Yobanjin
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
The Yobanjin are tribes of barbarians who live to the north of Rokugan. They look Rokugani and speak a primitive dialect. The Yobanjin were among the original inhabitants of Rokugan, but left when they would not swear fealty to the Kami.[1]
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[edit] Society
Yobanjin society is usually thought to be quite primitive and backwards. While it is true that they are not as advanced as Rokugan, their true level of development is nowhere near as low as most Rokugani believe.[2]
Yobanjin are organized into several relatively small tribes, rather than clans. Yobanjin clans are often at odds with one another, which is one reason the Yobanjin have yet to form a cohesive nation.[3]
[edit] List of Yobanjin Tribes
The following is a list of known Yobanjin tribes:
Yobanjin favor ring swords as their weapon of choice. These can be used to grapple an opponent's weapon, giving them an advantage in combat. Swords of Yobanjin make are weaker than those of Rokugan, and can in fact shatter against a katana strike. Yobanjin also make use of gaijin weapons, such as the crossbow.[4]
[edit] Conflicts with Rokugan
The Rokugani and Yobanjin have always been at odds, but seldom has there been open warfare. The Yobanjin did invade Rokugan in 1145, but were repulsed by Toturi Tsudao and the Imperial Legions. Their invasion force was made of several tribes and after its defeat the Yobanjin people became less united than they had been previously.
The Yobanjin invaded the Phoenix again in 1155, but were similarly rebuffed by the Sixth Imperial Legion.[5]
[edit] Trade
The Phoenix village Yobanjin Mura trades with the barbarian tribes, and even though this is technically a breach of Imperial Law the Phoenix use the excuse that the Yobanjin act very much like the Unicorn to continue trade.[6]
Isawa curiosity regarding the barbarians has driven them to find a loophole in Imperial Law, a very fragile loophole that nonetheless allows the village to operate. Simply put, the Isawa choose to focus on the fact that Imperial law restricts "trade" with gaijin, and further that Imperial law defines trade as "the fair exchange of goods and services." The Isawa always give the Yobanjin less than they think is fair on any exchange as a matter of course. Thus, what they conduct is not trade, and is not illegal. Though even some Isawa raise an eyebrow at this display of logic, others argue that such sacrifices are necessary to keep tabs on the Yobanjin. Should the gaijin ever invade again, the Isawa will know the enemy and be ready to face them. [7]
The Mountain Wind Tribe are currently allied with the Crane Clan. The alliance was brokered by Bajan, the Mountain Wind chieftan, and Doji Jotaro. The Mountain Wind provide the Crane with information on Bloodspeaker movements in their lands and keep the other tribes from invading and the Crane provide the mountain wind with food, weapons and some Daidoji warriors. The alliance was sealed with the Mountain wind giving the Crane the Seal of the Empress, which had been thought lost after the abduction of Hantei Hochiahime.[8]
[edit] Current Events
Ever since Tamori Chosai was banished from Rokugan he has plagued the Yobanjin. He resides with them and regularly uses them to attack the Dragon Clan. He does so by lighting them on fire, a fire that will not kill them for some time, and sends them to Dragon lands in an attempt to wear down their defenses.[9]
