Hi guys. Can the Daimyo of a Minor Clan:

1. Create a Vassal family? I believe so.

2. Make the Vassal family a full fledged family? Not sure if this is an Emperor action only.

Thanks

Howdy, Takumi!

To answer your questions,

1) Absolutely. A Daimyo / Champion of a Minor Clan or Great Clan has complete authority over the interior organization of their Clan. As such, they have the authority to create / recognize / elevate a vassal family within their Clan. Remember, only the direct relations of the ruling family are officially of that "family". All other samurai of that "family" are actually vassal families who swore fealty. A daimyo can elevate that family within their Clan as they see fit.

2) As per Winter Court IV, this is an EXCEPTIONALLY nebulous issue. As a member of the Spider Clan delegation, we actually attempted to elevate the Gyushi vassal family of the Daigotsu to the position of a full-fledged family by petitioning the Empress directly. In the process, we secured the promise of two dozen marriages into the Clan from the Unicorn and Dragon, tripling the size of the vassal family (and leaving it staged to be larger than the Susumu within a generation). The question came up of whether or not we needed the blessing of the Empress (and Story Team) to do so. The answer we got? "Check again later."

So, it is officially an indeterminate thing. So... it's Rokugan Your Way.

Minor Clans exist only because the Emperor allows them to exist. Without the Emperor's expressed protection, they would simply be annexed by the closest great clan.

Great Clans are pretty much full-fledged countries and can do what they please unless it involves other Clans or the Empire as a whole (or when the imperial families, especially the Otomo, want to troll you or believev this will increase your power too much)

Minor Clans, on the other hand, would need the imperial approval for pretty much anything asides from the day to day affairs.

Thanks guys

I was planning to add a new Shugenja family to the Spider Clan too, lol. I was thinking for my Campaign, triggered by the events of WC 5, Kanpeki attacked Otosan Uchi and destroyed most of the loyalist Spiders (Shibatsu included) in retribution for kidnapping his heir.

Iweko II, wanted to honor his brother's courage and preserve Shibatsu's legacy, funded a Minor Clan with the Iweko loyalist Spider survivors (roughly about 20).

Since their clan was compromised mostly of bushi and courtiers, I wanted to add a second family of dedicated shugenja. So story wise I wanted to do the more plausible coursr of action.

Shinjo Yokatsu and his successors made the Horiuchi a major family.

Togashi made the Kitsuki a major family.

Toturi Kurako or her husband made the minor vassal family of the Fuzake of the Monkey a major family.

Takuan, Toturi's regent, made the Ujina a major family of the Hare, later approved by Toturi.

So canon has examples of both happening.

OP specifically asked for Minor Clans. And your examples pretty much confirmed what I said. Major Clans can do as they please, Minor Clans need imperial intervention.