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The 108 Stars of Destiny
In tandem with the Rune Compendium, this will be a go-to source for which Star does what, who each Star is, and the connections between characters in the series if they were not immediately obvious. Many Stars have thematic purpose between the characters in the series that fall under the same one. Some are random, though. Credit to Suikosource/Wikipedia for background info.
The 108 Stars of Destiny come directly from the classic Chinese tale that inspired the series (but mainly the first game), Shui Hu Zhuan. Commonly translated as The Water Margin, Outlaws of the Marsh, and All Men Are Brothers, its Japanese translation is, in fact, Suikoden. It was adapted by Takebe Akayari as Honcho Suikoden, or ?Japanese Water Margin? in 1773. It has been republished multiple times over many different periods in Japanese history, including receiving ukiyo-e paintings like the one depicted above.
It was translated into English in 1933, all 70 of its chapters. At the time, it was well-received by the American public. Its most recent English translation is The Marshes of Mount Liang, which is spread out over five volumes and contains 120 chapters.
The idea of the 108 Stars stems from the Taoist belief that each person's destiny is tied to their own, personal Star of Destiny. They represent 108 demonic overlords who were banished by the Taoist sage, Shang Ti. During banishment, each of these stars repent, and are released from their banishment by accident, and are reborn as 108 heroes who band together to a common cause for justice.
There are 36 Heavenly Spirits, and 72 Earthly Fiends. The Heavenly Spirits are denoted with a ?Ten-? prefix, while the Earthly Fiends are denoted by a ?Chi-? prefix. Some of these Stars have duplicates, that's just because of their translation into Japanese. They are different. Stars with no description have no discernable pattern in characters.
The 36 Heavenly Spirits
Tenkai Star ? Chief Star of Heaven
Original Owner: Sung Chiang, the Opportune Rain
Characters: Tir McDohl
All of the main game heroes of the Suikoden franchise fall under this star, with the exception of Suikoden III, and in-game are called the Star of Heavenly Guidance. Tenkai Stars are born to gather the other 107 Stars of Destiny and fight for justice.
Tengou Star ? Star of Conflagration
Original Owner: Lu Chun I, The Jade Chi'Lin (read: Kirin)
Characters: Lepant
Tengou Stars are always skilled leaders in combat, either at the front lines of war units or in positions of power within respective towns or communities in the series.
Tenki Star ? Star of Wisdom
Original Owner: Wu Yung, The Great Intelligence
Characters: Mathiu
The chief strategist of every Suikoden game, usually a Silverberg, falls under this Star.
Tenkai (Tenkan) Star ? Star of Idleness
Original Owner: Kung Sun Sheng, Dragon Entering The Clouds
Characters: Luc
Always a guardian of the Tablet of Promise.
Tenyu Star ? Star of Bravery
Original Owner: Kuan Sheng, the Great Sword
Characters: Humphrey Mintz
Tenyu Stars are respected, competent warriors who are generally worthwhile characters to use in their respective games.
Tenyu Star ? Star of Heroic Ferocity
Original Owner: Ling Chung, the Leopard-Headed
Characters: Kasim Hazil
Generally well-respected generals of armies fall under this Star, with the exception being IV.
Tenmou Star ? Star of Swift Courage
Original Owner: Ch'ing Ming, the Fire in the Thunder Clap
Characters: Kwanda Rosman
Characters under this Star are leaders of solid armies, and are characterized by wearing heavy amounts of armor either in combat or as leaders. Described by Suikosource as being ?strong village leaders.? Exceptions: III, IV.
Teni Star ? Star of Majesty
Original Owner ? Hu Yien Shu, the Double Whip of Iron
Characters: Pesmerga
Tenei Star ? Heroic Star
Original Owner: Hua Yuang, the Little Li Kuan
Characters: Gremio
In two games, this Star is a party member who forces themselves into your party most of the game, whether you want them to or not; generally are close friends with the hero.
Tenki Star ? Lofty Star
Original Owner: Ch'ai Chin, the Little Whirlwind
Characters: Warren
Characters under this Star always the mayor of an important town you'll visit in their games.
Tenfu Star ? Star of Wealth
Original Owner: Li Yun, the Eagle Who Smites the Heavens
Characters: Kun To
Tends to be overly associated with money or shady dealings. Exceptions: II, III.
Tenman Star ? Star of Abundance
Original Owner: Chu T'ung, the Beautiful Bearded
Characters: Cleo
Tenko Star ? The Lone Star
Original Owner: Lu Chi Shen, the Tattooed Priest
Characters: Viktor
Tensyo Star ? Wounded Star
Original Owner: Wu Sung, the Hairy Priest
Characters: Valeria
Tenritsu Star ? Star of the Standing Spear
Original Owner: Tung P'ing, Warrior of the Two Spears
Characters: Griffith
Tensyo Star ? The Swift Star
Original Owner: Chiang Ch'ing, the Featherless Arrow
Characters: Clive
Tenan Star ? The Dark Star
Original Owner: Yang Chi, Blue Faced Beast
Characters: Flik
No pattern aside from Flik having brief contact with the character who falls under this Star in III.
Tenyu Star ? The Guardian Star
Original Owner: Ch'u Ling, the Wielder of the Guardian Sword
Characters: Camille
Camille and the character under this Star in IV wield the same weapon, perhaps suggesting ancestry.
Tenku Star ? The Empty Star
Original Owner: So Ch'ao, the Swift Vanguard
Characters: Kreutz
Two animals fall under this star in III and V.
Tensoku Star ? Speedy Star
Original Owner: Tai Chung, the Magic Messenger
Characters: Stallion
With the exception of III, this will always be the character who bears the Godspeed Rune.
Teni Star ? The Strange Star
Original Owner: Liu T'ang, the Red-Headed Devil
Characters: Kage
Characters under this Star tend to be gifted assassins, and the same character shares this Star in II and in V.
Tensatsu Star ? Murderous Star
Original Owner: Li K'uei, the Black Whirlwind
Characters: Fu Su Lu
Most characters under this star tend to be beastly warriors, as in akin to literal beasts, as evidenced by Fu Su Lu wearing a tiger pelt.
Tenbi Star ? The Lowly Star
Original Owner: Shin Chin, the Nine Dragoned
Characters: Kirkis
Like the Teni Star, the same character shares this in II and V.
Tenkyu Star ? The Lewd Star
Original Owner: Mu Hung, the Indomitable One
Characters: Milich
In I, III, and IV, this character is a strong magician or otherwise skilled in magic.
Tentai Star ? The Retreating Star
Original Owner: Lei Heng, the Winged Tiger
Characters: Pahn
In I and V, this character is skilled in using gloves as weapons.
Tenjyu Star ? The Star of Longevity
Original Owner: Li Chun, The Dragon who Roils Rivers
Characters: Sonya Schulen
Generally, these characters are well-versed in being captains of naval fleets.
Tenken Star ? The Dagger Star
Original Owner: Juan the Second, God of Swift Death
Characters: Anji
This Star, Tenzai, and Tenpai, are always part of a trio of characters you receive at the same time, either as a group or traveling troupe.
Tenhei Star ? Leveled Star
Original Owner: Chang Heng, the Boatman
Characters: Tai Ho
Always a duo with the Tenson Star.
Tenzai Star ? Star of Sin
Original Owner: Juan the Fifth, The Short Lived
Characters: Kanak
In a trio with Tenken, Tenpai.
Tenson Star ? Broken Star
Original Owner: Chang Shun, White Stripes in the Waves
Characters: Yam Koo
Part of a duo with the Tenhei Star.
Tenpai Star ? The Vanquished Star
Original Owner: Juan the Seventh, The Fierce King of Devils
Characters: Leonardo
Part of a trio with Tenzai, Tenken.
Tenrou Star ? The Goal Star
Original Owner: Yang Hsiung, The Sick Kuan So
Characters: Hix
Tends to be part of a boy/girl pairing with Tensui.
Tensui Star ? Star of Intelligence
Original Owner: Shih Hsiu, One who Heeds not his Life
Characters: Tengaar
Tenbou Star ? Savage Star
Original Owner: Hsieh Chen, Double Headed Snake
Characters: Varkas
Always part of a duo with Tenkoku.
Tenkoku Star ? Wailing Star
Original Owner: Hsieh Pao, the Double Tailed Scorpion
Characters: Sydonia
Tenkou Star ? Clever Star
Original Owner: Yien Ch'ing, the Prodigal
Characters: Eileen
The 72 Stars of Earth