Kasim Hazil

Kasim Hazil (カシム・ハジル, Kashimu Hajiru) is a supporting character in Suikoden. A powerful warrior, Kasim Hazil is a Great General of the Scarlet Moon Empire at the time of the Gate Rune War.

Suikoden
"Keep up if you don't want to die!"

- Kasim Hazil

A skilled swordsman also known as "Kasim of the Blue Moon", Kasim Hazil is one of the Great Generals of both the Scarlet Moon Empire and the Toran Republic. His skill with a sword, among the Great Generals of the Scarlet Moon Empire, was said to be second only to that of Georg Prime. Kasim Hazil's sword was forced by a since-lost Sindarian art by Senan nomads. During the War of Succession, Kasim fought on the side of Barbarosa Rugner, with Mathiu Silverberg serving as his army strategist.

During the early stages of the Gate Rune War, Kasim Hazil attempted to recall Mathiu Silverberg into the service of the Scarlet Moon Empire. This attempt failed, and Kasim's soldiers were defeated.

Following the death of Teo McDohl, Kasim Hazil was assigned to guard the northern defences, and decided to build up his forces. Kasim had around 8,000 men under his command, second only to Gregminster in men. Kasim also began to apply extreme pressure on the rebel factions within the Senan region, arresting the noble Warren as well as taking Toran Liberation Army member Viktor captive.

Following their victory in the Battle at the Northern Checkpoint, in which the Toran Liberation Army managed to convert one of Kasim's subordinates, Griffith, to their side, the Toran Liberation Army launched a clever plan in order to penetrate Kasim's northern defenses. Under the strategy of Mathiu Silverberg, the Toran Liberation Army launched decoy attacks on the Fortress of Duha and the Fortress of Rakan while a covert group of Toran Liberation Army members would sneak into Moravia. Using the recently converted Griffith, who claimed to have taken Mathiu prisoner, the two were granted an audience by Kasim.

When a soldier alerted Kasim that Moravia Castle had been surrounded by the Toran Liberation Army, Kasim Hazil chided Mathiu Silverberg, saying that his skills had grown rusty as the Liberation Army would be overwhelmed when Kasim's reinforcements returned. However, Mathiu Silverberg quickly gained the upper hand, as it was revealed that he had written the City-State of Jowston, who in turn had attacked Kasim Hazil's returning forces. Kasim grew incensed at this, damning Mathiu and calling him a conniving turncoat.

As Kasim Hazil's troops were defeated, he had little choice but to hear Mathiu's request that he face the fact that Emperor Barbarosa had changed. Milich Oppenheimer, one of Kasim Hazil's former colleagues, also attempted to sway Kasim to join the Toran Liberation Army, arguing that it was their duty to help Emperor Barbarosa mend his wrongful ways. Kasim Hazil, convinced by their arguments, agreed to join the Toran Liberation Army.

Kasim served the Toran Liberation Army for the rest of the war and, following the last battle, Kasim confronted Emperor Barbarosa in the Floating Garden of Gregminster Palace. Kasim accused Emperor Barbarosa of changing, and asked him why. Emperor Barbarosa replied that he had missed Kasim and the days when the two had fought together. Kasim, understanding of Emperor Barbarosa's plight, accused Windy of deceiving him, and, when she appeared, Kasim attempted to attack Windy for insulting Barbarosa. The power of Windy's magic was quite strong, however, and Kasim was knocked to his knees by the force of it. Kasim could only watch as Emperor Barbarosa grabbed Windy in his arms and leapt from the Floating Gardens.

Following the formation of the Toran Republic, Kasim Hazil was appointed as a Great General of the Republican Army; though he was also appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Toran Republic, he declined this position in order to once more guard the Northern Border with Jowston.

After the Toran Republic became secure, Kasim requested to be sent to Senan in order to retake the region from the forces of South Window and Tinto. President Lepant agreed in 458 and so Kasim went to war once again, eventually driving off the forces of the Jowston City-State from the region.

By the time of the Second Fire Bringer War, Kasim Hazil was no longer a Great General of the Toran Republic, having stepped down from the position. However, in appreciation of his service over the decades, he was given the title of Honourary General.

Trivia

 * Kasim is a Persian name meaning "the one who cuts."
 * Kasim's sword is an ancient weapon apparently forged using a long forgotten technique of the Sindar.
 * Kasim is the only Great General that is not an optional recruit.
 * At the beginning of the American version of Suikoden, Kasim Hazil is mistakenly referred to as "Lord Kasim Hazin."
 * Kasim's Ending in the original Japanese version of Suikoden was changed in translation to the English version; in the English version, he accepts the position of Commander-in-Chief conflicting with Kwanda Rosman who also accepts the position in his ending, but in the Japanese version, he turns this position down in order to return to Moravia to retake the lands Jowston had taken during the war.