Rokugani

[Jewel]

With the exception of the Unicorn Clan the people of Rokugan are largely insular and xenophobic leading to a diminished presence in the Sands despite their proximity. While the Unicorn thus represent the greatest number of samurai in the Sands their nomadic nature has led to few residing within Medinaat al-Salaam permanently. When speaking of Rokugani in Medinaat al-Salaam it is perhaps best to speak of Rokugan-born and Rokugan-descended.

Rokugan-born are the rarest representatives of the Empire even if many would view themselves as the only true Rokugani within the city. For samurai the majority are Unicorn with the rest being a small handful of exiles, ronin seeking fortune and fame instead of honor, and the incredibly rare scholars who are so passionate in their search for knowledge they are willing to permanently abandon their home. Also present are heimin and eta. Mostly attendants of the Unicorn though a few originally in the service of other clans and smuggled out of Rokugan by Ide caravans - either to greater freedom, in terms of the compassionate Ide, or sold into slavery for profit, in terms of the less virtuous.

Over the course of centuries it is largely the descendants of these heimin and eta, as well as the children of exiles who have given up on the idea of samurai, who make up the Rokugan-descended. Although many have kept various traditions and beliefs alive and are seen as Rokugani by the people of Medinaat al-Salaam their low origin and divergence from the Empire means they are often viewed as lesser, or completely gaijin, by Rokugan-born and would be ostracized if they were to ever try to return to the Empire on their own. Though it is not unknown for some less traditionalist Unicorn to find spouses among the Rokugan-descended - one of the only ways they can gain access to their historic homeland.

Theology: Most Rokugan-born hold to the traditional beliefs of Rokugan and view the various other religions and beliefs of the Sands as misguided or outright offensive. Rokugan-descended tend to be more accepting of other beliefs although most still do pay homage to traditional Rokugani practices. That said there are always the uncommon exceptions who find themselves following other paths although rarely do they do so openly.

Factions:
Any. Aligned Rokugan-born are most often members of the Kolat sent to aid their cousins in the Sands when they can no longer, for whatever reason, safely serve the conspiracy within Rokugan proper though some rare members have been seduced by the Cult of Ruhmal. Rokugan-descended, having spent their entire lives in the Sands, may have found themselves entangled with any faction.

Schools & Paths:
Rokugan-born have access to standard L5R schools but non-Unicorn are considered the equivalent of Clan Ronin and are unable to advance further in their starting school.
Rokugan-descended have access to Unicorn schools if members of the Unicorn, ronin schools, and non-samurai may adopt Unaligned schools as well.

Advantages & Disadvantages:
For samurai clan discounts and increases apply normally for their originating clan.
Non-samurai gain a discount on Inari's Blessing and Ebisu's Blessing.

Rokugan-born gain an extra point for: Black Sheep, Cast Out, Consumed: Knowledge, Dishonored, and Fascination related to Gaijin matters.
Rokugan-descended gain an extra point for: Social Disadvantage (Origin) and Idealistic.