Ninja are somewhat on the decline in Jipang now, not as free and powerful as in times past. In East Jipang, Shogunate rule has banned the formation of private armies; nobles must now obtain lease from the government's Oniwabanshuu or contract services from Guild or Family clans. Legal interaction is carefully monitored by the government, to prevent abuse and misuse of the services provided by non-government groups.
The Oniwabanshuu is the most powerful group in political standing and resources, due to their connections to the government. Their primary duties entail covert operations and intelligence, but may also be used for security detail and guards of the Shogun and other high-ranking nobility.
The ninja families are second in a political sense, but a far cry from the Oniwabanshuu. Ninja clans of rich and storied tradition were granted formal independance and the status of nobility. In most cases (most notably the Iga and Koga), the region that the clan inhabited became the family's sanctioned designation and surname. Most families train individuals who later join the Oniwabanshuu and thus maintain good relations with the Shogunate. Families are allowed to contract under the same rules and guidelines as Guilds; the key difference often lies in price, reasons and traditions. A family hitting on hard times may make contract for money to support themselves; or it may be a matter of an age-old pledge or the simple need to temper skills by experience. There is less the feel of a business and more the sense of formality when dealing with the representatives of a Family. Individuals of the family may often be found living independant of the conclave as a whole, wandering or settling areas of East Jipang and forming familial branches of their own; all with the full sanction of their family and still answerable to the whole.
Guilds are ninja groups who raise, train and contract in the same manner as the traditional families. On the whole however, the contracts have a more businesslike feel, and the Guilds are not considered nobility; the closest in political respect would be to the merchant class. On the other hand, a Guild often has more resources than a family, but not as much as the Oniwabanshuu. 'Villages' maintain their designation (Hidden Leaf, Sand), but have been incorporated to existing cities for various reasons. The Hidden Leaf, for example, incorporated with Port Town after the Kyuubi attack destroyed their original village. Similarly, Sand has become part of Typhoon Town, though for less mundane reasons. The Guilds often have many levels of ninja available for contract; this makes it possible for a commoner to hire a Guild ninja as an escort or guard for a few days. Guilds, as a whole, often appear more accessible and open to the public than the families. It is rarer for Guild ninja to live or work as sanctioned 'independants'. But it is not unheard of.
Within the territory of East Jipang, all ninja must, by law, have a legitimate affiliation with an East Jipang family, guild or the Oniwabanshuu. To have none is to be outlaw; families and guilds may remove their affiliation from ninja who perform deeds against the Shogunate law or against the law of the group. There is no such thing, legally, as a 'retired' ninja with no affiliation in East Jipang. Actions of an individual ninja reflect back upon his or her family or guild; as much as actions by the faction as a whole. This is why it falls upon the family or guild to take care of their rogues and missing-nin; to maintain the integrity and honor in the eyes of the Shogunate. Should the family or guild prove unable, the Shogunate will send the Oniwabanshuu to take care of the problem. In such cases, penalties may be accrued against the family/guild for losing control of the situation. Contracts or independant actions made by families or guilds cannot be to promote intentional social or political unrest, by Shogunate law.
On the other side of the wall, in West Jipang, a more classical approach is still afforded to the ninja. High ranking officials and nobility are allowed to maintain private armies. West Jipangese ninja found in East Jipang would normally be considered rogue ninja by the Shogunate law, though exceptions are made. Documents of official business may be provided by the ninja's employer, allowing temporary leave for the visitation, be it personal or for an official (and rare) contract by an Eastern Jipang group. Such 'official' visits are highly monitored by the Oniwabanshuu in order to assure no Eastern laws are being broken. Since the larger part of this game takes place in East Jipang, ninja of West Jipangese origin will almost never have more than temporary sanction (think Green Card or Visa), and therefore will need to watch their step if they have none.
This is to give those who desire it to be ninja with more freedom of movement and action, being able to operate and run around without having to be under the direct auspices of the government, while giving others who still wish to be more secretive about their nature a reason and appropriate hurdles to deal with.
The communities which have been established through proxy or by characters are listed below. Feel free to ask staff to point you in the direction of said factions if you are interested in establishing a character's history as part of them. If you have a character and do not see your character's faction listed here, please inform Maruah so she can update accordingly. Acceptance of your character via application does not mean she is aware of a newly developed ninja faction.
East Jipang Ninja Communities:
Guilds
Hidden Leaf (Port Town)
Sand (Typhoon Town)
Government
Oniwabanshuu
Families
Iga
Koga
Rogue and Outlaw Factions
N/A
West Jipang Ninja:
N/A
