Kusari Politics

Note: As I am the kind of GM who can spend days just creating a consistent world (and then two hours planning the actual story), the inconsistencies of Kusari disturb me greatly. I've begun working on a single OOC guide to Kusari, that I hope all the Kusari faction eventually can agree on, so that we can have a common frame of reference. Please discuss before making changes to the content (excepting editorial changes), as I want this to become a frame we can all use and agree on. To the best of my knowledge, nothing in the initial version is incompatible with the information in-game (or PC faction RP). --Wrathkin

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The Kusari Empire and Shogunate

The Kusari state is an empire headed by the Emperor [name?]. However, for hundreds of years - since before the Sakura Coup in 321 AS - the real authority of Kusari has been the Shogunate. While nominally a subject of the Emperor, the [Sakura?] Shogun effectively controls both the armed forces as commander in chief, and the ministries as head of government.

Samura

Samura backed the coup that put the current Shogunate dynasty in place, and still retains immense influence in the government. Lately, however, they have begun to lose Naval government contracts to Kishiro. They sponsor the FA, and often employ the Hogosha to do their dirty work. As a corporation, they have been losing ground to Kishiro and foreign competition, and they attempt to fight back using government contacts to thwart competition and by employing the FA and Hogosha instead of updating their business practices.

Farmers Alliance

The Farmers Alliance are a Samura-backed group of militant political activists, that opposes foreign influence in Kusari (especially Synth Foods) and actively fights foreign trade within Kusari. However, they attempt to remain friendly with Kusari government, and are careful not to be caught red handed committing a crime. The war with Bretonia has allowed the FA to aid the KNF in battles with the BPA, giving the FA increased status within Kusari and especially the navy.

Hogosha

Hogosha are the descendants of the Yakuza. Operating like a keiretsu on and over the edge of the law, they handle or have a stake in almost any shady deal going down in Kusari. Apart from handling primarily gun and artifact smuggling, they are also employed to do the dirty work of others - the Samura often hire them to strike at the competition. Contrary to popular belief they are not ruled by Samura, rather they have contacts and customers in every keiretsu and within the government. They hold a special status in Kusari as they can count on that as long as they stay away from Cardamine traffic and keep foreign criminal organizations out of Kusari, they will be largely ignored by the authorities.

Kishiro

Kishiro is the the second most influential keiretsu in Kusari. Their competition with Samura is fierce, and sometimes go past the boundaries of the law. While not quite as well connected in the Shogunate as Samura, they are the healthier organization of the two, and have lately both replaced Samura as contractor for the GMG, and taken several contracts with the Kusari Naval Forces. It seems that not even Samura's extensive contacts can stop Kishiro's rise, and indeed they may soon replace Samura as the top keiretsu of Kusari.

Blood Dragons

The Blood Dragons are the descendants of the royal guard of the Shogun Hideyoshi, who was toppled in the Sakura coup of 321 AS. While the Shogun committed seppuku, his guard fought free, and they remain to fight the Samura and their influence on Kusari. They have contacts in the upper echelons of the Shogunate, and aim to replace the current government with one free of Samura [and other keiretsu?]. While they weaken Samura and the Shogunate with military means, they seem intent on replacing the Shogunate with a political coup rather than force of arms.

Golden Chrysanthemums

The Golden Chrysanthemums are a organization dedicated to give women the same rights as men in Kusari, using terror to overthrow the old order. They are allied to the Outcasts and are all heavy Cardamine users, but also have a friendly relationship with the Blood Dragons. They have been aiding the Bretonian forces in the current war, believing that the Bretonians will weaken the Shogunate, and that if the Golden C cannot topple the Shogunate, a Bretonian victory would be preferable (as the Bretonians are governed by a woman).