Hantei XVI
Born:	569
Died:	597
Died after return:	1155
Parents:	Hantei XV, Otomo Kaoichihime
Siblings:	Five un-named siblings
Spouse:	Un-named wife, Doji Nariko
Children:	Hantei XVII
Titles:	Emperor of Rokugan
People

Hantei XVI, the Steel Chrysanthemum, was possibly the most brutal and violent Emperor in the history of Rokugan. Even after his death, the violent emperor returned through Oblivion's Gate, tried to claim the empire as his once more, and started the War of Spirits. He has the dishonor of being the first of only two tyrannicides in the Empire's long history.

Contents 1 Birth 2 The Reign of the Steel Chrysanthemum 2.1 Right Hand of the Emperor 2.2 Nezumi 2.3 Chokai Province 2.4 Married 2.5 Death 3 The Return of the Steel Chrysanthemum 3.1 Yasuki Conflict 3.2 The Phoenix Children 3.3 Right to Rule 4 War of Spirits 5 Phoenix Clan 6 Hantei Naseru 6.1 Engineering a new War 7 Second Death 8 Legion of Blood 9 See also 10 External Links 11 References

Birth Edit

Hantei XVI was born in 569 under portents so ominous that their like had not been seen since Iuchiban. The Shosuro, Ikoma and Asahina, however, chose to ignore them. ^[1]

The Reign of the Steel Chrysanthemum Edit

In 589 the Emperor, Hantei XV, retired early, believing his honest, clever, and capable son, Hantei Okucheo, would usher in a new age of prosperity for Rokugan. Hantei XVI ultimately proved to be a different sort of ruler. Plagued by paranoia since birth, his world was overrun by "ghost assassins", seeing traitors in every corner and enemies in every crowd. He began giving orders to crush any opposition, whether real or imagined, causing thousands to die. ^[1] Hantei XVI even murdered all four of his other siblings, and when his mother discovered this she attempted to poison her son. ^[2]

Right Hand of the Emperor Edit

When Hida Tsuneo became the Crab Clan Champion after the death of his father, the Emperor appointed him as the Right Hand of the Emperor in place of the Lion Clan. ^[3]

Nezumi Edit

The Emperor declared Ratlings a dangerous Shadowlands menace, and ordered the Imperial Legions to destroy them. ^[4]

Chokai Province Edit

The Steel Chrysanthemum ordered the Chokai province of the Mirumoto family scourged for an unknown reason. When his forces failed, because two Mirumoto had survived, he had 100 Seppun hung upon stakes along the Imperial Road near Otosan Uchi. ^[2]

Married Edit

The Steel Chrysanthemum took a fancy to Doji Nariko, and sent her husband on a suicide mission among the Yobanjin tribes. Nariko was forced to marry him, but she did not overcome her grief and threw herself from the cliffs of the White Stag. A song was written in tribute to her courage, that quietly spread among those who stood against the cruel Emperor and gave fuel to their anger. ^[5]

Death Edit

He was finally deposed by the Imperial Guard and Ochukeo's last surviving brother after he had ordered the Crab Clan Champion, Hida Tsuneo, to kill his mother, Otomo Kaoichihime. The Crab Champion did so with his bare hands moments before the Seppun guards (alongside bushi from at least four other clans) burst in and killed Tsuneo and the few remaining loyal to the Emperor. The Emperor was killed before by a dagger thrusted into his throat by his own son. Those that followed him into death were cursed to follow him forever by Kaoichihime. ^{[1] [2]} The katana that killed the Hantei was Mukizo, the "Flawless". ^[6]

The Return of the Steel Chrysanthemum Edit

After returning to Ningen-do through Oblivion's Gate, he found that the Hantei line had died out. Hantei XVI concluded that this made him the rightful Emperor, leading to the War of Spirits. ^[2] Okucheo traveled through Rokugan, dissecting the Imperial political landscape, and carefully developed his own private spy network. ^[7]

Yasuki Conflict Edit

A Crane Yasuki returned spirit, Yasuki Masashi, was horrified his family had sworn fealty to the Crab, and in 1138 demanded the Yasuki once again join the Crane. Hida Tsuneo influenced his former clan to ensure the result would be a bloody conflict, prompting a series of small border clashes between Crab troops (mostly mortals) and Crane forces comprised mainly of spirits. ^[8]

The Phoenix Children Edit

This year Hantei XVI ordered a campaign against the Phoenix Clan. He attempted to force the Phoenix and their Clan Champion Shiba Tsukune to side with his armies by kidnapping all their children. ^[9] Tsuneo led a spirit force assisted by Agasha Tamori, seizing Kyuden Isawa. The Phoenix children there were taken hostage, including those of the Elemental Masters. ^[8]

Right to Rule Edit

Hantei Okucheo arrived in Otosan Uchi and demanded Toturi surrender the Throne to him, but Toturi refused. The Hantei was infuriated when Shiba Tsukune refused to turn on Toturi in spite of his holding her clan's children hostage. ^{[10] [8]}

War of Spirits Edit

Hantei declared war on Toturi and the War of Spirits began. Insane from centuries of punishment in the Toshigoku, the Realm of Slaughter, Hantei XVI rallied other returned Spirits unsatisfied with the new dynasty of Toturi I and those who had returned that were unwilling to end their own lives for the good of the Empire. His forces also gained strength from modern samurai who desired a return to old traditions. For all his madness Hantei XVI was able to rally a multi faction army against the clans and lead a devastating war for ten years, controlling various territories. He did however have the advantage of many returned generals, samurai, and spies who knew their respective clans secrets, weaknesses, and strengths and were willing to take advantage of their knowledge. ^{[citation needed]}

Phoenix Clan Edit

Hantei XVI began attacking the Phoenix. Shiba forces were easily defeated and fled into the Isawa Woodlands. Tamori burned the trees where the scattered Shiba had hidden and one by one slaughtered them. ^[11]

Hantei Naseru Edit

The peace treaty that had been negotiated to end the War of Spirits meant that Toturi would have to give his youngest son Naseru to been taught by Hantei XVI, and Naseru took the Hantei name. ^{[12] [13]}

Hantei XVI was placed under permanent house arrest. He and Naseru lived in a palace in the Kanjo district in Otosan Uchi. ^[12]

Engineering a new War Edit

Hantei XVI was a brutal teacher and would sometimes beat the young Naseru. Learning of Naseru's affections for the daughter of the Otomo Daimyo, Otomo Hoketuhime, Hantei brokered a marriage with her. He planned to attack Hoketuhime in Naseru's presence, hoping that Naseru would attack him and break his father's treaty. The old Emperor was confident in his ability to kill Toturi's son and then summon his followers to begin the War of Spirits anew. ^[14]

Second Death Edit

In 1155, he went ahead with his plan, yet he underestimated his fiance Hoketuhime, and she stabbed Hantei XVI in the back even as he battled Naseru. ^[14] The young Naseru returned to his family, missing an eye. Toturi wanted answers, but Hantei XVI was already dead and Naseru would not say how he had been killed. The event was covered up however, making sure that it was clear Naseru had not killed the former Emperor. ^{[12] [15]}

Legion of Blood Edit

In 1166 Hantei XVI joined the Legion of Blood. ^[14]

See also Edit

• Hantei XVI/Meta

External Links Edit

• Hantei XVI Inexp (Coils of Madness)
• Hantei XVI (Spirit Wars)

Preceded by: Hantei XV

Emperor of Rokugan 589 - 597

Succeeded by: Hantei XVII

References

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