I've been plowing through Suikoden V, which I have found really enjoyable so far, except for one thing: recruiting seems to be very haphazard for at least half a dozen characters.

I've recruited Genoh and Richard way before the strategy guide said I could, and I haven't been able to recruit characters that the guide said I could at my point in the game (I just saved the Beaver village).

Particularly Linfa, who I completed both prerequisites for (loosing to her in Esterise, and getting the Potch back in Yashuna village). The guide said I couldn't find her in Raftfleet Inn until I defeated Roy. I only checked out the Inn after doing that and saving the Beaver village, and she's not there.

Just as bad I can't recruit the bandit siblings, even with Roy in the party.

My last save is five hours earlier. Am I going to have to backtrack or will I be able to recruit all three eventually?