Post by Toku Hirotomo on Jul 23, 2011 13:22:57 GMT -5
I have been working through a campaign idea that takes place in a semi-futuristic Rokugan. Thought I would share it with the rest of you. This first post is just mostly about the Great Clans, I'll write up the rest as I iron out the kinks.
Rokugan 2250
The Empire has changed much since it's birth. The 23rd century heralded a time that many samurai would find alien, but comforting. The Clans remain, the Empire remains. Though as the Empire grew in power, so has the enemies that plague it.
Crab Clan
The Scions of Hida still stand as strong as ever. The Kaiu wall has grown to unimaginable size, and turrets line the steel walls. The Crab do not abandon duty, even if less men are required on the wall. Aside from the wall, they have teams devoted to the electronic stability of the Empire. Gaijin hackers attempt raids daily, but the second wall, The Kaiu Firewall, has remained stable. Due to the decreased need for men on the wall, the Crab have become pioneers of both electronic and physical protection. Crab are contracted out to serve as yojimbo for clans, and have begun a weapons research and development conglomerate that leads all the other clans.
Crane Clan
The Daughters of Doji became a matriarchal Clan in the 20th century. Fashion, art, media, all these are their domain. Every famous actor has been Shosuro or Crane trained. The Crane struggles with maintaining the culture of the Empire, with expanding it. Half of the entertainment produced by the Empire is Crane controlled. Their connection with the Imperial Families has also gained them enormous power in the courts. They were among the first to sense the changing winds, and allow the commoners more rights than were first thought imaginable. As such, they are remembered in the Commoners Court, known as Parliament, very fondly.
Dragon Clan
In the high mountains, the Dragon remain, perhaps the clan least affected by the changing years. Though the Kakita still train duelists, it is with the Dragon, that the sword remains. During the 18th century, when it was discovered that the mountains of the Dragon contained almost limitless quantities of coal, they became the masters of energy. Producing more power for the Empire than any two clans together, Togashi's heirs still choose to remain in the mountains. They are slightly marred by the haze of black smoke, though it in not as bad as it was 100 years ago. The Dragon are seeking news form of energy, and have successfully tested many alternatives. Legions of Dragon still stand ready to defend their home, the last war with the Lion has pulled them even further into their home.
Lion Clan
As militaristic as ever, the Sons of Akodo still have the largest army in the Empire. They have expanded the boarders of the Empire, they are still The Emperor's Right Hand. Following a misunderstood transmission, the Lion attacked the Dragon mountains, and both clans suffered. A generation of the Lion's best and brightest were killed, something the Lion has yet to fully recover from. Aside from maintaining the largest army, the Lion also produce more weapons than any other Clan. They have yet to unlock any Crab secrets, but for how long this remains true is unknown.
Mantis Clan
If it was made in one part of the Empire, and received in another, it was likely a Mantis had something to do with it. Though they deal mostly with the Gaijin in trading, in Rokugan, the Mantis are well known for their shipping empire. Trucks, trains, planes, if it moves, there are Mantis dedicated to them. It was Yoritomo Kazaka who discovered flight, and the skies of the Empire have never been the same. Their ventures into Gaijin lands have yielded fruitful since the lift of the ban of gaijin items; most of them at any rate. Senpet foods, and Yobajin music is slowly making its way into the Empire, to the Crane's disgust. The Mantis are currently working with the Imperial Families to send more people into the stars. They refuse to lose to the Unicorn in matters of exploration.
Phoenix Clan
After centuries, the Phoenix have mastered medicine as well as magic. With the induction of the Kanade family, they have almost cured all disease from the Empire. While the others work of the perfection of magic, the Kanade have created medical practices that extend to every region of the Empire. It is rumored that no one in the Phoenix gets sick. From inoculations, to rigorous social works programs, this may very well be true. For the rest of the Clan, the depletion of the Mori Isawa over centuries of harvest has led them to research other ways of preserving scrolls. Digital Shugenja have become the hallmark of this clan. Scrolls are long since obsolete thanks to the hard work of the Isawa.
Scorpion Clan
There will always be someone who wants information or a vice. The Scorpion fill that need above all others. Their corporate espionage teams have extracted the others clan's secrets without them even aware. The masters of the shadows have become masters of the digital world. Their public face is one of decadence. The Adult entertainment industry was created by a Scorpion, and still remains dominantly Scorpion. The Baiyushi were the first to re-legalize opium, and have sense created a market that has seeded into all Clans. While everyone can enjoy the romantic antics of a Crane romance movie, there is something more sinisterly appealing to a Scorpion Horror film. Whatever your desire, there is a Scorpion waiting to fulfill it.
Unicorn Clan
While the other Great Clans rushed to fill a gap, the Unicorn calmly chose the route of the future. The wanderlust of Shinjo is still very much a part of the Clan. Through expert maneuvering, the Unicorn is the only Clan to have a noticeable presence in space. While the rest of the Clans are content with satellites, and small stations, the Unicorn has cities. Some say this obsession will draw them away again, but not within range of an Utaku. While horses remain a large part of their history, the Unicorn have created a fleet of cavalry, Steel Horses, that continue to make them the greatest mounted force on the planet. Time will tell if the wanderlust takes them again, one final time, into the great beyond.
Rokugan 2250
The Empire has changed much since it's birth. The 23rd century heralded a time that many samurai would find alien, but comforting. The Clans remain, the Empire remains. Though as the Empire grew in power, so has the enemies that plague it.
Crab Clan
The Scions of Hida still stand as strong as ever. The Kaiu wall has grown to unimaginable size, and turrets line the steel walls. The Crab do not abandon duty, even if less men are required on the wall. Aside from the wall, they have teams devoted to the electronic stability of the Empire. Gaijin hackers attempt raids daily, but the second wall, The Kaiu Firewall, has remained stable. Due to the decreased need for men on the wall, the Crab have become pioneers of both electronic and physical protection. Crab are contracted out to serve as yojimbo for clans, and have begun a weapons research and development conglomerate that leads all the other clans.
Crane Clan
The Daughters of Doji became a matriarchal Clan in the 20th century. Fashion, art, media, all these are their domain. Every famous actor has been Shosuro or Crane trained. The Crane struggles with maintaining the culture of the Empire, with expanding it. Half of the entertainment produced by the Empire is Crane controlled. Their connection with the Imperial Families has also gained them enormous power in the courts. They were among the first to sense the changing winds, and allow the commoners more rights than were first thought imaginable. As such, they are remembered in the Commoners Court, known as Parliament, very fondly.
Dragon Clan
In the high mountains, the Dragon remain, perhaps the clan least affected by the changing years. Though the Kakita still train duelists, it is with the Dragon, that the sword remains. During the 18th century, when it was discovered that the mountains of the Dragon contained almost limitless quantities of coal, they became the masters of energy. Producing more power for the Empire than any two clans together, Togashi's heirs still choose to remain in the mountains. They are slightly marred by the haze of black smoke, though it in not as bad as it was 100 years ago. The Dragon are seeking news form of energy, and have successfully tested many alternatives. Legions of Dragon still stand ready to defend their home, the last war with the Lion has pulled them even further into their home.
Lion Clan
As militaristic as ever, the Sons of Akodo still have the largest army in the Empire. They have expanded the boarders of the Empire, they are still The Emperor's Right Hand. Following a misunderstood transmission, the Lion attacked the Dragon mountains, and both clans suffered. A generation of the Lion's best and brightest were killed, something the Lion has yet to fully recover from. Aside from maintaining the largest army, the Lion also produce more weapons than any other Clan. They have yet to unlock any Crab secrets, but for how long this remains true is unknown.
Mantis Clan
If it was made in one part of the Empire, and received in another, it was likely a Mantis had something to do with it. Though they deal mostly with the Gaijin in trading, in Rokugan, the Mantis are well known for their shipping empire. Trucks, trains, planes, if it moves, there are Mantis dedicated to them. It was Yoritomo Kazaka who discovered flight, and the skies of the Empire have never been the same. Their ventures into Gaijin lands have yielded fruitful since the lift of the ban of gaijin items; most of them at any rate. Senpet foods, and Yobajin music is slowly making its way into the Empire, to the Crane's disgust. The Mantis are currently working with the Imperial Families to send more people into the stars. They refuse to lose to the Unicorn in matters of exploration.
Phoenix Clan
After centuries, the Phoenix have mastered medicine as well as magic. With the induction of the Kanade family, they have almost cured all disease from the Empire. While the others work of the perfection of magic, the Kanade have created medical practices that extend to every region of the Empire. It is rumored that no one in the Phoenix gets sick. From inoculations, to rigorous social works programs, this may very well be true. For the rest of the Clan, the depletion of the Mori Isawa over centuries of harvest has led them to research other ways of preserving scrolls. Digital Shugenja have become the hallmark of this clan. Scrolls are long since obsolete thanks to the hard work of the Isawa.
Scorpion Clan
There will always be someone who wants information or a vice. The Scorpion fill that need above all others. Their corporate espionage teams have extracted the others clan's secrets without them even aware. The masters of the shadows have become masters of the digital world. Their public face is one of decadence. The Adult entertainment industry was created by a Scorpion, and still remains dominantly Scorpion. The Baiyushi were the first to re-legalize opium, and have sense created a market that has seeded into all Clans. While everyone can enjoy the romantic antics of a Crane romance movie, there is something more sinisterly appealing to a Scorpion Horror film. Whatever your desire, there is a Scorpion waiting to fulfill it.
Unicorn Clan
While the other Great Clans rushed to fill a gap, the Unicorn calmly chose the route of the future. The wanderlust of Shinjo is still very much a part of the Clan. Through expert maneuvering, the Unicorn is the only Clan to have a noticeable presence in space. While the rest of the Clans are content with satellites, and small stations, the Unicorn has cities. Some say this obsession will draw them away again, but not within range of an Utaku. While horses remain a large part of their history, the Unicorn have created a fleet of cavalry, Steel Horses, that continue to make them the greatest mounted force on the planet. Time will tell if the wanderlust takes them again, one final time, into the great beyond.
