Ryujin
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The Ryujin are a humanoid species from the planet Dagda, which they share with two other main subspecies, Raijin and Fujin. Ryujin have long tendrils in place of head-hair and they have thick long tails to help them with balance and swimming. The Ryujin age faster than most sentient species, a thirteen-year-old may appear more like a twenty-year-old human. They live mostly in underwater cities and are suspicious of the Fujin and Raijin subspecies of Dagda.
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Homeworld
- Main article: Dagda
The world of Dagda is a small Terran planet, consisting of oceans, great continents and varied forms of flora and fauna. It holds several sentient subspecies that all share a common ancestor, they are the Raijin, Fujin, Ryujin, Savitr, Mani and Svarog, each separated by racial defined boundaries and countries. The three most prominent subspecies reside on the northern bound continent and minor islands, whilst the others live on the gold rich southern continent, which has a much more inhospitable climate and terrain.
Biology
Appearance
Ryujin are humanoid, possessing the simple two legs and two arms connected via a torso. The major differences between humans and the Ryujin is that no hair grows upon a Ryujin's body. Rather than hair they have a set of large tendrils which grow from the head and fall down in a similar fashion to hair except they are much thicker and made from fat and flesh. Their ears are also elongated, similar to that of a drow, but are also 'upside down', similar, perhaps, to certain species of dog. They have a long tail that's begins thick and tapers towards it tip where some fat is stored to create a small bulb. Skin colours of the Ryujin vary from various shades of blue, through to purples. Due to their shorter lifespans than most sentient species, Ryujin mature at a much earlier age and are considered adults at ten years. Physically, and mentally, a ten-year-old would compare to a sixteen-year-old human.
Powers & Talents
Ryujin have powers over water. They can both produce and manipulate already existing water. Although the level of control over this power varies Ryujin to Ryujin, all of them are capable of utilising this power to some extent; unlike all other subspecies of Dagda who may have people unable to use their natural powers at all. So fine is the craft of the Ryujin, they can mould water into clothing. Although it is transparent, the flow and current of the water works for modesty. They don't need to maintain concentration upon the sole task of water manipulation to perform it, allowing them to keep their water clothes and focus their minds on other tasks. Even when sleeping, the mind continues to work on standard water manipulation tasks, including clothing. Unlike the Fujin and Raijin, Ryujin have no mental powers at all.
Biological Characteristics
Raijin, Fujin, Ryujin, Savitr, Mani and Svarog are all subspecies of Dagda. Capable of interbreeding, each subspecies is, however, very unique. Varying breeds of dog or cat would also be considered subspecies, for comparison.
The water powers of the Ryujin work through the pores of the skin, which produce and expel water on the Ryujin's wish, responding to brain function. Often water will coat the skin through subconscious secretion, which helps them to keep a low body temperature, theirs being much lower than a standard human's.
They are most at home underwater, their cities having been built under the Islands of Rán. Just to enter these cities they must swim. Such prolonged time under the water requires that the Ryujin are able to hold their breath for much longer periods of time than a human being. They can hold it for up to an hour under water, however this does mean that their breathing is a conscious effort; they need to remember to do it. Instead the subconscious works with the manipulation of water tasks, keeping a cool temperature and maintaining the water clothing. They do not sleep in the same way as most mammals. In fact their sleep is similar to a dolphin's, only part of the brain shutting down, allowing the other half to perform functions such as breathing and looking for predators.
If a Ryujin should mate with another subspecies, such as a Fujin, the skin colour would depend upon whichever parent had the more dominant genes, as well as the physical characteristics. So far Ryujin have only been able to breed with subspecies from their homeworld.
Society
Culture
The Fujin, having both the greatest sized populace and, by far, the largest country, dominate the world of Dagda culturally. The threat from outside influence on Fujin culture feels much less strained than that of the Raijin or the Ryujin, who place great emphasis on keeping up old traditions for fear of losing their identity. It is Fujin values that have become the 'universal' systems of Dagda.
The Ryujin have managed to keep a lot of their cultural values, unlike the Raijin who live on the continent with the Fujin. The fact that it is so difficult for either a Raijin or a Fujin to access the majority of their cities means that this task has been easier. However the Ryujin still find themselves being swayed by a lot of Fujin social reforms. The democratic politics of Anemoi, the country of the Fujin, resulted in some contest against the monarchy of the Ryujin which caused an elective system to be installed, a council being able to vote in which of the royal family ought to serve next. The royal family is the only family in Ryujin society to not require a last name, as it is deemed the line should never pass beyond their hands.
Formerly the right of succession fell daughter to daughter, ensuring that the line was always, beyond doubt, of royal blood. Although Ryujin society is considered equal, this right of passage tends to cause a degree of supremacy in women and men are considered weaker, though this is merely a social illusion.
Fujin culture also serves as popular culture, making it fashionable to know the goings on of Anemoi. This is due to Fujin society revolving around the idea of fame and progression, which is slowly seeping into Ryujin society as a result of this pop culture.
Although they have been very closed off from Hotei in the past, the Ryujin moved the designated capital of the Ryu Isles, the alternate name for the Islands of Rán, to be above the surface. This was an attempt to bring closer relations with the Hotei peoples, yet the real power still resides in Tailtu as all of the politics are held there, along with the royal family. To further bolster relations, the Ryujin opened up the island of Manannán to every subspecies on Dagda, including those of Eostre, though few of them attend. Upon it was built a university to spread cultural acceptance, experience and general understanding as well as learning.
Technology
Comparative to Earth Prime, the technology of Dagda could be considered 'near future'. Certain technological advancements are orientated around the various uses of their powers, some designed to enhance them and some few to hinder them. Many electrical pylons exist in Parjanya to soak up unintentional discharge from the Raijin, whilst many Way Point machines exist throughout both Parjanya and Anemoi which allow those with even the smallest mental prowess to teleport themselves to another Way Point.
The Anemoi lead the way in technology, priding themselves on the great achievements of their scientists and selling their finds to the other factions, and even some of it to the Natives in exchange for maps of the Lost World and gold deposits.
The Ryujin are the most 'backward' of the three major subspecies of Dagda, being conservative and set in their ways. They perceive that their level of technology works and therefore doesn't require changing. However, as a side effect of building Manannán, technology has had to intrude into the Ryujin society through the intelligentsia that attend the university. They utilise the power of water to generate electricity and move clockwork technology, though Fujin batteries are being widely used for devices that cannot be run by their own waterworks.
The world of Dagda has an almost permanent connection to the Portal Grounds of the Schola Draíochta as they have discovered the mysteries of portal creation. However passage through portals is still restricted and is generally information for the elite of the Dagda world. Still exploring the worlds beyond their own and investigating implications of inter-dimensional travel upon their society, any opportunity to 'trial' a foreign world is taken. To this end, the government have sent a student to the school under the guise that she requires greater lectures than are available in Dagda whilst recording information on the school, its inhabitants and what functions the world could serve Dagda, if at all.
Government
The government system of the Ryujin is that of an Absolute Monarchy, the current monarch being Queen Aour. The line is passed down through the female line to ensure that the throne is always taken by a true member of the royal family. However due to the influence of Fujin democracy, the rule of the monarchy was challenged. Now, instead, the royal council, which is made up of common people called up by lottery, cast a vote on which royal family member will take the throne succeeding the former monarch.
Although men are technically allowed to take the throne, Ryujin society is slightly prejudiced and those in authority are normally women. Thus a male heir has never been named since the introduction of the voting system. A male was more likely to take the throne under the hereditary system.
Under this system the Ryujin people have to obey their monarchy in all her demands and requirements without hesitation. This has led to many corrupt monarchs, including the insane, perverse and war-mongers.
Class Structure
Ryujin are all subjects of the monarchy, requiring that they obey without falter. However the people are generally free of class confines and people perform roles that they have chosen and been educated in. Ideas of fame have crept into society, however it has yet to make a true impact upon the Ryujin populace itself and has not made a class of itself.
Language
In the past each country would have had their own language, however the Fujin language has become the common tongue for the whole of Dagda. Even the closed off Ryujin speak the Fujin language. However most subspecies still retain certain culturally specific words, or, as in the case of the Raijin, naming conventions. Place names also retain their original pronunciations, even if the spellings change to match the Fujin alphabet. The Ryujin accent changes very little between regions, unlike the Fujin and Raijin.
History
TBA
Relevant Characters
Player Characters & Other Major Characters
None
Non-Player Characters & Associated Characters
Dechtine Engres
- Main article: Dechtine Engres
Dechtine Engres is a Ryujin woman from the planet of Dagda. She, like other Ryujin, has power over water and is an intelligent, though lazy, woman. She attended the University of Manannán where she met the promiscuous Raijin named Taranis.
Queen Aour
Excerpt due
Player Notes
Although the Raijin were the main creation, I knew straight off that the Fujin and Ryujin existed too. I felt that they were important aspects to develop the Raijins as an interesting species to play.
