Raijin
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The Raijin are a humanoid species from the planet Dagda, which they share with two other main subspecies, Ryujin and Fujin. The most distinctive features of a Raijin are the head tendrils and the large zigzag tail. The Raijin age faster than most species, a thirteen-year-old may appear more like a twenty-year-old human. They're known for their incredible speed, reflexes and ability to create electricity. A race of Raijin are also blessed with powers of the mind, such as telekinesis and teleportation.
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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
Raijin are humanoid, possessing the simple two legs and two arms connected via a torso. The major differences between humans and the Raijin is that no hair grows upon a Raijin'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 also possess a zigzag tail that might be considered to resemble a lightning bolt. Raijin racial colours vary from yellow to orange. Due to their shorter lifespans than most sentient species, Raijin 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
Raijin have genetic-given power over electricity. They are able to generate and discharge it in greater or lower levels of concentration, lighting something as small as a light bulb or causing a catastrophic lightning storm. This is all dependant on the capacity of the individual Raijin, however, some being incapable of anything more than a small spark per hour, though this is just as rare as high-end powers. Raijin can only create their own electricity, not manipulate other sources. However electricity, regardless of origin, tends to be more attracted to a Raijin, often twisting or bending to hit them.
A smaller racial trait of certain Raijin is the control over powers of the mind. Electrical power is considered a standard feature of Raijin biology, however advanced mind powers are much rarer. All Raijin have a certain degree of telepathy and telekinesis, however, like the electrical powers, it depends on the individual Raijin as how to powerful their mind talents are.
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.
Electricity runs throughout a Raijin's body through electrical veins, which run alongside standard blood veins. The electricity is produced by cells within the heart and are pumped into the electrical veins as they pass through the heart itself. The amount of electricity a Raijin can produce is dependant on how active these special heart cells are, or how many they have. It is believed that the power of electricity was vitally important during the Raijin's earlier evolutionary states, particularly for mating matches, explaining why the subspecies receives great pleasure from interaction with electricity. This is called an electrogasm and, although present in males, is much stronger in females. It is probable that the male would demonstrate his reservoir of electrical capability to entice the female. The electricity itself is pushed through the skin of a Raijin when discharged, passing through the skin cells, which are designed for just such a purpose. It is these same cells that attract external sources of electricity and absorb it. It is also the electrical power that gives the Raijin their skin colours. If a Raijin 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 Raijin have only been able to breed with subspecies from their homeworld.
Due to their electricity power being biological in nature, medical problems arise in the form of electrical thrombus and problems with electricity escaping into the blood stream during the time spent in the heart.
Mental powers, such as telepathy and telekinesis are inherent in all Raijin, growing in strength depending on its abundance in the parents. It is thought that mental powers explain their incredible speed and reflexes, which are inherent in all Raijin. However it definitely takes a much stronger and form in a certain race of Raijin. Like the electrical heritage, mind powers are genetical and will always be stronger when both parents had power of their own. These mind powers are, however, quite rare and coveted by those that have them.
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 culture of the Raijin has, therefore, largely been diluted by the influences of the Fujin people. However there are many aspects that the Raijin attempt to maintain in their culture through traditions. One such important tradition that even the most radical Raijin maintain is that of having two names. Their first name given to them is a special name which is reserved for use by those close to the Raijin, family, those of blood-pact, very close friends or lovers. The second, more simple name, is their public name, used most commonly.
The Raijin are, naturally, a proud and traditional subspecies. They avoid contact with outsiders, especially Fujin. They do, however, hold a degree of respect for the Ryujin as they believe that they are both under threat from the universal values of the Fujin. Since most Raijin cities and towns are located in the mountains, the geography of Parjanya is perfectly suited to adhere to the Raijin wish for seclusion. However, ultimately, the Raijin depend upon the Fujin, especially with regards to their technological achievements, some of which have been specially created with Raijin in mind, improving their society and standards of living.
As a whole, the Raijin consider themselves all equal, gender, creed or wealth. It is a part of their culture of offer help to others when they are in need. This has led to a common tradition whereby Raijin will make long excursions throughout Parjanya, taking up residence at strangers' homes for the night. This hospitality has become world renowned and is considered quaint by Fujin.
The number of Raijin with mind powers is low and is best retained in children where both parents have high levels of power too. This has led to the cultural aspect whereby the first born in a family strong with mental talent must marry one of another family of abundance, an effort to not only produce strong mental skills in their descendants but also preserve the powers as they are a weak gene and are continuously diluted. This has, however, led to some significant inbreeding within the empowered race.
Technology
Comparative to our real world, 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. Some of the stronger Raijin families have been known to achieve teleportation without aid of a 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.
Some other technological achievements include Lightning Gloves, which allow a Raijin to channel their electrical power through their hands, Laser Rifle, a rifle which is capable of firing a thin laser beam which tears straight through a person with pin-point precision, Wind Mast and Lightning Masts, devices for generating electrical power for buildings in Parjanya and Anemoi by taking even the smallest of effort from a Raijin or Fujin in terms of their power, triples it and churns it into the national grids.
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 Fujin system of government is one of Constitutional Republic, having long ago overthrown its monarchy. Influencing the rest of the world with this free system of government, pressure was placed upon Parjanya and eventually the monarchy conceded into becoming a Constitutional Monarchy. The monarch of Parjanya, King Leucetios, has little to no power and acts as a cultural figurehead, only retained by the Raijin people as a method of self-identification.
The monarchy's main function is to spend the money they gain in taxes on the people again. With such much wealth accumulated in one place, it is easy for the monarchy to order the construction of grand palaces, plazas or temples, which all of public access. The money is also spent on city parades and celebrations.
The Prime Minister is voted in every five years, along with their respective party. The system electoral formula used is that of proportional representation, which aims to give a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive. Anyone over ten can vote.
Class Structure
The class structures of old have died out and the Raijin are relatively free of class bonds, save for the royal family. Since the lands of Parjanya are so rich, few Raijin can be considered poor and their cultural values prevent the idea of wealth being an object of status. Despite all of this, the royal family still retain importance over the common Raijin masses and money is given over to them through taxes. The monarchy still commands respect and a degree of authority in general social situations.
The mind empowered race of Raijin holds itself in high regard and will force their first born to always marry into another empowered Raijin to preserve the racial trait. These family's usually see themselves as important, mostly due to the traditional values of trying to preserve their heritage. To a degree the rest of the Raijin do adhere to this, though they would be unlikely to admit to it due to their culture.
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.
Accents change city to city, whilst dialects vary much more within the Raijin subspecies than any of the others. This is due to sparse population regions, great distances existing between Raijin cities or towns amidst lush, though mountainous, country. On the whole the Raijin have accents that might be described as generally being akin to American-Canadian, though even the untrained ear would be able to make out the differences between city-to-city.
History
TBA
Relevant Characters
Player Characters & Other Major Characters
Taranis
- Main article: Taranis
Taranis is a yellow-skinned Raijin from the world of Dagda. She has powers over electricity as well as mental abilities, however she has little control over either of them. She is strong-willed and aggressive, which gets her into fights, arguments and dangerous situations. She is also sexually promiscuous and, combined with her aggressive nature, she is becoming a hazard for other female students.
Non-Player Characters & Associated Characters
Erith
- Main article: Erith
Erith is a Raijin woman that once had an intimate relationship with Taranis when they were both at school together. Always a troublesome girl, Erith fell lower and lower after Taranis was sent away to another school. However she eventually overcame herself to transcend her mind and become something better.
King Leucetios
- Main article: King Leucetios
Although little more than a figurehead, King Leucetios is still seen as an important man in Parjanya, the country belonging to the Raijin subspecies of Dagda. He was an apathetic man with little willpower, however a meeting with the young hermit woman named Erith spurred Leucetios into action.
Player Notes
The best description of a Raijin that I have heard was that Ka D'argo, from Farscape, had mated with Pikachu. Essentially I think it's actually quite accurate!
The first thing I new about this species when I made it was the fast aging, tired of seeing, and having, stupidly old characters that looked like twenty-year-olds. So I inversed it.
