The Minor Clan Alliance

What started out as little more than a grand name for little more than wishful thinking is turning out to be the start of something more. The MCA is now slowly growing into an Empire-wide trade and defense alliance. So far, all the Minor Clans are still members and are enjoying an unprecedented level of respect and wealth due to their combined efforts.

The Fox, due to their age and respectability, are the public face of the clan. Since they had a standing invitation to the Emperor's Winter Court, a tradition which has been honored by Empress Iweko, they do not have to argue or prove their place in the highest circles of Rokugani politics, as well as the Lion courts.

The Dragonfly are still in many ways the face of the Dragon, and have extended this to be the diplomats of the MCA to the Great Clans. The only exception to this is the Lion clan.

The Badger contine their lone vigil far in the north, but as the most militarily adept of the minor clans act as military advisors and generals. Much of the Badger's experiences and training can, with a little effort, be extended to the rest of the MCA and their situation.

The Sparrow are the poorest of all the clans, and can contribute little in the way of money or resources, but their close ties to the Crane clan have been used to subtly aid the MCA as a whole, e.g. by gaining invitations to train with the Crane.

The Hare are the magistrates of the MCA. Though their focus is on the dangerous conspiracies of the Empire - the Kolat and the Bloodspeakers - their training can easily be applied to catching crooks in general and a surprising number of Hare find themselves working for the Emerald and Jade offices.

The Tortoise are the clan behind the MCA and hold a position of both respect and dishonor. The Tortoise try to downplay their status and role in the Alliance, but are in charge of common finances and have done a lot to improve the economic situation of the Minor Clans. Not all of this is done entirely legally, and certainily not with the knowledge or approval of the other Minor Clans.

The MCA is quite supportive of the fledgling Boar, and quite willing to accept them should the Boar wish to enter the alliance. Still, the MCA does not have unlimited resources and can not afford to support a clan that cannot support itself. For this reason the MCA has not extended an invitation to the Boar. The Heichi must prove that they can stand on their own and actually contribute something to the MCA before being allowed to join. The MCA gives minor aid and support but ultimately the Boar must make it on their own.