Ryujin

Dragons of the Deep

The Ryūjin are the dragon deities of Yamato’s seas and rivers, embodiments of the ocean’s dual nature: nurturing yet merciless. They appear in two forms — as elegant humans marked by horns, antlers, or shimmering scales, and as immense, antlered sea serpents whose movements churn the waters. Dwelling in rivaling yet often cordial clans beneath the waves, the Ryūjin value strength, wisdom, and balance above all.

Young Ryūjin are sent into the world as part of their rite of passage, learning the ways of mortals and returning with knowledge to elevate their clans. Some serve as mentors, guardians, or companions to those who respect the sea’s laws, but they are prideful beings quick to punish arrogance or greed. Their power commands storms, calms tempests, and stirs the very currents, making them both protectors and destroyers.

For the people of Yamato, the Ryūjin are more than divine figures — they are constant presences, watching from the surf and reminding all that life itself flows with the tide: to live is to respect the waters, or risk being swept away.

The Ryujin, dragon-blooded sea guardians, dwell in Nagisato, a coastal city where ocean and land entwine. They command the tides, safeguard ports, and bless fishermen with bountiful harvests. Their presence in Yokai Haven ensures balance between landbound yokai and ocean spirits, acting as mediators when disputes arise. Proud yet benevolent, Ryujin maintain Yamato’s bond to the sea, their role one of stewardship over storms, tides, and maritime prosperity.

The Ryūjin are the draconic folk of Yamato, beings touched by the spirit of dragons and revered as manifestations of divine natural power. They are guardians of balance, rulers of storms, and keepers of ancient knowledge, often seen as intermediaries between the celestial and the earthly realms. Where others must pray to the kami, the Ryūjin are considered kin to them—living embodiments of Yamato’s deepest natural forces. Their presence inspires awe and reverence, and their voices are said to carry the weight of thunder and tide.

Physicality and Appearance: Ryūjin are tall and graceful and look very similar to humans in their humanoid forms, but their bodies are marked with shimmering scales that range in color from ocean blues and stormy greys to molten golds and jade greens. Their eyes gleam with a reptilian intensity, often glowing faintly in the dark like lanterns. They can even have slit-pupilled eyes, similar to the snake like Hebi. And they always show their Horns, often antler-like crests frame their faces, giving them a regal appearance. Some bear tails, others sport clawed hands, and many can breathe sparks of elemental energy when provoked. They also have a long slit tongue. Their presence radiates dignity and weight, even when dressed simply, for they carry the aura of storms and sea. When Ryujin come of age they learn to morph into their respective dragonform, looking mostly like antlered sea serpents with whiskers. Their dragonform is massive and allows them to transport up to 6 people on their backs. Or in thei claws, if their serpent dragonform has as many. They can fly through the air, above water and while they do their bodies spiral elegantly in the wind. They can become very fast while flying, swimming or diving.

Way of Living: Ryūjin often live in coastal enclaves, hidden underwater shrines, or hidden valleys steeped in mist. Their homes are elegant yet restrained, designed to blend with natural surroundings rather than dominate them. Flowing water features, windchimes, and carved dragon motifs are common, as are treasures—pearls, ancient relics, and items of spiritual significance. They value serenity and harmony, balancing their natural majesty with humility. While they can live among humans and other folk, many prefer semi-secluded lives, emerging to advise, mediate, or lead when balance in Yamato is threatened.

Societal Values and Behavior: Honor, wisdom, pride, confidence and responsibility are the cornerstones of Ryūjin life. They see themselves as stewards rather than rulers, entrusted with guiding others through storms—literal and metaphorical. Arrogance is a dangerous flaw among them, for a Ryūjin who believes themselves above mortals risks becoming tyrannical. Thus, humility and discipline as well as resolve are heavily emphasized in their teachings, though not all succeed in embodying it. In public, Ryūjin carry themselves with composure and dignity, speaking with measure and straight to the point. They often prefer efficiency and practicality over useless debate, but value diplomacy nonetheless. In private, they can be surprisingly warm, playful, or deeply contemplative, showing the duality of storm and calm that defines them.

Spirituality and the Kami: The Ryūjin see themselves as close kin to the sea and storm kami, often serving as their chosen representatives in Yamato. They believe in maintaining harmony between heaven, earth, and water, acting as mediators between mortals and spirits. Rituals of purification, storm-calming, and tide-blessing are central to their role, and many Ryūjin dedicate their lives to serving in temples or shrines. Unlike Tanuki’s playful reverence or Kitsune’s mystical devotion, the Ryūjin approach spirituality as a solemn duty, their prayers resonating like thunder through temple halls.

Family and Comradeship: Ryūjin families are structured but nurturing, placing great importance on lineage and legacy. Children are raised with stories of dragons, storms, and balance, taught from an early age that their power carries responsibility. Families often form close-knit clans, with elders serving as guides and mediators for both kin and outsiders. Comradeship is expressed through loyalty and guardianship: to be a friend of a Ryūjin is to be under their protection, though they expect sincerity and respect in return. They form bonds slowly but keep them for life, mirroring the enduring tides.

Fashion and Aesthetics: Ryūjin favor flowing robes, layered garments, and intricate sashes that mimic waves, clouds, or scales. Colors of deep blue, silver, jade, and gold are common, often adorned with motifs of dragons, storms, or seafoam. Jewelry crafted from pearls, coral, or polished jade is prized, not as vanity but as a reflection of their heritage. Their aesthetic is both regal and natural, designed to emphasize grace rather than excess. In ceremonial roles, they often wear ornate dragon masks or crested headdresses, embodying their celestial kinship.

Traditions and Rituals: The Rite of Tides marks a Ryūjin’s coming of age, where they must endure a storm or dive into the sea to retrieve a sacred pearl or relic, proving their resilience and harmony with nature. There is also The Rite of Passage, where a young Ryujin who just came of age, must travel the world and learn and bring back knowledge, wisdom and insights home to strengthen their clan. Festivals of storm and harvest often see Ryūjin leading processions, calling rain for crops or calming winds for safe travel. For funerals, Ryūjin send their dead to sea or mountain heights, believing their spirits rise with storms to join the celestial dragons. Music, especially flutes and drums, is central to their rituals, echoing wind and thunder.

Public vs. Private Conduct: In public, Ryūjin project dignity, serenity, and an almost intimidating calm. They rarely jest, rarely lose composure, and rarely act rashly, knowing that their image carries symbolic weight. In private, however, Ryūjin reveal the fluidity of their nature: some are contemplative philosophers, others playful and affectionate, even mischievous in a quiet way. . Among family and trusted friends, they may laugh, sing, or display temper, but always in balance. Like storms, they are unpredictable in intimacy—calm one moment, fierce the next. They hide a deep passion, sensivity and untamed wildness, similar to the Oni, which they share especially with their romantic partners, but also friends they trust deeply.

Relations with Others: Humans often revere Ryūjin as demigods or sages, seeking their counsel in times of crisis. Oni respect their strength but find their restraint frustrating. Okami admire their sense of duty, though sometimes find their aloofness and prideful tendencies difficult. Kitsune see them as powerful but overly serious, while Tanuki love to poke fun at their solemnity, often attempting to draw out their hidden playful side. Despite these differences, the Ryūjin are widely respected—few dare oppose them, for to anger a dragon is to invite storm and ruin.