Rokugan Local Governance:
Variations: The Crane Clan
Crane Clan Governance
- Families: Crane families are the definition of typical for Rokugan. With the higher number of courtiers in the clan, it is more common to have village sonchou be courtier families without a bushi; in these cases, samurai yoriki will fill the role of village guardian.
- Families: Crane bushi not serving as yojimbo or magistrates are generally called for the summer season of war, as are other clans. For Daidoji Heavy Infantry, they may spend this, as they do for at least a year during their training, on the Wall alongside the Hida. For other Crane forces, they may spend their summer doing drills, fighting bandits, or handling border skirmishes with the Lion or Scorpion during the summers, between planting and harvest.
- Families: Marriage is taken very seriously, and it is the duty of every Crane samurai to marry well for the sake of their family and clan. Crane marriage arrangers are considered the finest in the Empire. A fortunate romantic streak is occasioned among the nakados....but only rarely. They do look for compatibility and future contentment.
- Villages: Of all their arts, the art of governance has produced the most prosperity, and the Crane devote more of their samurai to that art than any other clan. The techniques of the artisans, courtiers, and shugenja of the Crane all lend themselves to increasing the prosperity of the clan through the wealth of its villages. The Crane have learned that prosperity happens when the heimin are provided with a peaceful, secure environment in which their needs are met and they are treated justly and well.
- Villages: Crane villagers are considered extremely well educated. Though few heimin from any clan can read and write, Crane artisans are frequently hired by lords to teach the villagers about society, law, and the way of the Tao, often by means of their colorful storytelling. Healers of the Asahina also travel extensively among the heimin to offer healing, following the tradition of Asahina Koresada. During times of plague, hospitals have been created for healing.
- Villages: Crane villagers know better than to prepare fields by removing stands of trees without permission from their magistrates. They take pride in the appearance of their lands, often earning them compliments and the patronage of wealthy visitors. They are usually kept spotless and well-maintained. While Crane villages in Asahina Lands tend to be built with an eye towards beauty and fu sui, villages in Daidoji lands will seem vulnerable but will be carefully structured to be efficient and easy to defend. The lands are organized carefully.
- Towns: Many Crane cities are ports, built against the sea. They vary, but in these areas the kuydens are generally on the high ground so they can only be attacked from one side. Though the villagers can shelter there, they are not generally built to handle an extended siege.
- Towns and Cities going to War: Their skill and efficiency during peacetime tends to lead to a reluctance and difficulty gearing up for war. The Crane are slow to call up their ashigaru, relying on their Daidoji warriors and often taking significant early-stage losses before the matter can be redeemed in court.