Kokuburan Culture

• Overview
• Social Classes
• Law
• Magic
• Money
• Language
• Classes and Prestige Classes

Overview of Kokuburan Society

Kokubura is a strict society on some accounts, and a fluid one on others.  Where human and some spirit folk hold sway, rigidity and law are the paramount concerns.  Owing to the recent dissolution of the Empire however, areas outside the influence of samurai are typically lax.

While Occidental worlds may find the engaging struggle to be that between good and evil, the axis of law and chaos in Kokubura are more important.  Thus, it would be more common to find Lawful Good and Lawful Evil characters venturing together than Lawful Good and Chaotic Good.  The lower the social class however, the less important this distinction becomes.

Kokubura is not particularly patriarchial.  Female daimyo are as common as male daimyo.  What matters is social class, age, familial relationship, and ability -- usually in that order.  This is not to say ability counts for nothing.  Indeed, several notable figures in recent history have risen to be eminent courtiers simply on account of their deeds.  Additionally, unparalleled artisans can become members of the upper class.

Social Classes

To avoid confusion between social class and character class, I use the word caste below when speaking of social class even though Kokuburan society does not resemble Hindu-based societies of our world.

There are two castes in Kokubura, the jou-mei (upper) and the ka-mei (lower) classes.  Additionally, there are a few individuals who fall outside this hierarchy, such as barbarians or gaikokujin (foreigners), and they are known as gai-mei.

Every character must have a caste template applied to her upon creation.

Jou-mei (upper class)

Members of the jou-mei must start with one of the following classes: Aristocrat, courtier, ronin or bushi (fighter), monk, ishikisha (psion), ishiki no bushi (psychic warrior), ranger, samurai, or shaman.

Spirit folk can take levels in the shizensha (druid) class after first level.

Feats: Must take an ancestor feat, appropriate technique feat, or Void Use at first level.

Races: Human, Spirit folk

Bonus languages: Normal for race plus may choose the Court language.

Sub-castes (ranked):

Imperial Family
Major Houses
Minor Houses
Imperial and House Priests
Ronin (Imperially recognized societies)
Legendary Crafters

Samurai At the time of character creation, a samurai character must choose a Rokugani clan from which he draws bonus feats.  This choice reflects the general leanings of his family, meaning that other samurai members of his family will also choose among the same feats.
        He is also allowed to take either one of the skills listed above or the skill associated with his chosen Rokugani clan as a class skill.
        A samurai may take levels in any prestige class associated with his clan (e.g., a samurai having chosen the Dragon clan could qualify for Dragon Swordsmaster).

Legendary Crafters These are the only members of the jou-mei who are not born into the caste.  Rather, their skill has elevated them to such importance that they obtain the same privileges as a jou-mei, albeit a low-ranking one.  To become a legendary crafter, one must possess 20 or more ranks in a particular manual skill (e.g., weaponsmithing) and have significant accomplishments using that skill.
        This sub-caste is intended to mimic the modern Japanese practice of designating "Living National Treasures" -- artisans renowned for their skill.

Wakizashi A first-level character who has proficienyc with the wakizashi may forgo all but 20 koku (gp) of her starting funds to receive such a sword from her family.  A wakizashi may only be worn and wielded by one of the jou-mei.  Samurau receive not only a wakizashi but also a katana.  A non-samurai jou-mei is not obligated to respect the blade as samurai are, but must return it to her family when it is not of use. 

Ka-mei (lower class)

Members of the ka-mei may not start with any of the following classes: Aristocrat, barbarian, courtier, or samurai.

They may not also gain levels in these classes: Aristocrat and courtier.  A ka-mei may gain levels in the samurai class if he is elevated to the jou-mei social class on account of battlefield prowess.

Bamboo elves can take levels in the shizensha (druid) class.

Feats: May take Void Use at first level.  May only take technique feats if the character becomes allied or serves under a Major or Minor house associated with the appropriate clan.

Races: Bamboo elf (see Jade Dragons and Hungry Ghosts), Hengeyokai, Human, Naga, Spirit Folk, Vanara

Sub-castes (ranked):

Ronin (individuals or societies not officially recognized but still within the law)
Common Priests and Monks
Artisans, Crafters, other Professionals
Merchants
Peasants
Slaves, Bandits, Wako (Pirates), etc.

Shugenja According to standard rules, shugenja normally have proficiency with the wakizashi, but in Kokubura they are not usually members if the jou-mei, and so cannot wield or wear one.  A shugenja may thus choose proficiency with any martial weapon that inflicts 1d6 or less damage.

Gai-mei ("outside" classes)

Classes: Any but samurai.  "Banned" classes like paladin are also allowed, though the character must be a gaikokujin (foreigner).

Feats: May not take an ancestor feat but may take Void Use unless a gaikokujin

Races: Human, Humanoid, Nezumi

Sub-castes:

Sei-jin are the subgroup of society assigned the work of dealing with dead bodies, human or otherwise.  Thus, tanners, morticians, and such persons find themselves outside of the social hierarchy.

Inkyo (Enlightened Monks) are also a recognized group of this "non-caste," simply because they choose to rid themselves of station and honor.

Law

Laws are fairly uniform and upheld across areas where the Imperial edict hold sway.  Usually, this means the capitol of any province and nearby towns.  Provinces may have their own set of laws which go beyond the those established by the Tourmaline Throne.  Here are some important Imperial laws for travelers.  Punishment is usually execution, except where noted:

Only members of the jou-mei (upper) social class may wield a wakizashi, and only samurai may possess and wield a katana and a wakizashi.

In the past, possession of any weapon by the ka-mei (lower) social class was punishable by death.  Owing to the threat of outside forces, this law has been overlooked in the past few decades.  Indeed, threats to the Empire come usually from the outside, rather than peasant uprisings and such.  Nevertheless, many provincial capitals and Nigashi have strict ordinances against carrying weapons in the open, unless a person is of the jou-mei and carrying a wakizashi or samurai with that sword and the katana.

Members of the ka-mei (lower caste) must always show deference to jou-mei (upper class) to the point of pulling off the road and bowing their heads until an entourage has passed by.  Enforcement of this law is usually overlooked except when in the Imperial city of Nigashi or any provincial capital.

Major and Minor clans must each send a first-born son or daughter to live in the capital Nigashi.  They remain there one year of every two.  The head of a major or minor house may stay in the place of offspring.

Tolls and taxes are collected by Imperial guards or those of the daimyo.  The average rate is 3 koku of rice (3 gp) per person per year.  A koku is the amount of rice required to feed one person for one year.   Most taxes are not paid in rice, however; money or other goods may be substituted.  Taxes are collected soon after harvest (Hsuan and Yang, the ninth and tenth months respectively).

All land belongs to Emporer who leases most of it to the daimyo of each provice, who in turn rent it out to the peasantry (or anyone else who uses land, such as a storekeeper).  Taxes on land vary according to the daimyo and Imperial edict, but usually run about 80% of revenue collected from its use (whether agricultural in nature or otherwise).

Spellcasting in cities and most towns is forbidden unless performed by members of a Major or  Minor House, priests engaging in their duties, or in defense of the city and its populace itself.

Magic

Magic is rare in Kokubura.  While spellcasting priests (shaman) are common, few have ever seen a "natural" priest such as a shugenja, sorcerer, or wu jen.

Money

Wealth is usually measured in units of koku, or the amount of rice required to provide a bare subsistence for one person for one year.  Since carrying that much rice is burdensome, coins are also used.  Kokuburan coins are generally accepted in any major city or town nearby large cities where the Emperor has a daimyo (either with allegiance to the Tourmaline Throne or a Major or Minor House).  Otherwise, barter is just as common.  Coin denominations are:

Additionally, Kokubura is known for the fine quality of its swords, lacquer, pottery, and calligraphy.  Such items (of masterwork quality) can always be traded as if they were currency.

Likewise, Kokubura imports some goods from Wei on the mainland.  Items include perfume, silks, spices, magic, scrolls, artisans, and religious items.  Most trade occurs at the port cities Sakara in Takara-Ken, Himei on Makura and the capital, Nigashi.  A few smugglers trade with other port towns.

The practically independent city-state of Kora in Takara-Ken has its own currency.  Likewise, trade dominates the economy of the Kainuik Wastelands; coins are simply shiny items.

Language

Kokuburan The language spoken by most human populations in Kokubura is accordingly named Kokuburan.  The writing system is similar to modern Japanese, with iconographic characters interspersed with phonetic letters.

Court Members of the Imperial Court conduct official business with a "high" language almost unknown to lower classes.  The inner Imperial family is said to function almost exclusively in this tongue, and the Empower is said to require an interpreter to speak with those ignorant of this language.

Wei The continent to the east of Kokubura is Wei, and thus the primary language spoken there has the same name.  It is similar to Kokuburan, although unintelligible to those who speak only the latter.  The writing system is more similar, although Wei only utilizes iconographic characters.  A person who can read Kokuburan can understand up to 20% of a document written in Wei as a result.  Native Wei-speakers can also understand written Kokuburan 20% of the time.
        The importance of Wei lies in trade with the mainland, which although sparse, is nonetheless important.  Thus, merchants often speak this language, as do some higher court officials.

Others Other languages spoken are the same as in the Player's Handbook, Oriental Adventures, and Rokugan.  Languages not spoken (except by gaikokujin) include Common, Gnome, Rokugani, Dwarven, and Elven.

Classes and Prestige Classes

Classes

As noted above in the section on Social Classes, the following classes are available to any native (not gaikokujin) character in Kokubura:

• Aristocrat
• Barbarian
• Commoner
• Courtier
• Expert
• Inkyo
• Ishiki no Bushi (Psychic Warrior)
• Ishikisha (Psion)
• Monk
• Ranger
  Every 5th level when a ranger gains a new favored enemy, he can apply the additional bonus to a previous creature or a new one, though the total number of favored enemies must remain the same.  For example, Reijou is a 4th-level ranger with Humanoids (Balemono) as a favored enemy.  He gains a +1 bonus on attacks, damage, etc. against them.  At 5th level, he chooses Spirits as a favored enemy.  His previous favored enemy bonus increases to +2, and he gains an additional bonus of +1.  He can, for example, apply the +2 bonus to spirits and the +1 to bakemono, or vice versa.  Once the decision is made, it cannot be changed. 
• Ronin (Fighter)
• Samurai
• Shaman
• Shizensha (Druid) --Bamboo elves only
• Shugenja
• Sohei
• Sorcerer
• Warrior
• Wu Jen

Prestige Classes

The following prestige classes are available to characters in Kokibura.  Characters from Wei (the mainland) or gaikokujin (foreigners) may be eligible for prestige classes not listed.

Oriental Adventures and Rokugan Campaign Setting -- All.

Blade Dancer -- The arcan spellcasting requirement for the Blade Dancer prestige class can be met with the ability to manifest 1st-level psionic powers instead.

Dungeon Master's Guide -- Assassin, Shadow Ninja (Shadowdancer), Sage (Loremaster).

Sword and Fist -- Devoted Defender, Duelist*, Order of the Bow Initiate, Tribal Protector**.

* Duelist -- Since the rapier is unknown to Asian settings, a character can qualify for this prestige class with proficiency in the sai.  Two Weapon Fighting is also added to the prerequisites, and the precise strike ability only adds 1d4 to damage done by the sai.  However, if wielding a pair of sai, a character can add the extra damage to both (precise strike with a rapier allows extra damage dealt by a rapier in a single hand).

** Tribal Protector -- Korobokuru may also take this prestige class.

Defender of the Faith -- Consecrated Harrier, Contemplative, Divine Oracle, Hunter of the Dead, Master of Shrouds, Sacred Fist.

Tome and Blood -- Blood Magic, Elemental Savant, Mind Bender, Wayfarer Guide*.

Song and Silence -- Outlaw of the Crimson Road, Spymaster, Thief Acrobat, Vigilante.

Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting -- Archmage, Hierophant.

Magic of Faerun -- Mage Killer.

Psionics Handbook -- All (as modified by B. Cordell).

The Wu Jen -- Ascetic, Bamboo Warrior, Chaer' Run Elite Warrior, Inja, Makuran Fire Walker, Metabolist, Mukei, Origami Master, Shinkage, Shinsei, Sumotori, Wild Blade Ronin.

Please note that custom names for the social classes and some character classes were simply constructed by myself and do not reflect historical Japanese terminology.

The Wu Jen