Storyline Events - The Great Bear

Art by Matthew D. Wilson

The Great Bear, Hida Kisada, Fortune of Persistance, now walks the mortal realm once more. Though his return has had a profound effect on his former Clan, the Crab, his rebirth has not gone unnoticed by the rest of the Empire. Kisada sees his return as a chance to put right all that which went wrong in his former life.

This duty begins with his son.

Hida Kisada loved his wife dearly, a rare thing in Rokugan where most marriages are conducted for political reasons. Sadly, Kisdada's wife died during the birth of his son Sukune. Kisada never remarried, and as far as the Empire knows, had no children other than Sukune, O-Ushi and Yakamo.

Following his death and ascension to godhood, many truths were revealed to Hida Kisada. Among these was a most surprising revelation, he had a fourth son, conceived shortly before the Clan Wars. The mother, an honorable samurai, never told Kisada, nor anyone else. She found the Great Bears actions during the early days of the Clan War so shameful that she felt it better that her child live not knowing his father was a villain.

She died during the battle on the Day of Thunder, when the Crab cleansed their shame. Thus Kisada's son never knew his father. During the War of Spirits, he died as well, crushed beneath the heel of the Stone Crab. Now Kisada seeks to make amends in the only way he can, by seeking out his granddaughter.

Two tournaments will determine the identity of Kisada's missing graddaughter, now an adult samurai. The first tournament, presented by Salman Barakat will determine the clan of Kisada's missing heir. If the Nezumi win this price, they must select and Great or Minor Clan. Kisada's heir will be a member of this clan, and will have close ties to a Nezumi Tribe.

The second tournament, presented by Jason Aken, will determine the identity of a hero who will help Kisada find his missing heir. This hero will become a close friend and ally of the Great Bear. The winner can select any currently living member of his clan to aid Kisada, pending approval by the story Team.