found in some or most of the games, but not all) can be found on the following page: Additional Castle Services

Standard Castle Services

Appraisers

Since the Suikoden world is replete with unidentified objects, expert appraiser are necessary to appraise the worth of these possible treasures. Using skills and techniques honed over a long period of time, these specialists are able to appraise the relative worth of unidentified objects, for a small sum. Some of these objects, such as the Celadon Urn, Peeing Boy, and Knight Statue, are worth great amounts of potch, whereas others, such as the Hex Doll and Failure Urn are worth relatively little. The wise adventurer always carries his store of unindentified objects to the nearest appraiser.

Armourers

Any sensible soldier knows that good armour is necessary for success in combat. The armourers in the Suikoden world are masters at producing quality armour and selling their wares to army officers and foot soldiers alike. Because the best quality armour requires expensive or hard-to-find materials, these armours boast a hefty price. However, the warrior who is glad in the armourer's best armour will be prepared for combat at any level.

Armourers are qualified to create and distribute a variety of head, body, hand, and foot armour, as well as accessories. The raw material for these armours ranges from cloth to leather to diamonds, and other materials.

Bath Keepers

While hygiene may be of importance to some military members, the bath serves more importantly to encourage camraderie and fellowship amongst members of the army who choose to use it. Some army members also take this opportunity to vent and rant about particular army members, even when they are in the bath. The warm waters of the bath not only help to soothe the battle-worn bodies of soldiers, but some bath even provide additional medical benefits. In Suikoden II, many soldiers who bathed long periods of time in Tetsu's bath often became "toasty" and enjoyed the regenerative benefits of the bath long after it was taken.

Blacksmiths

Weapons need proper sharpening to maintain effectiveness in battle. Blacksmiths are masters of tempering and sharpening a variety of weapons ranging from swords, axes, rods and also provide services for unorthodox weapons such as book belts, roses, etc. Some blacksmiths also specialise in attaching magic runes and rune fragments to weapons. A blacksmith's abilities can be enhanced with a variety of hammers made of either copper, iron, silver, or gold. Any serious fighter visits a blacksmith on a regular basis to have his or her weapon serviced.

Cooks

An effective soldier is a well-fed soldier. Needless to say, cooks are essential to an army because they prepare the nutrition needed for members of an army. Not only do cooks satisfy the nutritional needs of soldiers, but they also boost the morale of all who sample their cuisine. By acquiring food sources from the castle farmer (produce), ranch (meat), and trading posts (seasonings), these cooks are able to keep an army happily fed.

Elevator Inventors/Builders

While not seen as wholly necessary in the Suikoden series, the elevator has nonetheless been a fascinating invention which has exhibited the idea of scientific progression in the Suikoden world.

These individuals (as listed below) are either experts at crafting or repairing elevators; all are experts at maintaining elevators in serviceable condition. The elevator quickly allows for the transport of a small number of people from one floor to another in less time than climbing stairs.

Gamblers/Lottery

For those who like to live on the wild side of life, there are many gamblers who are happy to take up the offer to bet. Gambling has always been present in the Suikoden world during every major war and has proven to be a pasttime for many soldiers. The most popular form of gambling in the Northern Continent is Chinchirorin, a dice game, which was frequently played by Gaspar and Shilo.

There are also other forms of gambling that are popular in the Suikoden world. At Toran Castle Marco often played a coin and cup game; at Budehuc Castle, Martha sold lottery tickets in which the odds were incredibly stacked against the player; and aboard the Dauntless, Bang provided a primitive gambling game in which balls where placed into a revolving chamber, with the prize results depending on which colour ball came out. Haleth was quite the bookie during the Falenan Civil War and arranged for bets on Dragon Horses at Ceras Lake Castle.

Game Players

Leisure activities are important to the morale of an army. The following people provide a variety of games such as card match games, Whack-a-Mole, Goppu, Kabu, Ritapon, chess, fishing games, and coin toss games for the entertainment of the army. Prizes and money can be won from hese games, some of which are items suitable for combat uses. A game participant has to be cautious, however, because some of these games involve betting potch.

Item Shop Keepers

The item shop keepers provide the essential medicines, antitoxins, and other tinctures needed for survival in the Suikoden world. In addition to providing these items, item store keepers also carry accessories that increase the abilities of soldiers and runes which aid soldiers in combat. Any wise traveller makes certain to visit the item store before embarking on a journey.

Librarians

Seekers of knowledge and quiet places often find refuge in the library. Librarians care for the tomes of knowledge housed at the castle libraries and also encourage army members to devote portions of their time to study.

Musicians/Vocalists

Music is a very important part of military life in the Suikoden series. Throughout the world, there have been many musicians who dedicate their time and energy to perfect their craft, with the ultimate goal of entertaining people. Each army stronghold in the Suikoden series has had its own musician or set of musicians that contributed to the morale of the army.

Kasios of the Toran Liberation Army and Etienne of the Liberation Navy entertained fellow comrades at Toran Castle and the Dauntless, respectively, with their voices. The team of Alberto (cello), Pico (guitar), and Annallee (vocals) together pleased the Allied Army at North Window Castle and often held concerts to enterain and raise morale.

The trio of Toppo (fiddle), Nei (bouzouki), Shabon (bodhran), thrilled audiences who frequented the bar and theatre area at Budehuc Castle. The DoReMi Elf Symphony Orchestra conducted by Cornelio and comprised of the five DoReMi Elves, provided enjoyment to the Loyalist Army stationed at Ceras Lake Castle with their variety of musical selections.

LaTiDo, MiFaSo, ReMiFa, SoLaTi

Party Arrangements

Because different members of the army are required for particular events or for recruitment purposes, certain members of the army are tasked with summoning army members for duty in the active battle party. These individuals arrange for battle members to be placed and removed from the active battle party.

Rune Masters

Runes are a dominating force in the Suikoden world. Normally housed in orbs or crystals, runes bestow magical powers and only skilled runemasters or runemistresses can effectively affix them. Runes that are attached by inexperienced people often have deleterious consequences. Rune sages (as they are also called) have the skill to attach runes to different parts of the body, such as the forehead, left hand, and right hand. By having runes attached to their bodies, the bearer is gifted with runic power.

One such runemistress is Jeane, who has served as a runemistress spanning from the Island Liberation War from 302 to 307 to the Second Fire Bringer War in SY 475. She is considered one of the most skilled of all runemistresses.

  • Service provided by: Jeane

Teleportation

The Suikoden world is vast and travelling via foot or boat can consume a great deal of time. Fortunately for every major war from the Island Liberation War to the Second Fire Bringer War, each army or navy has had the benefit of teleportation services. Viki is the only person known who is capable of warping time and space to instantly transport people from one place to another. This ability quickly allows the active battle party to transport easily across the world to recruit members for the army, visit faraway towns, etc.

Viki's teleportation abilities are not foolproof, however, and occasionally she accidently teleports the active battle party to an undesired or unknown location.

  • Service provided by: Viki