Ted

Ted (テッド, Teddo) is a supporting character in Suikoden and Suikoden IV and also makes a cameo in Genso Suikogaiden Volume 2. Ted is the previous owner of the Rune of Life and Death, who wandered the world for many years before bequeathing the Soul Eater to Tir McDohl.

Suikoden
"Tir.... In 300 years, you were my only... My only true friend."

- Ted

Ted is the former owner of the Rune of Life and Death and a survivor of the destruction of the Village of the Hidden Rune. Ted acquired his rune at a young age, when Windy came to the Village of the Hidden Rune seeking the Rune of Life and Death. Ted's grandfather, the Village Chief, then the bearer of the Rune of Life and Death as well as the chief of the village, passed it on to Ted, apologizing for the sorrowful fate that he had bestowed upon his grandson. Using himself as a diversion, Ted's grandfather ordered Ted to use a secret path to reach the village outskirts. After this, Ted was forced to wander for over 300 years, eventually being adopted by Teo McDohl.

Ted grew particularly close to Teo's son, Tir McDohl, considering him the only true friend he had had in the past 300 years. Ted journeyed with Tir during his time with the Imperial Guard, going with Tir to Magician's Island to receive the Astral Conclusions and helping Tir investigate why Rockland refused to pay its taxes. When Tir, Ted, and their party travelled to Mt. Seifu in order to apprehend the Mt. Seifu Bandits, they encountered a Queen Ant, a monster the party was unable to destroy. In order to save the group, Ted used the Rune of Life and Death in order to destroy the Queen Ant, allowing the group to travel forward. When Kanaan and Gremio asked Ted how he had done what he had done, he refused to discuss it at the time, saying he would answer their questions when they arrived at home, but not now.

Upon their return to Gregminster, Kanaan told Ted to come with him. Leading Ted back to Gregminster Palace, Kaanan alerted Kraze Miles and Windy to the rune that Ted had used on Mt. Seifu. After Kraze alerted Windy to Ted's rune, she came to see him, noting that it had been a long time and telling Ted that he had not changed a bit in the last 300 years. Ted recognized Windy immediately ; Windy, noting that Ted had never left her mind in the past 300 years, demanded that he give her the Soul Eater. Ted managed to get away from Windy, but was heavily injured; he collapsed on the doorway of the McDohl's residence.

After discovering Ted, Tir, Cleo, Pahn and Gremio put him to bed; Ted passed in and out of consciousness, attempting to relate to Tir what had happened to him. After being able to relate part of what had happened to him, Ted passed out, and soon after, Pahn left, ostensibly to get medicine for Ted. Stirring to consciousness soon after Pahn left, Ted revealed the Rune of Life and Death to Tir, and asked Tir to take it, as he could not escape with his wounds and Ted felt the Rune of Life and Death must never fall into Windy's hands. Ted passed the Soul Eater on with a heavy heart, knowing the sorrow that it would bring. Ted told Tir that, should the rune bring him sorrow, he should blame Ted for it. After finally being relieved of the burden of the Rune of Life and Death, however, Ted finally felt that he could relax.

However, Ted did not have long to relax, as the Imperial Guard arrived to collect him, informed of his whereabouts by Pahn. Though Cleo and Gremio attempted to prevent Kraze from taking Ted, Ted urged them to leave with Tir, while the Imperial Guard still thought that Ted had the Rune of Life and Death. Ted was captured by the Scarlet Moon Empire and given a Conqueror Rune by Windy, which took control of his body. Forced by Windy to encounter Tir at Seek Valley, Ted was able to use the proximity of the Rune of Life and Death in order to regain some control over his body. Speaking to Tir through the Rune of Life and Death, Ted told Tir what had happened and asked him to forgive him for what he would do next.

Mustering the power of the Soul Eater, Ted was able to gain just enough power to gain control of his body. Addressing the Soul Eater as its former master, Ted commanded the Soul Eater to take his soul. Collapsing to his knees, Ted declared that he had no use for a body that he could not control, and told the Rune of LIfe and Death that he now returned to it the 300 years of life which it had given him. In his finals words, Ted addressed Tir, telling him that he had chosen his path, and that Tir should take care and live his life to the fullest, for Ted's sake as well as his own.