I was reminded by TheWanderingJewels reposting the saibankan governmental system that a similar post of theirs some time ago inspired me to rework that system into something a little more tailored to Rokugan and RPG mechanics -- but I can't remember if I ever put it up on the forum. Whether I did or not, here it is (again?), for our shiny new RPG board!

In order to do this, I first went through and figured out what the underlying structure was for the types of organization and the titles that appear in them. (For example, anything translated as "bureau" is a ryou in Japanese, and tends to have the following positions listed: chief, assistant director, senior bureau secretary, junior bureau secretary, senior officer, and junior officer. Certain bureaus have additional positions unique to their purview, but that appears to be the basic framework for what constitutes a bureau in this system.) I then altered some terminology for clarity, so that the difference between, say, a senior officer in an agency and a senior officer in a bureau is more readily apparent, and the head of a bureau is not called a kami (different characters than the one used for spirits, but for non-Japanese-speakers the homophone is more distracting than useful). Finally, I rearranged the actual structure a bit to reflect the nature of Rokugani society; there are now three major divisions within the bureaucracy, to reflect the "three pillars" idea of court (courtiers, artisans), religion (shugenja, monks), and war (bushi, ninja -- not that ninja really show up in this arrangement, but you know what I mean). Since I'm treating this as the bureaucracy of a Great Clan rather than the Empire as a whole, the structural rearrangement also included expanding the role of dealing with stuff outside the clan.

On to the actual system!

STRUCTURE

The highest officials serving a Clan Champion are called the Daijou-kan or Great Council of State. These usually include the major family daimyo, plus individuals who are almost always either close relatives of the Clan Champion or close relatives of the Champion's spouse, though occasionally a truly close companion attains this rank. Often called hatamoto, they hold Status 6.5. [Note that this is a 0.5 boost from what the book says; I did that to make room for the officials below them.] Many of them also serve as controllers (see below), but not all.

Controlling Boards (Kyoku)

Most of the bureaucracy of a Great Clan is divided into three Controlling Boards, one for each of the "three pillars" of Rokugani society. The Controlling Board of the Left handles matters of civil administration; the Controlling Board of the Center handles matters of religious and scholarly administration; the Controlling Board of the Right handles matters of military administration.

Appointments to even menial Controlling Board positions are usually reserved for scions of highly influential lineages.

Controlling Board positions:
Controller (Ben)* -- 6.3
Counselor (Nagon)* -- 5.9
Board Clerk (Geki) -- 4.3
Recorder (Shi) -- 3.3

*These titles are never used in their unmodified form; they always carry one of the prefixes mentioned below, in the Status section. If there is only one gradation of that rank, as is often the case with controllers, the prefix used is "dai" (daiben, dainagon).

Ministries (Shou)

A ministry position is the highest office to which an ordinary samurai can generally aspire. Attaining an appointment to one of these positions is still not easy, and rising through the ranks generally requires great political skill, influential connections, or truly glorious deeds.

Within each Controlling Board there are usually two to four Ministries, each overseeing a more specific realm of activity. A Ministry is composed of Offices, Bureaus, and Chambers, plus occasional units with less standardized names.

Ministry positions:
Minister (Kei) -- 6.0
Assistant Minister (Fu)* -- 5.5
Ministerial Secretary (Jou) -- 4.8
Ministerial Recordkeeper (Roku) -- 3.8
Ministerial Clerk (Sakan) -- 3.2

*When differentiated into gradations of seniority, the sounds change slightly; a senior assistant minister is a taifu instead of a daifu, and a junior assistant minister is a shoubu instead of a shoufu.

Offices/Bureaus/Chambers (Shiki/Ryou/Tsukasa)

Within a Ministry, an Office is considered more prestigious and important than a Bureau, and both surpass a Chamber. Both Offices and Bureaus may contain Chambers within them, but some Chambers report directly to the minister.

Office positions:
Commissioner (Daibu) -- 5.0
Assistant Commissioner (Daibu no Suke) -- 4.5
Official Secretary (Jin) -- 3.8
Official (Soku) -- 3.3
Official Clerk (Shoki) -- 2.6

Bureau positions:
Director (Kou) -- 4.0
Assistant Director (Kou no Suke) -- 3.5
Bureau Secretary (In) -- 2.8
Bureaucrat (Kanryou) -- 2.3
Bureau Clerk (Kanri) -- 1.8

Chamber positions:
Head (Shou) -- 3.0
Aide (Yuu)-- 1.5

Provincial Bureaucracies

The governmental structures of the provinces within a Great Clan's lands do not fall under the authority of a Controlling Board, but rather report directly to the Daijou-kan. Lower levels of a clan's bureaucracy have their own structures, in simpler form: since a provincial governor is Status 6, he cannot be served by a minister (who is also status 6). All provincial bureaucracy is therefore organized under Offices, Bureaus, or Chambers. Likewise, a city governor (Status 5) oversees Bureaus and Chambers only; he cannot promote anyone to higher rank than that.

CONTENT

The specific details of any bureaucracy have varied a great deal across the Empire and throughout history. What follows is a "generic" bureaucracy, detailing organizations common to most of the Great Clans, but a GM is more than free to alter this to suit a given circumstances.

Controlling Board of the Left
Ministry of the Interior -- deals with the civil administration of the clan; this is usually the largest component of this Board. Examples of units within this ministry:
--Office of Trade
--Office of Land Records
--Bureau of Clan Roads
--Bureau of Forestry
--Bureau of Heimin Affairs
--Bureau of Music and Books
-----Chamber of the Censors
--Bureau of Ports
--Bureau of Scattered Ranks
--Geneaological Chamber
--Chamber of Precedence (settles questions of rank precedence)

Ministry of the Exterior -- deals with matters outside the clan, such as other clans and imperial affairs. Examples of units within this ministry:
--Office of Imperial Contact
-----Emerald Chamber
-----Jade Chamber
--Bureau of Foreign Affairs (often one for each Great Clan)
--Chamber of Minor Clan Affairs
--Bureau of Visitors (tracks non-clan samurai visitors)
--Chamber of Travel Papers

Ministry of the Champion's Household -- in its strictest configuration this only deals with the domestic affairs of the Clan Champion and associated family and hangers-on. In practice, the ambit for this ministry is often much wider, as it takes responsibility for everything related to the places where the Champion resides.
--Office of the Consort's Household
--Office of the Palace Guards
-----Left Division of the Inner Palace Guards
-----Right Division of the Inner Palace Guards
-----Left Division of the Middle Palace Guards
-----Right Division of the Middle Palace Guards
-----Left Division of the Outer Palace Guards
-----Right Division of the Outer Palace Guards
--Office of the Palace Table
-----Chamber of Sake
--Office of the Wardrobe
-----Chamber of Embroidery
--Bureau of Carpentry
--Bureau of the Champion's Attendants
--Bureau of the Palace Kitchen
--Bureau of Palace Equipment
--Bureau of Palace Upkeep
--Bureau of Skilled Artisans
--Bureau of the Stables
--Chamber of the Champion's Family
--Chamber of the Champion's Table
--Chamber of the Palace Physicians

Controlling Board of the Center
Ministry of Ceremonial -- deals with scholarly and ceremonial matters that are not directly spiritual in nature. Although some of its officials are shugenja or (where applicable) clan monks, many are courtiers with a more scholarly bent. Examples of units within this ministry:
--Office of Education
-----Chamber of the School (one per dojo tradition in the clan)
--Bureau of Divination
--Bureau of Festivals
-----Chamber of the Calendar
--Bureau of Medicine
--Bureau of Tombs and Memorials

Ministry of Religion -- deals with spiritual matters that are generally the province of shugenja or monks. Courtiers or bushi may be assigned to minor positions within this ministry, especially if they hail from shugenja families, but the higher-ranking officials within any given organization are almost always shugenja or (where applicable) clan monks. Examples of units within this ministry:
--Office of Shintao
--Office of Fortunism
--Office of the High Priest/ess of the Founding Kami
-----Chamber of the Ancestors
--Bureau of the Brotherhood
-----Chamber of Itinerant Monks
--Bureau of Temple and Shrine Construction
-----Chamber of Temple and Shrine Guards

Controlling Board of the Right
Ministry of War -- deals with the clan's military affairs, both the standing army and the recruitment and training of ashigaru. In warlike clans such as the Crab, the Lion, and the Unicorn, this is by far the largest ministry of the Right. Its chief official reports directly the clan's rikugunshokan, who is a member of the Daijou-kan. Examples of units within this ministry (not including the standing army):
--Office of Ashigaru
--Office of Military Storehouses
--Office of Weapons and Armor
--Bureau of the Border Patrol
--Bureau of Couriers
--Bureau of Fortifications
--Bureau of Horse Breeding
--Bureau of Military Honors
--Falconry Chamber

Ministry of Justice -- deals with law and order outside the army structure. Most of its officials are bushi, but courtiers are well-represented within its ranks. Examples of units within this ministry:
--Office of Magistrates
-----Doshin Chamber
--Bureau of Assessment (levies fines)
--Bureau of Imperial Coordination (Emerald/Jade)
--Bureau of Judicial Records
--Bureau of Prison Oversight
--Chamber of the Executioner

Ministry of Taxation -- because money requires protection, this ministry customarily falls under the purview of the Controlling Board of the Right, rather than the Left. Certain elements within this ministry are occasionally the focus of a power struggle with the Ministry of the Interior. Examples of units within this ministry:
--Office of Tax Collection
-----Land Assessment Chamber
--Bureau of Coinage
--Bureau of Statistics
-----Chamber of the Census
--Bureau of Storehouses
--Chamber of Weights and Measures
--Mining Survey Chamber
--Chamber of Weaving (sample; other major productive industries have similar chambers)

STATUS

In conversation, Status Ranks are designated with poetic adjectives, as follows:

Rank 9 -- Bright
Rank 8 -- Pure
Rank 7 -- True
Rank 6 -- Straight
Rank 5 -- Diligent
Rank 4 -- Earnest
Rank 3 -- Following
Rank 2 -- Advancing

Samurai below Status Rank 2.0 are simply ji-samurai. Within a given rank, gradations are spoken of as degrees, so that an assistant minister (Status 5.5) is referred to as occupying the fifth degree of the Diligent Rank.

Any position other than the top one in a given organization can be subdivided into either senior and junior grades, or senior, middle, and junior. This is noted by adding a prefix to the relevant title: dai (senior or "greater"), chuu ("middle"), and shou (junior or "lesser"). Subdivision of this kind is common in large organizations, but it can also be used to convey social nuance; a samurai from a particularly important lineage or one who has served especially well may be distinguished with a senior grade, while a samurai new to the organization or one who meets with disfavor from their superior may be marked as junior. A senior bureaucrat gains 0.1 Status over a middle or unmarked one, whereas a junior bureaucrat is 0.1 Status lower. For example, a senior assistant minister is Status 5.6, a middle assistant minister (or just "assistant minister") is 5.5, and a junior assistant minister is 5.4.

Among touchy samurai, failing to accord a senior bureaucrat their distinguishing prefix can be grounds for a duel.

nvm

Edited September 28, 2017 by WHW

This post motivated me to finish my own status list. Contrary to Kinzen's, mine is entirely canon : every post listed was used in one canon source or another. Most of them came from books who didn't had any status rank (either because the stat didn't existed or because the text didn't mentionned it) so the status ranks are my approximation based on the description given. If Kinzen feel this shouldn't be posted in her thread, I'll move it immediatly.

The celestial order :

1) Imperial house :

The emperor (SR 10)

The Empress (SR 9,9)

The voice of the Emperor (SR 9,5)

The Emperor’s Children (SR 9,4)

Dowager empress (SR 9,3)

Imperial regent (SR 9,3)

Kanrinin (SR 8,0)

Named each year for the winter months by the Miya family since the 1 ^st Winter Court, the Kanrinin is never a member of the Otomo or Seppun family, and rarely a member of the Miya. His function is to take care of the ImperialPalace during the absence of the Emperor in his name. He as such held court in the ImperialPalace and take decisions regarding the politics of the Palace and the ImperialCity during the winter.

2) Imperial families :

Daimyo of the Miya, Otomo and Seppun families (SR 9,3)

Daimyo of the Toturi family (surviving members, in theory) (SR 9,3)

Miya’s blessing (SR 3,0+)

The organisation of heralds and bureaucrats necessary to organise and distribute the Blessing (see Emerald Empire 4 ^th page 92).

Average Imperial family samourai (SR 3,0)

The average imperial family samourai often held a small position in the Imperial Bureaucracy (see Imperial Bureaucracy) or imperial guard to explain its status rank. The Imperial Bureaucracy is charged of all the expenses necessary to support the

Imperial Court

3) Magistrates :

Emerald Champion (SR 9,0), Jade Champion (SR 9,0)

Ruby Champion (SR 6,5)

He is the revered sensei of the Emerald Dojo, sensei to the Emerald magistrates and master sensei of the Emerald Champion.

Karo of the Emerald Champion, Karo of the Jade champion (SR 8,0)

The champion’s chief advisor, he can act as the Champion (it happened at least once) during the time between a champion’s death and the next Emerald Championship.

Hatamoto of the Emerald Champion (SR 6,0)

In charge of a district of the Imperial city, he serves as chief magistrate and judge.

1 ^st magistrate (SR 6,0)

Position created by Iweko, he is the second in command of the Emerald champion. He is charged to oversee the imperial magistrates in the colonies as the ceremonial head when the Governor doesn’t want to attend. Contrary to the champion, who can have no skill in law, the 1 ^st magistrate must be an expert in all matters of laws to compensate any shortcoming in the Emerald Champion’s skills.

Member of the Sentaku tribunal (SR 6,0)

The Sentaku, or council of requests, was founded by the Otomo family during Hantei Yugozohime’s reign to alleviate the duties of the Emperor and oversee the Imperial city karo . Their mission is to check authorisations to enter into the Forbidden City and to take care of requests judged by them beneath the notice of the Emperor (they were nicknamed the Voice of the Emperor collectively originally). They as such screened those who would have an audience with the Emperor or his closest advisors.

Originally, they were divided into 4 groups with a court in each of the 4 districts of the Forbidden City, with one member of each Great Clan except the Dragon and 2 for both the Right and the Left Hand of the Emperor. Once formed of a bushi, a shugenja and a monk it was later modified to offer political balance between the clans, the Kanjo district (Phoenix, Scorpion, Lion) selecting those in charge of religion and faith, the Chisei district (Crane, Dragon) social matters, Hito district (Lion, Unicorn) for martial and war related problems, Karada (Crab, Crane) dealing with mercantile matters.

It was likely moved when the Imperial city was transferred. In Toshi Ranbo, the double presence of the Crane and Lion was likely maintained and the Mantis most likely selected to deal with mercantile affairs.

Imperial city karo of the Emerald Champion (SR 5,0 +)

In charge of justice in the Imperial city, they act as city magistrates and Emerald magistrates.

Judges (SR 5,0 +)

Judges are experienced and seasoned Emeralds Magistrates who siege in public courts (those courts can be outside, the only two things required is a comfortable place for the judge to sit and an uncomfortable one for the culprit to sit). They are to sentence criminals the lower rank Emeralds Magistrates couldn’t sentence themselves or weren’t allowed to. The lower status magistrates are charged of doing the investigation.

Emerald or Jade magistrate (SR 4,5+)

Bounty hunters (SR 4,0)

The Tsuruchi family can nominate a limited number of bounty hunters who have nearly the same authority as Emerald Magistrates in the pursuit of criminals who are wanted by the Emerald Magistrate. Others bounty hunters aren’t unheard of but really rare.

Topaz magistrates

Not a position, just a subset of magistrates, a brotherhood of former Topaz Champions.

Mondai-ketsu (SR 4,5 +)

This office was not renewed after the destruction of Otosan Uchi. Mostly formed of Fox clan samourai (trained in many clans to be impartial), this special unit answered only directly to the Emperor and was sent on matters not suited for Emerald Magistrates. Their actions were the direct will of the Emperor, and they marked their short history (they were created 40 years before the Scorpion clan coup) with solving those problems with violence. They didn’t had any official charter describing their missions and were used at the Emperor’s whim when he felt that magistrates would take too long to deal with the problem or the problem be at the limits of the magistrates’ charter. With only the Emerald Champion or a clan champion able to countermand their judgements, they were used by Hantei XXXVIII as a weapon to terrorize his enemies and show the wreath of the Emperor.

4) Imperial guard :

Head of the Hidden Guard (SR 6,0)

Captain of the Imperial Guard (SR 6,0)

The captain of the Imperial Guard often, by tradition, removes his family name.

Imperial Palace Guard (SR 5,0 +)

Only the best members of the Imperial Guard are selected to directly protect the Emperor. Among them you have the Michido (originally guards from the Hantei line, they are charged to help guests to find their way inside the Imperial Palace) and the Sentaku (choice).

Imperial Guard (SR 4,5 +)

Hidden Guard (SR 4,5 +)

Second city Guard officer (usual military unit rank for higher officers).

The Empress’ guard (normal SR for a military unit)

Formed mostly of Crane samourai serving as protectors for the Empress.

Sanctified Ones (SR 4,0)

The physical security of the Empress aside, the purity and holiness of her home and belongings are the province of the Hidden Guard. The Hidden Guard are extremely few in number, however, and maintaining their vigil over the Empress and her estate is all they can manage under normal circumstances. For this reason, the sensei of the Hidden Guard select from among the Great Clans a number of shugenja, priests chosen for their exceptional piety and purity, to oversee the duties of the Hidden Guard in lands beyond the Imperial holdings.

5) Colonies :

Imperial Governor of the Colonies (SR 8,0)

Ruler of the Colonies, he leads from the SecondCity. He is also the head of the Imperial Explorers.

Chancellors of the Governor, Daijo Daijin (SR 7,0)

Both hatamoto and chancellors of the court, they speak on the behalf of the governor.

Ivory champion (SR 7,0)

The leader of the military of the Colonies, he is their equivalent of the Emerald Champion. The position is actually nothing more than a play toy for the Governor for many, and his subordinates are the Ministry of Defense and Justice.

Lieutenant magistrate :

The hatamoto of the Ivory Champion and charged of overseeing the magistrates.

The five ministries : (SR 5,0 for the Ministers, SR 2,0 to 4,0 for the rest)

Charged of administrating the Colonies under the rule of the Governor, each is ruled by an Ivory Minister.

- The Ministry of the Center, headed by the Minister of Courtesy is made of heralds, courtiers and scholars attending to guests and court activities.

- The Ministry of rites is charged of civil matters.

- The Ministry of ceremonies is charged with festivals and embassies.

- The Ministry of Defense and Justice is ruled by the Ivory Champion and is charged of upholding the law. The Imperial explorers are part of this group.

- The Ministry of Taxation is in charge of the taxes under the rule of the Minister of Census.

Sensei of the Imperial Explorers (SR 3,0+)

Imperial Explorers (SR 2,0+)

Handpicked to explore the new territories and put their resources to good uses.

Imperial scriveners (SR 2,5 to 4,5)

Charged of judging of the availability of information from the Colonies to the public.

6) Imperial armies :

Emerald Champion (SR 9,0), Shogun (SR 9,0)

Rikugunshokan of the imperial armies (SR 7,5)

A position traditionally held by the Lion clan champion, as the Right Hand of the Emperor, sometimes by the commander of the 1 ^st Legion, now it is most often replaced by the Shogun.

The Second General (SR 7,5)

The first of the Hatamoto of the Shogun and the highest officer in his organisation, second only to the Shogun and take his place if he ever become incapacitated.

Defender of the ImperialCity (SR 6,0)

An honorary position rarely ever used, he is charged of the security of the ImperialCity. He likely commandeered the Emerald Legions when they existed.

Commander of the Otosan Uchi Honor Guard (SR 4,0)

Created to protect the fallen Imperial City, likely to preserve anything left of its past.

Imperial legions :

The status ranks of members of the imperial legions are the equivalent to those of a clan military legion. They do have higher glory and sometimes a couple more cases of status then those. As first among equals, the 1 ^st legion is the best appointment of all. The Emerald Legions (when they existed, they were removed under Toturi I), the 10 legions that are always stationed around Otosan Uchi are the second best appointment (the 1 ^st Legion is part of the Emerald Legions). After Toturi’s reorganisation of the legions, only 10 legions were left and the 1 ^st is still best among equals.

Uruwashii (SR 5,5)

The Imperial armies have a special military rank, an ancient and abandoned tradition known as uruwashii reinstated by the Divine Empress. The position of uruwashii is a special military rank that can only be conferred by the Divine Empress or one of her Chosen. The rank, once conferred, grants autonomy and prestige to those who possess it, allowing them to act upon their own initiative during times of war and granting them the right to requisition troops and resources from their lords to wage war for the Empress directly. This is a unique right that allows an individual samurai unprecedented freedom in terms of his military involvement, although most are careful never to disrespect or insult their generals and Champions.

Shogunate (SR 2,0+)

The Shogunate can vary from a legion to just a small team lead by the Shogun’s karo. It did include at times the Legion of the 2000. Originally created as the army sent by Rokugan to Oblivion’s gate at the end of the War Against the Shadow, it was resurrected by ronins secretly supported by Shinjo Shono. Mostly composed of ronins, the Legion fought under the Shogun’s orders and authorisations during the following war, but rarely under his official command.

Bakufu (SR 2+)

The personal retinue of the Shogun is regrouped under the name of Bakufu, which means “tent office” and refers to the military tent of the general. The skills and origins of the members of the Bakufu is really variable depending on who held the office.

Master Percussionist (SR 3,0)

Percussion instruments and court drums are under the purview of the Shogun because of the link between drums and the military. As such, the Master Percussionist is a member of the Bakufu.

Jade Legion :

The only legion under the command of the Jade Champion.

Ivory Legion :

Recently formed under the command of the Ivory Champion.

6) Imperial court or Imperial Bureaucracy :

Imperial Chancellor, Imperial advisor (SR 9,0)

Imperial Scribe, Imperial Gamekeeper, Imperial Matchmaker, Jeweled Smith, Imperial historian, Imperial archivist, curator of the Imperial museum of antiquities (SR 3,0)

A series of positions granted irregularly by the Emperors. The Imperial Scribe is mostly an honorary position, working with the Imperial Historian and the Imperial Archivist in the libraries of the ImperialCity, but under Hantei XXXVIII he also doubled as a spy. The Imperial Gamekeeper is a master of at least one game that pleased the Emperor and entertains the court with his games against guests. The Jeweled smith creates weapons and armors to serve as gifts for the imperial appointed positions; it is likely an evolution from the Emperor’s personal blacksmith position. The curator of the ImperialMuseum of antiquities was charged of taking care of a museum full of antiquities belonging to the Imperial Families and mostly of what was nicknamed the dobutsukan (zoo), a collection of statues that looked alive. The original museum was destroyed with Otosan Uchi.

Amethyst champion (SR 6,0)

Amethyst attendant (SR 2,0)

The Amethyst champion for a long time had no servants, since his function was only to use the Amethyst crown’s curse and blessing for a year. Now, he has become the Emperor’s representative of courtier part of the samourai society, and has his own courtier staff.

Turquoise champion (SR 5,0)

A recent addition to court, he is the Emperor’s representative of the artisan part of the samourai society.

Pearl champion (SR 5,0)

Imbued of the power of the other jewelled champions, he is in charge of the diplomatic relations with the Naga race. The first Pearl Champion was the Ningyo Sasada, which was granted by a trio of Jakla a pearl nemuranai that turned her into a human to facilitate diplomatic encounters, but is it unknown if this gift will be kept as part of the function.

Champions of bushido :

An honorary position that only gives glory; it is awarded by the Emperor to samourai who are paragon of a virtue.

Governor of an Imperial city district (SR 5,0 to 6,0)

Cities like Otosan Uchi, Toshi Ranbo and Second city are divided in districts with have their own governor.

Imperial Ministry of Protocols (SR 2+)

Not a full Ministry like the others ministries of the Imperial court, this small cadre of senior officials, under the purview of the Imperial Chancellor, are in charge of overseeing the Imperial Bureaucracy. The Department of Heraldry (in charge of authorizing and maintaining records of all the heraldic symbols), the Department of Edicts (overseeing the promulgation of Imperial Edicts) and the Department of Oversight (equivalent of magistrate in charge of policing the rest of the Bureaucracy, they have title like Minister of External Reports which bring little glory but those selected for this job knows that fame is not good when being part of an intelligence network).

The Ministry of Service (SR 2+)

This small ministry, under the rule of the Imperial Chancellor, is in charge of the census, marriages and keeping the records concerning those. It would later be expanded to also select heimins to be sent to the Colonies. A sub-organization of the Ministry of service is the Court of Religious Affairs who oversee all the nation-wide religious functions and the Imperial Festivals. Created by Genji, it was absorbed somewhere between the 4 ^th and 5 ^th century into the Ministry. Every religious edict stamped by the Imperial Seal goes through here and as many others religious matters like paperwork on building or repairing religious places, overseeing the investiture of leadership in major temples, promotions of Imperial shugenja alongside the planning and budgeting of many major festivals.

The Ministry of Territories (SR 2+)

The Emerald Champion is in charge of this ministry, who oversee the lands and holdings, maintaining surveys, maps and list of holdings but also the design, development and maintenance of infrastructures like roads and bridges. The Imperial cartographers (SR 2,0) are part of this ministry.

The Ministry of Justice (SR 2+)

Likely under the jurisdiction of the Emerald Champion, the ministry was in charge of administrative support to magistrates, like maintaining records, handling fines and administrating punishments.

The Ministry of Imperial Levies (SR 2+)

Moved from the Emerald Champion to the Shogun, this ministry was similar to the Ministry of Justice but in charge of administrative support to the Imperial Legions.

The Imperial Archives (SR 2+)

The libraries of the Ikoma, Otomo and Shosuro records the History of the Empire, and the one of the Kitsune the genealogies, the Imperial Archives and its archivist are just where they stockpile all the paperwork and legal documents of the Imperial Bureaucracy.

Head of Court Musicians (SR 3,0)

Likely moved to serve under the Turquoise Champion instead of the Imperial Chancellor, he is responsible for handling all courtly music, song, and other musical entertainment for the Emperor’s guests (except for drums, see the Master Percussionist). Masters of different instruments likely get titles, but it’s most likely a glory-based position instead of status.

7) Imperial bank of rokugan (formerly the Ministry of Exchange, of Receipt, of Due Loyalty, of Balance) :

Imperial treasurer, former Minister of Exchange (SR 7,0)

Commerce being seen as a crass activity, under the Hantei the Ministry of Exchange was seen as a necessary evil and had much less power. The position of Imperial Treasurer rose the status rank from 5,0 to 7,0 and moved much of the tax collection out of the hands of the Imperial Magistrates to the agents of the Treasurer, increasing his power and influence and removing the overseeing of the Ministry from the Emerald Champion.

Assistant to the Imperial treasurer (SR 4,0+)

Not really magistrates, the assistant to the Imperial Treasurer have taken over the tax collection part of the Emerald Magistrates chart.

8) Imperial Heralds :

Imperial Herald (SR 7,0)

Shikken (SR 4,5)

The shikken, arbitrator, is a temporary imperial position granted by the Emperor or his representatives to find a peaceful end to a conflict the Emperor has decided to stop.

Shisha (Imperial messenger) (SR 2,0)

9) Ambassador to foreign countries :

Naga ambassador, Chief Ambassador to the Yobanjin Tribes, Ambassador to survivors of the Ivory Kingdoms (SR 6,0)

10) Clan organisation :

Great clan champion (SR 8,0)

Minor clan champion (SR 7,5)

Great clan family daimyo (7,0)

Hatamoto (a daimyo’s chief retainer) (SR 6,0)

Aside from their other duties (similar to those of a Karo), a Hatamoto may speak for their daimyo in their absence.

Provincial governor (SR 6,0)

City governor (SR 5,0)

Vassal family daimyo (SR 5,0)

Shugo (SR 4,9)

They rules smaller portions of a province in a daimyo’s name, and while they are lords they do not have the right to calls themselves daimyo. They are usually politically active.

Karo (chief advisor to a lord) (SR 4,7)

Revered sensei (SR 4,0)

Clan magistrate (SR 4+)

Diplomat, ambassador, emissaries and envoys (SR 2,0+)

Ambassador: Ambassadors are given leave to represent their daimyo at another court.
Envoy: Envoys are assigned specific tasks related to a clan or imperial family.
Emissary: Similar to envoys, but usually not courtiers. Emissaries will be assigned to a specific great clan family or minor clan. Single-minded in their duty, few courtiers dare petition an emissary for anything beyond their purview.
Diplomat: court mediators below ambassadors, but higher than courtiers.

The Ministry of the Clan Champion’s household is also part of the court of a clan and is composed of advisors in charge of overseeing parts of the internal bureaucracy of every clan. There is many positions in this group, including Overseer of the Wardrobe, minister of the Port, minister of the Stables, Master Archivist or Minister of Records, with numbers and power depending the clan and the clan champion’s policies.

Gokenin or Jito (estate manager) (SR 2,0)

Same as the Shugo, the size of the land those local landholders oversee vary greatly, from one to up to twenty villages (they sometimes delegate some of those to family members). They have a house, sometimes a manor, located near their gentry.

Average Great clan / Minor clan samourai (SR 1,0)

Most bushis will have this status rank, but also your basic courtier, the lowest rung of diplomatic posts. They speak for visitors to the court, discuss current events, and debate various topics.

Ji-samourai (typical samourai of a vassal family) (SR 0,5)

Doshin (village officers) (SR 0,3)

Budoka (peasant warriors) (SR 0,2)

Crafstmen, merchants (SR 0,1)

Ronin (SR 0,0 - special)

The house guards’ status ranks are equal to those of the military. They provide more glory than status, especially the main family house guard.

The Nakado (matchmaker) have usually a SR of 2,0 as they are diplomats. Their glory rank defines more accurately their influence.

Clan differences :

The Phoenix clan champion have a SR of 7,0 while the Elemental Masters have a SR of 8,0. They have an additional position, the Voice of the masters who have the same function as the Voice of the Emperor but for the Elemental Masters (SR 6,0). The different Acolytes of the Elements (the direct student of an Elemental Master, and likely groomed to take his place have a SR of 6,0).

The Unicorn clan have the Khan (SR 7,0) who appears after the return of the Burning Sands Moto. Often the Khan is the clan champion, but at times he isn’t he is the military leader of the clan. The Fist of the Khan (SR 4,0) is the name of the Khan’s personal enforcer. The Unicorn after the return of the Moto use sometimes the title Tar-khan, the name given to the leaders of the different tribes, it is an equivalent of a city governor for the nomad groups of Unicorn samourai.

The Guardian of the Hall of Ancestors for the Lion and the Master of the Otaku stables are respectively the Hatamoto of the Matsu (traditionally given to the brother of the Matsu daimyo) and the Hatamoto of the Otaku (usually held by the husband of the Otaku daimyo).

Special clan magistrates :

The Kuni Witch-hunters and the Asako Inquisitors are considered clan magistrates and have the according status ranks.

10) Clan armies :

Rikugunshokan (commander of an army) (SR 7,0)

Shireikan (commander of multiple legions) (SR 6,0)

Taisa (commander of a military legion) (SR 5,5)

Shoko kanbu (2,0+)

The command staff of an high ranking officer.

Chui (commander of a military company) (SR 5,0)

Gunso (commander of a military squadron) (SR 3,0)

Nikutai (second-in-command of a Gunso) (SR 1,5+)

Hohei (military private) (SR 1,0)

Ashigaru (peasant soldiers) (SR 0,4)

Peasant levies (SR 0,0)

11) Underhand of the Emperor :

Even the Emperor sometimes needs peoples to do what must be done despite the price. The Scorpion clan champion is charged of this position. The Tortoise clan is also under direct orders of the Emperor to spy on gaijin activities.

Warden (SR depending previous position, it’s a glorious position but you try to not let peoples know who and where you are so you loose glory quickly).

This position is not given, but chosen. A warden is someone who got his hands on the Onyx champion’s mantle or the Obsidian armor and decided to keep it away of evil hands.

12) Brotherhood of Shinsei :

Head of the Brotherhood (SR 4,0)

He has no direct authority over the Brotherhood, it’s mostly an arbitrator during theological debates and charged with organising the conclaves. It also helps with interactions with the Imperial Bureaucracy and the head of the Rokuganni religion, the Emperor. In the past, it was often of the head of the Order of the 4 temples, who had also the charge of announcing (and officialising) the naming of new fortunes, a charge created after the creation of the Lost Gods.

Keeper of the elements, Acolyte of the elements (SR 3,0)

The Keepers of the elements have earned their place through challenges of mind and spirit. The Acolytes of the elements are the leaders of the order of the 7 thunders.

Defender of temples (SR 3,0)

A title given to a talented monk by the head of the Brotherhood, he is one of the best sohei of the Brotherhood.

Dai-shojo (leader of an order)

Brotherhood Abbot (Sojo) (SR 1,5)

Elected council of seniors monks (Sozu)

Senior monk (Rishi)

Typical Brotherhood monk (SR 1,0)

13) Spider clan :

The Obsidian champion : equivalent to the Emerald Champion, keeper of the laws of the Spider clan (at least, at first), the only way to take this place is to kill the previous champion. The Obsidian champion carries Mikuzo, a powerful tainted sword symbol of the tainted Chuda. Ikoma Ayumu killed Daigotsu Hotako and by order of the Empress, stand guard to the trapping of the Obsidian champion until the Empire needed it.

The Onyx champion : equivalent of the Jade Champion, he is the master of magic of the Spider clan (at first). Like his counterpart the Obsidian champion, you must kill your predecessor to take his place.

This post motivated me to finish my own status list. Contrary to Kinzen's, mine is entirely canon : every post listed was used in one canon source or another. Most of them came from books who didn't had any status rank (either because the stat didn't existed or because the text didn't mentionned it) so the status ranks are my approximation based on the description given. If Kinzen feel this shouldn't be posted in her thread, I'll move it immediatly.

The celestial order :

1) Imperial house :

The emperor (SR 10)

The Empress (SR 9,9)

The voice of the Emperor (SR 9,5)

The Emperor’s Children (SR 9,4)

Dowager empress (SR 9,3)

Imperial regent (SR 9,3)

Kanrinin (SR 8,0)

Named each year for the winter months by the Miya family since the 1 ^st Winter Court, the Kanrinin is never a member of the Otomo or Seppun family, and rarely a member of the Miya. His function is to take care of the ImperialPalace during the absence of the Emperor in his name. He as such held court in the ImperialPalace and take decisions regarding the politics of the Palace and the ImperialCity during the winter.

2) Imperial families :

Daimyo of the Miya, Otomo and Seppun families (SR 9,3)

Daimyo of the Toturi family (surviving members, in theory) (SR 9,3)

Miya’s blessing (SR 3,0+)

The organisation of heralds and bureaucrats necessary to organise and distribute the Blessing (see Emerald Empire 4 ^th page 92).

Average Imperial family samourai (SR 3,0)

The average imperial family samourai often held a small position in the Imperial Bureaucracy (see Imperial Bureaucracy) or imperial guard to explain its status rank. The Imperial Bureaucracy is charged of all the expenses necessary to support the

Imperial Court

3) Magistrates :

Emerald Champion (SR 9,0), Jade Champion (SR 9,0)

Ruby Champion (SR 6,5)

He is the revered sensei of the Emerald Dojo, sensei to the Emerald magistrates and master sensei of the Emerald Champion.

Karo of the Emerald Champion, Karo of the Jade champion (SR 8,0)

The champion’s chief advisor, he can act as the Champion (it happened at least once) during the time between a champion’s death and the next Emerald Championship.

Hatamoto of the Emerald Champion (SR 6,0)

In charge of a district of the Imperial city, he serves as chief magistrate and judge.

1 ^st magistrate (SR 6,0)

Position created by Iweko, he is the second in command of the Emerald champion. He is charged to oversee the imperial magistrates in the colonies as the ceremonial head when the Governor doesn’t want to attend. Contrary to the champion, who can have no skill in law, the 1 ^st magistrate must be an expert in all matters of laws to compensate any shortcoming in the Emerald Champion’s skills.

Member of the Sentaku tribunal (SR 6,0)

The Sentaku, or council of requests, was founded by the Otomo family during Hantei Yugozohime’s reign to alleviate the duties of the Emperor and oversee the Imperial city karo . Their mission is to check authorisations to enter into the Forbidden City and to take care of requests judged by them beneath the notice of the Emperor (they were nicknamed the Voice of the Emperor collectively originally). They as such screened those who would have an audience with the Emperor or his closest advisors.

Originally, they were divided into 4 groups with a court in each of the 4 districts of the Forbidden City, with one member of each Great Clan except the Dragon and 2 for both the Right and the Left Hand of the Emperor. Once formed of a bushi, a shugenja and a monk it was later modified to offer political balance between the clans, the Kanjo district (Phoenix, Scorpion, Lion) selecting those in charge of religion and faith, the Chisei district (Crane, Dragon) social matters, Hito district (Lion, Unicorn) for martial and war related problems, Karada (Crab, Crane) dealing with mercantile matters.

It was likely moved when the Imperial city was transferred. In Toshi Ranbo, the double presence of the Crane and Lion was likely maintained and the Mantis most likely selected to deal with mercantile affairs.

Imperial city karo of the Emerald Champion (SR 5,0 +)

In charge of justice in the Imperial city, they act as city magistrates and Emerald magistrates.

Judges (SR 5,0 +)

Judges are experienced and seasoned Emeralds Magistrates who siege in public courts (those courts can be outside, the only two things required is a comfortable place for the judge to sit and an uncomfortable one for the culprit to sit). They are to sentence criminals the lower rank Emeralds Magistrates couldn’t sentence themselves or weren’t allowed to. The lower status magistrates are charged of doing the investigation.

Emerald or Jade magistrate (SR 4,5+)

Bounty hunters (SR 4,0)

The Tsuruchi family can nominate a limited number of bounty hunters who have nearly the same authority as Emerald Magistrates in the pursuit of criminals who are wanted by the Emerald Magistrate. Others bounty hunters aren’t unheard of but really rare.

Topaz magistrates

Not a position, just a subset of magistrates, a brotherhood of former Topaz Champions.

Mondai-ketsu (SR 4,5 +)

This office was not renewed after the destruction of Otosan Uchi. Mostly formed of Fox clan samourai (trained in many clans to be impartial), this special unit answered only directly to the Emperor and was sent on matters not suited for Emerald Magistrates. Their actions were the direct will of the Emperor, and they marked their short history (they were created 40 years before the Scorpion clan coup) with solving those problems with violence. They didn’t had any official charter describing their missions and were used at the Emperor’s whim when he felt that magistrates would take too long to deal with the problem or the problem be at the limits of the magistrates’ charter. With only the Emerald Champion or a clan champion able to countermand their judgements, they were used by Hantei XXXVIII as a weapon to terrorize his enemies and show the wreath of the Emperor.

4) Imperial guard :

Head of the Hidden Guard (SR 6,0)

Captain of the Imperial Guard (SR 6,0)

The captain of the Imperial Guard often, by tradition, removes his family name.

Imperial Palace Guard (SR 5,0 +)

Only the best members of the Imperial Guard are selected to directly protect the Emperor. Among them you have the Michido (originally guards from the Hantei line, they are charged to help guests to find their way inside the Imperial Palace) and the Sentaku (choice).

Imperial Guard (SR 4,5 +)

Hidden Guard (SR 4,5 +)

Second city Guard officer (usual military unit rank for higher officers).

The Empress’ guard (normal SR for a military unit)

Formed mostly of Crane samourai serving as protectors for the Empress.

Sanctified Ones (SR 4,0)

The physical security of the Empress aside, the purity and holiness of her home and belongings are the province of the Hidden Guard. The Hidden Guard are extremely few in number, however, and maintaining their vigil over the Empress and her estate is all they can manage under normal circumstances. For this reason, the sensei of the Hidden Guard select from among the Great Clans a number of shugenja, priests chosen for their exceptional piety and purity, to oversee the duties of the Hidden Guard in lands beyond the Imperial holdings.

5) Colonies :

Imperial Governor of the Colonies (SR 8,0)

Ruler of the Colonies, he leads from the SecondCity. He is also the head of the Imperial Explorers.

Chancellors of the Governor, Daijo Daijin (SR 7,0)

Both hatamoto and chancellors of the court, they speak on the behalf of the governor.

Ivory champion (SR 7,0)

The leader of the military of the Colonies, he is their equivalent of the Emerald Champion. The position is actually nothing more than a play toy for the Governor for many, and his subordinates are the Ministry of Defense and Justice.

Lieutenant magistrate :

The hatamoto of the Ivory Champion and charged of overseeing the magistrates.

The five ministries : (SR 5,0 for the Ministers, SR 2,0 to 4,0 for the rest)

Charged of administrating the Colonies under the rule of the Governor, each is ruled by an Ivory Minister.

- The Ministry of the Center, headed by the Minister of Courtesy is made of heralds, courtiers and scholars attending to guests and court activities.

- The Ministry of rites is charged of civil matters.

- The Ministry of ceremonies is charged with festivals and embassies.

- The Ministry of Defense and Justice is ruled by the Ivory Champion and is charged of upholding the law. The Imperial explorers are part of this group.

- The Ministry of Taxation is in charge of the taxes under the rule of the Minister of Census.

Sensei of the Imperial Explorers (SR 3,0+)

Imperial Explorers (SR 2,0+)

Handpicked to explore the new territories and put their resources to good uses.

Imperial scriveners (SR 2,5 to 4,5)

Charged of judging of the availability of information from the Colonies to the public.

6) Imperial armies :

Emerald Champion (SR 9,0), Shogun (SR 9,0)

Rikugunshokan of the imperial armies (SR 7,5)

A position traditionally held by the Lion clan champion, as the Right Hand of the Emperor, sometimes by the commander of the 1 ^st Legion, now it is most often replaced by the Shogun.

The Second General (SR 7,5)

The first of the Hatamoto of the Shogun and the highest officer in his organisation, second only to the Shogun and take his place if he ever become incapacitated.

Defender of the ImperialCity (SR 6,0)

An honorary position rarely ever used, he is charged of the security of the ImperialCity. He likely commandeered the Emerald Legions when they existed.

Commander of the Otosan Uchi Honor Guard (SR 4,0)

Created to protect the fallen Imperial City, likely to preserve anything left of its past.

Imperial legions :

The status ranks of members of the imperial legions are the equivalent to those of a clan military legion. They do have higher glory and sometimes a couple more cases of status then those. As first among equals, the 1 ^st legion is the best appointment of all. The Emerald Legions (when they existed, they were removed under Toturi I), the 10 legions that are always stationed around Otosan Uchi are the second best appointment (the 1 ^st Legion is part of the Emerald Legions). After Toturi’s reorganisation of the legions, only 10 legions were left and the 1 ^st is still best among equals.

Uruwashii (SR 5,5)

The Imperial armies have a special military rank, an ancient and abandoned tradition known as uruwashii reinstated by the Divine Empress. The position of uruwashii is a special military rank that can only be conferred by the Divine Empress or one of her Chosen. The rank, once conferred, grants autonomy and prestige to those who possess it, allowing them to act upon their own initiative during times of war and granting them the right to requisition troops and resources from their lords to wage war for the Empress directly. This is a unique right that allows an individual samurai unprecedented freedom in terms of his military involvement, although most are careful never to disrespect or insult their generals and Champions.

Shogunate (SR 2,0+)

The Shogunate can vary from a legion to just a small team lead by the Shogun’s karo. It did include at times the Legion of the 2000. Originally created as the army sent by Rokugan to Oblivion’s gate at the end of the War Against the Shadow, it was resurrected by ronins secretly supported by Shinjo Shono. Mostly composed of ronins, the Legion fought under the Shogun’s orders and authorisations during the following war, but rarely under his official command.

Bakufu (SR 2+)

The personal retinue of the Shogun is regrouped under the name of Bakufu, which means “tent office” and refers to the military tent of the general. The skills and origins of the members of the Bakufu is really variable depending on who held the office.

Master Percussionist (SR 3,0)

Percussion instruments and court drums are under the purview of the Shogun because of the link between drums and the military. As such, the Master Percussionist is a member of the Bakufu.

Jade Legion :

The only legion under the command of the Jade Champion.

Ivory Legion :

Recently formed under the command of the Ivory Champion.

6) Imperial court or Imperial Bureaucracy :

Imperial Chancellor, Imperial advisor (SR 9,0)

Imperial Scribe, Imperial Gamekeeper, Imperial Matchmaker, Jeweled Smith, Imperial historian, Imperial archivist, curator of the Imperial museum of antiquities (SR 3,0)

A series of positions granted irregularly by the Emperors. The Imperial Scribe is mostly an honorary position, working with the Imperial Historian and the Imperial Archivist in the libraries of the ImperialCity, but under Hantei XXXVIII he also doubled as a spy. The Imperial Gamekeeper is a master of at least one game that pleased the Emperor and entertains the court with his games against guests. The Jeweled smith creates weapons and armors to serve as gifts for the imperial appointed positions; it is likely an evolution from the Emperor’s personal blacksmith position. The curator of the ImperialMuseum of antiquities was charged of taking care of a museum full of antiquities belonging to the Imperial Families and mostly of what was nicknamed the dobutsukan (zoo), a collection of statues that looked alive. The original museum was destroyed with Otosan Uchi.

Amethyst champion (SR 6,0)

Amethyst attendant (SR 2,0)

The Amethyst champion for a long time had no servants, since his function was only to use the Amethyst crown’s curse and blessing for a year. Now, he has become the Emperor’s representative of courtier part of the samourai society, and has his own courtier staff.

Turquoise champion (SR 5,0)

A recent addition to court, he is the Emperor’s representative of the artisan part of the samourai society.

Pearl champion (SR 5,0)

Imbued of the power of the other jewelled champions, he is in charge of the diplomatic relations with the Naga race. The first Pearl Champion was the Ningyo Sasada, which was granted by a trio of Jakla a pearl nemuranai that turned her into a human to facilitate diplomatic encounters, but is it unknown if this gift will be kept as part of the function.

Champions of bushido :

An honorary position that only gives glory; it is awarded by the Emperor to samourai who are paragon of a virtue.

Governor of an Imperial city district (SR 5,0 to 6,0)

Cities like Otosan Uchi, Toshi Ranbo and Second city are divided in districts with have their own governor.

Imperial Ministry of Protocols (SR 2+)

Not a full Ministry like the others ministries of the Imperial court, this small cadre of senior officials, under the purview of the Imperial Chancellor, are in charge of overseeing the Imperial Bureaucracy. The Department of Heraldry (in charge of authorizing and maintaining records of all the heraldic symbols), the Department of Edicts (overseeing the promulgation of Imperial Edicts) and the Department of Oversight (equivalent of magistrate in charge of policing the rest of the Bureaucracy, they have title like Minister of External Reports which bring little glory but those selected for this job knows that fame is not good when being part of an intelligence network).

The Ministry of Service (SR 2+)

This small ministry, under the rule of the Imperial Chancellor, is in charge of the census, marriages and keeping the records concerning those. It would later be expanded to also select heimins to be sent to the Colonies. A sub-organization of the Ministry of service is the Court of Religious Affairs who oversee all the nation-wide religious functions and the Imperial Festivals. Created by Genji, it was absorbed somewhere between the 4 ^th and 5 ^th century into the Ministry. Every religious edict stamped by the Imperial Seal goes through here and as many others religious matters like paperwork on building or repairing religious places, overseeing the investiture of leadership in major temples, promotions of Imperial shugenja alongside the planning and budgeting of many major festivals.

The Ministry of Territories (SR 2+)

The Emerald Champion is in charge of this ministry, who oversee the lands and holdings, maintaining surveys, maps and list of holdings but also the design, development and maintenance of infrastructures like roads and bridges. The Imperial cartographers (SR 2,0) are part of this ministry.

The Ministry of Justice (SR 2+)

Likely under the jurisdiction of the Emerald Champion, the ministry was in charge of administrative support to magistrates, like maintaining records, handling fines and administrating punishments.

The Ministry of Imperial Levies (SR 2+)

Moved from the Emerald Champion to the Shogun, this ministry was similar to the Ministry of Justice but in charge of administrative support to the Imperial Legions.

The Imperial Archives (SR 2+)

The libraries of the Ikoma, Otomo and Shosuro records the History of the Empire, and the one of the Kitsune the genealogies, the Imperial Archives and its archivist are just where they stockpile all the paperwork and legal documents of the Imperial Bureaucracy.

Head of Court Musicians (SR 3,0)

Likely moved to serve under the Turquoise Champion instead of the Imperial Chancellor, he is responsible for handling all courtly music, song, and other musical entertainment for the Emperor’s guests (except for drums, see the Master Percussionist). Masters of different instruments likely get titles, but it’s most likely a glory-based position instead of status.

7) Imperial bank of rokugan (formerly the Ministry of Exchange, of Receipt, of Due Loyalty, of Balance) :

Imperial treasurer, former Minister of Exchange (SR 7,0)

Commerce being seen as a crass activity, under the Hantei the Ministry of Exchange was seen as a necessary evil and had much less power. The position of Imperial Treasurer rose the status rank from 5,0 to 7,0 and moved much of the tax collection out of the hands of the Imperial Magistrates to the agents of the Treasurer, increasing his power and influence and removing the overseeing of the Ministry from the Emerald Champion.

Assistant to the Imperial treasurer (SR 4,0+)

Not really magistrates, the assistant to the Imperial Treasurer have taken over the tax collection part of the Emerald Magistrates chart.

8) Imperial Heralds :

Imperial Herald (SR 7,0)

Shikken (SR 4,5)

The shikken, arbitrator, is a temporary imperial position granted by the Emperor or his representatives to find a peaceful end to a conflict the Emperor has decided to stop.

Shisha (Imperial messenger) (SR 2,0)

9) Ambassador to foreign countries :

Naga ambassador, Chief Ambassador to the Yobanjin Tribes, Ambassador to survivors of the Ivory Kingdoms (SR 6,0)

10) Clan organisation :

Great clan champion (SR 8,0)

Minor clan champion (SR 7,5)

Great clan family daimyo (7,0)

Hatamoto (a daimyo’s chief retainer) (SR 6,0)

Aside from their other duties (similar to those of a Karo), a Hatamoto may speak for their daimyo in their absence.

Provincial governor (SR 6,0)

City governor (SR 5,0)

Vassal family daimyo (SR 5,0)

Shugo (SR 4,9)

They rules smaller portions of a province in a daimyo’s name, and while they are lords they do not have the right to calls themselves daimyo. They are usually politically active.

Karo (chief advisor to a lord) (SR 4,7)

Revered sensei (SR 4,0)

Clan magistrate (SR 4+)

Diplomat, ambassador, emissaries and envoys (SR 2,0+)

Ambassador: Ambassadors are given leave to represent their daimyo at another court.
Envoy: Envoys are assigned specific tasks related to a clan or imperial family.
Emissary: Similar to envoys, but usually not courtiers. Emissaries will be assigned to a specific great clan family or minor clan. Single-minded in their duty, few courtiers dare petition an emissary for anything beyond their purview.
Diplomat: court mediators below ambassadors, but higher than courtiers.

The Ministry of the Clan Champion’s household is also part of the court of a clan and is composed of advisors in charge of overseeing parts of the internal bureaucracy of every clan. There is many positions in this group, including Overseer of the Wardrobe, minister of the Port, minister of the Stables, Master Archivist or Minister of Records, with numbers and power depending the clan and the clan champion’s policies.

Gokenin or Jito (estate manager) (SR 2,0)

Same as the Shugo, the size of the land those local landholders oversee vary greatly, from one to up to twenty villages (they sometimes delegate some of those to family members). They have a house, sometimes a manor, located near their gentry.

Average Great clan / Minor clan samourai (SR 1,0)

Most bushis will have this status rank, but also your basic courtier, the lowest rung of diplomatic posts. They speak for visitors to the court, discuss current events, and debate various topics.

Ji-samourai (typical samourai of a vassal family) (SR 0,5)

Doshin (village officers) (SR 0,3)

Budoka (peasant warriors) (SR 0,2)

Crafstmen, merchants (SR 0,1)

Ronin (SR 0,0 - special)

The house guards’ status ranks are equal to those of the military. They provide more glory than status, especially the main family house guard.

The Nakado (matchmaker) have usually a SR of 2,0 as they are diplomats. Their glory rank defines more accurately their influence.

Clan differences :

The Phoenix clan champion have a SR of 7,0 while the Elemental Masters have a SR of 8,0. They have an additional position, the Voice of the masters who have the same function as the Voice of the Emperor but for the Elemental Masters (SR 6,0). The different Acolytes of the Elements (the direct student of an Elemental Master, and likely groomed to take his place have a SR of 6,0).

The Unicorn clan have the Khan (SR 7,0) who appears after the return of the Burning Sands Moto. Often the Khan is the clan champion, but at times he isn’t he is the military leader of the clan. The Fist of the Khan (SR 4,0) is the name of the Khan’s personal enforcer. The Unicorn after the return of the Moto use sometimes the title Tar-khan, the name given to the leaders of the different tribes, it is an equivalent of a city governor for the nomad groups of Unicorn samourai.

The Guardian of the Hall of Ancestors for the Lion and the Master of the Otaku stables are respectively the Hatamoto of the Matsu (traditionally given to the brother of the Matsu daimyo) and the Hatamoto of the Otaku (usually held by the husband of the Otaku daimyo).

Special clan magistrates :

The Kuni Witch-hunters and the Asako Inquisitors are considered clan magistrates and have the according status ranks.

10) Clan armies :

Rikugunshokan (commander of an army) (SR 7,0)

Shireikan (commander of multiple legions) (SR 6,0)

Taisa (commander of a military legion) (SR 5,5)

Shoko kanbu (2,0+)

The command staff of an high ranking officer.

Chui (commander of a military company) (SR 5,0)

Gunso (commander of a military squadron) (SR 3,0)

Nikutai (second-in-command of a Gunso) (SR 1,5+)

Hohei (military private) (SR 1,0)

Ashigaru (peasant soldiers) (SR 0,4)

Peasant levies (SR 0,0)

11) Underhand of the Emperor :

Even the Emperor sometimes needs peoples to do what must be done despite the price. The Scorpion clan champion is charged of this position. The Tortoise clan is also under direct orders of the Emperor to spy on gaijin activities.

Warden (SR depending previous position, it’s a glorious position but you try to not let peoples know who and where you are so you loose glory quickly).

This position is not given, but chosen. A warden is someone who got his hands on the Onyx champion’s mantle or the Obsidian armor and decided to keep it away of evil hands.

12) Brotherhood of Shinsei :

Head of the Brotherhood (SR 4,0)

He has no direct authority over the Brotherhood, it’s mostly an arbitrator during theological debates and charged with organising the conclaves. It also helps with interactions with the Imperial Bureaucracy and the head of the Rokuganni religion, the Emperor. In the past, it was often of the head of the Order of the 4 temples, who had also the charge of announcing (and officialising) the naming of new fortunes, a charge created after the creation of the Lost Gods.

Keeper of the elements, Acolyte of the elements (SR 3,0)

The Keepers of the elements have earned their place through challenges of mind and spirit. The Acolytes of the elements are the leaders of the order of the 7 thunders.

Defender of temples (SR 3,0)

A title given to a talented monk by the head of the Brotherhood, he is one of the best sohei of the Brotherhood.

Dai-shojo (leader of an order)

Brotherhood Abbot (Sojo) (SR 1,5)

Elected council of seniors monks (Sozu)

Senior monk (Rishi)

Typical Brotherhood monk (SR 1,0)

13) Spider clan :

The Obsidian champion : equivalent to the Emerald Champion, keeper of the laws of the Spider clan (at least, at first), the only way to take this place is to kill the previous champion. The Obsidian champion carries Mikuzo, a powerful tainted sword symbol of the tainted Chuda. Ikoma Ayumu killed Daigotsu Hotako and by order of the Empress, stand guard to the trapping of the Obsidian champion until the Empire needed it.

The Onyx champion : equivalent of the Jade Champion, he is the master of magic of the Spider clan (at first). Like his counterpart the Obsidian champion, you must kill your predecessor to take his place.

That is amazing, @Kinzen !

(Never thought I would be uttering these words to anything regarding bureaucracy, but there you go... )

Its incredible how a game so centered in social interactions and the power of such an organized society never had anything even close to how that society works, who does what and how the courtier are supposed to operate. This list fulfills a very big need in L5R, in my opinion. Most often than not, I had to just bullsh*t may way regarding these kinds of structures, but it always left a feeling of dissatisfaction in my mind.

Edited September 28, 2017 by Mirumoto Saito

24 minutes ago, Mirumoto Saito said:

That is amazing, @Kinzen !

(Never thought I would be uttering these words to anything regarding bureaucracy, but there you go... )

Heh, you and me both. :-) It's just . . . you really can't run political plots without an actual political structure. And the advantage of having that structure is, you don't need to fill in the whole thing with actual details; it just gives you a place to grab from when you need to decide what position your PC's aunt holds, or to detail the NPC they're giving gifts to in order to make something happen, or to give PCs jobs other than "magistrate" or an army rank.

Especially when you remember that in a bureaucracy like this, the characters do NOT spend eight+ hours a day working at those jobs. They might spend almost no time on them at all; they can just collect the paycheck and let underlings do the work, while leveraging the influence that comes with being an official secretary in the Office of the Palace Table. In other words, it leaves lots of time for plot. :-) (And then somebody poisons the food intended for the governor's table, and suddenly the PC is in deep s*** for having slacked off on their job . . .)

Agreed that knowing the social structure, at least loosely, is really good when you're going to to political work. But I think it's kind of a good thing that they didn't include a full chart of positions in the L5R books. Reasons follow.

1.) Too Many Charts. L5R is a solid number of steps away from AD&D 2E and that game LOVES some charts, I tell you what. You can glean some very specific information from lists and charts about the world but it kind of detracts in another way. It bogs down a book that you're trying to read from something with flow to a reference guide and it also isn't a story. One of the real strengths of L5R, especially 1st edition RPG is that so much of it is presented not as information to be digested and then referenced, but as actual stories about people in the Empire. This makes the world feel lived in and like something you can be a part of. Also, excessive charts can bloat a book, and drive up the price with material no one is interested in really reading more than a reference guide.

2.) The Principle of Unfinished Maps. Have you ever played Dungeon World? In the GM section they talk about how you should draw maps with blank spaces on them so that later you can fill them in with ADVENTURE and IMAGINATION! This is key to all Role Playing Games. By leaving some things unexplained you maintain a sense of wonder and also allow for new ideas to percolate in the world that leads to new stories and situations. You can create new offices as needed without a rules lawyer shouting you down about how that doesn't exist in the real hierarchy and so on and so forth, just for example. You may also note that in L5R books the skill and Ring listings of Canon characters doesn't always add up to their Insight Rank. This is so you can insert new skills and things when it becomes appropriate for a character to have them. In First Edition Togashi Yokuni doesn't even have stats because, in short "Yokuni wins."

With these, I'm not saying you haven't created a good resource, because you really have. I'm just saying this is probably why they weren't included in the official RPG. Giving more detail to a game, if you allow an individual GM the freedom to bend it to their story, is a great new tool that can set up something to go miles and miles beyond that time that the players were a bunch of yoriki or magistrates or cops or something. So good job overall.

Also, Kinzen, I messaged you about this hierarchy, but I don't think you've read it yet. Is your message box maybe full?

14 hours ago, Aedo said:

1.) Too Many Charts. L5R is a solid number of steps away from AD&D 2E and that game LOVES some charts, I tell you what. You can glean some very specific information from lists and charts about the world but it kind of detracts in another way. It bogs down a book that you're trying to read from something with flow to a reference guide and it also isn't a story. One of the real strengths of L5R, especially 1st edition RPG is that so much of it is presented not as information to be digested and then referenced, but as actual stories about people in the Empire. This makes the world feel lived in and like something you can be a part of. Also, excessive charts can bloat a book, and drive up the price with material no one is interested in really reading more than a reference guide.

But this isn't "too many" charts. This material can easily be put in a couple pages in an appendix for reference.

But I will immediately disagree with you that what I want from an RPG book is the RPG . Sure, describe the setting vividly in the chapters it is intended for such. But when its time for rules , give me the thing in a direct and clear manner, instead of drowned in purple prose. Give me charts, indexes and, for Amaterasu's sake, clarity.

14 hours ago, Aedo said:

2.) The Principle of Unfinished Maps. Have you ever played Dungeon World? In the GM section they talk about how you should draw maps with blank spaces on them so that later you can fill them in with ADVENTURE and IMAGINATION! This is key to all Role Playing Games. By leaving some things unexplained you maintain a sense of wonder and also allow for new ideas to percolate in the world that leads to new stories and situations. You can create new offices as needed without a rules lawyer shouting you down about how that doesn't exist in the real hierarchy and so on and so forth, just for example.

Ugh. I hate that attitude in RPGs. I don't pay for a book so it can tell me "use your I M A G I N A T I O N !!11ONE!!=D".

I want the book to tell me how that particular world works. Specially if it is a world that I have very little familiarity with it, as is the case in Rokugan. Most importantly, if the world demands a greater engagement with the civil society, bureaucracy and nobility, even if minor nobility, it is important for me to know these parts of the world. Even to change stuff, I need to understand what is the basis so I can see if anything even need change for a particular plot or game. People can't create new offices if they don't know which ones exists or if they don't have familiarity with the society and bureaucracy surrounding them.

That attitude was the single most hated thing in the L5R 4e era for me, even when you consider the Spider Clan.

" Oh, hey! Did you know? Now you can do Rokugan your way !!!! =D "

Oh my Fortunes, really, Mr. Game Designer? Are you sure? You will allow me the grace and benevolence of taking the RPG I bought with my money and play the way I like?! OH WOW! But how do such and such works in the setting?

" I don't care! ROKUGAN YOUR WAY, BIATCH! "

Heh. Sorry for the digression! The "Rokugan your way" thing really grind my gears...

And if the book wants to establish a sense of wonder in its world, I need to know how I can engage with that wonder. I don't need to be told "there is some many wonders here, you guys!" and then have all of it handwaved away. (Don't know how the conversation went from "Bureaucracy" to "Wonders", but I've seen crazier stuff before... )

14 hours ago, Aedo said:

You may also note that in L5R books the skill and Ring listings of Canon characters doesn't always add up to their Insight Rank. This is so you can insert new skills and things when it becomes appropriate for a character to have them.

Come on. That's just lazy design. If I want or need to fudge some NPC statistics for a particular game and can do just that. I don't need an incomplete product to allow me to do so.

14 hours ago, Aedo said:

In First Edition Togashi Yokuni doesn't even have stats because, in short "Yokuni wins."

...and that's bad GMing.

Aedo -- I was busy prepping for the session I ran last night, and didn't have a chance to respond before now.

I view the job of the books as giving GMs and players the tools they need to tell the kinds of stories the game is designed for. L5R has always promoted court and politics as very important to the setting . . . and then, at least in 4e, done an abysmal job of actually filling in what court consists of. The result is that, if you actually want to run a game that deals with politics in a meaningful manner, you either have to make up a huge chunk of the setting for yourself (inventing the political structure, etc), or go do a bunch of outside research (as TheWanderingJewels has clearly done). The former is, to my way of thinking, equivalent to telling players there's this place called the Shadowlands that the Crab spend all their time fighting . . . and then not actually giving you more than a few vague paragraphs about how the Shadowlands are twisted and dangerous and filled with monsters. Could you run a good Shadowlands-focused campaign with that? Not unless you do a lot of the heavy lifting yourself. And that makes it less likely that many GMs will bother, because while some people enjoy putting in that level of work, a great many more don't.

Basically: you can't make bricks without clay, and you can't tell stories without knowing something about the subject. This is a tool to assist with the latter. I'm not saying all this would need to be front and center in the core book -- heck I'm not saying it has to be in any book, given that I'm not in charge of that. I'm just trying to patch one of the holes in what 4e gave us.

The trend of "good GM will figure out something on their own, better not waste space providing examples/guidelines/structure/etc" beyond a few paragraphs is IMHO one of the major reasons why people are often afraid of GMing and why there are so few GMs overall. This is the biggest reason why my group dropped Mage the Awakening 2nd Edition - my GM was just too tired of having to CONSTANTLY come up with stuff that should be in book but never was properly written beyond token idea seeds. Only reason why she can GM a fantastic L5R experience is because China and Japan are a subject of her studies she enjoys researching - L5R books never really provided her with the stuff she needed to do that.

Edited September 30, 2017 by WHW

Sorry for delay in reply. When i first read responses I got really riled up as a knee jerk reaction, and I didn't think your thoughts deserved to be shouted down by my lack of understanding. I've had more time to think about it and chill out so I think I can address your thoughts with my thoughts in a much more respectful manner. Also, I have a two year old, so longer posts can sometimes be kind of hard. Baby Aggro!

@Mirumoto Saito Oh, man! "Rokugan Your Way." I can get behind your sentiment. Yes, thank you, AEG. I had never considered running L5R as a cyberpunk game before. Your one chapter expansion on the idea is-it's great, or whatever. Go away, I have some planning to do now. Thanks for your blessings on my homebrew conversion that I've been stewing for ten years.

Our group wanted to try a Rokugan in Space game ('cuz lazor katanaz, yo!) but after a quick glance over the chapter in IH2 we found AEG's consideration of the setting lacking at best. At one point I joked with my friend about it, "Well, what do you even want from Rokugan in Space?"

"I want a 90 page sourcebook!"

This conversation touches on what you have already articulated very well. When we buy RPG books, we do, in fact expect some actual explanation of what's going on and how to play with it. I've also had this exact same problem with 7th Sea 1st Edition where there's no way to do anything even close to what they describe fate witches are capable of, even at lower levels, and the Al Fuego Adentro magic system refers you to fire creation and manipulation rules in the Storyteller's Guide that may be summed up by their first sentence clause, "When a Hero is on fire..." Other games have similar sins, with Mage being one of the hardest to wrangle because you're supposed to make a game out of a system that is supposed to represent literal infinite possibility (just for you, @WHW .) You're very right when you say that rules books should provide some good rules and guidelines in clear, concise ways.

Handwaving is also a dangerous path when designing games for interaction. I think i see where it comes from, but it can still be dangerous. When you write a story, or present a play you give a goodly amount of story but you don't explain every technical detail of the world. You leave some of that up to the viewer's imagination and interpretation and intelligence. You imply some things so that the audience finds ways to engage with the story and consider not only the plot, but also the meaning of the story. RPG books, of course, are not simply plays to be read. They are, in fact technical manuals that have to do double duty in being entertaining and explaining the structure of the world and game thatthey want you to play.

I do think it is possible to have too much information (or as another friend states it, "granularity") in an RPG Book if it explains everything to the extent that there is no or very little room for a GM or player to put his own touch on the world when playing. I am brought back to the example of Old World of Darkness wherein metaplot became so thick and so tightly interwoven, that it was a mounting challenge to create new stories with a sense of mystery because so much had been laid out in the books if you knew which supplement to look over. For example, it was hard to have things that would go bump in the night underneath New York because if you dug too deep and too greedily, suddenly Tzimisce him/her/itself was waiting for you. I'll apply this to L5R in just a second. Good detail is good because it gives you a solid structure to play on, but too much map make sit hard to do new exploration. does that make sense? I feel like I'm not really driving the point home as elegantly as I'd like.

As to L5R at least, I think there is a good balance to be struck between the definite need for more world information than that given, and the possibility of too many minute lists of yearly Rokugani censuses and earnings reports from the Crane opium trade. It might be keen to have like a set of guidelines as to what the government is sup[posed to look like and some rules as to how to interact with it/ expand upon it. Something like (but certainly better than) the following.

Quote

The Imperial Court System

The Emperor runs his government through a vast system of favors and bureaucracies. Keeping power decentralized through many different offices make sit difficult for clan leaders to affect the emperor's decisions too easily or take up too much of the emperor's time. At the same time the emperor can (blah blah blah Azula, blah blah blah Space.) Below are some of the parts of the Imperial Government.

The Office of Temples (Head: Seppun Yarikata)

The Office of Temples operates independently from other (something something festivals and kami.) This office is run by many priests and shugenja.

The Grand Council (Head: Otomo Primeministerman)

The Grand Council handles most Civic affairs of the Empire (more details) There are up to 10 people on the council at any given time. They are very high ranked members and (something Glory Rank.)

The Ministry of the Right (Head: Yasuki Kantoku)

The Right Handles Orders from the Council and Taxes and Stuff.

The Ministry of the Left (Head: Doji Mochime)

The Left does other important things...

And so on with other ministries as important. You can define what makes government tick, give it that feeling of being really big and indifferent, and give some detail about how to work with it. More importantly (and this is where I think @TheWanderingJewels kind of had a miss) you can actually define what each department does for the government so that you know how to play with it, rather than just having a wall of titles. This is kind of what I meant when I said I was glad it wasn't in the books. An exhaustive list of office titles and office holders and their tax numbers isn't as necessary as a summary of what the Eight Ministries are and do with some ideas given for how to populate them further. Is that more in line with what you were thinking, or am I way way off?

@Kinzen I think I've covered most of your ideas above, but I also want to say thanks again for putting together some of this stuff. I agree that AEG doesn't do a great job of detailing some of the things they say are very important and even sometimes overemphasizing things they want to use as throw away ideas. I think Taryu-jiai, for example, was supposed to be sort of a gimme for shugenja who felt left out when it was written up in Way of the Phoenix and then a lot of players hooked on to it and it's sort of been a thing ever since. I don't have evidence to back that up, so if you have anything on that topic, I'm happy to bow to greater expertise.

@WHW I can see where not giving enough info can be daunting for a lot of introductory GM's. I also think the challenge of providing months to years of weekly entertainment for a half dozen people who may sometime shave more experience than you in a given world can also be daunting. Making ongoing story can be hard. I think AEG L5R (at least in 1st Edition) has done a fair, if not excellent, job of helping guide new GM's into their jobs, but more world details would, of course, be appreciated.

we will need a re-edition of the GM survival guide that originally came with 2e

7 hours ago, Aedo said:

I do think it is possible to have too much information (or as another friend states it, "granularity") in an RPG Book if it explains everything to the extent that there is no or very little room for a GM or player to put his own touch on the world when playing. I am brought back to the example of Old World of Darkness wherein metaplot became so thick and so tightly interwoven, that it was a mounting challenge to create new stories with a sense of mystery because so much had been laid out in the books if you knew which supplement to look over. For example, it was hard to have things that would go bump in the night underneath New York because if you dug too deep and too greedily, suddenly Tzimisce him/her/itself was waiting for you. I'll apply this to L5R in just a second. Good detail is good because it gives you a solid structure to play on, but too much map make sit hard to do new exploration. does that make sense? I feel like I'm not really driving the point home as elegantly as I'd like.

As to L5R at least, I think there is a good balance to be struck between the definite need for more world information than that given, and the possibility of too many minute lists of yearly Rokugani censuses and earnings reports from the Crane opium trade. It might be keen to have like a set of guidelines as to what the government is sup[posed to look like and some rules as to how to interact with it/ expand upon it.

I don't think anybody has suggested that we need (or want) yearly Rokugani censuses and earnings reports from the Crane opium trade. "A set of guidelines as to what the government is supposed to look like" is exactly what I was aiming for -- and the reason I went down to the level of granularity I did is, the PCs will in most cases be interacting with the lowest levels much more than the top ones. They're going to talk to a lot more aides and bureau clerks than ministers, and might be promoted to those positions themselves.

I agree, mind you, that detailing too much leaves no room for player/GM creativity. TheWanderingJewels' posts were taken from their own campaign, which is why they gave names for specific officials etc; I wouldn't want the RPG books to do the same thing, because I'd want the freedom to decide that the Assistant Director to the Bureau of Divination belongs to the same family as a PC (for a better inroad there) or a rival family (to create an obstacle), or that they're of a suitable gender to be a love interest, or whatever. For me, though, having the books suggest that there should be a Bureau of Divination, and that it has officials of various low-ish ranks, is at the level of maximum utility. It makes it clear to players who aren't steeped in the source cultures that divination is an important thing in this society -- important enough to occupy a specific place in the hierarchy.

Fair. Our players don't even know (or care!) who Clan Champions are, other than Shoju, who they only heard of, and that's only because brother of one of the characters used to train and serve under Kachiko (yes, he is male seducer whose job also included cross dressing :P). Should they technically know about their Clan Champions? Sure, and they characters know about them IC for sure, but it is so unimportant for our level of play that its irrelevant.