Raan
The Komainu
Raan Sōgen, Chief Kannushi of the clan.
Clan Status: Major
Totem Kami: The Komainu (Lion-Dog)
Colours: Terra cotta reds & browns, navy blue secondary; simple but imposing fashions
Chief Kannushi: Raan Sōgen “The Potent”
Vassal Clans: Raikou (Viper), Oda (Rhinoceros Beetle), Yorita (Rooster), Genryusai (Burrowing Owl)
Reputation: Lawful, haughty, combative, pious, brutally honest, natural leaders
Preferred classes: Samurai, monk, paladin, greyguard, cleric, kensai
Imagery: Raan Fashion & Scenery Image Gallery (External)
A Raan samurai.
Simple yet ostentatious, traditional yet unbridled, the Raan embrace sometimes paradoxical ideologies that nonetheless make them natural leaders, often Sitting the Plain Pillow for no other reason than doing the legwork while other clans focus on their bottom lines. Though they’re not always well-liked, they do take their word seriously and are generally regarded as trustworthy, particularly the more good-aligned vassals like the Genryusai.
The Raan are deep and unflinching followers of the Eight-Pointed Soul, and expect the same obedience from their subjects when ruling Shōgunate. In a similar light they consider themselves pious, although many friars will mutter that they’re more selective with the Analects of Fallingleaf than they let on. Their thirst for battle, in particular, tests the limits of the Analects on Temperance; they engage in border skirmishes as easily as they breathe, and they more often than not boast the greatest champions in the inter-clan wargames.
The Raan are deeply resentful of the ascension of the Setsu to the Empyreal Palace (even more than other non-Raan ascensions!) and while their claims of “weasel” dishonour find some agreement, they must struggle to address the popularity, economic acuity and underworld savvy of the Ermines.
The Komainu
Dedicated observers of their Totem Kami, the now-extinct komainu or lion-dog, stone statues of the creatures flank the doorways of all Raan palaces, offices and constabularies. Raan wardogs are treasured elite soldiers; bred by Yoisura master geneticists to share the size and fierce, imperious appearance of their stone counterparts, they alone make other clans think twice about skirmishing with the Raan. They’re afforded great luxuries and the general’s personal hound even wears its own collared uniform complete with the Raan war banner. Above all, they’re symbolic of spiritual guardianship, and indeed the Raan are deeply vigilant about the dreamlands of O-Inai and the monsters therein. As such they’re unfond of the more occult-drawn clans like the Setsu, the Iname, the Oronaga and the Shan.
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