Raiken Clans

The Raiken value kin and clan above anything else. There is no life without clan. Their dedication to serving their clan and keeping it safe from other clans is a reason the Raiconian Alliance was founded. Clans are plentiful and each is unique for various reasons.

Clans emerged during the Ancient Era, when bands of Raiken traveled together for safety and strength. These bands worked together to secure food, safe grounds, and repel predators that Ranil'inas is all too full of. The members of these bands grew close to one another, shaping the communal nature that the Raiken still bear.

As times passed, these bands grew more and more organized, starting to think themselves as one unit, rather than a collection of individuals. This period is when the clans actually emerged, when the groups began referring to themselves by the name of their clan.

Clans are divided into three categories: Resa Sarhi, Zurak Sarhi, and Ziras Sarhi.

• Resa Sarhi - The 'nobility' of Raiken society. The Resa Sarhi are the five oldest clans known to exist. A Resa Sarhi cannot cease to be a Resa Sarhi and no clan may become a Resa Sarhi. The title is bound to the name of the clan.
• Zurak Sarhi - The 'middle-class' of Raiken society. The Zurak Sarhi are clans that are powerful, large, old, or any combination of the three. Some of these clans could be considered almost as powerful as Resa Sarhi, but they cannot become one.
• Ziras Sarhi - The 'lower-class' of Raiken society. The Ziras Sarhi are weak, small, young, or any combination of the three. Ziras Sarhi are large in number but hold little sway over Raiken society. Some Ziras Sarhi are disgraced Zurak Sarhi, a clan that has been dishonored enough to render it near powerless.

Clan Keeps have existed for millennia, some of them stretching as far back as before the construction of Sial'roshya, the first Raiken city. First built as forts to keep rival clans from raiding their supplies, Keeps have grown into the heart of any clan, big or small. Keeps are where decisions are made, younglings are taught, and feasts are had. They stand as a record of a clan entire history, the keep bearing marks of the ages, from the clans beginnings to the present. To the Raiken, a Clan Keep is a sacred place, where one can feel truly safe among their kin.

Clan Keeps are some of the most impressive structures constructed by the Raiken. Over the years, these once simple forts have transformed into places that must be seen to be believed. The intricate carvings, trophies, sculptures, decorations, and ornaments adorning even the smallest clans keep is a testament to time. Every deed is recorded on its walls and buildings, making every keep a collection of history books with limitless volumes. The larger clan keeps have grown so large that they are considered cities, home to hundreds of thousands to millions of Raiken, not all belonging to the owner of the keep.

While the Keep itself is the heart of any clan, the area around it is just as important. The larger a clan is, the more territory they can claim outside their keep for farming, mining, production, and whatever else they deem fit. Clans are expected to be self-sufficient, so the land around the keep is dedicated to maintaining the well-being of everyone who dwells within.

Before the creation of the Raiconian Alliance, every keep acted much like a city-state, dictating the law in the lands it influenced. They still do in a way, as every keep is always the hub of activity for their local region, but much of the 'lawmkaing' aspect has been handed over to the Alliance government.

Embedded within every keep, usually kept in a place known only to elders and important members of the clan, the 'S'fymorum vi Yrorm'aira' or 'Hall of Kin's Deeds', is a complete record of every great deed and event in a clans history. For the oldest clans, these halls can span several kilometers, every inch of the walls and pillars adorned with carvings, trophies, and paintings. From great battles, successful hunts, and titles earned, every deed that is considered notable to a Raiken's clan is recorded in traditional detail. Every clan member who perishes is afforded their own place on the wall for their deeds to be recorded, which is done at the conclusion of their funeral. It can take days for a members deeds to be recorded completely, but it is a great honor to be chosen to do so.

It is extremely rare for an outsider to be afforded the opportunity to enter another clan's S'fymorum vi Yrorm'aira, but it has been done. This usually happens when someone from outside the clan had special importance to a recently deceased clan member.

There are many roles within a clan, many special, all important, from the Speaker to the Fieldtender.

Roles held by select few members of a clan. It is possible to have more than one of these roles, excluding Clan Speaker.

Charged with speaking for the entire clan when required. Is always a member of the Council of Elders and this person is always the Clan's representative to the Council of the Clans.

Charged with lawmaking, order keeping, and delivering justice upon wrongdoers. Act as the final word in the clan.

Charged with keeping a living record of all agreements the clan has made that are still in effect. This is done by carving the agreement in runic upon their own scales.

Charged with the sacred duty of carving, painting, and adorning the S'fymorum vi Yrorm'aira.

Charged with keeping the knowledge of the clan's heroes and all of their deeds. Is also responsible for leading various clan rituals.

Charged with leading the efforts in the Feasting Hall, where meals are prepared. Lights the bonfire before every meal.

Charged with leading and planning hunts.

Roles held by many members of the clan.

Charged with tending the farms around the Clan Keep.

Charged with most any task that requires doing, from mining, factory work, and menial labor.

Charged with keeping the peace on Clan grounds. Repels invaders, catches criminals, and kills predators.

Charged with preparing food for the feasts.

Charged with reciting various tales during feasts, as well as playing instruments for rituals and feasts.

Charged with hunting for the clan feasts.

Charged with caring for the various beasts kept as mounts by clan members.

The following is information about various clans, including the Resa Sarhi. Clans will be added here as they are brought up.

The Resa Sarhi, the five elder clans. They have large keeps and a large member count, reaching into the hundreds of millions.

• Keep Location: Darami Relatir, Relatir
• Primary Scale Color: Blues
• Scale Pattern: Speckled scales.
• Eye Color: Silver
• Member Count: 185 Million

• Keep Location: Darami Ormroth, Ormroth
• Primary Scale Color: Grays, Black
• Scale Pattern: White bordered scales. This color could be different from individual to individual.
• Eye Color: Green
• Member Count: 210 Million

• Keep Location: Darami Rakavasu, Rakavasu
• Primary Scale Color: Greens
• Scale Pattern: Mottled Scales, much like camouflage. Usually an array of greens.
• Eye Color: Blue
• Member Count: 230 Million

• Keep Location: Darami Slevexa, Slevexa
• Primary Scale Color: Browns
• Scale Pattern: The end of their limbs (Hands, Feet) are a different color. (Usually a contrasting brown)
• Eye Color: Gold
• Member Count: 185 Million

• Keep Location: Darami Delrasu, Delrasu
• Primary Scale Color: Reds
• Scale Pattern: Speckled scales, much larger specks than Relatir.
• Eye Color: Brown
• Member Count: 150 Million

Zurak Sarhi, major clans that have a large amount of influence. Their keeps are usually well-fortified and a large member count that usually ranges from several hundred thousand to several million.

• Keep Location: Deep in the Jungles of Rakavasu, concealed behind a waterfall.
• Primary Scale Color: Dark Green
• Scale Pattern: Arrowheads on limbs pointed towards the ends of limbs.
• Member Count: 800,000

Ziras Sarhi, minor clans that have little influence. Their keeps are usually small and their member count small. Their numbers are usually kept within the tens of thousands to just over a hundred thousand.

• Keep Location: Somewhere in the sands of Slevexa.
• Primary Scale Color: Brown
• Scale Pattern: None
• Member Count: 35,000

• Keep Location: Small village and keep next to a small military outpost.
• Primary Scale Color: Deep Red
• Scale Pattern: White/Black stripes crossing over body
• Member Count: 40,000

• Keep Location: Isolated mountain keep, Ormroth
• Primary Scale Color: Silver/Gray
• Scale Pattern: Stripes that run down limbs, intricate in appearance
• Member Count: 42,000