Hero (Suikoden IV)

The hero (主人公, Shujinkō), known by several different names, is the protagonist of Suikoden IV. He is a washed-up orphan who rises to become the liberator of the Island Nations. He also appears in Suikoden Tactics as an obtainable character should the player upload Suikoden IV data.

Appearance
The hero had shaggy brown hair, cut into a bowl cut, and somber blue eyes. He most always wore a red headband.

As a knight apprentice in Razril, he wore the standard cadet equipment, a metal breastplate and mustard shorts over blue underclothes. Following his exile, the hero would wear his more familiar outfit, a short black jacket and shorts, both with red trim, over tight black shorts and short black tights.

He also wore black boots and gloves, again with red trim. The glove on his right hand covered the Rune of Punishment.

Personality
The hero was gentle and quiet but has a strong inner core. Even though he was unduly burdened by the Rune of Punishment, which drains the bearer's live, he was not afraid to use its power against the Kooluk Empire.

His greatest virtue, however, may have been his capacity for grace. For example, with Snowe Vingerhut, despite the slights against the hero stretching back into childhood, his role in the hero's exile, his capitulation of Razril, and his turn to piracy. At the end of the Island Liberation War, he would even extend his hand to Troy. It is this trait that allowed him to capture the loyalty of so many.

History
He was discovered as a baby and brought up by Vincent Vingerhut as a caretaker and companion for his son, Snowe. He would grow to be a quiet, but brave young man whose gentle heart would allow him to sacrifice his own well-being for the benefit of others.

As a child, he and Snowe would encounter Walter's group as they investigated a fishman sighting in Razril. The two youths would offer their help, fighting Furballs and navigating the town's streets. The hero would be complimented on his technique with his dual sticks, somewhat to Snowe's consternation.

As an adolescent, he would join the Knights of Gaien alongside Snowe. There he excelled under the guidance of Commander Glen Cott and graduated along with his friends but tragedy would strike when his first post-graduation mission would lead to an attack by the pirate Brandeau. This would lead to him inheriting the Rune of Punishment after Glen died using the rune to repel a pirate attack on Razril.

Present at Glen's death, he was accused of the murder of his commander by Snowe and exiled from the island. He would eventually be picked up by a patrol ship from the Kingdom of Obel and he would learn more about the Rune of Punishment from Lino En Kuldes. Soon after, the Island Liberation War would break out, with the Kooluk Empire seizing Obel. Escaping the island with Lino and a few others, together they would begin to organize a force to retake the occupied Island Nations.

Recruiting the famed pirate Kika and the genius tactician Elenor Silverberg, the young knight would become the leader of the Headquarters Ship, defeating Lino En Kuldes in a duel so as to establish his authority. Combining the power of the Rune of Punishment with the stratagems of Elenor, the force was able to swiftly liberate both Obel and Razril, giving the allied force enough momentum for a surprise, fast strike at the Kooluk stronghold of El-Eal Fortress.

Destroying the giant Rune Cannon as well as the Giant Tree, the leader and his forces were able to defeat Graham Cray's plans and put an end to the war. Following this, the Rune of Punishment shifted from its period of atonement to its period of forgiveness, ending the rune's curse and the damage caused to its bearer's life.

He spent the following years living on Obel and working for Lino En Kuldes. His duties included fishing and coast patrolling. When he felt the Rune of Punishment's dark power rising again, he made the decision to isolate himself on the Deserted Island.

At the request of Lino En Kuldes, he would join Kyril's group to destroy the Rune Cannons once and for all. At first, he joined only at Lino's request but as he grew to learn the horror of the Rune Cannons, committed himself to the mission fully.

He was asked if he was interested in working for Lino on a permanent basis and Kika would hint that he even might succeed the king in the future, but he still harbored thoughts of disappearing so that no one would be harmed by the Rune of Punishment.

Name
The hero of Suikoden IV has no in-game name but is occasionally referred to by different names in other publications and releases. In the 2004 novelization, he is called Razlo (ラズロ, Razuro). More commonly rendered by fans as Lazlo, this is the most popular name used for him in fandom. In that publication, his name stems from his adopted home, Razril, the katakana for both names being similar. The 2011 pachislot game Pachislot Genso Suikoden uses Razro as the romanization of the name.

In guidebooks, he is usually referred to as Hero IV (主人公IV) or some variant thereof, such as IV主人公 to distinguish himself as the protagonist of the fourth Suikoden title. All Genso Suikoden Card Stories cards featuring him also refer to him as 主人公IV.