[01a] Imperial Orders

[01a01]	Astral Conclusions
[01a02]	Tax Evasion
[01a03]	The Soul Eater

[01a01] Astral Conclusions

In this game, you play the hero, Tir McDohl [00c]. You begin in a room upstairs at the Gregminster Palace [05a01], waiting with your father Teo McDohl. If you do not talk to him, you have the opportunity to explore the castle [06a03] but will be prevented from leaving. You need to speak to Teo McDohl to continue the story. Once you have spoken to him, you will be summoned to the Emperor's Room, where he will assign your father to go north to confront the City-State of Jowston. Emperor Barbarossa will then turn to you and ask you to join the Imperial Army in your father's absence. You will be given two reponses:

When the conversation ends, your father will tag along behind you and you cannot shake him or talk to him. You must go downstairs, where you will be stopped between two side-rooms. If you try to go beyond this, your father will stop you. In the room on the right is a suit of armor containing 100 bits. In the room on the left is Commander Kraze, whom you are required to talk to before you can leave. Once done, you will lose control of Tir (your character) until Teo McDohl guides you in the door of your house. There you meet Gremio for a brief conversation. After this, you have control of Tir and may either explore the house, triggering the next part of the story, or leave the house to explore the town and surrounding areas and triggering a Bonus [06a01].

Once you've gone upstairs, Ted will come out to talk with you. He suggests going to your room to discuss your interview then joins your entourage (party). At this point, you can go into your room to continue the story, or you can take Ted outside to explore and trigger a Bonus [06a02].

When you go into your room, Ted will ask to help you so he can work for the Imperials, too. You will be given two choices:

Once you have finally agreed to let Ted join, he says that he has a secret he needs to share, but dinner interrupts. You can save the game now by reading your diary on the shelves in your room (or can explore and trigger the first Bonus [06a02] before continuing). Going into the dining room will continue the story. A toast to you is made, and Gremio, Ted, Pahn, and Cleo swear to remain loyal to you and protect you. The scene cuts to you sleeping in bed and Gremio and Teo McDohl discussing you. When you get control of your character again, it is morning, Gremio will join you, and you are able to go downstairs. Immediately Pahn and Cleo will join you, as well. If you explore the house, you will find that you can read Pahn's diary (which is about his meals) or attempt to read Cleo's diary (which will fail, as it is locked). Trying to wake up Ted causes him to mumble and ignore you. Leaving, however, causes Ted to run after you and castigate you, then join.

In town [05a02], you may explore anywhere you like, if the people let you in. Sonya Shulen's house contains a diary, which can be read as well. She is Teo McDohl's girlfriend, but not Tir's mother (who is assumed to be deceased). Once ready, you may leave town to explore (saving at the Inn or your house would be advisable before leaving) or go back to Commander Kraze's room to get your first assignment.

Commander Kraze can never be satisfied, so don't mind if he yells a lot. He will tall you he wants you to get some Astral Conclusions from Leknaat on Magician's Island. After telling you where the island is, he'll ask you to tell him where it is:

Finally, he'll let you know you will be riding on a Dragon to get to the island and you'll once more get control of Tir. Outside your friends will talk with you then you'll be allowed to go wherever the people allow. To continue the story, go to the stables and talk to Futch and Black (the dragon). He will take you to Magician's Island [05b01]. Once at the Island, Futch says he'll wait for a bit. You are free to wander and explore.

The path goes to Leknaat's home. Part way there, Luc will show up and cast a spell, creating a Golem [03c]. He'll then disappear leaving you to fight your first Boss Battle. After the battle, you can continue to Leknaat's, go up tons of stairs, and talk with her. She will award Tir with the Astral Conclusions and Cleo with a Fire Crystal. Luc will teleport you back to Futch and Black, and they'll take you back to the stables. You can report to Commander Kraze to continue the story (but have the option of exploring, saving, etc.).

[01a02] Tax Evasion

When you report to Commander Kraze, a man in red uniform (Kanaan) will be standing behind him and basically repeat everything he says. You are given a mission to go to Rockland to collect back taxes owed to the Empire. Kanaan will accompany you, but will not fight. By going East, outside of the Town, you can find Rockland [05a03]. At the North end of town is a large house belonging to a man named Grady. He'll inform you that bandits living on Mount Seifu [05b03] have stolen the tax money, and ask you to go retrieve it by arresting the bandits. You are given two choices:

To the East of Rockland is Mount Seifu. On your way up through the cavern, you will encounter a Queen Ant [03c]. Normally, she isn't a boss, but in this case, the game won't let you defeat her, thus the fact that Ted falls back on his mysterious rune to win the fight. You are given a choice about his using the rune:

Once the Queen Ant has been destroyed by Ted, you can continue up, passing a Journeyman Crystal as you leave the cavern.

*!* SAVE

After the Journeyman Crystal, you will encounter Varkas and Sydonia, who send five bandits after you. You will not get a chance to save or heal after deafeating these bandits, as the Bosses, Varkas and Sydonia [03c], will immediately fight you.

Upon winning the Boss Battle, you will immediately be transported to the bottom of Mount Seifu, and Kanaan will wish to go turn the captured Bosses to Grady in Rockland. As you go into Rockland, behind Marco is a child being beaten up by Imperial Guards. This is an optional fight witht he following choices:

Once you go to Grady's house, he will take the prisoners from you and give you 10,000 bits, which Kanaan immediately pockets himself. You may go back to Gregminster Town.

*!* SAVE

[01a03] The Soul Eater

When you enter Gregmisnter, Kanaan takes Ted up to the Palace and you can go back home. Gremio cooks dinner and everyone sits worrying. You may talk to the other three, and Cleo will even give you a choice of things to say to her:

After you have talked to the others, if you go downstairs, Ted will be lying on the floor. The others come rushing down and insist on moving him, which gives you another choice:

Ted tells you how he got injured while Pahn is outside the door. After he finishes, to continue the story, you need to speak to Pahn in the hall. He will go off for medicine (even if you have some), and you can go back to Ted's bedside. He will ask a favor of you:

Ted will explain about his mysterious rune and offer it to you:

Once you've accepted, Ted will attach his Soul Eater Rune to your right hand. You will not be able to remove this rune ever again in any Suikoden game, but it is a powerful rune (so that shouldn't be a problem). A crash sounds and the others run from the room. You need to follow to continue the story, leaving Ted to rest in bed. At the front door, Commander Kraze and Kanaan are waiting to arrest Ted. Cleo and Gremio refuse to let him go, but Ted stumbles out and tells you that he'll distract them until you escape. You are given a choice:

Once you have left your house, you will notice that it is raining. Most of the shops are closed and the gate is guarded by Imperials. Basically the only thing you can do is go to the Inn. Inside the Inn, Marie will hide you. Gremio cautions you about roaming around, but it is necessary to continue the story. Downstairs, in the dining room of the Inn is a man named Viktor who has no money to pay for his dinner. You do not actually need to talk to him, but he is there... and you do not get the option to help pay his bill. To continue the story, however, attempt to leave the Inn. A guard will run into you and start challenging you. You have a choice:

Gremio and Cleo come downstairs and inadvertantly make things worse, but Viktor (the man in the dining room) comes out and helps to get you outside. He wanders North of the Inn, but not far. You still can't do anything much, but talk to him and he'll offer to help you escape the town if you agree to meet a friend of his. You are given a choice:

Viktor will join your party, and the shops will be open. Once you go to the front gate, Viktor will bribe the guard and you will all escape. It will turn out that he stole Gremio's wallet to do the bribing, but your group money will be untouched. Viktor will ask you to go to Lenenkamp [05a04] to meet his friend. You have a choice:

The chapter ends...