Heroes of Rokugan

Crane Clan

The Crane, once among the strongest and most influential of Clans, have fallen on hard times of late. Their political influence on the Toturi dynasty was badly weakened by Toturi XII's decision to marry a Scorpion, and has been slow to recover. Their wealth has also become less potent in an age when other Clans - the Unicorn, Mantis, and Tortoise - control the lucrative gaijin trade. Militarily, the Crane have yet to avenge their defeat two generations ago in the War of Bleeding Flowers, which cost them Shiro Kyotei, the Kintani Valley, and the Tsume vassal family. Their armies have grown, but the peaceful era forged by Miya Shikan has prevented them from using this new strength on the battlefield. The beauty and political and artistic skill of the Crane remain undiminished, and it can be expected that they will soon make a new effort to revive their political fortunes when the Emperor's eldest children begin to marry.

Doji Sarutomo, Doji family daimyo, Clan Champion: The Crane are led by this handsome 33-year-old bachelor. Sarutomo has married twice before, but both brides died in childbirth, and he remains without an heir. Despite this, he is now engaged for a third time, to Kitsuki Akane, a young maiden of the Dragon Clan.
O-Doji Koneko, "the Matron": Most of those in the know consider the true ruler of the Crane to be Sarutomo's mother, O-Doji Koneko, the revered widow of the previous Champion. Despite age and growing infirmity, the lady Koneko is still second to none in her mastery of the intricacies of court and diplomacy.
Kakita Saburashi, daimyo of the Kakita, senior sensei of the Kakita Dueling Academy: Forty-two years old but unwilling to retire, Saburashi is said to be obsessed with the need to perfect his swordsmanship. He is famous (and notorious) for refusing his victory in the Emerald Tournament on the grounds that his skills were not worthy of the position. Totally dedicated to the study of swordsmanship, Saburashi is revered by his students but looked down on elsewhere in the Empire for his eccentric single-minded attitude and his lack of interest in leading his family. The Kakita daimyo is a grim, stern-looking man, with white-dyed hair always tied in a severe samurai topknot.
Kakita Tai, Sensei of the Kakita Artisan Academy: Tai was supposedly personally chosen by O-Doji Koneko to head the Artisan school after the previous sensei died. He has now just turned forty, and is known throughout the courts of Rokugan for his skill with ikebana and rhetoric, and the joy he finds in art and life alike.
Daidoji Kowaru, daimyo of the Daidoji family: Recently elevated to office after his elder brother, the grim "Iron Serpent" Daidoji Hayashi, died in Friendly Traveler Village. Kowaru, by all accounts a handsome young man in his early twenties, has trained for the last five years with the Kakita Artisan Academy. It remains to be seen whether he will be up to the task of leading the Crane Clan's toughest and most warlike family.
Yasuki Fou-Lu, daimyo of the (Crane) Yasuki: A handsome but short-statured man in his early twenties, Fou-Lu took office two years ago after his father retired. His unusual name comes from his mother, Yasuki (formerly Ide) Ching-ma. (The marriage between Yasuki and Ide was an attempt to forge stronger diplomatic and economic ties between Unicorn and Crane.)

Crane Clan Templates