Harmonia is the largest nation in the Suikoden world, not only by size but also by the vastness of its military and political power. Historically it is the oldest known nation in existence, officially created on the year 2 after Hikusaak defeated the Kingdom of Aronia. Hikusaak has been the head of state ever since with the aid of the Circle Rune. Thus, Hikusaak has been ruling Harmonia for the past four and a half centuries, feared by many as "The Absolute One."
However, the weakening of Harmonia's power is evident from the numerous civil uprisings, resulting in the secession of the Scarlet Moon Empire and indirectly causing the indendence of the Highland Kingdom. Rumors of Hikusaak's death has existed for the past two centuries, but "The Temple" has always insisted that he is alive. He has not made any public appearances in the recent times, and regardless of his status, he is a non-player in Harmonian politics.
This has resulted in power shifting towards the aristocrats and political factions forming within the government, namely the Temple Faction and the People's Faction. The Temple Faction is composed of aristocrats who are in support of the priests, and they believe that the status quo must be preserved. The People's Party, on the other hand, seek equality between all citizen ranks, and to abolish the non-ranked "sub-human" rank used for kobolds and other non-human races.
The priests manipulate the two parties behind the scene, aiding one party or the other depending on circumstance. They employ the Howling Voice Guild to carry out assassinations and other acts of espionage to further their agenda. It was through such means that the priests destroyed the Latkje family, a powerful People's Faction aristocratic supporter. However, the Howling Voice Guild also has their own agenda, acting on their own at times to manipulate the powers. Due to this fact, priests have become weary of the Howling Voice Guild.
Regardless of all these political in-fighting, Harmonia manages to maintain a powerful military. Each led by a Bishop, the armies of Harmonia are well armed and can be dispatched to remote locations swiftly. This was seen when Bishop Sasarai was sent to aid Luca Blight during the Dunan Unification War. Harmonia has other military forces, such as the Temple Guards composed mainly by sons and daughters of aristocrats, and the Harmonian Border Guards, which patrols and protects Harmonia's border with the Grasslands. Harmonia also employs the help of various mercenary troops, and the combined might of all these forces are said to be in the millions.
Harmonian society is governed by a strict hierarchy, where those born in a certain rank generally stay in that rank for life. Pure Harmonians, such as the aristocrats, are called "First Class Citizens," and enjoy a vast array of privileges not available to the rest. First Class Harmonians always have blonde hair and blue eyes, due to strict marriage practices. "Second Class Citizens" are members of nations who have surrendered to the rule of Harmonia. Second Class Citizens generally enjoy similar privileges as First Class Citizens, but are only rarely members of the aristocracy. "Third Class Citizens" are members of nations who have resisted Harmonian rule, and are treated like slaves. Children of Third Class Citizen families are routinely sent to First Class households as servants. Another unofficial rank is that of "sub-human" which is used against non-human races. They perform various menial tasks and are considered to be disposable property. There are a few exceptions to the above ranks, such as the priests, who exist entirely outside the social structure, and the Howling Voice Guild, who choose their members based on skill rather than social rank.
Although the above information seems to make Harmonia sound extremely strict and almost uninhabitable, Harmonia possesses an extremely sophisticated culture, and many students come from around the world to study at the various academies in Harmonia's capital, Crystal Valley. Crystal Valley is also the location of the "One Temple," which is the largest library known to exist in the world. Many scholars and other seekers of knowledge visit Crystal Valley from afar to spend time in this institution.
Harmonia is also known to be extremely interested in acquiring True Runes. The purpose for this is unknown, but many villages, towns, and even entire nations have been destroyed by Harmonian forces in search of True Runes. With all this information, Harmonia remains to be a nation of great mystery.
Crystal Valley is the capital of Harmonia. It is where the "One Temple" is located and where the bulk of Harmonian politics take place. The city is said to be extremely huge--one person described that it would take a horse-drawn wagon two days to get from one side of Crystal Valley to the other side. Crystal Valley is also the location of many academies, including the Soledt Academy of Military Science and schools on rune mastery and phonology.
The city is well protected by the elite Temple Guards, but it was once penetrated by the "Flame Champion," who raided Harmonia. It is said that he sneaked into the "One Temple" and stole the True Fire Rune, but whether that is fact or fiction is in the realm of speculation.
SARSadmin's Comment: This is where the last battle in Suikoden history would take place! Well, maybe... But if that is the case, I'd be really pissed if they pull a L'Renouille on us (Where you can't visit the city at all, just the palace).
The palace where the Bishops reside and conduct political matters within Harmonia. The palace features exquisite architecture, seemingly made of crystal. It is said that High Priest Hikusaak resides here.
SARSadmin's Comment: A place of great mystery, which showed itself for a few brief moments in Suikoden 3. Who knows when we will actually get to go in there. [Picture: Circle Palace interior]
The "One Temple" is a huge library, where it is said most all of the knowledge and wisdom of mankind is stored for all to see. Many scholars dream to visit this megalithic library in search of knowledge. Those who come here typically spend days, weeks, months, and even yeas to glean through the millions of books and other archived materials stored in its depths.
SARSadmin's Comment: This is the last dungeon in Suikoden 5!! *sound of someone kicking my ass* ...well, this is where Futch and Humphrey went to research on whether Bright is a dragon or not... and I think Juppo is also rumored to have gone here... This is also where Luc met Albert Silverberg.
Soledt Academy of Military Science
The academy is known as the best institution to study military science, and many students come from abroad to hone their skill. Apple, Klaus Windamier, and Albert Silverberg are among the students who have graduated from this academy and later participated in wars as strategists.
SARSadmin's Comment: An odd tid-bit revealed in the Suikoden Short Stories Anthologies Vol.3.
A fortifiedcity located at the border between Harmonia and the Grasslands. The city itself is a huge center of trade due to it being the border between Harmonia, Grasslands, and the Dunan Republic. Many people live in this city, but most of them are poor. It is also the headquarters for the Harmonian Border Guards. The Harmonian Border Guards largely acts as special ops units to scout the Grasslands for potential enemies of Harmonia.
SARSadmin's Comment: The first town revealed within Harmonia besides Crystal Valley. They have prisons, slave-kobolds, and crazy doctors all in one. The architecture is quite Babylonian, or Sumerian. [Picture: Inside the walls of Caleria]
Marid is a small village located beside a mountian in Harmonia. The village is run by an innkeeper, and the people there are generally weary of foreigners. The village was recently plagued by a renegade dragon, but the dragon threat was removed by a group of travellers.
SARSadmin's Comment: This is where we get to see the World of Wings and Scales/Nash go berserk depending on what you choose in Suikogaiden.
A village that hugs a huge cliff where traditional mantor-riders (mantors are huge insects) live thier third-class citizen lives. The mantor riders are technically members of the Kanaa Clan, who fought against Harmonia during the war around IS 425. However, they were conquered by Harmonia, and ever since subjected to third-class treatment. However, due to their unique skill as airborne troops, they have been given relative autonomy compared to other third-class citizens.
SARSadmin's Comment: A village that is suspended mid-air with five huge ropes, but looking at how it's rigged, its impossibe for the village to retain its shape. There must be some gravity-defying secret hidden in this village! The architecture inside each house is very "eastern" but I can't really pin it down.[Picture: Lu Bouqe view from the side]
A small country that was conquered by Harmonia around the year 440. Sanadia resisted Harmonia's aggression, and thus its citizens became third class under Harmonian rule. This resulted in many families being torn apart as servants for first class citizens. Sanadia is currently considered a province within Harmonia, and is run by ex-Sanadian aristocrats who have become Harmonian sympathizers.
SARSadmin's Comment: The cause of Zaj's intense hatred of first class Harmonians. Must suck to live in a conquered nation. Maybe they should have just surrendered?
A mountain located close to Lu Bouqe that houses an altar created by the Flame Champion.
SARSadmin's Comment: What an elaborate decoy! The entire dungeon is basically a way for the Flame Champion to hide himself from the world!
"The Tower" is the coveted headquarters of the Howling Voice Guild. It is also called "The garden" by members of the guild.
"The Tower" itself is a small fortress with one central tower. Those who live inside the tower are normally not allowed to leave unless they are on a mission. Rations are delivered to "The Tower" by the temple, and no actual crop harvesting takes place within the walls. For greater detail on the Howling Voice Guild, please refer to The Howling Voice Guild Page.
SARSadmin's Comment: One place you don't want to end up in, yet the only way for Harmonains of lower rank to gain power.
A Sindar ruin which has been discovered in Northern Harmonia. It is said that an "Iron Giant" was excavated from its depths.
SARSadmin's Comment: A very small entry about Harmonia in the Genso Suikogaiden World Guide reveals this fact. I am sure no one even remembers it, even if they read that book.
Rupanda was taken over by Kranach Rugner when the Scarlet Moon Empire succeeded from Harmonia. Since then it has been called Gregminster. It is said that the old city included a Sindar ruin, but the ruin has been destroyed during the creation of Gregminster's "Hanging Gardens."
SARSadmin's Comment: Another historical fact you didn't need to know, yet you just love to know.
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