Joker

Joker (ジョーカー, Jōkā), also known as Wang (ワン, Wan) is a major character in Suikoden III who first appears in Genso Suikogaiden Vol.2. Joker is the aging veteran martial artist of the 12th Unit of the Harmonian Southern Frontier Defense Force.

History
"The oldest member of the Twelfth Unit of the Holy Harmonia Kingdom's Southern Frontier Defense Force."

- Joker's profile

Joker held the position of being the eldest member, second only to Geddoe himself, in the 12th Unit of the Harmonian Southern Frontier Defense Force. As a man of many interests, Joker had an unrivalled drinking ability and was always on the lookout for a pretty girl to spend his time with.

He shared a playful and somewhat comedic dynamic with fellow defense force member, Ace, engaging in banter and belittlement. This relationship showed the understanding and trust between each other and helped to relax tensions in the group, even during dangerous missions. Nevertheless, this did not diminish his occasional displays of insightful wisdom. His unique talent in lip-reading further enhanced his capabilities as an adept information gatherer and he was highly trusted by Geddoe. At heart, he was a kind and loyal man.

Within the unit, he was renowned for his mastery of magic attacks, especially fire magic, a skill that set him apart. Joker also boasted proficiency in the martial arts, making him a consummate professional on the battlefield. He used balls made of iron or steel in battle, holding them to deliver more weight and force to his blows. He eschewed larger weapons like swords as they would impede his movement. This is also the reason why his clothing emphasized mobility and ease of movement.

His passion for combat fueled his boundless energy, and he had been active as a mercenary since his youth. Under the alias "Wang," Joker once encountered Nash Latkje when they both served in the SFDF and even imparted fighting techniques to him. When Nash attempted to escape from Caleria Fortress during his search for Zaj Quiroz, Joker was dispatched to stop him.

Remarkably, Joker, who had the strength and ability to swiftly overpower Nash, deliberately stalled the encounter until dawn, when his shift ended, allowing Nash to make his escape while dutifully fulfilling his obligations. It was at some point after this incident that he joined Geddoe's unit, adopting the name "Joker."

During the War of the Champions, Joker would serve alongside his fellow 12th unit members faithfully, always respecting the decisions of Geddoe even when they seemingly conflicted with their orders from headquarters. Geddoe's trust in Joker was most evident during their infiltration of Budehuc Castle. During the mission, Geddoe shared his past as the bearer of the True Lightning Rune after Ace discovered the resemblance between Geddoe and the man of the same name depicted in a sketch from over 50 years past.

As everyone in the 12th unit had some sort of past troubles, Joker understood Geddoe's burden all too well. After Geddoe finished his story, Joker remarked that he would forget everything. This was Joker's way to expressing his camaraderie and concern for his boss. Geddoe would call Joker "Wang", his old name, as an expression of his trust also. He would join the Fire Bringer alongside his comrades as the war flared up.

Occasionally, Nash still referred to him as "Wang," but Joker maintained that it was merely an old nickname. Frequently spending time at Budehuc Castle's restaurant, he displayed a generally polite demeanor, though he could be a bit of a drunken nuisance from time to time. Curiously, he occasionally inquired about the women's bath, an area typically associated with Ace's antics.

After the War of the Champions, Joker remained dedicated to his service in the Southern Frontier Defense Force. Despite grumbling about the challenges of fighting at his age, and continuing to trade barbs with Ace as always, he continued to play a crucial role within the unit.

Trivia

 * Contrary to the belief Joker uses fist weapons, he carries massaging balls to strengthen his own hands to attack. Please explain how sharpening these helps in any way!
 * Joker has the Twister attack with Kenji and Juan, making him the only SFDF member to have one outside of the unit.