Ok, lets discuss a little bit about the way people are expected to act. That’s not to say that I expect the player’s to act like this but I am also clarifying other’s reactions to “inappropriate actions”. To “fit in”, here are guide lines and most can at least be bent.
The Way of the Samurai
To be a samurai is an odd paradox. You are a servant. You serve your lord by making war. That is your place in the karmic wheel and will be in your next life as well. Your lord, and therefore you, serve the Emperor who is the direct descendent of the gods. All of Rokugan belongs to the Emperor and his taxes allow you to live there. In return, you collect taxes, take care of administrative functions, defend his land, or in some cases, make war with his consent. Of course, not everything goes according to plan. In reality, the Emperor keeps the various clans at war with each other so that no single clan becomes too powerful. The Emperor, himself, holds little power and the combined clans could defeat him easily.
What CAN the Emperor do? The Emperor has a few families directly beneath him. To take arms against imperial guard is to attack the Emperor directly. Death is for the lucky.
Where does that leave me? At a young student’s gempukku (coming of age ceremony) he gives up his father’s name (or at least makes it secondary). He is then inducted in the major family of the clan that accepted him and thus, takes their name (Akodo, Doji, Hiruma, etc.). This is the goal of most samurai.
The Way of the Ronin
A ronin is still a samurai although no official clan or Emperor likes it. To be honest, they have no choice. 10% of Rokugan’s population is samurai and many of those are ronin. A ronin is a master-less samurai (wave men). Perhaps their family was dissolved for not paying taxes, or they were forbidden to commit seppuku and ousted from their clan. Whatever the reason there are a lot of them and if they ever joined forces, they would be a very real army. For this reason, Rokugan fears them. In reality, many clans hire ronin to bolster their own defenses which are lacking.
A ronin has a unique place in society. They are not noble class but they are still privy to the privileges of being a samurai. This means that they can kill a peasant for looking at them badly or sleep in any house they want but they still must answer to the local authorities. Again, if the authorities become too pushy, a revolt may start and that community could be toppled. Most of the time though, it is just another ronin scum. It’s all a very delicate balance. If enough peasants complain about the actions of a ronin, something will be done usually. Which brings us to:
Ok, lets discuss a little bit about the way people are expected to act. That’s not to say that I expect the player’s to act like this but I am also clarifying other’s reactions to “inappropriate actions”. To “fit in”, here are guide lines and most can at least be bent.
A Peasant’s Life
Peasants. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. They take up many positions on the karmic wheel. Farmers are highest tiers on this level. Farmers, which make life, serve the Empire which cannot exist without them and thus are under the military’s protection. Samurai serve to protect the farmers as well. Why do they push them around then if they are lower on the karmic wheel? Because samurai carry big swords and are “cultured”. That’s why.
Below farmers are merchants and laborers. Merchants keep the Empire running. While their job is not necessary, it is useful and in demand. Next down are the eta (or non-humans). Eta perform the jobs that samurai cannot do such as touch the dead, dig graves, drain lakes. All these tasks are beneath the samurai. Also included are the actors, prostitutes, and geishas. Why do samurai give so much respect to geishas? I told you it was a paradox. However, if a samurai kills a geisha, no one will ask questions except the mob boss of that geisha house…and only at his own risk.
The Holy Monk
Monks are almost separate from the caste system. When a samurai retires he usually becomes a monk (allowing himself to progress in the karmic wheel). A monk must still abide by the laws of the Emperor. However, an attack on a local monastery is a quick fire way to start a revolt. In this sense, the religious sects have some power. It also helps that the Emperor, himself, is a descendent of a Kami. All castes mingle at this level…samurai, peasant, geisha, etc.
Criminals and Society
Bad guys can go either way. Lets say that a town has a hard time producing its yearly tax quota. Good thing the local gambling boss is there to help the local samurai lord! After all, many heads are on the line. It is a 2-way parasitic relationship. What about bandits? No one really likes them but no one cares about them as long as they stay out of their hair...and if they don't you can at least hope the problem goes away by itself. Local magistrates may be spread thin and might not have the money or men to fight against local bandits for one tiny farming town.
Captured villains are subject to every type of death and torture imaginable. Again, you must be a mighty brave man to argue against the authorities. Evidence is almost useless in Rokugan. One samurai's word is all that is required. Only a higher ranking samurai can usually fight a verdict.
The Religions of Rokugan
The official religion is Buddhism. The samurai caste demands this and who’s to argue? Shintaoism is the belief system. Confused yet? Here’s the deal. First came Shintaoism with the Emperor at the head. Then someone thought Buddhism was neat and the samurais liked it. Now there is a problem. Buddhism had no room for an Emperor. The best way to deal with this is to mix them. Better pray to Buddha AND the Kamis just in case! Also floating around are a few more religions… Taoism, Confucius, and Kristiando (Christianity). The latter one is strictly banned in Rokugan. And of course, no one wants to stir trouble with the mystic practices like shugendo. Better to let them do what they do.
The Ninja
There is no ninja. It is all a peasant story. Or at least that’s what the ninja advertise. A ninja is right down there with grave digger. They embrace death and the unclean. In fact, their own immortal soul is the stake. In their own circles they have stricter belief in loyalty (if not honor) than any samurai.
Who is a ninja? That guy jumping across rooftops? Maybe. But their usefulness usually only goes so far. The real threat are those ninja’s mixed into society. A farmer here, a monk there, and maybe even a samurai or two. Their sects go through great lengths to hide their members well and years could pass before being called upon. In fact, many pass their legacy on to their children so as to deep “root” themselves into societies. A ninja should never play his hand before needing to…even if their own life is at stake. The society is more important then the person and will most certainly be dealt with for betraying the secret. If a ninja must perform an operation, they either must not be identified or kill all those who learn the truth. Their sect will go to any length to assure this. They must.