Okami Clan

[Wen Tzu]

Shogun

Daimyo

Ronin

Ashigaru

 

[LaoTzu]

Ashigaru: The First Step Into the Shadows

To walk the path of the Okami Clan is to embrace a life of discipline, secrecy, and quiet purpose. Yet, before one can become an instrument of the clan's will, they must first undergo the arduous trials of initiation, shedding their past selves to be reborn as Ashigaru—the lowest yet most essential rank within the Okami hierarchy.

The Meaning of Ashigaru

The title Ashigaru—translated roughly as "light-footed one" or "wandering blade"—is a deliberate reflection of the rank's function within the clan. It signifies both impermanence and potential, an existence caught between obscurity and recognition, between servitude and mastery. It is the first step upon Tsukiyo no Michi, the Path of the Moonlit Night, and to become Ashigaru is to accept a new life shaped by relentless discipline and unwavering discretion.

The Induction: Severing the Past

Before an initiate can truly become Ashigaru, they must undergo the Rite of Severance, a ritual that represents the erasure of their former identity. Their name, their history, even their place of origin is cast aside, replaced only by the title of Ashigaru. Many initiates are given no more than a number, a sigil, or a new moniker that holds meaning only within the clan.

This ritual is not merely symbolic; it is enforced through extreme measures. Records of the initiate's past are often falsified or outright destroyed. They are taught to speak in measured tones, to adopt new mannerisms, and to mask all distinguishing features that could betray their origins. Some are even forced to forge a new past, constructing an identity so convincing that they could disappear into the galaxy at a moment's notice.

For some, this is a liberation. For others, a sacrifice. For all, it is a necessity.

Duties and Expectations

The Ashigaru are, above all else, the unseen hands of the Okami Clan. Their role is not to command, nor to question, but to observe, learn, and serve. Their duties are varied and often grueling, but all are designed to sharpen their instincts and hone their adaptability.

• The Watchers in the Dark: Many Ashigaru serve as informants and spies, embedding themselves in local communities, criminal syndicates, or even within military structures. Their task is simple: listen, learn, and report.
• Blades Without Names: Others serve as enforcers or executioners, carrying out precise assassinations or sabotage missions under the guidance of a superior. However, unlike more distinguished warriors within the Okami Clan, the Ashigaru receive no recognition for their work—if an Ashigaru's name is spoken, it is a failure.
• The Test of Silence: One of the most infamous trials that Ashigaru endure is the Test of Silence, a prolonged period of absolute restraint. During this time, they must complete tasks while speaking no words, reacting only through action, gesture, or instinct. Some Ashigaru spend months in enforced silence, learning to communicate with nothing but a glance.

Training and Conditioning

The training regimen for Ashigaru is one of relentless refinement. Their minds are stripped of distraction, their bodies hardened against pain, their spirits tested against the crushing weight of the unknown. The training consists of three core pillars:

1. The Way of the Shadow – Mastery of stealth, deception, and misdirection. Ashigaru learn to blend into crowds, move unseen in the night, and strike without leaving a trace.
2. The Way of the Blade – The Okami favor precision over brute force. Ashigaru train with a variety of weapons, but their signature tool is the Kagenari, a slender, curved blade designed for quick, lethal strikes.
3. The Way of the Unseen Mind – A philosophy of absolute control, the Ashigaru must learn to suppress fear, pain, and hesitation. Some undergo rituals of sensory deprivation, locked in darkness for days to sharpen their perception beyond sight.

Life as an Ashigaru

To be an Ashigaru is to exist in the threshold between insignificance and greatness. They are given no honorifics, no praise, no assurance of survival. Their superiors rarely address them directly, and they are expected to obey without hesitation. Failure is not met with reprimand—it is met with silence, exile, or death.

Yet, for those who endure, the rewards are great. Few ever rise beyond the rank of Ashigaru, for only the most exceptional prove themselves worthy of ascending. Those who do are granted the honor of taking their first step into the deeper mysteries of the Okami Clan, forging their own place among the wolves of the hidden world.

To walk the path of the Okami, one must first walk in the footsteps of the Ashigaru. A step into the unknown. A step into the shadow.

 

[LaoTzu]

Ronin: The Unshackled Blades of the Okami Clan

If the rank of Ashigaru represents anonymity and servitude within the Okami Clan, then Ronin marks the first step toward individuality—yet it is a path fraught with trials, uncertainty, and the burden of choice. To become Ronin is to be unshackled, no longer a nameless blade in the dark but an agent of the clan with purpose, autonomy, and perilous responsibility.

The Trial of the Fang: Ascension to Ronin

Not all Ashigaru survive to ascend to the rank of Ronin. Those who do must undergo a rite known as the Trial of the Fang, a crucible of discipline, skill, and resolve that serves as both a test and a declaration of their independence.


The details of the trial vary based on the individual, often tailored to push each initiate beyond their limits. However, all trials adhere to three immutable tenets:

1. The Trial of Will – A test of unwavering resolve. The initiate may be subjected to prolonged isolation, starvation, or forced to endure extreme mental or physical hardship. Some are left stranded in hostile territories, tasked with surviving and returning without assistance.
2. The Trial of the Fang – A mission of lethality. The Ashigaru must eliminate a target selected by the Okami Clan—often an enemy operative, a traitor, or even a fellow Ashigaru who failed their own trial. The key is not just the kill but how it is executed: with precision, efficiency, and absolute discretion.
3. The Trial of the Howl – A moment of choice. Upon completion of their previous trials, the candidate is given a final test: they must determine their own fate. Some choose to walk away, vanishing into the galaxy with the skills they have learned. Others accept the mantle of Ronin, embracing the burdens and freedoms that come with it.

Those who succeed are granted the Fangmark, a ceremonial scar or brand placed upon their body in a location of their choosing. It is a mark of passage, a symbol that they are no longer nameless shadows, but wolves in their own right.

The Role of a Ronin

Unlike Ashigaru, whose lives are dictated by the orders of their superiors, Ronin are given autonomy. They are no longer bound to follow every command blindly; instead, they are trusted to act as agents of the clan's will, enforcers of its hidden designs, and seekers of knowledge and power. However, this autonomy comes at a price: the burden of responsibility.

• Operatives and Assassins – Many Ronin serve as the hidden hand of the Okami Clan, operating in the galaxy at large. Some work as mercenaries, bounty hunters, or even bodyguards, masking their true allegiance behind layers of deception.
• Silent Enforcers – When the Okami require direct intervention, it is the Ronin who are sent. Unlike Ashigaru, who are expendable, Ronin are precision weapons, trusted to execute missions requiring finesse, diplomacy, or calculated violence.
• Seekers of the Unseen – Some Ronin are granted leave to wander, tasked with gathering intelligence, infiltrating powerful organizations, or even unearthing ancient knowledge. They walk the thin line between allegiance and exile, for those who stray too far risk losing their place among the Okami forever.

Philosophy of the Ronin: The Wolf Without Chains

The philosophy of the Ronin is one of duality. Unlike the Ashigaru, who exist as mere extensions of the Okami's will, the Ronin must balance obedience with intuition, duty with self-preservation.


A Ronin is expected to act not just as a tool, but as a strategist, capable of making their own decisions in service to the clan. They are given leeway to interpret missions, to assess risks, and, at times, to defy orders if the greater goal demands it. However, this freedom is not absolute. A Ronin who strays too far—who places personal ambition above the clan's interests—risks being marked as Gekokujou, a rogue element to be hunted and eliminated.


To exist as a Ronin is to be unshackled but never untethered, a wolf that hunts alone but never forgets the pack.

The Blade of the Ronin: The Namikiba

Upon ascending to Ronin, an operative is granted a personal weapon known as a Namikiba, or "Wave Fang." This blade, often a finely crafted vibrokatana or durasteel dagger, is forged uniquely for each Ronin, reflecting their journey and purpose. Some bear inscriptions of past victories, while others are adorned with faint traces of kyber crystal dust, enhancing their resonance in the Force.


The Namikiba is more than a weapon—it is a symbol of their passage, a constant reminder that though they walk alone, they remain bound to the Okami.

The Uncertain Future of a Ronin

Not all Ronin remain within the Okami Clan. Some vanish into the galaxy, choosing exile over allegiance. Others rise higher within the ranks, proving themselves worthy of the title of Fangmaster, the leaders of Okami strike teams. A few seek power beyond even the Okami's reach, delving into the deeper mysteries of the Force, the criminal underworld, or the war-torn halls of galactic intrigue.


Yet, regardless of where they go, the Okami never forgets its own. A Ronin may leave, but they will always be watched. Some are welcomed back into the fold, their wanderings seen as a test of wisdom. Others find themselves hunted, reminders that a wolf who turns against its own will eventually be put down.


To be Ronin is to stand upon the precipice of power and exile, a blade in the dark, a wolf that runs free but never alone.

 

[LaoTzu]

Daimyō: The Lords of the Hidden Wolves

To ascend to the rank of Daimyō within the Okami Clan is to step beyond the realm of mere servitude and into the shadowed halls of power. No longer a mere blade in the dark nor a solitary hunter upon the galactic stage, a Daimyō is both a warlord and a scholar, a tactician and a whisperer of secrets. They do not simply follow orders—they shape them.

Daimyō stand as the architects of the Okami's long-reaching designs, their influence woven through the currents of the galactic underworld, noble courts, and the battlefield alike. It is through them that the will of the Okami is enacted on a grand scale, making them the highest-ranking field operatives and war leaders within the clan.

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The Ascension to Daimyō: The Trial of the Moonlit Hunt

The rank of Ronin is a test of self-mastery, but the rank of Daimyō is a test of command. Few Ronin ever rise to claim this title, for the path is one of unrelenting trials that strip the unworthy from the clan's hierarchy.

To be considered for ascension, a Ronin must first prove themselves through both combat and cunning, demonstrating that they are not only masters of their own fates but also capable of guiding others. A Ronin must successfully complete multiple high-risk missions, command Okami operatives in operations of significance, and, most crucially, navigate the clan's intricate web of loyalty and politics.

But all of these are mere precursors to the true test: The Moonlit Hunt.

The Moonlit Hunt: A Duel of Shadows

The final trial to claim the rank of Daimyō is not given—it is taken. A Ronin must challenge an existing Daimyō or complete a mission of such overwhelming significance that the clan itself has no choice but to acknowledge their worth.

• The Challenge of the Fang – A Ronin may challenge a Daimyō to a duel, not necessarily to the death, but always with consequences. The duel is as much a test of tactics, resilience, and cunning as it is one of martial prowess. Some challenges are fought with blades, others with words, and some in the form of an elaborate game of deception played across the stars.
• The Unseen War – Alternatively, a Ronin may prove themselves through sheer mastery of manipulation, warfare, or subterfuge, bringing the Okami a victory so absolute that their ascension is unquestionable. This could take the form of toppling a rival syndicate, securing an alliance that alters the fate of the clan, or seizing control of a strategically vital asset.

Upon proving their worth, the Ronin is formally inducted into the rank of Daimyō in a secretive ceremony known as The Black Pact, in which they swear an oath upon the Okami's ancient code and carve their own sigil into the hidden annals of the clan's history.

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The Responsibilities of a Daimyō

To be a Daimyō is to hold power, but also to bear its burdens. While they are still field operatives, they are no longer simple hunters; they are generals, conspirators, and lords of war, commanding their own cells of Okami operatives while shaping the clan's strategies on a galactic scale.

1. Lords of the Hunt

Each Daimyō commands a specialized Okami Hunting Pack, an elite force tailored to their personal leadership style. Some rely on assassination squads, others on deep-cover operatives embedded within enemy factions. A Daimyō's success is often determined by the strength and loyalty of their pack.

2. Masters of Intrigue

Daimyō are expected to engage in the delicate dance of galactic intrigue, forging alliances with crime syndicates, noble houses, intelligence networks, and even Sith and Jedi factions—all while ensuring the Okami's interests remain paramount. Their success or failure in these endeavors can shift the fate of the clan itself.

3. Keepers of Forbidden Knowledge

Unlike Ronin, who may only glimpse the hidden depths of the Okami's secrets, Daimyō are entrusted with the deeper truths of the clan. They gain access to the Shadow Codex, an archive of centuries of knowledge—assassination techniques, lost histories, forbidden rituals, and the true nature of the Okami's past.

4. The Power to Kill or Banish

A Daimyō holds the authority to sentence a Ronin to death or exile, marking them as Gekokujou, a rogue who has violated the clan's code. However, this is not done lightly, for if an execution order is questioned, the Daimyō must defend it before their peers in a Night Tribunal, a hidden court where only the most elite of the Okami may judge one another.

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The Blade of the Daimyō: The Lunar Edge

Upon ascension, each Daimyō is gifted a weapon known as the Lunar Edge, a unique blade forged with cortosis weave, songsteel, or kyber-infused alloys, representing their mastery over both war and diplomacy. Unlike the Namikiba of the Ronin, the Lunar Edge is not a simple instrument of death—it is a badge of office, a weapon as much a symbol as it is a tool.

Some wield vibrokatanas with phrik plating, designed to duel Jedi and Sith alike. Others carry compact, collapsible sabers with poisoned edges, ensuring that a single cut is fatal. Each blade is as unique as the Daimyō themselves, reflecting their chosen path within the Okami.

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The Uncertain Path: The Fate of the Daimyō

Unlike Ashigaru or Ronin, whose paths are often dictated by superiors, a Daimyō's fate is their own. Some rise to command vast networks of informants, shaping the galactic underworld through whispers and gold. Others become warriors without equal, leading Okami forces into battle against enemy factions.

Yet, their power is never absolute. A Daimyō who becomes complacent, who grows too ambitious, or who threatens the balance of the Okami may find themselves the target of the very Moonlit Hunt they once survived. The rise and fall of a Daimyō is a cycle as ancient as the Okami Clan itself—the weak are devoured, and only the worthy remain.

For those who survive long enough, there exists one final rank—Shōgun, the Grand Master of the Okami. But that is a position few live to see, for every Daimyō is a rival, every ally a potential betrayer, and the Okami's path is one of endless conflict.

To be a Daimyō is to wield the power of life and death, to shape the fate of the unseen war, and to walk the razor's edge between command and destruction.

The wolves of the Okami do not kneel—they lead, or they perish.