RPGamer has gained access to exclusive information regarding the plot and characters of the upcoming Playstation RPG, Genso Suikoden II. Precious little information about the game has been made available up until now, the only related resources being an interview with Suikoden series director Y. Murayama and a handful of screen shots and Konami artwork. For additional information, check out RPGamer's updated Suikoden II preview.

   What follows is a more or less direct translation of Suikoden II information found on Konami's Japanese site. RPGamer extends its thanks to Jennifer Mukai, who translated the Japanese text.

				PROLOGUE
				--------

	Near a border garrison, there was a young man.

	By a truce pact, peace had temporarily arrived.  His
foster sister Nanami waits at their hometown, Kyaro.  Being
able to meet her again after so much time will be joyful.  The boy
was leisurely appreciating those thoughts.

	A tent flap lifted, and another young man appeared.  Childhood
friend, confidant, and friend.  Joey smiles at the first youth.

	"Already changed?  You're ahead of schedule, eh?"

	He too was looking forward to tomorrow's return to their
hometown.  Toward the future he held no anxieties or fear in his
smiling face.

	The gears of destiny turn slowly....  But they will certainly
continue to turn.

	Even the memories of many people cannot detain them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

				HERO
				----

	He is the adopted child of Genkaku, the master of a
dojo at the edge of the town Kyaro.

	After Genkaku's death, he enters the UNICORN youth corps.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

				JOEY
				----

	He is son and heir to the distinguished local family of Atreido.

	He is the hero's childhood friend, and although he led a
comfortable life, both he and the hero volunteer for the military
youth corps.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

				NANAMI
				------

	She is Genkaku's adopted child, and the hero's older
foster sister.

	After Genkaku died, she becomes the hero's only family.

	She is a cheerful young woman, and a tomboy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

				WORLD
				-----

	As members of the Highland Kingdom military youth corps
UNICORN, the hero and Joey participated in long, unfruitful battles
against a city alliance.

	Muse City, South Window City, Tint City, Green Hill City,
Two River City, Matilda Knights Group:  5 cities and 1 knights group
composed the Jouston Cities Alliance and military power.
The border wars between Highland Kingdom and the Alliance historically
didn't die out.

	Several months before our tale begins, a truce pact was
agreed upon between two influential leaders -- Highland Kingdom's
princess, Agales Bright, and Muse City's mayor, Anabelle.

	Tired of fighting, the people welcomed this, but
the fire of animosity continued to smolder....

	The 108 stars who will become the hero's companions are
members of the Jouston Cities Alliance, uniting with their enemy
Highland Kingdom.  More than 140 characters will appear in all,
and an epic story will begin to be spun.

---
[caption]

Highland Kingdom's capital city.  That palace is a symbol of
the Bright family.

Source: [Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo]