Difference between revisions of "Rai"

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== In Summary ==
 
== In Summary ==
  
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The Rai are not a true race of dragons, although the impression can be given when much of [[dragon]]kind itself wants to see the Rai as race apart.
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While the Rai are not a true race of dragons, much of mainstream [[dragon]] society itself would like to segregate them as a race apart.
  
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Rai is a term originally used by [[Ryuugami]] to describe dragons who've become insane past the point of redemption. The word itself made its way to general usage within [[dragon]]kind, with a commonday meaning of "damned" and/or "outcasted."
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The origins of the term is said by some to trace back to [[Ryuugami]] herself, with an original meaning of ''"beyond redemption."'' These words are often to be taken with requisite caution, given the questionable objectivity of those making the claims as well as the generally poor recordkeeping track of those in the faith of Ryuugami.
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Today in Gaera, the common usage of the phrase usually indicates one of the following meanings: ''insane,'' ''outcast'', or ''damned.''
  
 
== In More Detail ==
 
== In More Detail ==
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=== Connotation One: Insane ===
 
=== Connotation One: Insane ===
  
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Rai can be used in two entirely different senses. There is the one, close to the original, which can be summed up in the word--''"insane."''
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The phrase ''Rai'' is usually used in one of two different senses. The first of these two present-day meanings to develop can be summed up in the equivalent phrase ''insane.''
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Now, dragons that have gone insane are no more or less than insane; that is to say, they aren't necessarily evil--or good, for that matter. Given their size and power, they can be a menace depending on how reality warps around them. The definition of insane needs to be considered; many tend to apply the term much more inclusively toward certain subsects of the dragon population, and depending on whom has been deemed ''Rai'', redeemability of health might or might not be a consideration. The original meaning--beyond redemption--is not truly kept.
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It is said that one subrace of dragons is particularly inclined to become Rai, and they are the shadow dragons. For whatever reasons--perhaps due to their affinity for the dark and the shadow plane--shadow-inclined dragons turn Rai with a greater frequency than do dragons of other affinities or races. Also rumored to be in danger of instability are halfbreeds and those who spend unhealthy lengths of time in their humanoid forms.
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=== Connotation One: Outcasted ===
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The other sense of the word Rai means "outcasted." Dragon society has never really liked the shadow dragons very much, and the said tendency to go Rai supports this bias. The efforts of celestial dragons, who are very extreme and unbending in their holy-good affinity, has not helped to promote acceptance of the shadow dragons, either.
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As a result of this, most dragons shun and outcast all shadow dragons, calling them Rai, regardless of whether or not they are, in fact, insane. Thusly, one has to keep in mind that, depending upon the source, a dragon called Rai might not be, in fact, Rai.
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=== A Note about Celestial and Shadow Dragons ===
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As a side note, celestial dragons and shadow dragons are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Celestial dragons are extremists who will use just about any means to serve their concept of "good." They're unbendingly dedicated to holy-good, and are rather aloof and cold. They do not spend much time with most dragons or other races.
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Shadow dragons, on the other hand, are not similarly dedicated to the concept of evil, as one might think. Shadow magic and energies are not evil in and of themselves, and neither are shadow dragons. The shadow dragons are neutral beings, with the ability to go to either side as the individual sees fit. Their affinity for dark powers lend to a somewhat greater tendency to favor evil than with other races, but that is all. They are also very worldly, and enjoy living in the company of other beings, being slightly more social than most dragon races." -- Dia
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Theoretically, dragons which have gone insane are no more or less than just that--insane. Given their size and power, they can most certainly be a menace; however, they are not necessarily evil, or for that matter, good.
  
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== Note on Dragon Society in General ==
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However, one must keep in mind that rarely does a word keep a dictionary definition, free of bias or connotation. Indeed, Rai is a term such as that dragon society feels a need to try to define it as a separate race. It might come as little surprise that Rai is applied much more inclusively to certain subsects of the dragon population--in particular, it takes much less trespass to "become" Rai if one is a dragon with a an [[elemental affinity]] toward the shadow element or if one is a halfbreed with an ancestral enemy race. Meanwhile, a dragon of another kind may be seen as simply assertive, youthfully character-flawed, or perhaps even in deteriorating health--which needs attention and help.
  
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Dragons social creatures and also conform to a social hiearchy as most social creatures do. The are emperor dragons, which is not to say they are the rulers but they are usually the largest of the dragons, unnaturally so. This is probably a mutation as they are extemely rare. 1 in every 5000 dragons may be an emperor or a half emperor. These emperor dragons usually take up the role of leader but in the case that they do not the next in line is a generally respected dragon. This dragon may have to contend for power, either physically, socially, or a mixture of both.
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Unsurprisingly, dragon lore holds that shadow dragons and halfbreeds are in greatest danger of turning Rai. Also rumored to be in danger of instability are dragons of any race who spend unhealthy lengths of time in their humanoid forms.
  
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Female dragons are socially on par with male dragons. The sizes between the two don't vary too much, though males bear more spikes and larger horns. Females can also be leaders and empresess but only 1 in every 9000 is an empress. Females usually entertain smaller, tighter groups over larger, more impersonal ones. Females tend to enjoy conversation and analysis more than the males who enjoy looking at the 'big picture'.
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=== Connotation Two: Outcast ===
  
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=== Outcasts or 'Rai' ===
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The other sense of the word Rai means ''damned'' or ''outcasted.''
  
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It takes quite a bit to be outcast, or in the case of shadow dragons, not much at all. Barring insanity caused by whatever, murder, social corruption at large, and general displays of 'evil' are all reasons that dragons have been outcasted and considered Rai.
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Any dragon can be outcasted, provided they break the rules of their society. Generally it takes a display of something considered truly "evil" or corrupted to deserve such a harsh punishment, but dragon settlements without their own political corruption.
  
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Due to Ryuugami's general love and respect for life and prosperity, shadow dragons are a bit touch and go at being considered as bretheren. The shadow dragons have been characterized by the other breeds as being harsh, cruel, cold and basically evil. On the contrary, the shrewdness, intelligence, and rather blunt nature of the shadow dragons (as well as the reputation of the more evil shadow dragons) have been greatly misinterpreted. If there is any crime they can be committed of, sarcasm would be the greatest.
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Also, again, certain townspeople may be outcasted on lesser offenses; either their offenses are perceived as worse--due to abuse of the town's generosity, or due to actual misperception--or the town views ejecting the offender as legitimate self-defense.
  
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After the Solasian Wars, the dragon community adopted the general belief that Ryuugami had abandoned them entirely and the newer generations calls themselves the 'Rai'. It's a bit of a misnomer but due to the weakness and sparcity of Ryuugami's priesthood and the spread to which the dragons have cast themselves have made efforts to strengthen the dragons have been difficult. -- Neko
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=== Connotation Three: Damned ===
  
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A third meaning of the phrase to have developed translates to ''damned.''  At first, this meaning came into use for application to the entire subrace of shadow dragons--a reference to their situation in dragon society. This is the first time that ''Rai'' has found widespread use amongst shadow dragons themselves, an interesting phenomenom.
  
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[[Category:Stubs]]
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Some of the newest generations of dragons, and some griffons, have taken to calling themselves Rai as well. After the Solasian Wars the dragon community adopted the general belief that Ryuugami had abandoned them entirely, and gave rise to this custom.

Revision as of 18:22, 23 March 2006

In Summary

While the Rai are not a true race of dragons, much of mainstream dragon society itself would like to segregate them as a race apart.

The origins of the term is said by some to trace back to Ryuugami herself, with an original meaning of "beyond redemption." These words are often to be taken with requisite caution, given the questionable objectivity of those making the claims as well as the generally poor recordkeeping track of those in the faith of Ryuugami.

Today in Gaera, the common usage of the phrase usually indicates one of the following meanings: insane, outcast, or damned.

In More Detail

Connotation One: Insane

The phrase Rai is usually used in one of two different senses. The first of these two present-day meanings to develop can be summed up in the equivalent phrase insane.

Theoretically, dragons which have gone insane are no more or less than just that--insane. Given their size and power, they can most certainly be a menace; however, they are not necessarily evil, or for that matter, good.

However, one must keep in mind that rarely does a word keep a dictionary definition, free of bias or connotation. Indeed, Rai is a term such as that dragon society feels a need to try to define it as a separate race. It might come as little surprise that Rai is applied much more inclusively to certain subsects of the dragon population--in particular, it takes much less trespass to "become" Rai if one is a dragon with a an elemental affinity toward the shadow element or if one is a halfbreed with an ancestral enemy race. Meanwhile, a dragon of another kind may be seen as simply assertive, youthfully character-flawed, or perhaps even in deteriorating health--which needs attention and help.

Unsurprisingly, dragon lore holds that shadow dragons and halfbreeds are in greatest danger of turning Rai. Also rumored to be in danger of instability are dragons of any race who spend unhealthy lengths of time in their humanoid forms.

Connotation Two: Outcast

The other sense of the word Rai means damned or outcasted.

Any dragon can be outcasted, provided they break the rules of their society. Generally it takes a display of something considered truly "evil" or corrupted to deserve such a harsh punishment, but dragon settlements without their own political corruption.

Also, again, certain townspeople may be outcasted on lesser offenses; either their offenses are perceived as worse--due to abuse of the town's generosity, or due to actual misperception--or the town views ejecting the offender as legitimate self-defense.

Connotation Three: Damned

A third meaning of the phrase to have developed translates to damned. At first, this meaning came into use for application to the entire subrace of shadow dragons--a reference to their situation in dragon society. This is the first time that Rai has found widespread use amongst shadow dragons themselves, an interesting phenomenom.

Some of the newest generations of dragons, and some griffons, have taken to calling themselves Rai as well. After the Solasian Wars the dragon community adopted the general belief that Ryuugami had abandoned them entirely, and gave rise to this custom.

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