2 Class Relations

Society is sharply stratified, cleaved into layers defined almost solely by one’s relationship with Chi. At the pinnacle reside the elite – powerful Elder Joku, esteemed masters like the Tennō, and their inner circles – whose lives are enriched by access to resources, political influence, and the respect garnered through superior Chi mastery and successful, often dangerous, missions. Below them, the ranks of active ninjas constantly jockey for position, their status rising and falling with their mission success, acquired skills, and the favour they find with superiors. The chasm widens dramatically when looking at those born without Chi. These individuals occupy the lowest rungs, often viewed as burdensome, untrustworthy, or simply irrelevant in a society where Chi fuels industry, defense, and daily life. Orphans, lacking both Chi and familial connections, face particularly harsh scrutiny and suspicion. While village councils provide basic sustenance and some roles exist outside the Chi-based economy (like farming or simple trades), the lack of Chi is a profound disadvantage, breeding deep resentment amongst the marginalized. This palpable inequality is a tool exploited by corrupt elements within the leadership, who hoard resources, control opportunities, and further entrench the power divide, unknowingly fostering dissent that groups like the shadowy Kaichis readily tap into by recruiting those broken-hearted and disenfranchised by the system.