RONIN
A ronin (literally, "wave man" - one who is tossed about, like a wave in the sea) is a masterless samurai. A samurai can became masterless from the ruin or fall of his master, or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege. A samurai is forbidden to become employed by another master without his previous master's permission. When the samurai's previous master dies without an heir or is stripped of his lands and title, the samurai becomes unemployable by other daimyo.
In addition, a samurai can become ronin if he is not recognized as an heir by his samurai parent, is outcast for a failure and denied seppuku, or is simply someone who had chosen to abandon his station.
To a samurai, for whom their duty to their master is their life, the loss of duty is often seen as a fate worse than death. Generally, a samurai will request to commit seppuku to absolve himself of whatever shame caused him to become ronin, though this step could be forbidden by the samurai's daimyo, if becoming ronin is a punishment. Traditionally, ronin are generally regarded as disreputable and are frequently targets of humiliation and satire. In addition, ronin often pose a serious threat, as the masterless life often degenerates into a life of thievery and malice. Ronin bands frequently threaten settlements and commerce. This is a problem that arises somewhat regularly and that the magistrates of Rokugan put forth every effort to quell.
Ronin exist outside the Celestial Order. They are still samurai, but they are not subservient to any greater power. They wear the daisho, but they do not have the protection of even the eta who live under a daimyo. Many ronin feel that their freedom is worth the sacrifice, but there are also many that disagree.
PLAYING RONIN
Playing a ronin can be a fun and challenging experience. Your character will not be treated like the hero he is, aims to be, or even despises depending on his background. A ronin is considered to be less than a person, not part of the Celestial Order and thus unworthy of consideration and glory, and without honor. This may or may not be true for your character, but it is truth in the eyes of Rokugan. Even those less than samurai will stand up to and flat out deny ronin service by their own accord. After the Ronin Decree (below), the ranks of the ronin are dwindling. They are being exterminated or accepted into the fold, without much room for an alternative.
Ronin are granted extra character points to start, but even these sometimes do not make up for the comparative lifestyle of his samurai peers. Bear this in mind while conceptualizing your character. There are pros, but the cons are typically much more dangerous than the supposed 'freedom' the life allows.
* RONIN DECREE *
The Emperor, blessed of the Sun, has issued the following warrant concerning all ronin amongst the lands of Rokugan.
1) We are to be reminded that ronin are as eta, outside of the Celestial Order, and as such are not accordance to the laws of respect or justice in these lands. They may be tolerated or removed at will by any Samurai.
2) The Great Clans are encouraged to welcome ronin into their fold and allow a family to adopt them at the lowest ranks of our order. This is a most prestigious gift, and should be reserved for only the most honorable, the most worthy. How they are tested and granted name and mon as if completing their gempukku is determined by standards set by the Clan Daiymyo.
3) Any ronin found by Samurai or higher authority should be challenged immediately to identify and declare intent. Should they convince the Samurai by their honor that they seek a Great Clan sponsorship, they are encouraged to be on their way. This is at the discretion of the indivdual(s) involved, as most ronin are unworthy to wear a mon and are best suited to continue their kharmic path through reincarnation.
4) Ronin may volunteer for service on the fronts of the Kaiu wall. Those who have survived for a time enough to be accepted by their bretheren may henceforth be joined into the Crab or Unicorn clans (again at the lowest social standing, and by their own standards of acceptance).
By the will of the Fortunes and the Emperor's hand, so it is decreed.
Hantei XXXVIII
~ Year 1103
A ronin (literally, "wave man" - one who is tossed about, like a wave in the sea) is a masterless samurai. A samurai can became masterless from the ruin or fall of his master, or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege. A samurai is forbidden to become employed by another master without his previous master's permission. When the samurai's previous master dies without an heir or is stripped of his lands and title, the samurai becomes unemployable by other daimyo.
In addition, a samurai can become ronin if he is not recognized as an heir by his samurai parent, is outcast for a failure and denied seppuku, or is simply someone who had chosen to abandon his station.
To a samurai, for whom their duty to their master is their life, the loss of duty is often seen as a fate worse than death. Generally, a samurai will request to commit seppuku to absolve himself of whatever shame caused him to become ronin, though this step could be forbidden by the samurai's daimyo, if becoming ronin is a punishment. Traditionally, ronin are generally regarded as disreputable and are frequently targets of humiliation and satire. In addition, ronin often pose a serious threat, as the masterless life often degenerates into a life of thievery and malice. Ronin bands frequently threaten settlements and commerce. This is a problem that arises somewhat regularly and that the magistrates of Rokugan put forth every effort to quell.
Ronin exist outside the Celestial Order. They are still samurai, but they are not subservient to any greater power. They wear the daisho, but they do not have the protection of even the eta who live under a daimyo. Many ronin feel that their freedom is worth the sacrifice, but there are also many that disagree.
PLAYING RONIN
Playing a ronin can be a fun and challenging experience. Your character will not be treated like the hero he is, aims to be, or even despises depending on his background. A ronin is considered to be less than a person, not part of the Celestial Order and thus unworthy of consideration and glory, and without honor. This may or may not be true for your character, but it is truth in the eyes of Rokugan. Even those less than samurai will stand up to and flat out deny ronin service by their own accord. After the Ronin Decree (below), the ranks of the ronin are dwindling. They are being exterminated or accepted into the fold, without much room for an alternative.
Ronin are granted extra character points to start, but even these sometimes do not make up for the comparative lifestyle of his samurai peers. Bear this in mind while conceptualizing your character. There are pros, but the cons are typically much more dangerous than the supposed 'freedom' the life allows.
* RONIN DECREE *
The Emperor, blessed of the Sun, has issued the following warrant concerning all ronin amongst the lands of Rokugan.
1) We are to be reminded that ronin are as eta, outside of the Celestial Order, and as such are not accordance to the laws of respect or justice in these lands. They may be tolerated or removed at will by any Samurai.
2) The Great Clans are encouraged to welcome ronin into their fold and allow a family to adopt them at the lowest ranks of our order. This is a most prestigious gift, and should be reserved for only the most honorable, the most worthy. How they are tested and granted name and mon as if completing their gempukku is determined by standards set by the Clan Daiymyo.
3) Any ronin found by Samurai or higher authority should be challenged immediately to identify and declare intent. Should they convince the Samurai by their honor that they seek a Great Clan sponsorship, they are encouraged to be on their way. This is at the discretion of the indivdual(s) involved, as most ronin are unworthy to wear a mon and are best suited to continue their kharmic path through reincarnation.
4) Ronin may volunteer for service on the fronts of the Kaiu wall. Those who have survived for a time enough to be accepted by their bretheren may henceforth be joined into the Crab or Unicorn clans (again at the lowest social standing, and by their own standards of acceptance).
By the will of the Fortunes and the Emperor's hand, so it is decreed.
Hantei XXXVIII
~ Year 1103
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