Kamandol

Kamandol (カマンドール, Kamandōru) is a supporting character in Suikoden. An alchemist by trade, Kamandol invented an engine that ran on oil.

Suikoden
"I can do anything...depending on time and money."

- Kamandol

Kamandol is a talented alchemist and close friend of Gen. He was a follower of the theories put forward by the Sindar alchemist Dennis Taurer in his work "Conversa Pnumae et Terrae." During the Gate Rune War, Gen brought the Toran Liberation Army leader Tir McDohl to Kamandol's door, as Gen had taken a commission from them to build a boat that could travel over the Rapids of Dunan. Though originally angered by Gen interrupting his experiments, Kamandol agreed to help as well , showing off one of his inventions - an engine that ran using oil. Though some members of the Toran Liberation Army found this concept ridiculous, Gen immediately perceived its uses for propelling boats upstream.

To test the boat, Tir and his entourage, as well as Kamandol and Gen, travelled to Rikon in order to test their motorboat. Kamandol, along with Gen, worked through the night in order to get the boat ready as fast as possible, though he claimed it was shameful for him to have to work so hard at his age. Kamandol, along with his colleague, Gen, joined the Toran Liberation Army. The group then launched the motor boat, successfully passing through the Rapids of Dunan.

During the Toran Liberation War, Gen and Kamandol improved their design, Kamandol helped to design a motor that allowed for higher speeds. Gen developed a habit of calling Tir McDohl "Boss," which greatly angered the more formal Kamandol Kamandol also conducted research in the laboratory in the Toran Castle Despite their frequent bickering, Kamandol and Gen were close friends. As Gen was forced to work all night in order to prepare ice boats for Mathiu Silverberg, he visited Kamandol on his break, who offered to brew his finest tea for the occasion.

When Tir McDohl visited the castle front in the morning, it was Kamandol who explained to him how the Toran Liberation Army's craftmen had made the ice boats.

Kamandol was present in Gregminster following the last battle. As news spread that the Scarlet Moon Empire was defeated, Gen slapped him on the back, claiming that Kamandol was lucky to be alive to see the day. Kamandol, shaking his fist, was more angered by Gen's reference to him as an old man than moved by the occasion he had witnessed.

Following the Toran Liberation War, Kamandol simply resumed his alchemical studies, as preoccupied with them as ever.

Trivia

 * Kamandol's final weapon, the Rod of Hermes is a reference to the "Staff of Hermes," which is the symbol of medicine.
 * Kamandol is described in Old Book Volume 5 as a "Popular alchemist of Teien".
 * In the English version of Suikoden, when Kamandol is visited by Gen, he offers Gen his finest tea, but in the Japanese version, Kamandol offers Gen sake.