Fealty and Freedom (3e)
While the Great Clans are the Emerald Empire's most obvious movers of great events¸ they are not the only ones. Since the Dawn of the Empire¸ the Emperor has retained the right to create Minor Clans as reward to those who have served with great distinction. The Imperial Families - the Seppun¸ the Otomo¸ and the Miya - have devoted their lives to serving the Imperial Throne directly¸ and although they are small compared to the Great Clan families¸ the pride they take in their role as the Emperor's own retained servants makes up for their lack of numbers. And ronin¸ though despised as 'wave-men' are always useful to their betters as freelance soldiers and are on occasion important parts of the social order.