Samurai and Society

[Vutall]

Samurai and Society
In Rokugan, it is said that honor is stronger than steel. While even the finest blade can bend and break or twist under the heat of the forge, the Emerald Empire’s society has been folded in the forges of politics and war for more than a thousand years, and it has not yet broken. The society of Rokugan follows a divinely ordered pattern set down by the ten Kami, who shared their celestial blessings with the mortal realm. Rokugan is a land of strict social stratification, where an improper look at the wrong time can mean death. Face—the concept of a samurai’s stoicism and outward self-control—is paramount in Rokugan. To lose one’s face is to lose one’s status and reputation in society, and potentially one’s life.

The root of the word samurai is, literally, “one who serves.” The samurai rule the Emerald Empire as nobles and lords, but they also serve others—whether the people of Rokugan below or those samurai who sit as lords above them. Most samurai fall into one of three broad categories: bushi, who train their martial skill; courtiers, who engage in deadly political games; and shugenja, who serve as priests and conduits between the mortal and sacred realms

Government and Power
Rokugan is a feudal society: all of the land belongs to the Emperor, who bestows the rights of stewardship on champions and lords within the Great Clans, who in turn pass on the tasks of administration to lesser-ranked samurai

All Imperial authority and patterns of life proceed from the Hantei, the Emperor, who is descended from divinity and sits on the Emerald Throne. He is attend-ed primarily by his jeweled champions (the Emerald Champion in particular) and by the champions of the Great Clans. The clan champions are masters of the Great Clans, overseeing the families sworn to each. These families are descended from the heroic mortals who swore fealty to the Kami.

The various families within the clan are themselves ruled over by daimyō (literally, “the great names”), lords of the families, who hold the power of life and death over their kin and command absolute loyalty. Their individual lands are divided into provinces, the divisions of land in Rokugan,which are ruled over by lesser daimyō—who themselves rule over district and city governors, lords of rich lands and wealthy cities. The clans and their representatives vie for dominance in the courts of these daimyō,prevailing over others with silk and steel

The way of the samurai is the way of the warrior. Most are trained from birth to fight for their lords and lay down their lives if need be. When ownership of a territory falls into dispute, or when threats from beyond the Empire’s borders imperil the very existence of the Empire,the daimyō of the clans mobilize their armies and fight for their champion or on behalf of the Emperor as part of the Imperial Legions. The Emperor permits his vassals to take a share of the annual rice harvest so that they may arm themselves for war and defend the lands they have been entrusted with

Not all wars are won on the battlefield, however. Samurai skilled in the subtle arts of the courtier fight their battles with honeyed words and mocking, tittering laughter behind face-concealing fans. Their arena is the courts, be they the provincial courts of city or family daimyō,the castles of the clan champions,or the famed yet deadly Imperial Court. In these places of delicate and indirect speech, impeccable etiquette is a better defense than the finest katana when a samurai walks into court. Courtiers seek out one another for private meetings, each expressing their clan’s wishes indirectly and sealing treaties with honor and promises rather than ink and parchment

Winter is harsh in Rokugan, and battles cannot be fought in the bitter cold and impassable snow. Thus winter is when court is most active, for there is little else to do except attend court. The Emperor’s Winter Court is a highly selective social event, with higher stakes and rewards than any other.

Imperial Offices and Ministers
Office of the Emerald Champion:Oversees enforcement of Imperial laws.

Office of the Ruby Champion: Over-sees training of new Emerald Magistrates and maintains the scrolls codifying Imperial law.

Office of the Jade Champion: Oversees enforcement of Imperial laws against heresy and sorcery. Currently not filled.

The Imperial Legions: The Emperor’s armies, fielding warriors from all clans.

The Imperial Treasury: Oversees collection of Imperial taxes.

The Imperial Census Bureau: Oversees collection of demographic information.

The Imperial Cartographers: Oversee archives of Imperial maps.

Office of the Imperial Household:Oversees servants in the Imperial palace, as well as the Seppun Honor Guard and Hidden Guard, which are responsible for the physical and spiritual safety of the Imperial family, respectively

Clan Offices and Ministers
Advisor: A catch-all position with duties including general counsel and strategy.

Captain of the Guard: Oversees security forces of an area, assigns bodyguards.

Chancellor: The lord’s chief courtier, responsible for receiving dignitaries.

Court Astrologer: Responsible for auguries and divinatory rites.

General: Oversees the lord’s military forces, recruitment, and equipment.

Hatamoto: A daimyō’s personal retainer.$Herald: Oversees the lord’s communications with other samurai and clans.

Magistrate: Oversees law enforcement and the judiciary in a town, city, or province. May have deputies called yoriki.

Seneschal or Steward: Oversees the household staff and castle upkeep.

Spiritual Advisor: A font of knowledge related to local spirits or the Tao.

Stable Master: Oversees the lord’s horses, stablehands, and stables.