10 minutes ago, DGLaderoute said:

Of course, this isn't a bad thing. I think we actually WANT a setting in which the Emperor--along with everyone else--is vulnerable. If the Emperor could wave his hand and simply incinerate everyone who stood against him, then, well, so much for stories about the clans turning against the Throne, or doing anything else that he didn't like. That's a pretty severe constraint on storytelling.

I agree completely. As has been pointed out by my friend in the past, the interesting stories only happen when there is a weak Emperor, otherwise he'd just step in and fix it.

On 8/28/2017 at 4:44 PM, Bayushi Kec said:

I've been wondering about something since I read story released about Lion clan. In it we read about Lion clan attacking Toshi Ranbo (city currently controlled by Crane clan), lot of people dying including Akodo Arasou. There is even mentioning of a war between those two clans. If I'm correct Ranbo was built by Crane, than Lion attacked and took over yada yada... since ever Crane and Lion are fighting for it.

So, my question is this; what is Emperor doing about that, why is he letting two clans kill each other? Shouldnt he keep order in Rokugan? Especially between clans.

Is it because fighting and war is considered honorable thing in Rokugan? That's the only reason I can think of that supports constant clan rivalries.

I think its important to understand a few concepts of Feudalism, and how they relate to Rokugan.

1st - In the beginning Hantei was literally a God Emperor. Each clan was ruled by a God Champion who swore a very real and sincere fealty to the Hantei. The Hantei gave each of the Champions stewardship over the land and people to develop it according to their desires, giving tribute of their works to him as a great overseer and mediator. For some generations beyond this the strength of the Kami stayed very real, and so it is natural to accept the will of the Emperor.

2nd - The rulership of the land - from the contest of the Kami - was about military prowess. This is a common origin of civilization as the ability to protect existing resources, and expand to control desired resources are key to a thriving culture. In the beginning they likely fought often against groups of men who were not alligned to any Kami, and often against each other for obviously important areas - such as the fertile fields between the Lion and Crane. As they all gave tribute to the Emperor it didn't matter who controlled which, provided they did not fight to extinction.

3rd - 1000 years later the culture still holds a lot of respect and awe for the Emperor and his will, but the amount he receives in taxes pales in comparison to the amount the Clans keep. The Emperor does not directly run any resources or market exchanges, and thrives only off of taxes. The Emperor is plenty rich enough to have a beautiful inner city, but even the outer city of Otosan Uchi shows the limits of being a more distant ruler.

Borders are not as clear cut as any map would have you think. There are a lot of lands between the clans, and each year for taxes the Clans must bring in their haul, to provide for their own clan and samurai, and to pay their tribute to the Emperor. Between the Lion and Crane many battles are fought to protect and collect the yield from the crops, but as before - unless they fight to extinction - the Emperor will receive his taxes whether the Crane or the Lion collect the harvest - so there is no reason to intercede.

It is still a warrior culture, so as a matter of principle it is reasonable that if you can take something without escalation, then it is fair to take it. It is always your responsibility to protect everything you consider important.

This extends from the battlefield where you may take a field of rice, to the courts where you may have your clan assigned to manage toll roads, ports, or to provide services of a certain type. There is an amount of political pressure that can drive an army aside, but there is also an amount of military might that can thwart the courts, especially if you can complete your campaign before the courts get word of it, or pressure them to concede before the courts can save them.

This is good reading if you're interested in the balance of powers in Rokugan - especially if you think the Emperor couldn't be moved against, but also to see what the Emperor can do if they are moved against.

http://l5r.wikia.com/wiki/Gozoku

8 hours ago, shosuko said:

This is good reading if you're interested in the balance of powers in Rokugan - especially if you think the Emperor couldn't be moved against, but also to see what the Emperor can do if they are moved against.

http://l5r.wikia.com/wiki/Gozoku

This is great, now i cant wait to see what similar happens in "new" Rokugan. ?

Guess for some time there wont be anything close to Gozoku, probably only political differences between clans. We've already seen some between Lion, Unicorn and Crane but for now everybody is obeying emperors will

Its in the interests of the Imperial families to keep the clans at war with one another so that a clan never acquires the power or audacity to attack the Imperial City or set eyes on claiming the position of Emperor.