Savage Samurai is coming soon! Read about the world. Obviously, Savage Worlds is property of Pinnacle Entertainment and L5R is property of AEG.
A Brief Summary of Everything
The imperial family died in an accident and/or mysterious circumstances. After the smoke cleared, the next two in succession were twins: Rinkan and Dai-Besu. Things got ugly and some politics happened. The northern clans eventually declared for Rinkan, the southern for Dai-Besu. The south had superior mineral resources and technology but suffered from a lack of food. They launched a bold campaign, and using new-fangled weapons, they seized southern Crane lands. The North responded with force, but southern technology was a big problem. The Crane hatched a plan. They urged Emperor Rinkan to declare all Hinin forgiven for the sins of their past lives and elevated to Heimin class. The Crab and Scorpion depend heavily on Hinin, and the move greatly damaged their logistics and culture, despite the twin economic powerhouses of Yasuki and Yoritomo. Shit escalated from there.
At the height of the war the Northern capitol was sacked, hinin rebellions raged in the south, and 20,000 samurai died in a single day on the field of battle. That's when the Cataclysm struck! A huge earthquake shook the world from its core to the high-heavens and tore swathes of Rokugan and the West asunder. Huge gashes split in the ground, mountains fell, and many more people died. The Cataclysm opened up new ghost rock veins and the Clans and prospectors alike scramble to harvest them. The march of technology has broken into a run! But now strange rumors abound of nightmare creatures, the hungry dead, and slaughter spirits stalking the land in ever increasing numbers. Both Emperors deny the rumors, but many within Rokugan have taken it upon themselves to peer into the darkness and find the truth!
Anyway, in terms of numbers, both sides of the war are about equal. In terms of food and liquid wealth, the north is way ahead. In terms of military hardware and mobility, the south is way ahead. The north is more progressive toward women and peasants but much worse to gaijin. The south is more progressive when it comes to science and not being racist. Both sides are heavily courting the Unicorn, as they are the key to westward expansion and trade. Both are participating in a rail war. Neither care what the Dragon are up to. But they really ought to care...
Northern Unified Clans
The Clans of the North embrace are sometimes called the Glorious Union, or just The Union. They embrace tradition but have abolished the hinin (non-person) class, and support Emperor Rinkan. They believe in conquering the West.
The Crane Clan: Undisputed masters of swordsmanship, craftsmanship, and the courts. Known for dueling and being rich.
The Lion Clan: Undisputed masters of war, honor, and righteous yelling. Known for ancestor magic and winning at everything.
The Phoenix Clan: Undisputed masters of magic, meditation, and secret knowledge. Known for bodyguards and pacifism and burning the fuck out of their enemies when either fails.
Southern Confederated Clans
The Clans of the South are sometimes called the Confederacy of the Claw or just the Confederates. They embrace new technology and trade but still maintain the hinin class. They support Emperor Dai-Besu. They believe in establishing commerce with the cultures of the West.
The Crab Clan: Undisputed masters of siege warfare, fighting supernatural evil, and smashing stuff. Known for high tech gadgets and being surly.
The Mantis Clan: Undisputed masters of the seas, shady commerce, and dirty fighting. Known for their two weapon style and outrageous overconfidence.
The Scorpion Clan: Undisputed masters of intrigue, espionage, and plausible deniability. Known for blackmail and sneak attacks. At least, we think so...
Neutral Parties
Neutral clans and organizations have no particular cultural or ideological tenet that unites them, save an independent streak 1-3 miles wide.
The Ki-Rin Clan: Undisputed masters of horses, foreign relations, and scouting the frontier. Known for their cavalry, strange customs, and wilderness guides.
The Dragon Clan: Undisputed masters of the two-sword style, meditation, and doing the impossible. Known for cool tattoos and saying weird stuff.
The Zaibatsu: Not one organization but 10 massive corporations that year after year ruthlessly take over a bigger chunk of Rokugan's economy. Known for wheeling, dealing, and doing anything to make the sale. Anything...
Ronin and other low life's: Outcasts, deserters, bastards, bandits, mercenaries, yakuza, half-breeds, Yobanjin, and low-born. The only thing unifying this group is that everyone else looks down on them...and underestimates them!
