Difference between revisions of "Raen"

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[[File:au ra2.jpg|350px|right]]
[[File:Au Ra raen.png|300px|thumb|right|The Raen have assimilated into Far Eastern culture.]]
[[File:au ra3.jpg|350px|right]]
The [[Raen]] (レン族, "Ren Zoku," meaning "Ren Group") are said to be children of the Dawn Father [[Azim]], the sun god of [[Au Ra|Auri]] creation.<ref name="Raen">''[[Encyclopædia Eorzea]]'' pg. 090-091</ref> Unlike their sister clan, the [[Xaela]], the Raen have embraced a life of tranquility, long abandoning the nomadic lifestyle of their ancestors.<ref name="Lodestone">[https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/heavensward/ FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward]</ref>
[[File:au ra concept1.jpg|350px|right]]
Raen is a clan of [[Au Ra]]. The Raen have been closely related to the Domans for long time, so their names are somewhat Japanese-like.


Raen is introduced in [[Heavensward]].  
==History==
Auri creation myth tells of a world formed by the Dawn Father [[Azim]] and the Dusk Mother [[Nhaama]]. These two deities came to quarrel over which should rule the new world, and created mortals to serve in their war by proxy. These were the first [[Au Ra]]—the [[Raen]], children of the Dawn Father, and the Xaela, the chosen of the Dusk Mother.<ref name="Raen"/>


==Starting Attributes==
Though they waged a bitter struggle in the name of their creators, they eventually put aside their differences and learned to love one another, giving birth to a new generation. On seeing this, Azim and Nhaama returned to the heavens, leaving the world in the custody of their children.<ref name="Raen"/>
{{main|Starting Attributes}}


==Lore==
Believing themselves the children of the Dawn Father, the forebears of the Auri Raen left behind their homeland to settle across [[Othard]]. They were received with hatred and hostility in the early years, until a prominent warlord of [[Yanxia]], impressed with their valor, forged an alliance with the strange race and took them on as retainers.<ref name="Raen"/>
Auri creation myth tells of a Dawn Father and a Dusk Mother from whom all Au Ra are descended. The Raen believe their veins to run thick with the blood of the former─their brilliant white scales and iron wills serving as proof of this divine lineage.<br />Unlike their sister clan, the Xaela, who bloody the land with their endless tribal conflict, the Raen have embraced a life of tranquility and solitude, long abandoning the nomadic lifestyle of their ancestors to settle the deep valleys of Othard's mountainous eastern reaches. Only on rare occasions will one emerge from the valley mists to seek adventure in realms afar.
===Naming Conventions===
If Raen names are based on Japanese names, does this mean that you can name your Auri warrior after your favorite anime character? Of course! You’ve always been able to do that. Does this mean that you can name your Auri warrior after your favorite anime character and still be within the boundaries of Raen naming conventions? Prrrrrrobably not—the main reason being because the names used in a lot of modern manga/anime are just that: modern. The names that we’ve decided to go with for Final Fantasy XIV, are based off of ones that were prevalent between the 16th and 18th centuries. The Miku in Miku Hatsune? That wasn’t around in the 17th century, so (unfortunately), it isn’t name a Raen family would consider for their daughter, no matter how green/cyan her hair.


Old Japanese names had meaning, and because of that, so do Raen names. Hozan is from 宝山, meaning “treasure mountain.” Yugiri is from 夕霧, meaning “evening mist.” So, simply taking some Japanese phonemes and combining them is not an option.
No matter where they came to be, with their innate martial prowess, they readily found employment as soldiers and carved out places for themselves within spheres of authority. Before long, the Raen had assumed a prominent role as warriors in service of countless great warlords, and their members spread across the Far East, from the lands of [[Nagxia]] and beyond [[the Ruby Sea]] to the isles of [[Hingashi]], where they earned a reputation as legendary [[Samurai|swordsmen]].<ref name="Raen"/><ref name="Sui">''[[Encyclopædia Eorzea II]]'' pg. 106</ref>


So, what type of meanings do typical male Raen names have? Here are a few examples:
Yet not all chose this life. Some embraced a life of tranquility and solitude, settling in the deep valleys of Othard's mountainous eastern reaches.<ref name="Lodestone"/> Others still desired to leave conflict behind completely, and availing themselves of [[Kojin]] wisdom, they created a great bubble of air at the bottom of the Ruby Sea, within which they built a village—[[Sui-no-Sato]]. To govern their fledgling society, they founded a system of hereditary rule led by [[Kurenai Shisui|the Ruby Princess]], under whose guidance they live a life of seclusion, away from the turmoils of the surface.<ref name="Sui"/>


*ウンザン(雲山) Unzan (lit. cloud mountain)
==Physical Attributes==
*カイエン(海燕) Kaien (lit. sea swallow -> storm petrel)
The [[Au Ra]] are unique among [[Eorzea|Eorzea's]] races in the extreme height disparity observed between genders. While male Au Ra can reach towering heights of over eighty ilms, females are short and slight, averaging no more than sixty.<ref name="Raen"/>
*イッセ(一畝) Isse (lit. an ancient distance measuring approx. 30 steps)
*ギョウセイ(暁星) Gyosei (lit. the dawn star)
*フウゲツ(風月) Fugetsu (lit. wind moon -> a beautiful scene in nature)


For the most part, they have a strong link to things in nature which are believed to be strong, agile, or even uncontrollable. Farmers and fishers will take the names one step further and implement some form of their profession as well, 荒海 Kokai (lit. rough seas) being an example of this.
Their hardened skin and scaled tails, too, distinguish them clearly from other races.<ref name="Raen"/> The ancestors of the Raen believed their veins to run thick with the blood of [[Azim]]—their brilliant white scales and iron wills serving as proof of this divine lineage.<ref name="Lodestone"/> It is difficult for the tail or horns of an Au Ra to be removed, and they do not fall off periodically, instead growing continuously until they reach a certain size and length. If damaged, whether it be in a fall or in battle, the horns will regrow and repair themselves.<ref name="Fernes">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAVjFzVXA60 Between Two Fernes | FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2016]</ref>


Now on to female forenames. Many female names are based off of plants, weather, birds, or the seasons─words that represent beauty and kindness in the Doman society. Here a few examples:
The Au Ra take great pride in the majestic horns that protrude from the sides of their head, which also serve to enhance their hearing and sense of spatial perception.<ref name="Raen"/> This does not make their hearing better than a [[Lalafell]], and their hearing is generally as good as the average [[Hyur]], but they hear and process sound differently, through the vibration of the air within their horns.<ref name="Fernes"/>


*アジサイ(紫陽花) Ajisai (lit. Hydrangea)
==Culture==
*イザヨイ(十六夜) Izayoi (lit. 16th night -> the 16/17th night of the 8th moon)
The Raen have fully assimilated into the cultures of [[Doma]] and [[Hingashi]], and live faithfully according to the regions' traditions. Because they coexist peacefully with other races to ensure the safety of their own kind, they are generally viewed favorably compared to their [[Xaela]] cousins. Perhaps owing to the status they gained in the service of their warlords, they place particular importance on hierarchy and the master-servant relationship.<ref name="Raen"/>
*クモキリ(雲切) Kumokiri (lit. cloud cutter -> a type of orchid)
*コハル(小春) Koharu (lit. small spring -> an Indian summer)


It goes without saying that the rules stated above are not set in stone. While it is not common, it is not entirely unheard of for a female Raen to have a name that might represent a powerful storm, or for a male to have a name that means “beautiful rose.
As a result of their assimilation into the cultures of the [[Far East]], the Auri Raen are very central to Doman and Hingan culture. While their numbers are relatively low, they make up a great deal of their hierarchies. Common clan names spoken of in Hingashi and Doma refer to predominantly Raen families. As such, much of what can be said of those cultures also applies to the Raen as a culture.<ref>[https://www.twitch.tv/finalfantasyxiv/video/338183730?filter=clips&range=30d Between Two Fernes | FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2018 in Las Vegas]</ref>


Just as is the case with most of the other races, the Raen also have surnames (family names). Unlike their Auri ancestors who employed clan names as surnames, the now-clanless Raen have adopted a more complex practice. Families of the warrior class (and generally the ruling class) are the only people “allowed” surnames in Doma, and they will often take surnames that displayed their battle prowess or position within an army.
Those Raen who have chosen solitude only rarely emerge from the valley mists to seek adventure in realms afar.<ref name="Lodestone"/> The Raen of [[Sui-no-Sato]] shun the world above, and almost never make contact with the surface.<ref name="Sui"/> Life beneath the waters of [[the Ruby Sea]] has given birth to an identity distinct from their land-dwelling kin, governed by [[Kurenai Shisui|the Ruby Princess]] who dwells apart from her subjects in [[Shisui of the Violet Tides]].<ref>''Encyclopædia Eorzea II'' pg. 168</ref>


Some examples of this are as follows:
The Raen generally believe in the [[Kami|kami]], a legion of divine spirits said to exist in all aspects of nature, from mountains and rivers to the crops they grow and consume. These kami feature in several creation myths, though the particulars of each tale differ from region to region. Though some of these divine beings can be likened to personifications of nature, enlightened sages and long-lived animals of legend may also be defined as kami.<ref name="Nations">''Encyclopædia Eorzea II'' pg. 078, 088</ref> It is rare, but possible for some Raen to maintain a belief in [[Azim]].<ref name="Lodestone"/>


*ブヘン(武辺) Buhen (lit. fight valiantly in battle)
==Population==
*ユヅカ(弓束) Yuzuka (lit. bow bundle -> quiver)
Though many of the Auri Raen occupy prominent roles in the [[Far East]], they remain relatively uncommon compared to other races of the region. They make up only around ten percent of the population of [[Hingashi]] and [[Doma]].<ref name="Nations"/>
*グンジ(軍侍) Gunji (lit. army samurai/warrior -> soldier)
*ヤツルギ(八剣) Yatsurugi (lit. eight blades)
*オビナタ(帯刀) Obinata (lit. blades on waist -> carrying two blades meant one was a warrior)


Though the names are not recognized by the ruling class, families of the merchant and peasant classes will still give themselves surnames as to make their everyday lives easier─the names reflecting their professions.
They are also known to dwell in the dense jungles of [[Nagxia]], and a select group of Raen has founded a civilization beneath [[the Ruby Sea]] in the village of [[Sui-no-Sato]] and the palace of [[Shisui of the Violet Tides]].<ref name="Sui"/> A small population of Raen—those exiled or fleeing persecution—also dwell among the Malaguld tribe of [[Xaela]].<ref name="Naming">[http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/63112-Race-Naming-Conventions?p=3039574&viewfull=1#post3039574 Race Naming Conventions]</ref>


Some examples are:
==Nomenclature==
*モトカワ(原皮) → 猟師や革細工職人など
Surnames occupy a special position in [[Far East|Eastern]] culture—an honor afforded only to aristocrats, warlords, and the [[Samurai|samurai]] class. Many are derived from the names of weapons or military ranks, as symbols of their martial prowess, with examples including "Buhen" ("fight valiantly in battle"), "Yatsurugi" ("eight blades"), and "Obinata" ("blades on waist"). Though not officially recognized, many members of the subordinate classes sport self-bestowed epithets which are often—but not always—derived from their profession or place of origin.<ref name="Raen"/> For example, a merchant may take on the name "Naeuri" ("seedling seller") and a farmer or hunter may use "Torioi" ("bird chaser") as a surname.<ref name="Naming"/>
Motokawa (lit. origin skin) Used by hunters and tanners
*ヌシヤ(塗師屋) → 漆器職人や漆器商人など
Nushiya (lit. paint master store) Used by lacquer painters and sellers of lacquered goods
*ナエウリ(苗売)→ 農民や苗を売る商人など
Naeuri (lit. seedling seller) Used by farmers and sellers of seedlings
*カサヌイ(笠縫) → 笠を作る職人など
Kasanui (lit. umbrella weaver) Used by umbrella makers
*トリオイ(鳥追) → 農民や猟師など
Torioi (lit. bird chaser) Used by farmers and hunters


Now for the kicker.
Far Eastern given names are taken from the natural world, with male names generally inspired by strong, uncontrollable forces (mountains, seas, animals, or the elements) and female names chosen from plants, seasons, animals, and similarly beautiful and elegant things. For example, males may be named "Unzan" ("cloud mountain") or "Gyosei" ("the dawn star") while females may have names such as "Ajisai" ("Hydrangea") or "Koharu" ("small spring").<ref name="Raen"/><ref name="Naming"/>


Many of you who are aware of Japanese names, know that the surname is usually written before the forename (think Watanabe Ken in Japan vs. Ken Watanabe in the U.S.). What then, is the case with the Raen? In Doma, name order is as follows:
In their native land, people of the Far East place their surnames before their forenames with the Far Eastern conjuntion "no" meaning "of" between them. [[Yuki Yatsurugi|Yatsurugi no Yuki]], for example. However, as the majority of races in [[Eorzea]] place their given names before their surnames, people of the Far East follow the Eorzean order while visiting the realm. As such, "Yuki Yatsurugi" is the common rendition of the Far Eastern name.<ref name="Naming"/>


ヤツルギ(八剣)家のユキ(雪)
Moreover, while there exists extended vowels in the Far Eastern tongue, these are not rendered in Eorzean writing. For example, the name "Hozan"—made up of the four phenomes "ho," "u," "za," "n"—omits the extraneous "u" from its spelling when rendered in Eorzean script. Similar fine points of pronunciation are ignored in names, such as hyphenation or apostrophes, but are present in compound words that consist of the first word ending and second word beginning with a vowel (such as "sune-ate," meaning "shin-guard").<ref name="Naming"/>


Yatsurugi no Yuki -> Yuki of the Yatsurugi family
Additionally, the Raen of [[Sui-no-Sato]] universally use the surname "Sui" meaning "water" with the sole exception of [[Kurenai Shisui|the Ruby Princess]] who uses the name "Shisui" meaning "violet water."


Surname X + no + Forename Y -> Y of the X family
These naming conventions also apply to the [[Hyur]] and [[Roegadyn]] of the Far East, such as [[Hien Rijin]] and [[Gosetsu Daito]].


(‘no’ being the Raen (and hey, also Japanese) word for ‘of’)
Far Eastern names such as those used by the Raen are based on named used in 17th century Japan.<ref name="Naming"/>


However. Domans, knowing that the majority of races in Eorzea place their given names before their surnames, will follow the Eorzean order while visiting the realm. So Yuki Yatsurugi would be the common rendition of the Doman name.
====Male Forename Examples====
Akagi, Baien, Byakubu, Doware, Ensetsu, Fugetsu, Fukudo, Genbu, Gosetsu, Gyodo, Gyokusei, Hansaku, Hayabusa, Hien, Hiun, Hojo, Isse, Izuna, Kagero, Kagetora, Kaien, Kamui, Kansui, Karaku, Kasasagi, Kazan, Keiho, Keimei, Keiten, Kongo, Kyokuho, Masatsuchi, Motogoe, Murakumo, Nawashiro, Raiden, Rakuyo, Ransetsu, Rasho, Rino, Ryosen, Sagan, Saiun, Sakyo, Senryo, Sentei, Shiden, Shinto, Shiranami, Shirojishi, Shiun, Tansui, Tosetsu, Tougen, Tsukikage, Udoku, Ugan, Ugetsu, Ukyo, Unryu, Unzan, Usefushi, Yabusame, Yomei, Yusui, Zansei, Zansetsu, Zuiko


What about spellings!?
====Female Forename Examples====
Ajisai, Anzu, Aoi, Atori, Awayuki, Ayame, Azami, Azena, Botan, Chidori, Chigusa, Chihaya, Enrei, Furan, Haname, Hazakura, Hibari, Ibara, Ibuki, Isuka, Izayoi, Kaede, Kagetsu, Kasumi, Kikusui, Kikyo, Kogyoku, Koharu, Komachi, Koruri, Kotokaze, Kototsuki, Kozakura, Kuina, Kumokiri, Kurenai, Mahiwa, Makoto, Mana, Manazuru, Mine, Misago, Mitsuba, Mizuki, Mozu, Narumi, Natsume, Ochimi, Sayo, Sazanami, Seika, Sekka, Shion, Sui, Sumire, Suzume, Tobana, Tsubaki, Tsugumi, Ume, Uto, Waka, Yachiyo, Yayoi, Yomi, Yozakura, Yuki, Zakuro


For FFXIV, we have decided to use the Hepburn method of Romanizing Japanese. The Auri names you see in the game, as well as any other words based on Japanese (ninja actions, items from the Far East, etc.) will be spelled using the Hepburn rules. What are those rules? You can find them easily on that fantabulous set of tubes known as the Internets. Just pop in “Hepburn Romaji” and let your browser of choice do the rest.
====Surname Examples====
Abumi, Akagane, Akiudo, Aogane, Bakuro, Banjo, Benitoki, Bugai, Buhen, Bunja, Chosai, Daisho, Daito, Dejiki, Doshin, Edakumi, Fukiku, Furukane, Gakunin, Gakuto, Godo, Gunji, Gyoji, Hagane, Hakuuchi, Hatasashi, Ishiku, Iteya, Ittetsu, Jizutsu, Kabuto, Kaifu, Kaisuri, Kaneuchi, Kanshi, Kasanui, Kataribe, Kaujin, Kawanami, Kazarishi, Kensaki, Kiba, Kodakumi, Kogane, Kurogane, Kusakari, Kusushi, Maibito, Meiken, Mihata, Miyumi, Mizuhiki, Musa, Naeuri, Nagae, Obinata, Okeya, Onishi, Oshidari, Oshiga, Ritsuso, Rokuyari, Sakimuri, Sarugaku, Sashihai, Shibunuri, Shikibu, Shirogane, Tabito, Tachikake, Tanshi, Tatewaki, Torioi, Tosho, Tsurugi, Tsuwamono, Urabe, Urabito, Ushikai, Yatsurugi, Yumishi, Yumite, Yumitori, Yuzuka


For those of you who want to go really hardcore, you can also follow our in-game rules for dealing with the ‘U’ following an ‘O’.
==Notable Raen==
*[[Yugiri Mistwalker]]
*[[Kurenai Shisui]]
*[[Yuki Yatsurugi]]
*[[Mikoto Jinba]]
*[[Shiosai Sui]]
*[[Tsukikage Urabe]]
*[[Ichian Matsuba]]


Let’s take 宝山 (Hozan) from before.
==Notes and Trivia==
*The ''[[Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward]]'' official website and in-game character creation make no mention of the Raen being common in [[Doma]] and [[Hingashi]]. This has caused some confusion among players regarding where the clan is commonly found, compounded by their relative rarity in [[Kugane]] and [[Yanxia]].
**The [[Endwalker]] expansion revealed that large numbers of Raen migrated to [[Thavnair]] in the past, where they befriended the local [[Arkasodara]].
*The horns of Raen are simultaneously said to grant them enhanced hearing yet also said to grant them no better hearing than the average Hyur.
*It is implied that [[Zantetsuken]] was originally wielded by an [[Au Ra|Auri]] warrior who was the first ever to notch [[Odin|Odin's]] plate armor. Given the name, it is likely this warrior would be a Raen, presuming the legend is accurate.<ref>[[Wind-up Odin]]</ref>


The Japanese can be broken down into 4 phonemes ほうざん or HO, U, ZA, and N.
==References==
 
<references/>
Why not write the name Houzan, then?
 
While that is one acceptable way of Romanizing the word, it’s not the method we’ve chosen for XIV.
 
We’ve chosen to omit the ‘u’ so that someone without knowledge of the Japanese language can pronounce the word in a manner that is close to the original Japanese pronunciation. In English, the ‘ou’ vowel combination is most of the time pronounced like ‘OW’ (as in ‘out’ or ‘ouch’). The う (U) in Japanese, when following an ‘O’ sound, instead extends the long vowel. In this case the short HO, becomes a slightly longer HO (like ‘hoe’). Removing the ‘u’ from Houzan and making it simply ‘Hozan’ creates a spelling that, when read by someone who doesn’t know about that magical Japanese ‘u,’ will sound similar to the Japanese pronunciation (Hoe-zan, instead of How-zan). Yes, this method is not without its flaws (that slight difference between a long ‘O’ and an extended long ‘O’ is lost), but it’s the one we’ve maintained since XI days, and have found that (for the most part) it works well.
 
We also will not be using hyphens or apostrophes in Raen names. This (as always) does not mean that you cannot use them if you wish, but know that in-game NPC names will go without them. Neither will we be using macrons (vowels with horizontal lines over them), because they don’t exist in our in-game font set. Acute users will notice that some in-game items from the Far East will have hyphens in them. Hyphens are used very rarely and only when a compound word that consists the first word ending and the second word beginning in a vowel (for example 脛当 sune-ate = lit. shin-guard). However, as many of you may have already noticed, hyphens are unfortunately not allowed in player names.


{{Playable Races}}
{{Playable Races}}
[[Category:Au Ra]][[Category:Raen]]

Latest revision as of 17:53, 16 October 2022

The Raen have assimilated into Far Eastern culture.

The Raen (レン族, "Ren Zoku," meaning "Ren Group") are said to be children of the Dawn Father Azim, the sun god of Auri creation.[1] Unlike their sister clan, the Xaela, the Raen have embraced a life of tranquility, long abandoning the nomadic lifestyle of their ancestors.[2]

History

Auri creation myth tells of a world formed by the Dawn Father Azim and the Dusk Mother Nhaama. These two deities came to quarrel over which should rule the new world, and created mortals to serve in their war by proxy. These were the first Au Ra—the Raen, children of the Dawn Father, and the Xaela, the chosen of the Dusk Mother.[1]

Though they waged a bitter struggle in the name of their creators, they eventually put aside their differences and learned to love one another, giving birth to a new generation. On seeing this, Azim and Nhaama returned to the heavens, leaving the world in the custody of their children.[1]

Believing themselves the children of the Dawn Father, the forebears of the Auri Raen left behind their homeland to settle across Othard. They were received with hatred and hostility in the early years, until a prominent warlord of Yanxia, impressed with their valor, forged an alliance with the strange race and took them on as retainers.[1]

No matter where they came to be, with their innate martial prowess, they readily found employment as soldiers and carved out places for themselves within spheres of authority. Before long, the Raen had assumed a prominent role as warriors in service of countless great warlords, and their members spread across the Far East, from the lands of Nagxia and beyond the Ruby Sea to the isles of Hingashi, where they earned a reputation as legendary swordsmen.[1][3]

Yet not all chose this life. Some embraced a life of tranquility and solitude, settling in the deep valleys of Othard's mountainous eastern reaches.[2] Others still desired to leave conflict behind completely, and availing themselves of Kojin wisdom, they created a great bubble of air at the bottom of the Ruby Sea, within which they built a village—Sui-no-Sato. To govern their fledgling society, they founded a system of hereditary rule led by the Ruby Princess, under whose guidance they live a life of seclusion, away from the turmoils of the surface.[3]

Physical Attributes

The Au Ra are unique among Eorzea's races in the extreme height disparity observed between genders. While male Au Ra can reach towering heights of over eighty ilms, females are short and slight, averaging no more than sixty.[1]

Their hardened skin and scaled tails, too, distinguish them clearly from other races.[1] The ancestors of the Raen believed their veins to run thick with the blood of Azim—their brilliant white scales and iron wills serving as proof of this divine lineage.[2] It is difficult for the tail or horns of an Au Ra to be removed, and they do not fall off periodically, instead growing continuously until they reach a certain size and length. If damaged, whether it be in a fall or in battle, the horns will regrow and repair themselves.[4]

The Au Ra take great pride in the majestic horns that protrude from the sides of their head, which also serve to enhance their hearing and sense of spatial perception.[1] This does not make their hearing better than a Lalafell, and their hearing is generally as good as the average Hyur, but they hear and process sound differently, through the vibration of the air within their horns.[4]

Culture

The Raen have fully assimilated into the cultures of Doma and Hingashi, and live faithfully according to the regions' traditions. Because they coexist peacefully with other races to ensure the safety of their own kind, they are generally viewed favorably compared to their Xaela cousins. Perhaps owing to the status they gained in the service of their warlords, they place particular importance on hierarchy and the master-servant relationship.[1]

As a result of their assimilation into the cultures of the Far East, the Auri Raen are very central to Doman and Hingan culture. While their numbers are relatively low, they make up a great deal of their hierarchies. Common clan names spoken of in Hingashi and Doma refer to predominantly Raen families. As such, much of what can be said of those cultures also applies to the Raen as a culture.[5]

Those Raen who have chosen solitude only rarely emerge from the valley mists to seek adventure in realms afar.[2] The Raen of Sui-no-Sato shun the world above, and almost never make contact with the surface.[3] Life beneath the waters of the Ruby Sea has given birth to an identity distinct from their land-dwelling kin, governed by the Ruby Princess who dwells apart from her subjects in Shisui of the Violet Tides.[6]

The Raen generally believe in the kami, a legion of divine spirits said to exist in all aspects of nature, from mountains and rivers to the crops they grow and consume. These kami feature in several creation myths, though the particulars of each tale differ from region to region. Though some of these divine beings can be likened to personifications of nature, enlightened sages and long-lived animals of legend may also be defined as kami.[7] It is rare, but possible for some Raen to maintain a belief in Azim.[2]

Population

Though many of the Auri Raen occupy prominent roles in the Far East, they remain relatively uncommon compared to other races of the region. They make up only around ten percent of the population of Hingashi and Doma.[7]

They are also known to dwell in the dense jungles of Nagxia, and a select group of Raen has founded a civilization beneath the Ruby Sea in the village of Sui-no-Sato and the palace of Shisui of the Violet Tides.[3] A small population of Raen—those exiled or fleeing persecution—also dwell among the Malaguld tribe of Xaela.[8]

Nomenclature

Surnames occupy a special position in Eastern culture—an honor afforded only to aristocrats, warlords, and the samurai class. Many are derived from the names of weapons or military ranks, as symbols of their martial prowess, with examples including "Buhen" ("fight valiantly in battle"), "Yatsurugi" ("eight blades"), and "Obinata" ("blades on waist"). Though not officially recognized, many members of the subordinate classes sport self-bestowed epithets which are often—but not always—derived from their profession or place of origin.[1] For example, a merchant may take on the name "Naeuri" ("seedling seller") and a farmer or hunter may use "Torioi" ("bird chaser") as a surname.[8]

Far Eastern given names are taken from the natural world, with male names generally inspired by strong, uncontrollable forces (mountains, seas, animals, or the elements) and female names chosen from plants, seasons, animals, and similarly beautiful and elegant things. For example, males may be named "Unzan" ("cloud mountain") or "Gyosei" ("the dawn star") while females may have names such as "Ajisai" ("Hydrangea") or "Koharu" ("small spring").[1][8]

In their native land, people of the Far East place their surnames before their forenames with the Far Eastern conjuntion "no" meaning "of" between them. Yatsurugi no Yuki, for example. However, as the majority of races in Eorzea place their given names before their surnames, people of the Far East follow the Eorzean order while visiting the realm. As such, "Yuki Yatsurugi" is the common rendition of the Far Eastern name.[8]

Moreover, while there exists extended vowels in the Far Eastern tongue, these are not rendered in Eorzean writing. For example, the name "Hozan"—made up of the four phenomes "ho," "u," "za," "n"—omits the extraneous "u" from its spelling when rendered in Eorzean script. Similar fine points of pronunciation are ignored in names, such as hyphenation or apostrophes, but are present in compound words that consist of the first word ending and second word beginning with a vowel (such as "sune-ate," meaning "shin-guard").[8]

Additionally, the Raen of Sui-no-Sato universally use the surname "Sui" meaning "water" with the sole exception of the Ruby Princess who uses the name "Shisui" meaning "violet water."

These naming conventions also apply to the Hyur and Roegadyn of the Far East, such as Hien Rijin and Gosetsu Daito.

Far Eastern names such as those used by the Raen are based on named used in 17th century Japan.[8]

Male Forename Examples

Akagi, Baien, Byakubu, Doware, Ensetsu, Fugetsu, Fukudo, Genbu, Gosetsu, Gyodo, Gyokusei, Hansaku, Hayabusa, Hien, Hiun, Hojo, Isse, Izuna, Kagero, Kagetora, Kaien, Kamui, Kansui, Karaku, Kasasagi, Kazan, Keiho, Keimei, Keiten, Kongo, Kyokuho, Masatsuchi, Motogoe, Murakumo, Nawashiro, Raiden, Rakuyo, Ransetsu, Rasho, Rino, Ryosen, Sagan, Saiun, Sakyo, Senryo, Sentei, Shiden, Shinto, Shiranami, Shirojishi, Shiun, Tansui, Tosetsu, Tougen, Tsukikage, Udoku, Ugan, Ugetsu, Ukyo, Unryu, Unzan, Usefushi, Yabusame, Yomei, Yusui, Zansei, Zansetsu, Zuiko

Female Forename Examples

Ajisai, Anzu, Aoi, Atori, Awayuki, Ayame, Azami, Azena, Botan, Chidori, Chigusa, Chihaya, Enrei, Furan, Haname, Hazakura, Hibari, Ibara, Ibuki, Isuka, Izayoi, Kaede, Kagetsu, Kasumi, Kikusui, Kikyo, Kogyoku, Koharu, Komachi, Koruri, Kotokaze, Kototsuki, Kozakura, Kuina, Kumokiri, Kurenai, Mahiwa, Makoto, Mana, Manazuru, Mine, Misago, Mitsuba, Mizuki, Mozu, Narumi, Natsume, Ochimi, Sayo, Sazanami, Seika, Sekka, Shion, Sui, Sumire, Suzume, Tobana, Tsubaki, Tsugumi, Ume, Uto, Waka, Yachiyo, Yayoi, Yomi, Yozakura, Yuki, Zakuro

Surname Examples

Abumi, Akagane, Akiudo, Aogane, Bakuro, Banjo, Benitoki, Bugai, Buhen, Bunja, Chosai, Daisho, Daito, Dejiki, Doshin, Edakumi, Fukiku, Furukane, Gakunin, Gakuto, Godo, Gunji, Gyoji, Hagane, Hakuuchi, Hatasashi, Ishiku, Iteya, Ittetsu, Jizutsu, Kabuto, Kaifu, Kaisuri, Kaneuchi, Kanshi, Kasanui, Kataribe, Kaujin, Kawanami, Kazarishi, Kensaki, Kiba, Kodakumi, Kogane, Kurogane, Kusakari, Kusushi, Maibito, Meiken, Mihata, Miyumi, Mizuhiki, Musa, Naeuri, Nagae, Obinata, Okeya, Onishi, Oshidari, Oshiga, Ritsuso, Rokuyari, Sakimuri, Sarugaku, Sashihai, Shibunuri, Shikibu, Shirogane, Tabito, Tachikake, Tanshi, Tatewaki, Torioi, Tosho, Tsurugi, Tsuwamono, Urabe, Urabito, Ushikai, Yatsurugi, Yumishi, Yumite, Yumitori, Yuzuka

Notable Raen

Notes and Trivia

  • The Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward official website and in-game character creation make no mention of the Raen being common in Doma and Hingashi. This has caused some confusion among players regarding where the clan is commonly found, compounded by their relative rarity in Kugane and Yanxia.
    • The Endwalker expansion revealed that large numbers of Raen migrated to Thavnair in the past, where they befriended the local Arkasodara.
  • The horns of Raen are simultaneously said to grant them enhanced hearing yet also said to grant them no better hearing than the average Hyur.
  • It is implied that Zantetsuken was originally wielded by an Auri warrior who was the first ever to notch Odin's plate armor. Given the name, it is likely this warrior would be a Raen, presuming the legend is accurate.[9]

References