The Imperial Families
Though all clans of Rokugan
are loyal to the Emperor, many times they have taken action that served their
own interests ahead of the Empire’s.
Not so the families whose holdings surround the capital of Otosan Uchi,
the capitol, because these families are those of the Emperor himself. Their livelihoods and the Emperor’s are
intertwined, and serve him directly.
They are as diverse as any Clans of the Empire, united only in their
unwavering dedication to the Emperor.
They have no collective bias and are thus, difficult to stereotype. The Seppun family, who received their edict
directly from Lady Moon, serve the Emperor as his personal bodyguards,
spiritual advisors, and as a large portion of his Imperial Guard. The Otomo serve the Emperor as his spies and
courtiers, as graceful anc courteous as any Crane, and skillful enough to weave
a seasoned Scorpion into a trap. Their
secret duty is to make certain that no Clan or alliance is able to grow
powerful enough to challenge the Empire, and have instigated wars, intrigue,
and assassinations, rarely, to that end.
The Miya family serve as the heralds and bearers of the Emperor’s Word.
It was a Miya who delivered the news of Fu Leng’s downfall on the Second Day of
Thunder, bring new hope to all of Rokugan.
It is the Miya who attempt to bring peace where war rears its ugly head,
and though few realize it, the Miya place their lives on the line more often
than their Seppun counterparts.
Serve the Empire, serve the
Emperor. The two highest duties of the
Imperial families, the Seppun protect the Emperor, without who the Empire would
fall into chaos. The Seppun are as
religious as any Phoenix or Dragon, after all they guard the head of the
Shintao religion-The Emperor. The
Seppun are naturally quiet and watchful, ever present, and ever mindful. The Otomo family keep the balance of the
Empire, and guard the Emperor as the Seppun, though from a different sort of
threat. Without the Otomo, the one who
sits on the throne would become a puppet.
The Otomo are ever on alert for unseen plots against the Steel
Throne. The Otomo are the most affable
and pleasant of the Imperial families, due to the great deal of time they spend
in the Imperial court and in the Clans’ courts. As the Otomo keep any clan from growing too powerful, the Miya
make certain no Clan grows too weak to be unable to defend the Empire when
called. The Miya tend to be blunter
than the other two Imperial families.
Though the Miya do not guard the Emperor, they carry out an equal function
as they carry the Emperor’s Will across the land and are not to be trifled with.
The Imperial Families and
the Clans:
The Imperial families favor
no single Clan, as the agents of the Emperor, they cannot afford to. Even though the Seppun tend to relate a
great deal with the Phoenix, they do their best to keep them at arm’s length. The Otomo keep close ties with the Crane and
the Scorpion, the two most active and powerful Clans in Court. All the better to keep an eye on them.
Imperial Families Appearance:
The
Seppun are the largest of the Imperial families and more physically intimidating. They tall, broad-shouldered and stern
faced. The Otomo family are the
smallest, their stature a reflection of their preference of the courts to the
battlefield. The Miya have the most
common appearance, due to their constant travels throughout the Empire,
carrying the Emperor’s laws and decrees.
Families
of the Imperial Families