Emerald Magistrate
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
The Emerald Magistrates are the enforcers of the Emperor's laws, answering only to the Emperor and the Emerald Champion. They have broad powers to achieve this goal, including rights to recruit assitance, hold trials, and execute punishment, although their powers are only applicable in certain types of cases applicable to Imperial, not local law.
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[edit] Duties of the Emerald Magistrates
While the Emerald Magistrates are magistrates, they are specifically the enforcers of the Emperor's Law, as well as matters that cannot be easily handled by a single clan's courts. Emerald Magistrates deal with problems arising between more than one clan. They also serve as observers for the Emperor, gathering information on the empire and meting out justice as needed. Some are assigned as yojimbo to those in the Emperor's favor, doubling as spies to those under his suspicion. One of the most important duties of the Emerald Magistrates is to protect the Emperor's roads and those travelling them.
[edit] Appointment of Emerald Magistrates
Emerald Magistrates are generally appointed due to politics and favors. The Emerald Magistrates are chosen by the Emperor himself, though the Emerald Champion has occasionally made recommendations for vacant posts. Traditionally, Emerald Magistrates come only from the clans, but occasionally, if a ronin has shown exceptional merit, or if the Emperor desires to make a note of his displeasure to the clans, a ronin may be given an appointment to a Magistrate's position.
[edit] Emerald Magistrates and Inter-Clan Politics
As the Emerald Magistrates are appointed by the Emperor himself, they are among his most powerful tools for keeping the peace and keeping the clans of Rokugan in their places. Magistrates can be posted publicly or secretly to observe the clans; the presence of the Emerald Magistrates is a constant reminder that the Emperor is watching.
[edit] Formation of the Emerald Magistrates
The Emerald Magistrates and the Imperial Legions were founded in 153 by Doji Hatsuo and Soshi Saibankan. Hatsuo, the military officer, laid out the framework for the Imperial Legions while Saibankan, the judge, organized the Emerald Magistrates under the command of the Emerald Champion. To this date, there has been no radical change in the system originally laid out by Hatsuo and Saibankan. (3E pp. 10-11)
[edit] Symbols of the Emerald Magistrates
The symbol of office for Emerald Magistrates is a small jade orb, four inches in diameter. Magistrates often emblazon the orb with their own mon and the mon of the Emerald Champion etched on the surface. The orb is a symbol of the magistrate's authority. For Chief Magistrates, it can conveniently serve as a gavel when struck against a table.
Yoriki and doshin carry a jitte as the symbol of their authority. The jitte is also very useful for stopping fights and disarming aggressors. Traveling magistrates who have worked their ways up to that position often continue to carry their jitte.
[edit] See Also
- Magistrate
- Notable Emerald Magistrates for a list of people who have served as Emerald Magistrates.
[edit] Major References
- "Way of the Magistrate" Written by Scott Gearin and published in the Imperial Herald.
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