Ronin vs. ronin
Nov 11, 2013 15:21:56 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2013 15:21:56 GMT -8
While I wasn't around for the actual topic in the Saga of the Inukai thread, this same topic has come up in a local L5R game as well. Therefore, I want your thoughts on this topic.
As I understand it, and I explained to my local gaming group, there seems to be a misunderstanding when it comes to masterless samurai in L5R. This distinction comes from the differences between ronin and Ronin.
ronin - a wandering samurai who had no lord or master
Ronin - a samurai in L5R who does not belong to a Clan
These are not the same thing. I know that this might seem contradictory, but hang with me.
The first place this misconception tends to show its ugly head is in the misunderstanding that Rokugan is Japan. It isn't. In fact, the book is quite specific in this regard. So you can't use real life examples to explain how a samurai who no longer has a lord is suddenly a Ronin.
The reasoning behind this is, just because a samurai's lord is no longer around (he was assassinated, he was framed for a crime and dishonored, etc.) does not mean that the samurai is no longer a member of their clan. In fact, depending on honor level, it is your responsibility to either follow the dishonorable lord or to defy him and report it to his superior. (And the honor gains or loses are different based on your honor level accordingly.) If a samurai no longer has a lord, he is a ronin, yet it is still assumed that he is still loyal to his Clan, and thus isn't necessarily a Ronin. If, in fact, the samurai lets his superiors within the Clan, either what would become his lord or even that individual's superiors, know what has transpired and continues to serve he will be a ronin but not a Ronin.
Does this make sense to anyone else but me?
As I understand it, and I explained to my local gaming group, there seems to be a misunderstanding when it comes to masterless samurai in L5R. This distinction comes from the differences between ronin and Ronin.
ronin - a wandering samurai who had no lord or master
Ronin - a samurai in L5R who does not belong to a Clan
These are not the same thing. I know that this might seem contradictory, but hang with me.
The first place this misconception tends to show its ugly head is in the misunderstanding that Rokugan is Japan. It isn't. In fact, the book is quite specific in this regard. So you can't use real life examples to explain how a samurai who no longer has a lord is suddenly a Ronin.
The reasoning behind this is, just because a samurai's lord is no longer around (he was assassinated, he was framed for a crime and dishonored, etc.) does not mean that the samurai is no longer a member of their clan. In fact, depending on honor level, it is your responsibility to either follow the dishonorable lord or to defy him and report it to his superior. (And the honor gains or loses are different based on your honor level accordingly.) If a samurai no longer has a lord, he is a ronin, yet it is still assumed that he is still loyal to his Clan, and thus isn't necessarily a Ronin. If, in fact, the samurai lets his superiors within the Clan, either what would become his lord or even that individual's superiors, know what has transpired and continues to serve he will be a ronin but not a Ronin.
Does this make sense to anyone else but me?