Post by Dark Fortune of Typos on Dec 22, 2017 14:54:03 GMT -5
Modern Rokugan of RHS
L5R has a pretty strict societal setting. Its eastern historical approach sprinkled with customs beyond ancient japan and civilized society based on traditions and honor means it's not an easy feat to learn the game. It could be argued that it's one of the road blocks that stops new players, beyond other reasons born of the game or the collective consciousness of those that might matter for the game that is L5R.
So my purpose for writing all that? L5R RHS is not L5R Rokugan. It is very much a mixing pot of modern ideals subtly seasoning a society that holds tradition as the basis for their way of life. To better define the standards to a game that was designed around a modern and lighter approach to the strict and rigid world of Rokugan. It's modern with the technology we effectively have today, mixed with liberal interpretation of where such innovations end. My purpose here is to help give a more solid foundation on what exactly modern Rokugan would be, and how to perhaps explain a little of why and how things have changed to better reflect a tradition based society placed in a modern time that has grown with the world. After all, Musashi himself wrote the Five Rings and believed that a strong foundation was needed before one could build upon it.
The Changes
General Society
It should go without saying that everything is modern, but how does that work with the clans and the Empire as a whole internally and externally? It's true that there are cars now and trains are heavily used as is public transportation. Airplanes exist and modern medicine is very much a thing along with other common appliances you might find in your own home. Even technology and fashion off shore is accepted and used without blatant disdain, though will always be under the scrutinizing eye of society. The empire as a whole has grown and with that comes knowledge and understanding. To approach everything with strict demands that would impair oneself would deny a useful tool to the empire, and make it harder to serve as much as possible. Each clan has taken this into account as time has passed and each has pushed for advancement in their own ways, sticking to what their clan does best and creating reasons and situations for the modernization we see with L5R RHS and modern Rokugan. That said, there are certainly levels of wealth that reflect who has access to what, and while each Clan has made progress it's clear that clans like the Crane have more wealth than a clan like the Dragon. Of course this falls to the average individual and there are always exceptions.
Technology
Vehicles, phones, computers, plumbing and electrical systems, even cloud networking all exist in modern Rokugan. It makes sense after all. Why wait five day to have your message sent and replied to when you can send an email and have it arrive right away? There's no need to travel on a beaten path and make camp when you can simply drive to your destination in an hour’s time. Houses are equipped with electricity, running water, heat and air conditioning. Television exists and there are a number of shows ranging from children shows, plays, competitions, and more. Refrigerators and microwaves are a common appliance found in a samurai's kitchen area. What one can't find at home they can probably find online or at the store. Such is the modern samurai's quality of life when it comes to all they have at their disposal. Each clan of course has their own infrastructure to support their networks, but they are all well connected to one another.
Fashion
The attire of Rokugan has seen an oddly open arm approach to the styles of lands beyond. Some experts lay the reasoning squarely on the shoulders of the colonies, where their ancestors would change the format of proper attire to something that worked a tad bit better with the sweltering heat of the jungles and deserts. Others say it is the ease of design and use that have allowed its inclusion. Whether true or not, suits, boots, jackets, and more are a norm of Rokugan. To an outsiders perspective it might be jarring to see a mixture of samurai dressed in shirts and jeans, mingling with a crowd dressed in kimonos, but such is life. Of course certain functions are expected to have its participants dress to the appropriate attire, and that is almost always the traditional style of Rokugan. It would be a questionable choice to meet an Emperor without following time honored traditions after all.
Commerce
If ever a topic has seen more and more lax views upon, it is the stigma of talking money. While it's still not a subject to brazenly go discussing about, to think the mention of it might give you the frown of the crowd is considered a tad bit backwards. There are a lot of contributing factors for the shift in thought but some are far bigger than others. The gaps in what people can afford in the way of technology are the most obvious differences, but trending attire and hot items are also quick to make the wealth gap apparent as well. Even the youth must deal with these obvious signs when going through school. Some require scholarships handed out by Clans and the Imperials just to achieve higher education. Others have to take on jobs to help supplement costs or pay school fees. These sometimes jarring, and common wealth gaps, have ironically made samurai more open upon the matter and in turn more aware of the bitter truth. Your lord may provide, but even he has bills to pay.
Peasants
The average peasant could argue their lot is still very much akin to those that came before them, and they wouldn't be far off. However, it's not bad as one might think it to be. Peasants have seen far better treatment in more modern times. They have access to many of the modern conveniences like everyone else. It's also not unheard of for a samurai or peasant to shop at the same store, or to listen to the same music, use similar public transportation or the like. Jobs in the blue collar field are common, and some can even become assistant administrators within white collar fields of work. Of course the Celestial order is very much in effect, and a peasant must abide by the laws of their caste. Punishment is harsher upon them and they are expected to give proper treatment to Samurai for their station. They can even be still cut down on the spot if the situation calls for it, though this has become far less of a possibility thanks to the greater call of Bushido and respect to the Emperor's will.
Merchants
Merchants were always a tricky subject. They technically contributed nothing of pure use to the Clan, yet it would be a flat out lie to say that their contribution of coin wasn't one of the most important things to gain. That really hasn't changed in modern times but the disdain for their work has waned which is thanks to a twofold reason. Firstly, the more lax view of the talk on commerce, and because of the readily available service they provide to help samurai find those extra conveniences in life. Secondly, products and brands are more a norm in modern Rokugan. A Samurai's favorite line of clothing was likely thought up by an innovative mind paired with someone willing to invest and sell said product. From phones, to cars, electronics, and more, it is majorly thanks to the Samurai's favor of hot selling items that has allowed for merchants to become more prominent in today's modern world.
Weapons
This is the one area where Rokugan has never changed its stance on, but it has relented on certain parts of it. The katana is still a warrior’s true weapon, and clans and families still stick to their normal techniques and focus. Guns have been introduced into Rokugan, though their advances have been varied. Partially thanks to overseas declaring the musket the perfected version, and partially because there are magical counter measures. However, the rulings on their use are clear. They are meant to repel both the demonic hordes of the shadowlands or other possible outside threats to Rokugan. To use such a weapon against any samurai or servant of the empire will brand the wielder a traitor and call for their execution.
Gaijins and Creatures
Rokugan has seen a fair amount of foreign influence in smaller facets of their lives. This has opened them up to rethinking their stance on individuals who hail from lands not of the Emerald Empire. This is only compounded upon by the sudden surge of supernatural creatures revealing themselves within society. In fact, the prestigious school of RHS has even had Nezumi, Dragons, and more teach at the academy. It is suffice to say the people of Rokugan are more welcoming in these modern times. However, such distrust was not born without reason and the painful lessons learned by their forefathers are not easily forgotten. Trust and acceptance must still be earned.
L5R has a pretty strict societal setting. Its eastern historical approach sprinkled with customs beyond ancient japan and civilized society based on traditions and honor means it's not an easy feat to learn the game. It could be argued that it's one of the road blocks that stops new players, beyond other reasons born of the game or the collective consciousness of those that might matter for the game that is L5R.
So my purpose for writing all that? L5R RHS is not L5R Rokugan. It is very much a mixing pot of modern ideals subtly seasoning a society that holds tradition as the basis for their way of life. To better define the standards to a game that was designed around a modern and lighter approach to the strict and rigid world of Rokugan. It's modern with the technology we effectively have today, mixed with liberal interpretation of where such innovations end. My purpose here is to help give a more solid foundation on what exactly modern Rokugan would be, and how to perhaps explain a little of why and how things have changed to better reflect a tradition based society placed in a modern time that has grown with the world. After all, Musashi himself wrote the Five Rings and believed that a strong foundation was needed before one could build upon it.
The Changes
General Society
It should go without saying that everything is modern, but how does that work with the clans and the Empire as a whole internally and externally? It's true that there are cars now and trains are heavily used as is public transportation. Airplanes exist and modern medicine is very much a thing along with other common appliances you might find in your own home. Even technology and fashion off shore is accepted and used without blatant disdain, though will always be under the scrutinizing eye of society. The empire as a whole has grown and with that comes knowledge and understanding. To approach everything with strict demands that would impair oneself would deny a useful tool to the empire, and make it harder to serve as much as possible. Each clan has taken this into account as time has passed and each has pushed for advancement in their own ways, sticking to what their clan does best and creating reasons and situations for the modernization we see with L5R RHS and modern Rokugan. That said, there are certainly levels of wealth that reflect who has access to what, and while each Clan has made progress it's clear that clans like the Crane have more wealth than a clan like the Dragon. Of course this falls to the average individual and there are always exceptions.
Technology
Vehicles, phones, computers, plumbing and electrical systems, even cloud networking all exist in modern Rokugan. It makes sense after all. Why wait five day to have your message sent and replied to when you can send an email and have it arrive right away? There's no need to travel on a beaten path and make camp when you can simply drive to your destination in an hour’s time. Houses are equipped with electricity, running water, heat and air conditioning. Television exists and there are a number of shows ranging from children shows, plays, competitions, and more. Refrigerators and microwaves are a common appliance found in a samurai's kitchen area. What one can't find at home they can probably find online or at the store. Such is the modern samurai's quality of life when it comes to all they have at their disposal. Each clan of course has their own infrastructure to support their networks, but they are all well connected to one another.
Fashion
The attire of Rokugan has seen an oddly open arm approach to the styles of lands beyond. Some experts lay the reasoning squarely on the shoulders of the colonies, where their ancestors would change the format of proper attire to something that worked a tad bit better with the sweltering heat of the jungles and deserts. Others say it is the ease of design and use that have allowed its inclusion. Whether true or not, suits, boots, jackets, and more are a norm of Rokugan. To an outsiders perspective it might be jarring to see a mixture of samurai dressed in shirts and jeans, mingling with a crowd dressed in kimonos, but such is life. Of course certain functions are expected to have its participants dress to the appropriate attire, and that is almost always the traditional style of Rokugan. It would be a questionable choice to meet an Emperor without following time honored traditions after all.
Commerce
If ever a topic has seen more and more lax views upon, it is the stigma of talking money. While it's still not a subject to brazenly go discussing about, to think the mention of it might give you the frown of the crowd is considered a tad bit backwards. There are a lot of contributing factors for the shift in thought but some are far bigger than others. The gaps in what people can afford in the way of technology are the most obvious differences, but trending attire and hot items are also quick to make the wealth gap apparent as well. Even the youth must deal with these obvious signs when going through school. Some require scholarships handed out by Clans and the Imperials just to achieve higher education. Others have to take on jobs to help supplement costs or pay school fees. These sometimes jarring, and common wealth gaps, have ironically made samurai more open upon the matter and in turn more aware of the bitter truth. Your lord may provide, but even he has bills to pay.
Peasants
The average peasant could argue their lot is still very much akin to those that came before them, and they wouldn't be far off. However, it's not bad as one might think it to be. Peasants have seen far better treatment in more modern times. They have access to many of the modern conveniences like everyone else. It's also not unheard of for a samurai or peasant to shop at the same store, or to listen to the same music, use similar public transportation or the like. Jobs in the blue collar field are common, and some can even become assistant administrators within white collar fields of work. Of course the Celestial order is very much in effect, and a peasant must abide by the laws of their caste. Punishment is harsher upon them and they are expected to give proper treatment to Samurai for their station. They can even be still cut down on the spot if the situation calls for it, though this has become far less of a possibility thanks to the greater call of Bushido and respect to the Emperor's will.
Merchants
Merchants were always a tricky subject. They technically contributed nothing of pure use to the Clan, yet it would be a flat out lie to say that their contribution of coin wasn't one of the most important things to gain. That really hasn't changed in modern times but the disdain for their work has waned which is thanks to a twofold reason. Firstly, the more lax view of the talk on commerce, and because of the readily available service they provide to help samurai find those extra conveniences in life. Secondly, products and brands are more a norm in modern Rokugan. A Samurai's favorite line of clothing was likely thought up by an innovative mind paired with someone willing to invest and sell said product. From phones, to cars, electronics, and more, it is majorly thanks to the Samurai's favor of hot selling items that has allowed for merchants to become more prominent in today's modern world.
Weapons
This is the one area where Rokugan has never changed its stance on, but it has relented on certain parts of it. The katana is still a warrior’s true weapon, and clans and families still stick to their normal techniques and focus. Guns have been introduced into Rokugan, though their advances have been varied. Partially thanks to overseas declaring the musket the perfected version, and partially because there are magical counter measures. However, the rulings on their use are clear. They are meant to repel both the demonic hordes of the shadowlands or other possible outside threats to Rokugan. To use such a weapon against any samurai or servant of the empire will brand the wielder a traitor and call for their execution.
Gaijins and Creatures
Rokugan has seen a fair amount of foreign influence in smaller facets of their lives. This has opened them up to rethinking their stance on individuals who hail from lands not of the Emerald Empire. This is only compounded upon by the sudden surge of supernatural creatures revealing themselves within society. In fact, the prestigious school of RHS has even had Nezumi, Dragons, and more teach at the academy. It is suffice to say the people of Rokugan are more welcoming in these modern times. However, such distrust was not born without reason and the painful lessons learned by their forefathers are not easily forgotten. Trust and acceptance must still be earned.