Varkas

Varkas (バルカス, Barukasu) is a supporting character in Suikoden who makes a cameo appearance in Suikoden II. Varkas is the leader of the Mt. Seifu Bandits and was named the Captain of the Border Guard.

Suikoden
"Never heard of Varkas of Mt. Seifu?"

- Varkas

Varkas is the leader of the Mt. Seifu Bandits. Varkas drew the ire of Grady, the military commander of Rockland, who accused Varkas and the Mt. Seifu bandits of pillaging local villages and rendering Rockland unable to collect taxes. This, however, was untrue, as Varkas and the Mt. Seifu bandits only stole from Scarlet Moon Empire officials and never from common citizens.

Eventually, the son of Teo McDohl would be ordered to apprehend him and Varkas and his second-in-command, Sydonia, were defeated and captured. Varkas and Sydonia were strung up on stakes to starve outside of Grady's mansion. One of the Mt. Seifu bandits travelled to Lenankamp on behalf of Varkas, asking for the Toran Liberation Army to rescue them. His previous captors, outraged by Grady's behaviour, would rescue the bandits.

After the Toran Liberation Army acquired Toran Castle, Varkas and Sydonia travelled there in order to return the favour they owed by joining the Toran Liberation Army. Varkas served in the Toran Liberation Army throughout the Gate Rune War. During the war, Varkas also found he missed the easy-going bandit life he had enjoyed on Mt. Seifu. He was known as the "Whirlwind Axe", due to his battlefield prowess.

Following the end of the Gate Rune War, Varkas was named the Captain of the Border Guard of the newly-formed Toran Republic.

Suikoden II
During the Dunan Unification War, Varkas would encounter Sheena and the leader of the New State Army attempting to enter the Toran Republic. As they were representing a force traditionally hostile to the republic's predecessor, the Scarlet Moon Empire, Varkas chose not to allow the group free entry but escorted the party to Gregminster.