In the Empire of Rokugan, there are two groups of samurai who are exalted above all others. The first is the collection of individuals known as the Emperor’s Chosen, men and women chosen directly by the Emperor or Empress to serve the throne directly, including the Imperial Advisor, the Imperial Chancellor, the Shogun, the Voice of the Emperor, and the Imperial Treasurer. The other such group is the Jeweled Champions, a group of samurai who ascend to the highest levels of society through achievement, typically by succeeding at a great tournament held among the most gifted individuals in the whole of Rokugan. These individuals include the Emerald Champion, the Jade Champion, the Amethyst Champion, the Ruby Champion, and the Topaz Champion. The Jeweled Champions, while generally less influential than the Emperor’s Chosen, are somewhat more glamorous to the average samurai, for the potential to achieve such a position is something that any individual can dream of for himself.
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