Tai Ho (タイ・ホー, Tai Hō) is a supporting character in Suikoden and Suikoden II. Tai Ho is a fisherman with a penchant for Chinchirorin.
History
Suikoden
Well, you're lucky today. I tend to go along with lucky folk.
— Tai Ho
Tai Ho was a fisherman and mariner hailing from the fishing village of Kaku. He formed a sworn brotherhood with Yam Koo after the two encountered each other during a gambling brawl, fighting together.
Tai Ho was known for his love of the idle lifestyle and had a penchant for engaging in risky activities, relying on luck to guide him through life. He tended to attach himself to lucky individuals and avoided unlucky ones. He held no particular interest in the ideological differences between the Scarlet Moon Empire and the Toran Liberation Army.
During the Gate Rune War, Tai Ho's reputation as the only fearless fisherman willing to navigate to the Toran Lake Castle reached the attention of the hero and his party. Upon being found by Camille, they sought Tai Ho's assistance to travel to Toran Castle.
Initially, Tai Ho dismissed the idea as preposterous but agreed to accompany them if the hero would wager all of his money in a game of Chinchirorin, a game Tai Ho was highly skilled at, having played it frequently with Gaspar, whom considered him a favorite client.
When the hero managed to win the game, Tai Ho kept his promise and joined the party at Toran Castle, eager to face any monsters that crossed their path. He proposed naming the castle "Dragon Castle" after the defeat of the Zombie Dragon. Although Tai Ho continued with the Toran Liberation Army following this, he claimed to do so purely for enjoyment, and his loyalty mainly lay with the hero due to their shared good fortune.
Tai Ho's skills as a sailor proved valuable to the Liberation Army, particularly when they needed to travel to the Secret Factory to obtain the Fire Spears. Admiring the Speedboat recently upgraded by Kamandol and Gen, Tai Ho brought the hero to Kirov and travelled with him onwards to the Secret Factory, enlisting the help of his friend Kun To to secure transport for the Fire Spears.
In combat, Tai Ho displayed proficiency with the trident, demonstrating his capability as a fighter despite his laid-back demeanor. During the Gate Rune War, Tai Ho encountered Kimberly, an artisan from Antei, who took an interest in him, leading to Yam Koo's attempts to prevent them from being alone together due to Tai Ho's weakness for women.
After the conclusion of the Gate Rune War, Tai Ho returned to his carefree life in Kaku, where Kimberly eventually joined his household.
Despite refusing to help his old Liberation Army comrade Sheena cross Lake Dunan while Coronet was occupied by the Highland Army, Tai Ho agreed to assist the hero and his comrades in illicitly crossing the lake after losing a game of Chinchirorin to the group.
Later in the Dunan Unification War, Tai Ho joined the New State Army after losing another game of Chinchirorin to the hero, displaying his inclination to align with those he deemed fortunate, much to Yam Koo's consternation. Although, considering that Tai Ho would end up having two consecutive victories in war from joining allies based on his dice games, it would appear that Tai Ho's logic might be something that can be depended upon.
Following the war, Tai Ho would return to Kaku and his life of ribaldry and moral turpitude.
Game info
Suikoden
Recruitment
Recruitment
Recruited automatically during plot events in Kaku.