I managed to complete this project! I am surprised-- I hardly ever manage to complete anything. I have to imagine that this is probably the most controversial one as I know there is a lot of love for the minor clans and a number of these really forced me to create some new lore in order to shift them from the 70 years between the Scorpion Clan coup to the destruction of Rokugan at the hands of the Spider Clan to being part of the history of the empire. I obviously had to do that with a number of them in the previous parts, but this one felt like it required the most stretching.
Please comment and critique . I would like to make these as favorable to the playerbase as possible. If you feel any of these should have gotten different bonuses or if my description is too lacking, I am happy to change the details. Feedback on this will also obviously be taken into account when I work on the future clans. Also, if you have created a vassal family for the crab of your own that you would like to add to this project, I would be happy to add it to the list.
The purpose of this project is to add additional lore-friendly families to every Great Clan. These are all vassal families that serve the main families of the Great Clans. The family these families serve is includes as often within Rokugan, they are referred to by their lord's family name followed by their own name, for example "Endo Ujimasa" would be called "Hiruma no Endo Ujimasa", sometimes even just calling him "Hiruma Ujimasa". However, if you want to play in a Rokugan that has a bit more diversity then you may drop the first part and simply refer to such a character as "Endo Ujimasa" under all circumstances.
The distinction here between "branch family" and "servant family" is not an official designation, but indicates whether the family came from outside the family they serve (usually entirely outside the clan, and often from ronin or peasant backgrounds) and were adopted by the family as permanent servants, which I have referred to as "Servant Family" or where a family designated some of its own members to focus on specializing in a certain task, which I have called "Branch Family". While these have never been used as terms within Rokugan canon, there is every indication that those from Branch Families get treated better than those from Servant Families.
Mechanically all of these families are a bit worse than the 4 to 5 you will find in the main RPG book. This is because these families are canonically of lower status within the clan. In fact, these characters should start off with 5 less status than regular member of their clan in addition to the lower glory and usually lower wealth found here. If GMs find that these few points of honor, glory and wealth are too great of a detriment for players to consider even playing these families, then they are encouraged to bump the glory here by 5 points, the wealth by an extra koku and not implementing the status loss for being from a branch family. The ultimate goal here is to increase the options for both PCs and NPCs-- obviously a balance between realism and enjoyment should be struck.
T
HE
M
ANTIS
C
LAN
The Chirichi Family
Mantis Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Fire or +1 Void
Skill Increases:
+1 Design, +1 Smithing
Glory:
37
Starting Wealth:
6 Koku
The Chirichi family are the primary family of smiths among the Mantis Clan. Their origin is unclear, but most agree that they originated with Kaiu who left the Crab to join what later became the Mantis Clan. Although their appearance indicates that they at least have intermarried with some people from the Ivory Kingdoms. Their particular specialty is creating a heavy armor that can be removed quickly, allowing the wearer to escape it before drowning should they fall from their ship or the ship they are on capsize. Generally, the Chirichi family is only found in the Islands of Silk and Spice, but sometimes they can be found in the major port cities along the coast of Rokugan as their crafts are favored among sailors of many clans.
The Gusai Family
Mantis Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Earth or +1 Fire
Skill Increases:
+1 Command, +1 Skulduggery
Glory:
33
Starting Wealth:
4 Koku
Gusai was the name of the legendary Mantis Clan champion who won official Imperial recognition for the clan by threatening the Emperor with a sword in a dispute between whether the sword or the pen was mightier. Gusai was executed for this crime, but the Mantis Clan received the long-sought recognition and for a time Gusai was the officially recognized name for all the Mantis Clan. However, after many subsequent incidents, the name was officially stripped from the clan. Those among the Mantis who still cling to the name do so effectively in open defiance of the throne and, perhaps expectedly, tend to be the most rebellious and bitter of its members. However, there are those who also cling to it in order to keep alive the memory of Gusai himself—for he was not afraid to defy the Emperor to stand up for his ideals and they won’t be cowed either. The Gusai family is generally not found outside the Isles of Silk and Spice, and those that are tend to be involved in some sort of conspiracy or smuggling operations.
The Hogosha Family
Mantis Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Air or +1 Earth
Skill Increases:
+1 Courtesy, +1 Culture
Glory:
38
Starting Wealth:
6 Koku
The Hogosha are the official courtiers of the Mantis Clan, serving on their behalf in both courts in Rokugan and beyond.
Unfortunately for them, the behavior of much of their clan means those of the Hogosha have had plenty of practice crafting the perfect apologies and trying to explain how their clan didn’t technically violate previous agreements. Those that have dealt with them long know both not to put too much stock in the promises of the Hogosha, but also are a bit sympathetic to the plight of diplomats negotiating on behalf of those whose behavior cannot be predicted. The Hogosha can be found in the courts of all clans the Mantis does dealings with as well as those in the Ivory Kingdoms.
The Hoji Family
Mantis Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Air or +1 Fire
Skill Increases:
+1 Commerce, +1 Games
Glory:
34
Starting Wealth:
6 Koku
The Hoji family is a rare family of the Mantis to primarily live outside of their isles, instead primarily residing in Ryoko Owari and have resided there since the 7
th
century. The Hoji are merchants and gamblers, often involving themselves in blackmarket businesses and rigged games. While some of the wealth they generate is sent back to the clan, they are one of the few families outside the Scorpion to have a significant amount of wealth and control there. They serve a secondary purpose of serving as a convenient intermediary between the Scorpion and the rest of the Mantis Clan, perhaps explaining why the Scorpion have not done more to undermine their position.
The Watanabe Family
Mantis Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Earth or +1 Water
Skill Increases:
+1 Sentiment, +1 Seafaring
Glory:
35
Starting Wealth:
5 Koku
The Watanabe trace their roots back to Gusai himself, ironically having a stronger legitimate claim on that name than those who still call themselves Gusai. When the Emperor stripped the Mantis Clan of the Gusai name, the bloodline of Gusai simply changed their name to Watanabe. They are the finest ship builders in all of Rokugan and arguably the finest sailors too. Despite their murky past, they are also known for being both honest and honorable as well. Many Mantis aspire to be more like the Watanabe family, or at least like to point to them as an example of Mantis who don’t allow greed to come before honor. The Watanabe family can be found in both the Isles of Silk and Spice and in ports up and down the coast of Rokugan.
T
HE
B
ADGER
C
LAN
The Fureheshu Family
Badger Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Earth or +1 Water
Skill Increases:
+1 Fitness, +1 Performance
Glory:
37
Starting Wealth:
5 Koku
The Fureheshu are descended from a Badger Clan samurai who purportedly defeated an Oni that had rampaged through Badger Clan lands both single-handedly and unarmed, crushing the Oni’s skull with his bare hands, though sustaining a broken back in the process leaving him unable to walk for the remainder of his days. Even before this incident, Fureheshu was renowned for being able to defeat any samurai in a test of strength and earning the respect of the Hida wrestlers. Those of this family are known for being some of the greatest wrestlers in all of Rokugan, often doubling most other samurai in both weight and strength. Their sumo exhibitions are famous throughout the empire and many travel to wherever they hold their competitions to see them in action. Because of the demand to see them, the Fureheshu family members often travel around the empire to hold competitions against members of other clans.
The Tashimi Family
Badger Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Air or +1 Water
Skill Increases:
+1 Command, +1 Sentiment
Glory:
35
Starting Wealth:
4 Koku
The Tashimi family is a branch of the Badger that live within the City of the Rich Frog, fairly far from most of the clan. The family began with Ichiro Tashimi, when an Oni summoned by a Bloodspeaker attacked the city and cost the lives of most of the Badger Clan stationed there their lives. As the only remaining sensei at the local dojo, he was assigned a new family. They are primarily known for being teachers, commanders and, on occasion, magistrates. They have a rather good relationship with the Kaeru family that primarily controls the city and they work together for the benefit of the city often. The Tashimi are still primarily only found in Toshi Ranbo.
T
HE
B
AT
C
LAN
The Iongi Family
Bat Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Fire or +1 Void
Skill Increases:
+1 Labor, +1 Theology
Glory:
36
Starting Wealth:
4 Koku
The Iongi began with Moshi Iongi, a member of the Centipede who spent years traveling on the boats of the Mantis Clan. It is believed that perhaps he left his clan due to its strictly matriarchal culture meant his talents were unappreciated within the clan of his birth. Despite his connection to the Mantis Clan, he ultimately married into and joined the Bat Clan. Ever since, the Iongi family has been known as one that builds temples and shrines on behalf of the Bat Clan. The family is also known for adopting peasant-born shugenja, thus expanding their numbers quickly despite the young age of this family.
T
HE
C
ENTIPEDE
C
LAN
The Goriaku Family
Centipede Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Air or +1 Fire
Skill Increases:
+1 Fitness, +1 Theology
Glory:
36
Starting Wealth:
4 Koku
The Goriaku are a family of samurai that are fanatically devoted to the worship of Lady Sun. The family is almost entirely male as their daughters are adopted out into the Moshi family and the members primarily marry ronin and ashigaru women. The family are known for being skilled archers in addition to their religious devotion. They serve as the protectors of the Centipede Clan and, in addition, have a close relationship with the Mantis Clan forging a bond between their own fledgling clan and the largest minor clan.
T
HE
Deer
C
LAN
The Namiko Family
Deer Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Water or +1 Void
Skill Increases:
+1 Aesthetics, +1 Theology
Glory:
34
Starting Wealth:
4 Koku
The Deer clan magistrate Shika Namiko discovered how the arrangement of objects in rooms and outdoors areas influences the harmony between spirits. By rearranging objects, hostile spirits and mismatched kami may find balances between each other and co-create a harmonize environment. Namiko summarized her discovery in eight principles that are followed today by the Namiko vassal family. Members of this family are often asked to design new living quarters for new married couples. In the past the family has been tasked with restoring the harmony of the area around shrines, important routes and castle gardens.
T
HE
D
RAGONFLY
C
LAN
The Koshei Family
Dragonfly Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Earth or +1 Void
Skill Increases:
+1 Meditation, +1 Tactics
Glory:
36
Starting Wealth:
4 Koku
The Koshei family is one that began in tragedy. The formation of the Dragonfly Clan is viewed by the Lion as an insult to them that they have never forgotten. In the 7
th
century, the Lion used an insult by an Agasha as an excuse to march their armies upon the Dragon Clan—launching them directly through the lands of the Dragonfly. An Akodo general took it upon himself to attack the Dragonfly clan and nearly wiped the family out before the Miya could intervene. Publicly shamed by the Imperials, Akodo Koshei chose to take personal responsibility for the attack rather than allowing that shame to fall upon the Lion Clan as a whole. He committed sepukku, but also pledged his family line from then on to serve as protectors of the Dragonfly. The Koshei have served ever since as yojimbo to the Tonbo family. Wherever a Tonbo may travel, a Koshei tends not to be far away to see that no harm comes to them.
The Senkensha Family
Dragonfly Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Air or +1 Void
Skill Increases:
+1 Government, +1 Theology
Glory:
35
Starting Wealth:
4 Koku
The Senkensha are a family of seers among the Dragonfly. The family started with a shugenja whose ability to see into the future foresaw a harsh winter that would have caused the small clan to starve to death. With this forewarning, the Dragonfly took drastic action to prevent this tragedy. Sure enough, the harsh winter came to pass and even with the drastic action to prepare, the Dragonfly only barely managed to survive. Thus, the Senkesha family was started in order to assist in averting any other future tragedies they may foresee. While the visions of the family have never been as accurate, reliable or helpful as that initial vision, the Dragonfly nonetheless take all of their visions quite seriously. The Senkensha are usually only found around Kyuden Tonbo, but when Tonbo live or travel elsewhere, a member of this family may accompany them just in case.
T
HE
F
OX
C
LAN
The Byako Family
Fox Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Air or +1 Fire
Skill Increases:
+1 Survival, +1 Theology
Glory:
36
Starting Wealth:
4 Koku
The Byako, meaning “white fox”, is a family that legends say is descended from a kitsune who took the form of the Fox Clan Champion’s nephew after the boy died in a tragic accident. It is said that in each generation, the first pregnancy of a direct descendant of that original kitsune will bear twins. One will join the family as a samurai while the other will have the talents of a shugenja and disappear into the forest and return possessed of the spirits of kitsune. There are those, even within this family, who are skeptical of these tales. Nonetheless, few can doubt the beauty and talents of this unusually mystic family. The family is primarily only found around the Fox lands where they serve as protectors.
The Shudo Family
Fox Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Earth or +1 Fire
Skill Increases:
+1 Command, +1 Fitness
Glory:
37
Starting Wealth:
4 Koku
Kitsune Shudo was born without the ability to communicate with the spirits. Being from a relatively influential family, however, they were able to send him to be trained by the Matsu where he became an enthusiastic warrior. Still later, he found himself serving within the forces of the Mantis and became one of the most highly distinguished members of their military from outside their clan. Despite the glory, honor and fortune he found outside of his clan, he did eventually return to the clan of his birth where he stayed for good, training others who had been born without the gift of the kami in the ways of the warrior and even bringing in ronin to help protect his clan. For his loyalty and service, those who graduated from his academy took on his name and have carried it with prize ever since. Those who carry the Shudo family name are generally welcome in the Lion Clan and Mantis Clan lands, even during times when tensions with the Fox Clan are high, so they can be found outside of their clan’s traditional lands.
T
HE
H
ARE
C
LAN
The Ujina Family
Hare Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Air or +1 Fire
Skill Increases:
+1 Tactics, +1 Skulduggery
Glory:
33
Starting Wealth:
4 Koku
When a series of murders was being carried out in Toshi Ranbo
by what was suspected to be a cult of bloodspeakers, the Hare Clan champion was called to the city to lead one of the teams hunting for these bloodspeakers. The Champion was assisted by the ronin by the name of Tokimasa. Together they were successful in hunting down and killing the cell of murders. Afterwards, Tokimasa took on the name Ujina and swore fealty to the Hare Clan. The Ujina are known for being skilled and using stealth and more underhanded tactics to take down enemies of their clan rather than relying on superior fitness like those of the Usagi family. They are usually found serving alongside the Usagi wherever rumors of Bloodspeakers may take them.
T
HE
M
ONKEY
C
LAN
The Fuzake Family
Monkey Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Air or +1 Fire
Skill Increases:
+1 Performance, +1 Theology
Glory:
33
Starting Wealth:
4 Koku
The Fuzake family was started very soon after the formation of the Monkey Clan, as the ronin Shugenja known as “the wolf” was a long-time friend of the original Monkey Clan Champion and swore allegiance to him only days after the clan was formed. The Fuzake are primarily known as comedic performers who attempt to bring levity and humor to Rokugan, particularly when it is in need of healing after times of war. Of course, given that there are so many samurai who are so very insecure and paranoid about any loss of face that they meet any criticism, let alone ridicule, with swift and severe violence the Fuzake’s careless and frivolous words often get them into trouble. It is almost a necessity for the Fuzake to go anywhere with a competent bodyguard.
T
HE
S
PARROW
C
LAN
The Aika Family
Sparrow Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Air or +1 Void
Skill Increases:
+1 Sentiment, +1 Theology
Glory:
34
Starting Wealth:
3 Koku
Within the Sparrow clan there are members that are shape-shifting starlings called Supuryu. Those starlings all belong to the Aika vassal family. Most members posses the ability to communicate with the kami. The story goes that a Suzume samurai named Hiroyuki found a wounded starling and after nurturing the bird back to health, the bird transformed into a beautiful woman. She was named Aika and just as all Supuryu, she was mostly mute except for a few words she was able to pronounce. They started a family and it didn't take long before more Supuryu started settling near the samurai's house, creating a village together. It were those villagers that prevented a famine years later and in honour of their deed they were made into a vassal family.
The Edakumi Family
Sparrow Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Air or +1 Fire
Skill Increases:
+1 Aesthetics, +1 Command
Glory:
35
Starting Wealth:
3 Koku
The Edakumi were created very soon after the Sparrow Clan itself was created. Doji Edakumi was a dear friend to the founder of the Sparrow Clan, Doji Suzume. Even from the day the clan formed, he dedicated himself to bring joy to those who were to become part of the Sparrow clan through his art—both in his masterpieces and also teaching how to create art that expressed themselves. Edakumi soon married into the Sparrow Clan and the Edakumi family has serves as artisans to the Sprrow Clan ever since. The Edakumi family is rarely seen or heard of outside the Sparrow Clan lands except occasionally to exhibit their art.
T
HE
W
ASP
C
LAN
The Kagehisa Family
Wasp Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Air or +1 Void
Skill Increases:
+1 Skulduggery, +1 Survival
Glory:
33
Starting Wealth:
3 Koku
There is an annual tradition within the Wasp Clan to allow ronin and ashigaru to join their ranks called the Day of the Wasp. There are several tests to prove one is qualified to join the ranks. After passing the tests to qualify, however, there is one final test that ultimately decides one’s fate. The Wasp Clan Champion crates a rigorous course to test the limits of the candidate. Those that pass this final test become members of the primary Tsuruichi family while those that pass become members of the Kagehisa family. The family is named for a previous candidate who failed the final test to properly join the Wasp Clan, but then later when the Champion had become lost—Kagehisa managed to tirelessly track him down and saved his life. Since that time, those who fail the final test are still considered members of the Wasp Clan has part of a family that carries his name.
The Suguru Family
Wasp Clan Family
Ring Increases:
+1 Earth or +1 Water
Skill Increases:
+1 Command, +1 Theology
Glory:
34
Starting Wealth:
3 Koku
The mercenary exploits of the Wasp Clan had made them enemies of Bloodspeaker cults and there were several attempts by maho-tsukai on the life of the Wasp Clan Champion. Suguru was a ronin shugenja who hunted maho-tsukai. Suguru saved the life of the Wasp Clan Champion three times, the first time unraveling a plot and informing him of it so he could take action, the second intervening during a direct assault against the champion and his son and the third time exposing a maho-tsukai within the personal guard of the Champion. Each time the Wasp Clan Champion offered to allow Suguru join the clan, but Suguru rejected the offer until the third time when the Champion showed the most humbleness and sincerity. Since that time the Suguru family has served as magistrates within the Wasp Clan while also continuing their hunt for maho-tsukai within the empire. The family has no holdings or permanent homes, as having such and making their location openly known would just make them or their families easy targets for their multitude of enemies. However, they protect the Tsuruichi family and the Tsuruichi family protects them.