Being in the Azuma Zaibatsu is not just a thing one can merely dabble in. Our family is a way of life, metaphorically speaking. If you are going to be listed as an active member of the clan, you are expected to be reachable, reliable, trustworthy, and hard-working. Most importantly, the members of Azuma Zaibatsu have unconditional devotion to this family. We like to have fun, but this is no joke.

We do not like clan hoppers, and we are members only of this clan in the game.

We believe that the authorities that are in place are the authorities that we deserve. Thus, we do not try to undermine them, and we listen to and obey those ranked above us even if we despise them, because we respect their authority.

We believe that the goal of the game is to master the game itself, not a theoretical abstraction of the game. Thus, if a form of combat is possible in the game without using scripts or hacks, we believe it to be valid.

We believe in moderation. If you want to be a real ninja, stop playing a game. We recognize that this is a game, but we want it to be real enough that the Japanese elements are not just an aesthetic farce. So we strive for a balance between the two extremes. We believe that members of the clan should genuinely believe, think, and act in accordance with the ways of their warrior class and philosophy (Bushido, Ninpo, Buddhism, etc.) as long as those ways are consistent with the ways of the clan as a whole and consistent with the virtual gaming environment. Medieval warriors were at times barbaric people, so we do not seek blind imitation, but instead, reasoned and intelligent adaptation.

Etiquette

The clan etiquette refers to our in-house rules.

We do not believe in participating in childish arguments, begging, complaining, or whining. We believe in being utterly content with our circumstances, whatever they are, and allowing the Yin and the Yang to flow.

We believe in bowing before a duel.

We address those ranked below us as -san and those ranked above us as -sama. If the individual ranked above you is also the head of your family, then use -dono. If an individual is in your family but is not the head of it, -san may be omitted.

We believe in being kind even to those whom we hate unless ordered to behave otherwise.

Rules

The Azuma Zaibatsu server is ours and we have the right to decide who is welcomed into it. Follow the server rules and you are likely to be welcomed.

We believe only in using language that is necessary. Since it is rarely necessary to use harsh words, they should be avoided until the proper time. Light swearing is alright in informal circumstances, but we do not believe in using it abusively (i.e. towards another person).

We follow whatever rules are in place as if it were second-nature to us, whether on our own server or elsewhere. On our server, we assume that saber up means you want to fight and saber down means you do not, and so we respect people’s wishes.

Of course, none of this is absolute and situations must be judged relative to their context. The only thing that is absolute is that, as stated, the lower ranks must obey their ranking officers, and server guests must obey the saba-adomin.