The Rune of Punishment (罰の紋章, Batsu no Monshō) is one of the 27 True Runes. It is the rune of the protagonist of Suikoden IV and is also usable in Suikoden Tactics.
The Rune of Punishment is said to be the rune representing forgiveness and atonement. As a cursed rune, it drains the life of its host in exchange for its considerable power. Once the host dies, their body is turned to ash and their soul absorbed by the rune, which then passes on to a new host. It is said that if a host can overcome this "time of atonement" then the curse will be lifted, but the truth of this is not clear.
No one knows when the rune first appeared. In times past, it was coveted for its power and so passed through countless hands. Much blood has been spilled over it. Eventually, one man bearing the rune ventured to the depths of the Ruins of Obel. Hoping to end the curse himself, he turned himself to stone with magic, perishing and sealing the rune there.[1]
The rune remained sealed for many years before being released by the Queen of Obel. She had been seemingly drawn to the ruins by curiosity, although Lino En Kuldes suspected that the rune itself drew her there to set itself free.[2] Soon after, she would perish after using the rune to prevent a pirate attack on her and her children.
Since then, the rune has passed to many bearers, from Rakgi's father to Graham Cray to his son and then to the pirates Steele and Brandeau before ending up in the possession of Glen Cott. Except for Graham Cray, who cut off his arm to escape the rune's curse, all the other bearers died using the rune.
After Glen died using the rune to repel a pirate attack on Razril, his successor, who would go on to lead the Stronghold Ship during the Island Liberation War, would end up with the rune. Although he would use it several times during the war to ward off the Kooluk Empire, he would not succumb to its curse and finally, with his strong will and the aid of all the friends and companions he made, he would overcome its curse and achieve the salvation spoken of in legends of the rune.[3]
| Data | |
|---|---|
| Cost | 0 potch |
| Drop | No enemy drops this rune. |
| Equipped | Hero (Suikoden IV)    |
| Found | No location in-game contains this rune. |
| Sold | No store in-game sells this rune. |
| Spells | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Eternal Ordeal -300HP to 1 enemy, -30HP to self. |
| 2 | Double Edged Sword -150HP to all enemies, -50HP to self. |
| 3 | Voice of Death Very fatal (1 enemy), 10% fatal (self). |
| 4 | Everlasting Mercy -500HP (all enemies), +500HP (allies). |
| Data | |
|---|---|
| Cost | 0 potch |
| Drop | No enemy drops this rune. |
| Equipped | Hero (Suikoden IV) |
| Found | No location in-game contains this rune. |
| Sold | No store in-game sells this rune. |
| Spells | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Eternal Ordeal Deals damage to a single foe within distance. |
| 2 | Double Edged Sword Randomly damage enemies within range 8 times. |
| 3 | Voice of Death High probability of instant-death against one foe. |
| 4 | Everlasting Mercy Heals allies + damages enemies in target area. |
