Tai Ho

Tai Ho (タイ・ホー, Tai Hō) is a supporting character in Suikoden and Suikoden II. Tai Ho is a fisherman with a penchant for Chinchirorin.

Profile
Tai Ho was known for his love of the idle lifestyle and had a penchant for engaging in risky activities, relying on luck to guide him through life. He tended to attach himself to lucky individuals and avoided unlucky ones. He was an avid gambler, having played Chinchirorin frequently with Gaspar, whom considered him a favorite client.

He held no particular interest in the ideological differences between the Scarlet Moon Empire and the Toran Liberation Army. In combat, Tai Ho displayed proficiency with the trident, demonstrating his capability as a fighter despite his laid-back demeanor.

Tai Ho was accquainted with several individuals of questionable repute, including Gaspar, the lake pirate trio of Anji, Kanak, and Leonardo, as well as the trader and smuggler Kun To.

History
"Well, you're lucky today. I tend to go along with lucky folk."

- Tai Ho

Tai Ho was a fisherman and mariner hailing from the fishing village of Kaku. He formed a sworn brotherhood with Yam Koo after the two encountered each other during a gambling brawl, fighting together.

During the Gate Rune War, Tai Ho's reputation as the only fearless fisherman willing to navigate to the Toran Lake Castle reached the attention of the McDohl and his party. Upon being found by Camille, they sought Tai Ho's assistance to travel to Toran Castle.

Initially, Tai Ho dismissed the idea as preposterous but agreed to accompany them if the hero would wager all of his money in a game of Chinchirorin, a game Tai Ho favored. When the hero managed to win the game, Tai Ho kept his promise and even joined the party at Toran Castle, eager to face any monsters that crossed their path. He was the one proposed naming the castle "Dragon Castle" after the defeat of the Zombie Dragon.

Although Tai Ho continued with the Toran Liberation Army following this, he claimed to do so purely for enjoyment, and his loyalty mainly lay with the hero due to their shared good fortune.

Tai Ho's skills as a sailor proved valuable to the Liberation Army, particularly when they needed to travel to the Secret Factory to obtain the Fire Spears. Admiring the Speedboat recently upgraded by Kamandol and Gen, Tai Ho brought the hero to Kirov and travelled with him onwards to the Secret Factory, enlisting the help of his friend Kun To to secure transport for the Fire Spears.

During the Gate Rune War, Tai Ho encountered Kimberly, an artisan from Antei, who took an interest in him, leading to Yam Koo's attempts to prevent them from being alone together due to Tai Ho's weakness for women. After the conclusion of the Gate Rune War, Tai Ho returned to his carefree life in Kaku, where Kimberly eventually joined his household.

Not one to look to the future, Tai Ho accept this state of affairs. However, by the time of the Dunan Unification War, Tai Ho sought refuge from Kimberly's advances and, with Kun To's help, traveled to Kuskus Town in the City-State of Jowston with Yam Koo. The two would be in Coronet Town when it was occupied by the Highland Army curtailing their business.

Despite refusing to help his old Liberation Army comrade Sheena cross Lake Dunan while Coronet was occupied by the Highland Army, Tai Ho agreed to assist the hero and his comrades in illicitly crossing the lake after losing a game of Chinchirorin to the group.

Later in the Dunan Unification War, Tai Ho joined the New State Army after losing another game of Chinchirorin to the hero, displaying his inclination to align with those he deemed fortunate, much to Yam Koo's consternation. Although an avid gambler, Shilo was more often than not the winner of their games at New State Army Headquarters.

Although he could be considered overly capricious, considering that Tai Ho would end up having two consecutive victories in war from joining allies based on his dice games, it could be said that Tai Ho's logic might be something that can be depended upon.

Following the war, Tai Ho would return to Kaku and his life of ribaldry and moral turpitude.

Trivia

 * Tai Ho's trident, Satsuki, Akemi, and Mizuki are all feminine Japanese names.
 * For some unknown reason, Tai Ho is the only character in Suikoden II who will not get any bonus from loading a Suikoden save game.