Hideo Miyamoto

Emperor Hideo Miyamoto (deceased) Age: died at 64 (in 1001)

Hideo Miyamoto, Supreme Judge of Oyashima, 11th in his line to hold the Throne of Pearls, Queller of Snow Demons, was one of Oyashima's best-regarded supreme leaders. He did a great deal to expand trade with foreign kingdoms, enlarge and improve the major cities of Oyashima, and quell rivalries between the land's three major clans, although recent open warfare between Clan Fukui and Clan Yoshida put his peacemaking skills to the test.

His policies were largely seen as pragmatic - halting settlement in Hokkaido at the Central Range to avoid provoking the Monstrous Kingdoms, allowing but containing Gaijin merchants in Nagasaki, supporting Clan Fukui against the renegade Yoshida clan members but not punishing the Yoshida clan as a whole.

His family includes Crown Prince Ken'Ichi, Prince Motoki (now acting emperor), Prince Noboru, and his wife, Empress Asami.

DEATH

The sudden death by illness of Emperor Hideo Miyamoto has rippled across the land of Oyashima like a shockwave. At 64, he was perceived as being still healthy and energetic, with a good 10-20 years of active service ahead of him.

Hideo Miyamoto's death means that his eldest son, crown prince Ken'Ichi, will ascend to the Throne of Pearls. Ken'Ichi is currently abroad in the land of Kara Tur, but it is expected he will be recalled to the capital immediately.

For the time being, Prince Motoki has assumed control of the engines of state and has already begun issuing decrees, including one severely limiting the movement and activities of the Gaijin based in the city of Nagasaki and another recalling some (but not all) of the imperial forces scouring Hokkaido for the two rogue daimyos.

Little is known about the nature of the emperor's death, and why traditional clerical magic (which extends up to and including divine intervention) could not save his life. Rumors are swirling in the capital Miyako and in the city of Edo. Reports have been circulating of at least four major figures connected to the Fukui Clan (a high-ranking judge, two company presidents, and a warlord) dying of various causes over the past week, including a suspicious fire and a poisoning.