Hida Isamu, Son of the Stone Crab

There are few men in Rokugan who exemplify all that it means to be Crab so much as Hida Isamu. During his short life he has seen the greatest and worst that life has to offer, and though he came close to losing everything, he has begun to become an even greater man than his legendary father.

Isamu’s father was Hida Tsuneo, the man history remembers as the Stone Crab. Tsuneo was legendary in his own time for a number of reasons, including his tremendous sense of honor and his incredible prowess on the battlefield. Unfortunately, what history remembers most is that Tsuneo was unfailingly loyal to his Emperor, the maniacal Hantei XVI, also known as the Steel Chrysanthemum. Under the Chrysanthemum’s direction, Tsuneo committed terrible atrocities that filled his soul with shame, but his honor would not allow him to disobey his Emperor. When the Chrysanthemum’s son and his loyal Imperial supporters overthrew the Hantei, Tsuneo followed his lord in death after killing many of his assassins.

Death was not an escape, however. Tsuneo followed his Emperor to Toshigoku and later through Oblivion’s Gate to plague the Empire once more. During the War of Spirits, he found comfort in the arms of a peasant woman, much in the same manner as his ancestor Osano-Wo once had. By the time Isamu was born, Tsuneo had perished in the collapse of Beiden Pass. Isamu grew up hearing tales of his father, and upon reaching the proper age his mother gave him all that she had of his father: a stone crest of two crab claws holding an emerald.

Isamu took up life as a ronin for years, quickly earning several loyal followers with his determination. When a 20 Goblin Winter was declared in Crab lands, Isamu and his men ventured into the Shadowlands and recovered one of the greatest bounties any such contest had ever seen: enough goblin heads for Isamu’s entire band of twenty men to gain fealty to the Crab. It was only once Hida Kuon had accepted their loyalty did Isamu reveal his heritage, much to the surprise of those assembled. Isamu’s brash nature did little to endear him to the Crab Champion, however, and Kuon instantly recognized the young man’s impulsive nature as dangerous.

It was not long before Isamu’s worth would be tested. When the tattooed madman Kokujin offered the Crab the location of Tsuburu no Oni, one of the legendary Oni Lords, Isamu volunteered to hunt the beast. Isamu insisted that Kuon was too valuable to risk, and that if it were a trap, the loss of a young warrior like himself would not hurt the clan. Kuon reluctantly agreed, sending his trusted advisor Hida Rohiteki to watch over Isamu. The young man was victorious, and slew the Oni Lord, but lost all his men save for Rohiteki in the process. Moments later, the Rain of Blood caught both Crab in open ground, with no shelter to be had. The burning rain brought out all of Isamu’s arrogance and ambition, and Rohiteki realized that he was on the brink of corruption. Unwilling to allow such a man to become an enemy, the elderly shugenja shielded Isamu from the harshest effects of the Rain, but in doing so left her soul bare, and was claimed by the dark magic held within the storm.

Isamu returned to his Champion in disgrace, but was surprised to find Kuon placed no blame upon him. For the first time, Isamu understood the pain, rage, and strength of will Kuon possessed, having seen so many of his loved ones fall. Bowing to the greater man, Isamu pledged his life and loyalty to Kuon as surely has his father had done, although to a lord truly worth of such fealty. Since that time, Isamu has abandoned the notion of achieving the glory his father failed to gather during his lifetime, and instead focuses on serving the Crab and his Champion to the best of his ability. Ironically, it is only now that many see in Isamu the same traits that were squandered in his father, sullied and disgraced by the despot Hantei XVI. As great as Hida Tsuneo could have been, many now believe that Hida Isamu will be even greater. 

Hida Isamu, Son of the Stone Crab

Air: 2
     Reflexes 3
Earth: 4
Fire: 2
     Agility 3
Water: 3
     Strength 4
Void: 3
School/Rank: Hida Bushi 2, Ronin Warrior 1
Glory: 3.2
Status: 1.8
Honor: 2.1
Advantages: Inheritance (Tsuneo’s Crest, Lore: Heraldry, Free Raise on all Awareness rolls made with other Crab), Multiple Schools (Accepted into Hida Bushi after training as a ronin), Strength of the Earth (4 points)
Disadvantages: Brash, Overconfident
Kata: Shell of Stone, Stance on the Wall, Striking as Earth
Skills: Athletics 2, Battle (Enemy: Shadowlands) 4, Deceit (Intimidation) 3, Defense 4, Heavy Weapons (Dai Tsuchi, Tetsubo) 5, Horsemanship 2, Hunting 3, Investigation (Notice) 4, Jiujutsu 3, Kenjutsu (Katana) 3, Kyujutsu 2, Lore: Heraldry 2, Lore: Shadowlands 4, Stealth (Sneaking) 3