Originating from New Armes (speculations)

[Vincent Vingerhut]

Could it be that Shin and Zamza originate from New Armes. This is largely based on their Arabic costumes which resembles most of the New Armes characters in Suiokden V. However the most common weapon of New Armes as mentioned in Suikoden V was the spear and neither Shin or Zamza uses this weapon. Also Zamza is mentioned to be a drop out from a magicians academy and perhaps this academy is located in New Armes.

[Camus the Noble]

It's certainly possible. Zamza's origins are unknown, while it is said that Shin comes from the "Southlands." Seeing as there is no region called the "Southlands," we can probably assume that it's a relative term encompassing some of the countries to the far south of Dunan, which would definitely include New Armes.

However, New Armes is a decentralized nation made up of warrior tribes; it doesn't seem like the kind of place where one would find an academy of magic. However, the neighboring kingdom, Nagarea, is a theocracy, and thus probably has a level of centralization that would make an academy of magic more likely than in New Armes. And not only is it a theocracy, but a militant theocracy. It seems likely that such a nation would probably have quite a holier-than-thou (and here holier applies in a literal sense) attitude. If that attitude permeates the culture of Nagarea, then that could help explain why Zamza is so snooty. And Nagarea is certainly close enough to Armes for the dress to be similar; in fact, I think that Eresh's clothes are said to be Nagarean, and they are quite similar to those of Zamza. So, while Zamza might be from New Armes, I think it's more likely that he's Nagarean, or at least trained at a magic academy there.

As for Shin, there's really not much we have to go on. The phrase "Southlands," when spoken by a resident of the Dunan region, is so incredibly vague that he could be from any number of countries. The fact that he doens't use a spear might tip the scale slightly against New Armes, but that's hardly conclusive proof that he's not from that region.

EDIT: Just a quick update: I just checked the Geography section of this site, and the Southlands indeed refers collectively to the countries far to the south, without specifying any in particular.

[Axiose]

Let's remember the rather simple rule about Suikoden V information please!
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[Axiose] [Fliktor]

[John Layfield]

It seems the NEW rule is to make sure Axiose is totally unsurprised by anything in the game by the time of it's European release. :P

It's possible, of course. There are a few small issues like the exact cultural influences used to design New Armes and those used by Shin and the like not being exactly the same but I'm willing to consider it something to chew on.
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One day, I shall come back. Yes, we shall all come back. Until then, there must be no regrets, no tears, no anxieties. Just go forward in all your beliefs and prove to me that I am not mistaken in mine.

[Rainrir]

But there is also some kinda flaw in that arguement...especially the idea of using CLOTHING style to determine where someone is from.

I mean...look at Kasim, Raura, Hortez XIII(was it 13th?), Shin and Zamza....they all wear the same Arabic/Middle Eastern/Indian/Egyptian style clothes...somewhat. Even though I feel that Hortez is more....Aztec in his clothing.

The people of Nagarea...we only saw on representative...and it is Eresh. There are too many inconsistancies about her character (her age, her magic powers, her insistance to not show any skin) to make an accurate assesssment of her origins (if she is really from Nagarea or not) and the general clothing style of Nagarea(she only represents the priests).

The people of Armes we have more characters to evaluate with...we have Nakula, Shula, Nisfara, Shamista, Jidan and Maha to base our assessment with. The feeling I get is that they are more of an INDIAN design then Middle-Eastern/Egyptian/Arabic.

However the biggest problem with the CLOTHES-tell-the-story, other then people can change clothes easily..is that some locations seem to have similar clothings as the places we generally ATTRIBUTE a clothing style to.

Just look at that dessert town in S3..Calmeria is it? They look Middle Eastern as well....

[Acheron]