The Setting - History of the Rokanoi

Campaign    Geography    Races    Religion    Classes    Politics    History       Correllendor       Dwarves       Elves       Illendi       Rokanoi    Magic    Characters    NPCs Adventures d20 Resources    New    Gathered  Links    d20 Fantasy    Gaming Tips    Tools I use    Excellent Settings

This is the current understanding of the Rokanoi, one of the human 'races' in Correllendor. The history of the Rokanoi generally precedes the history of the Correllendi, but both are entwined where they meet. This page gives the general history of Rokanen, therein introducing the major clans. A Brief History of the Rokanoi Little is known regarding the Rokanoi civilization previous to the coming of the Illendi. Some say it was an empire, others think it was only some scattered tribes. Few buildings or monuments remain from that time. Several civilizations have built on top of the old by now, and much was lost in the Cataclysm. Several groups claim lineage from that time, including the druids of Telperest, the Scorpion cartel, the Eagle's Claw, and the Bear clan. Of that group, only the druids were in the north. The Age of the Gods is the first "known" era. When their boats arrived, the Illendi received a mixed welcome from the Rokanoi. In the northern basin (now the "Seraken" basin, named for the capital city) of the country, the gods were generally seen as benevolent (though superior) overseers due to the alliance of the region's dragons with the rest of the Illendi. In the southern basin ("Dremeron Basin"), there was a more antagonistic relationship, and the stories were more like those of demons-- the gods were opressors, or at the very least superior, condsescending, and fickle. The Rokanoi-related groups present at this time included the Grendel, the Disciples of the Dragon, the druids, the Scorpion, the Eagle's Claw, the Bear, the Phoenix, and the Wolf. Then came the Cataclysm. Something happened to the gods, and they left-- the nature of the Cataclysm varies practically by the teller. In the wake of their leaving, everything fell apart. Monsters roamed the land, the heavens and hells opened onto the earth and disgorged creatures of legend, and wild magic tore the land apart. This ushered in the Rokanoi "Dark Ages", and there is very little history of the time at all. The Dark Ages served to unify the Rokanoi, however, and after some time, a (Japanese-like) clan-based civilisation emerged. The Golden Age marked the general defeat and decline of the magic and monsters that had embattled early Rokanen (as the region was called). After several dynasties had risen and fallen during the Golden Age, the Correllendi arrived from over the mountains to the east and by ship along the coast. The Correllendi were invaders a lot like the Vikings were invaders of Ireland-- they raided, they conquered, but as often as not once they settled in they became as Rokanoi as the Rokanoi themselves. See the History of Correllendor for further details of the Correllkragh and Correllendor. Organizations among the Rokanoi During the Age of the Gods, the Disciples of the Dragon were located in the mountains to the north of Corellendor and were a collection of mystic orders dedicated to the worship and reverence of the great dragons. Each differed in its approach; some were dark cults whereas others were enlightened monastic orders. There was often fighting between the orders as the orders were only associated in their common worship of Dragons, and not by any greater authority. In fact, most of the orders were founded completely independently of each other. It is uncertain as to why the orders seemed to be based in the northern mountains. Modern scholars hypothesize that is where the dragons were. The Disciples were thought destroyed in the cataclysm, yet there are the occasional rumors that they still exist. The Disciples were renown for their tattoos, and some speculate they bound magic into them. Northern Rokanoi peasants still practice the art of tattoos, but none are known to be magical. One prominent order was known for a unique two sword fighting style which used both katana and wakizashi. Game Mechanics: The Disciples will have access to the standard Monk class as well as the Samurai and Inkyo standard classes which are based upon void use. Any monkish prestige class will obviously work. The Tattooed Monks prestige class from oriental adventures is recommended. The Druids of Telperest are described below. The Scorpion Cartel is a set of Rokanoi families based in the southern basin. The cartel?s primary business is information and the trading of that information. Outsiders more often claim the Cartel?s primary business is thievery. The structure of the Cartel is mob-like, and the families are very Machiavellian in their pursuits. However, there is an academic and scholarly side to them as well and are they known to be great historians (if you have enough gold to squeeze it out of them). The Scorpions are also known for a strange group called The Whisperers who are thought to be able to talk to local spirits. The Scorpion Cartel fancy themselves the protectors of the Rokanoi and intend to reclaim the Empire they say was once theirs. While a powerful group, they've made little headway with their imperial aspirations as they often intrigue amongst themselves. They have little love for the Illendi as the Illendi are blamed for the end of the Rokanoi empire. They also have little love for the Corilendi as they are the current force in the way. The cartels do a great job of disguising this animosity as they bide their time. Game Mechanics: The Whisperers are based on the shugenja class from Oriental Adventures. The scorpions would also have access to ninja, though not samurai. The katana and wakizashi are still used, but the ancient samurai skills were lost in the great wars. The Eagle's Claw are the decendents of the once powerful Eagle clan. The Claw was the samurai dojo of the clan, and is now all that remains. The current Claw is no longer based on family and therefor is no longer strictly Rokanoi (similar to the druids). The Claw?s structure is very club-like. Once a member has survived training and paid his or her dues, they can come and go as they please. The Claw is known to have the best swordsmen in all of Corelendor and are often hired out as individuals. The Claw itself has remained apolitical since the Cataclysm, which is most likely why it still survives. (That and you would have to be VERY powerful to take on the Claw's senseis) The Claw is also known to be the premier swordsmiths in all of Corelendor. Members settle differences with the Iaijutsu duel; a possibly deadly quick-draw with the katana. Game Mechanics: The Claw is mostly Samurai with a few ninjas, fighters, and wu jen. The wu jen mystics are not known of outside the Claw, and would probably be assumed to be normal wizards anyway. The Claw has access to all the Crane Clan feats in Rokugan. Prestige classes can be any sword/fighter prestige class but highly recomended are the Iaijutsu Master, the Daidoji Bodyguards, the Bladedancers, and the Master Smiths (from MoR). The Master Smiths are capable of making special steels and enchanting weapons without the help of spellcasters. The Grendel will be told of elsewhere. Religion among the Rokanoi Rokanoi religion is mildly humanistic-- since the "gods" left, Rokanoi religion centered around spirits of nature (remnants of older religions) and on aspects of human ability. Aspects are things like virtues, vices, and passages. Reverence is given to (and blessings requested from) ancestors or famous historical figures that embodied the Aspect at hand. So a famous general or martyr-in-battle might be prayed to in lieu of god of war, and a famous thief venerated regarding stealth or even wealth. Since individual heroes are venerated for their embodiment of various virtues (and vices) one may revere non-ancestors. Religious history is, in a sentence: "We worshipped the spirits of nature and the Gods until the Gods came from over the ocean; they ruled for a time, and left." The "spirits of nature" side of that religion is 100% druidry, watered down for general consumption. An organization of druids exist now that claim to maintain beliefs lasting back to long *before* the gods came to Rokanen. Like mages, they tap an energy source inherent to the planet and to life on the planet, though they will argue endlessly with mages over the nature of that energy. In modern Correllendor, the druids are not very popular. They resisted the Rokanoi encroachments upon nature, and the Rokanoi were far, far kinder to the environment than the Correllendi-- there were fewer of them, they were less expansionist, and at least fought aberrations as such rather than as "beasts of the untamed wilderness". They're also not always popular with strongly religious Correllendi or Rokanoi as they claim an older Truth that doesn't always accomodate human desires. But they are around, and they are potent forces in and for their forests and groves. Game Mechanics: Rokanoi Druids are as the "Druid" class, with the game context set as described here.

---