Main Character list:

Hero - the character to be controlled by the player. Adopted grandson of Genkaku, a hero in recent war. Originally resides in Caro, Highland Kingdom.  Uses tonfa and a True Rune called "Shining Shield" Approximately 15 years old.  Personality uncertain; to be interpreted by the player.

Jowy Adreides (Joei/Joui/etc) - Hero's best friend. Son of local aristocrat of Caro but is not related to his father by blood.  Has strong sense of justice and determination but is also weak.  Uses a "kon" or long staff and True Rune called "Black Sword"  17 years old.

Nanami - Hero's adopted older sister.  Also adopted granddaughter of Genkaku.  Uses a triple-split rod (dunno actual name in English; it's a rod split into 3 parts and connected by short chain)  16 years old. Very bubbly and optimistic, but some it is feigned as not to worry others.

Plus about 130 other characters in supporting roles.
 

Short synopsis of the story theme:

Hero and Jowy are part of a troop of teenage soldiers.  They were on way home when sudden raid destroyed the troop.  Hero and Jowy were only survivers and they saw the truth behind the raid.  Publicly, the raid was done by Jowston, the enemy nation to Highland, but in reality, Prince Luca Blight of Highland had done it to break the recently signed peace treaty.  Hero and Jowy are set up as traitors for knowing the truth and they flee with Nanami.  With help of acquired allies, they end up in Jowston.  Jowy and Hero also come into possession of paired True Rune (marks engraved upon body to allow usage of magic; True ones are much more powerful than normal Runes).  In time, Jowy sides with Luca and Highland, while Hero ends up leading Jowston.

For plot detail and character illustrations, visit KCE Official Suikoden site (Japanese)
http://www.kcetokyo.com/genso/
or The Rebel Hideout
http://www.souleater.org
or Blue Moon
http://www.geocities.com/lucorea/genso/
 

Potential slash couples:

= Suggested/Supportable by Plot =

Jowy/Hero - One of the obvious "best friend" pairs. They are very close to each other and the whole plot evolves around their lives.

Luca/Jowy - This becomes possible after Jowy joins Luca.  Luca is a violent maniac who loves to dominate others by force.  S&M/rape, anyone?

Shu/Hero - Shu is the head strategist working under Hero.  Handsome, able older man and his young liege. Not bad.  She slaps Hero in the game for being a coward.

Viktor/Flik - Two mercenary best friends(partners). They've been working together for three years and they trust each other completely.

Miklotov/Camus (reversible) - Blue and Red Knight Captains of Matilda(nation of knights).  Very handsome best friends.  Camus constantly watches out for rash Miklotov.

Culgan/Seed - Generals working under Luca.  They are best partners and share extreme patriotism for Highland.  Elite-type Culgan and hot-tempered Seed. Opposites attract.

Shu/Klaus - Klaus is originally from Highland but he sides with Hero after getting captured.  He is a strategist and takes assistant position to Shu. Klaus' father asked Shu to take care of Klaus.

Luc/Sasarai (reversible) - Luc sides with Hero and is owner of True Wind Rune.  Sasarai is a priest-general from Harmonia (ally to Highland) has True Wind Rune. They look alike and are same ages.  Luc knows Sasarai while Sasarai sounds like he's amnesiac.

Sid/Chako - two Winghordes(winded race of men).  Sid is eccentric and freaky.  Chako is a punky teenager. They are brothers by promise.

Vincent/Simone - narcistic and aristocratic best friends.  They have melodramatic take on their friendship and are stuck together everywhere they go.

Humphrey/Futch - Humphrey is a veteran swordsman and Futch is a dragonless dragon knight.  They traveled together for 3 years looking for a dragon.  Humphrey is father figure and Futch is given title of "bishounen".

McDohl/Hero (reversible) - McDohl is the main character from Suikoden 1.  He joins Hero.  Similar circumstances (loss of loved ones, responsibility as leader, ownership of True Rune) can bring them together.

= My personal favorites =

Seed/Klaus - they are both from Highland.  Possible.

Miklotov/Sheena - Miklotov is a rigid knight.  Sheena is a playboy.  No connection whatsoever in game but I stuck them together in my story.

Luca/Kinnison - no connection whatsoever in the game. Kinnison is a pretty hunter who lived in the forest near the village Luca destroyed.

Viktor/Shu - toward end of game, Shu comes up with a suicidal plan to defeat enemy genius strategist.  He becomes bait and sets fire on enemy troops, along with himself.  Viktor comes to save Shu.  Shu also relies upon Viktor to carry out all "dirty" and "secret" plans.

= My least favorite pairs =

Gorudo/Camus or Miklotov - Gorudo is the White Knight Captain and overlord of Camus and Miklotov.  He is a typical villain only concerned with his position and power.  Possible sexual harrassment toward handsome subjects.

Hauser/Jess - Hauser is general of Muse (Jowston's capital; was destroyed by Luca) and Jess is Vice-Mayor.  They share loyalty to Muse.

I dislike above pairs only because they are visually unpretty.  However, with good plots, they could work out just fine.