Hida Kuon

Hida Kuon was a bushi and berserker of the Crab Clan. He was the son of Hida Yasamura and Hida O-Ushi, twin brother of Hida Kuroda, husband to Hida Reiha and father to two sons, Hida Ichiro and Hida Ren.

Kuon became the Crab Clan Champion in 1159.

Youth
Hida Kuon never expected to become Crab Champion. All assumed that his twin brother, Kuroda, would be a better leader, including Kuon. When O-Ushi died, Kuroda was named the Crab Champion, and Kuon was satisfied to serve his brother as his most trusted officer.

Kuroda was a superb general, studied in the tactics and strategies of the Crab and Unicorn. Kuon was a formidable warrior, and embraced the bloodlust of the Hida family. They were the perfect pair.

Crab Clan Champion
When Kuroda fell defending the Kaiu Wall, it came to Kuon to take his place. At first, he was unsure of himself and his decisions. He was also tormented to know that Kuroda had become Lost, possessed by the onisu Kyofu. Yet, when Kuon faced him while retaking the fallen Kaiu Towers, Kuon was galvanized by rage. His nearly defeated soldiers watched him charge his brother and were heartened, and followed him in his charge.

Kuon is an inspiration of hope to his clan, and some say that with him as Champion, the Crab cannot be defeated. He fights personally at the head of his army, wielding Kisada's tetsubo with devastating effect, and though he carries Yuruginai, he only draws it against his corrupted brother. Acknowledging his weakness as a tactician, he has called the Crab's most experienced military minds to his council. With their advice, the lost Kaiu Towers had been reclaimed, and Kaiu Wall had been rebuilt around the Tower of Fear.

Return of Kisada
The return of his grandfather Hida Kisada through Oblivion's Gate caused some concern for Kuon. Many among the Crab revere Kisada, and Kuon even offered the position of champion to his grandfather. Kisada declined, but the presence of two such strong leaders created a rift within the Crab. Kisada's previous allying with the Shadowlands and later negotiations with the Lost were of great concern to Kuon.

Third Yasuki War
A meeting between Kuon and Doji Domotai sparked a war between the Crab and the Crane. Kuon claimed to have evidence which proved that the late Emerald Champion Yasuki Hachi was not the rightful heir to the Yasuki family, and demanded the next Yasuki daimyo swear fealty to the Crab alone. Domotai refused to accept that, as she would not allow him to contradict the word of Doji Kurohito.

Cherry Blossom Snow Village
The Crab captured Cherry Blossom Snow Village after the battle there in 1170. However, Kakita Kensho-in slew all the workers of the village's renowned brewery, rendering it useless. Kuon did not take the news well, and a mocking gift from Domotai shortly after compounded his hatred of the Crane Clan Champion.

End of the War
At the beginning of winter, the leaders of the Crab met to discuss the progress of the war. Hida Otoya claimed that their forces would be able to push the Crane out of the province by spring, but Yasuki Jinn-Kuen said that the Crab's supplies would last no more than a month, due to the Crane's economic sanctions and the high cost of maintaining the Wall. Otoya suggested they deploy the Damned, but Kuon was outraged by the notion. Left with no other options, Kuon sent Jinn-Kuen to ask Domotai for terms.