Tir McDohl

Tir McDohl (ティル・マクドール, Tyiru Makudōru) is the protagonist of the original Suikoden game. He also appears as a secret recruit in Suikoden II and makes a cameo in Genso Suikogaiden Volume 2. He has no canon first name. His given name, Tir, is derived from the novelisation of the first Suikoden game and is in popular usage amongst the Suikoden community. It was also used on Assemble Genso Suikoden Radio! 108 Stars!, the 2008 Suikoden internet radio show.

Suikoden
"So you're Teo's boy Tir. Quite an impressive little countenance."

- Barbarosa Rugner Tir is the son of Scarlet Moon general Teo McDohl and is said to resemble his father both physically and in countenance. His mother passed away shortly after his birth. As a child, much of his upbringing was left to Gremio.

With Teo's assignment to the Empire's northern border in the year 455, Tir joined the Imperial Guard, initially serving under Commander Kraze Miles as well as serving as head of the McDohl household in his father's absence. His first mission, to retrieve the Astral Conclusions from Magician's Island, led him to first meet Leknaat, who informed the young man of his special place in the threads of fate.

Later Tir and his servants were forced to flee Gregminster, accused of being rebels after sheltering Ted, a McDohl family friend and bearer of one of the 27 True Runes, the Rune of Life and Death. Now in possession of the rune, Tir's escape was aided by a rogue by the name of Viktor, a member of the Toran Liberation Army. A raid on the rebel hideout forced Tir to flee south to Gouran, where he was manoeuvred to become leader of the new Liberation Army by Mathiu Silverberg.

With Mathiu serving as chief strategist and Tir growing to become an accomplished leader, the Liberation Army systematically attacked each of the Six Great Generals, increasing the army's fame and influence. Tir still often thought of his father and was eventually forced to fight against him when Teo returned from the north. In a stand off between father and son, Tir emerged victorious, but at the cost of his father’s life, who gave his blessing to his son. With a greater resolve forged by the losses of loved ones throughout the war such as Ted, who died in a fateful encounter at Seek Valley, Gremio, who was devoured by man-eating spores in Soniere Prison, and his father, Tir led an attack on Shasarazade, burning it to the ground.

Following the gathering of all 108 Stars, Leknaat managed to use the power of the stars with her own half of the Gate Rune to restore Gremio to life. With victory in the grasp of the liberation movement, the army marched on to Gregminster, and Tir faced off with Emperor Barbarosa Rugner, finally putting an end to the Scarlet Moon Empire.

Following the fall of the Scarlet Moon Empire, Tir was chosen as the rightful leader for the Toran Republic, but he declined the throne and left the nation along with Gremio.

Gensosuikogaiden Volume 2
Shortly after the end of the Dunan Unification War, Tir continued his journey, spending some time reminiscing with Kasumi about his idyllic days, spent with his friend Ted.

Personality and Traits
Tir often teased his servant and bodyguard, Gremio, indicating a playful side to the young Tir McDohl. His eyes were said to draw people close to him and Viktor remarked that he had a big heart. Blackman, meanwhile, said Tir had "honest eyes", leading the taciturn farmer to trust Tir.

Mathiu Silverberg, meanwhile, recognised Tir's natural leadership abilities and deduced that Odessa intended for him to become leader of the Liberation Army in the event of her death.

Flik dismissed Tir as a kid in his anger upon hearing of Odessa's death although Mathiu had earlier noticed that his battles with Kwanda Rosman had made Tir a man. Viktor also recognised this when he tried to convince Gremio not to accompany Tir on his reconnaissance of Kunan. As Gremio died in Soniere Prison, he expressed his own happiness at Tir's maturation.

Tir's reaction to Gremio's death helped turn Flik's opinion of him and later when closer friends argued his decision to spare Milich Oppenheimer's life, it was Flik who backed Tir.

Despite his growing maturity and leadership, Tir was shaken by the death of Gremio and having to battle his father. His defeat of Teo illustrated just how far Tir had come since his early days. In fact, Teo had considered his son to have eclipsed him.

At Qlon Temple, Fukien recognised Tir McDohl as the "Starmaster". Born under the Star of Heavenly Guidance, Tir was the destined leader of the 108 Stars of Heaven and Earth.

The ninja Kasumi held a crush on Tir, trying to act more ladylike in his presence.

Name issues
The name Tir is an unofficial name derived from an officially licensed publication from 1998. Games and publications which avoid giving a first name to the character usually refer to him as "McDohl." The 2010 Suikoden manga, the Succeed Crest, gives McDohl the first name Louie. Like Tir, it is an unofficial name derived from a licensed publication but without the longevity and common use of the former.