Grenseal

Grenseal (グレンシール, Gurenshīru) is a supporting character in Suikoden who makes a cameo in Suikoden II. During the Gate Rune War, Grenseal is a member of Teo McDohl's Armored Cavalry, along with his colleague Alen.

History
Grenseal served as both an officer in the Imperial Army as well as a subordinate of Teo McDohl. His skill with a sword and prowess with the Thunder Rune earned him the nickname "Lightning General." His sword was also named after his use of the Thunder Rune.

He had a cool personality, remaining perpetually calm and had a good-natured rivalry with his fellow subordinate, Alen. Grenseal's loyalty was to Teo, rather than to the Empire itself.

Childhood and Training
Grenseal, much like Alen, was first inspired to join the Imperial Army at the age of 12 when he was brought to Gregminster to see a victory parade for General Teo McDohl. His parents initially resisted, but his efforts eventually paid off and he was enrolled into the Imperial Academy.

Within six months, Grenseal was recognized as one of the more promising students at the academy. Although his swordsmanship was considered unremarkable, he was fairly proficient with the Lightning Rune and was well liked by his superiors for his studious nature, often seen studying or reading in his spare time.

He was considered cold and standoffish by other trainees though was rarely unpleasant. His attempts at advice often came off as criticism, and soon he was viewed by Alen as a potential rival for an appointment to the Central Army.

An argument between the two would provoke Grenseal into improving his swordsmanship as well as his mind, and in the 4th round of a training tournament, Alen would be soundly defeated by Grenseal's more methodical fighting style. Grenseal would handily lose to a senior in the next round, admitting he had only defeated Alen because he knew his temperament so well.

Alen would attempt to rematch Grenseal later that night, only for the two to come to the understanding that they had both been driving the other forward the entire time. More appreciative of each other, the two vowed to do all they could to graduate to the Central Army, a goal they eventually reached.

Gate Rune War
"I sacrifice this life to the Empire and to Master Teo."

- Grenseal

During the Gate Rune War, Grenseal accompanied Teo during his campaign against the Toran Liberation Army. Grenseal was present at the first battle between the Armored Cavalry and the Toran Liberation Army, and, following the rebel's withdrawal, Grenseal was ordered to follow and crush them.

After losing a duel to Pahn, Teo changed his orders, telling Grenseal and Alen to withdraw. Though Alen was hesitant to do so, Grenseal did not hesitate to follow Teo's orders.

After witnessing the devastation the Fire Spear inflicted to the Armored Cavalry, Grenseal fought onwards with Teo and Alen, pledging that, if need be, he would sacrifice his life to the Scarlet Moon Empire and Teo McDohl. This proved unnecessary, however, as Teo McDohl challenged his son to a duel. Witnessing the duel between father and son, Grenseal rushed to Teo's aid following Teo's defeat.

When Teo told Grenseal that he had a request, Grenseal immediately asked to hear it. Teo claimed that he fought for Emperor Barbarosa out of sheer stubbornness and asked that Grenseal and Alen not to so purely to follow Teo's whims. Teo then revealed that he wished for Alen and Grenseal to join the Toran Liberation Army and aid his son, which, like Alen, Grenseal agreed to do.

Grenseal served the Toran Liberation Army throughout the remainder of the war, serving in Humphrey's unit along with Alen, dispatching any obstacles in his way in order to honor Teo's memory. Like many former imperials, Grenseal stationed himself in one of the castle's western towers, perhaps finding himself ill at ease with the more rebellious members of the force.

Following the end of the Gate Rune War, Grenseal continued to work with Alen, as both were appointed Co-Commanders of the Republican Guard, Grenseal serving as the left commander.

Trivia

 * Alen and Grenseal have the exact same endings, to the very word, in the English language releases, but the Japanese release gives them two distinct - if similar - endings.
 * Grenseal is the only character in Suikoden to come equipped with a Thunder Rune.