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[color=silver][i][b]"Thunder roars but does not strike. Lightning strikes but does not roar."[/b][/i][/color][/center]

[color=gray][i]A nation once poised and postured to become the nation to tower among the rest, quickly fell from grace. The inhabitants of Kumogakure were a proud people said to be the original children of the world. The nation was quickly thrown into disarray after the formation of a Tetrarchy thus discarding the rules of old. Corruption, greed, and lust managed to eroded and seep into the annals of Kumo history, leaving no victor in sight. Torn asunder by a stagnating amount of resources and the onslaught of a friend turned foe in Iwa, the principality of Kumo had split into four powerful Dynasties in service to the God of Lighting, Raijin. The once great nation is kept alive by war and strife, one day seeking to reunite as a united superpower. [/i]

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[center][h3][b]History[/b][/h3][/center]
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[b]Raijin’s Dynasties[/b], before there could ever have been the amalgamation of separate dynasties, there was one ruling faction, Kumogakure. The village hidden in the clouds was created around the same time as the rest of the major ruling villages. “A” had brought his nomadic people to settle in the land of lightning, their tribal people had believed that they were the first humans to have graced the planet, the true ancient nation. Everyone else excluding the gods had evolved from them, hence why their distinct skin color was a rare sight outside of their faction.  

Having seen the effects of war sparking from Senju and Uchiha, the people of Kumo saw it as god chastising them for their disobedience. For the sake of retribution the tribes sought sanctity within the mountain tops. The mountains and clouds brought them geographical safety and advantage among the rest, while also allowing them to be closer to their god. 


[b]The First Shinobi Great War[/b], Konoha in all its might and glory had decided to spread its borders outwards entrenching on the other villages. With impeccable timing as the death of the legendary A had transpired. The next leader would be through lineage, being passed down to the next of kin, a son being necessity. The new leader took the mantle of A and moved his people forward. Kumogakure had switched their devout beliefs into that of Raijin, the thunder god. Like that of Raijin, the people of Kumo were charged with the protection of the ninja world. Having seen the throne of power Konoha sat on, in addition to their volatile arsenal of Kekkei Genkai, Kumogakure saw it best to seek an immediate alliance in order to dispose of such a threat and bring resounding peace back into the world. 

With their rapid and explosive advancement and growth, Ayame Kuzen sought out their allegiance in shifting the tide of battle. With the cacophonous sound of raging war drums, the armies of Kumogakure descended from the mountains like a lightning bolt sent from Raijin himself. Forces were depleted on both sides, heavy causalities would soon hinder the growth and succession the Cloud Village had hit in stride. Regardless, the ninja of the cloud had done their duty in assisting Iwa in defeating the monopoly that was Konoha. 

[b]Schism I: The Tetrarchy[/b], The Second Raikage had fallen terminally ill as a result from the first shinobi war. Having given birth to no sons, and one daughter, A saw it in his best interest to severe the ties that bound hereditary rite of passage as to dissect any truly heinous rulers to take root simply by having shared the same blood. Instead, A had split the chair into a Tetrarchy (Leadership of Four People). With this the cloud would be governed by four individuals. With the schism of power, eventually the clans would begin to diversify and pledge their allegiance to their own leaders. Instead of being called A or B, each clan had decided to take the names of Raijin. The Second Raikage’s only living relative, nephew, would be appointed Raijin having had the claim of blood. The Second clan would adorn the title Raiden. The Third clan taking the name of Kaminari, and the Fourth taking the name Narukami. Little did A know, this would be the start of a long separation of the once untied Cloud. 

[b]Revengeance[/b], as the four thunder and lightning tribes happily coexisted, there was one leader to stand out among the rest, Raiden. While Raiden wasn’t his name, he simply went by the mantle, while the others were content with the structure of Kumogakure, Raiden was not. Entranced by the power Konoha once held, Raiden sought to unite the four tribes once more and begin territorial expansion on a grand scale. No one paid him idle mind as he began to seize small land little by little, his army had slowly and steadily begun to rise. Piece by Piece the military strategist began to encroach and take over land outside of Kumogakure, breaking the treaties they had with the smaller villages surrounding them. Eventually Raiden would unite the peninsula that was Land of Lightning and press into surrounding territories. Who could deny the might of Raiden and his countless victories? 


[b]The Assassination of Hikari Kuzen[/b], with the rise of Raiden leading the charge, his power was overshadowing the other three clans as a senate. While people were all for the expansion and colonization of the free world, others wanted to seize power back and stop their modest republic from turning into an empire. Not that the other villages would allow Kumo to rise as Konoha did regardless. A shadow faction was created to plant the seeds of rebellion and the demise of Raiden. He was too heavily guarded and in favor to assassinate him themselves. Instead they would have to garnish his favor, but how? That was when the poisonous idea of assassinating their longest standing and expansive ally, Iwa. This was the beginning of the flourishing of Kumogakure’s signature jutsu. What would be the infancy of the Lightening release armour would be the key to pulling off such a high profile assassination. 

The head of the third clan or Narukami (Rolling Spirit) would task himself with the deed, having intimate knowledge of their layout due to the first shinobi war. With the aid of the novice LRA, Narukami would strike the vein to incur the idea of war, leaving behind an intentional scorch mark in order to lay blame at the warmongering leader’s feet. This was all it took for Raiden to allow the shadow faction into his trusted circle of advisors. 


[b]Schism 2: Lightning Strikes Twice[/b], after the assassination of Hikari Kuzen the expansion Raiden set out on had been grinded to a screeching halt. It was easy for poisoned words to fill the heads of the population. Raiden’s tactics and decision to go behind the peoples back to assassinate a powerful ally was most distasteful. The false claims gave fruit to a frustration and anger in Raiden. As leader he exercised his right to do as he pleased with no questions asked. Favor for Raiden began to steadily sap like a tree bleeding syrup. Eventually, Raiden was to call and hold council to speak to the other leaders, however on his way into the forum would be the last steps he’d ever take. Surrounded with no exit, Raiden was grabbed viciously, before he retaliated and killed the man who had kunai brandished. Having realized the ambush taking place, Raiden did his best to riposte the attack. Unfortunately the numbers were too much and one by one, members of the forum stabbed Raiden to death with their kunai in hand. 

This prompted a short lived civil war between Raiden supporters and other clansmen, eventually the clans isolated themselves and become their own sovereign nations with no interaction outside of constant skirmishes in order to conquer under one ideology. While this was detrimental as a whole, there was one benefit to the four tribes creating their own societies. The jutsu. Each clan had become specialized in their own unique jutsu. The Narukami had perfect the LRA that brought the rise of rebellion. The Kaminari had mastered the use of Black Lightning. The Raiden Clan had pioneered Storm Release. And finally the Raijin clan, the Raijin clan had mastered the Hell Stab and Lariat, but also another unknown jutsu that had yet to be seen by anyone outside of their domain. 


[b]The Second Great Shinobi War[/b], having been split apart and left to their own devices, Iwa would have not forgotten the assassination of their great leader nor would they lay the blame of The Incident of the Land of Bones at any ones feet, but Kumogakure. Yet, Kumogakure was no more, the Raijin’s Dynasties were tribal groups branded as savages since their territory left them short on resources or growth. Constant battle between Iwa and the dispersed clans proved to be too taxing for anyone clan to survive. In their own way without parlaying a treaty the tribes focused their attacks together to demonstrate they still had the power of a nation, simply fractured. Eventually talks of peace would be bartered between the leaf and stone, which allowed Kumo to be left alone until present times.  


[b]The Current Leaders are Known by Title[/b].

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[center][h3][b]Structure[/b][/h3][/center]
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While each tribe is different, the structure is more or less the same as tradition allows it. While the government isn’t a full democracy, it still holds some semblance. Each tribe has a council of elders that are in charge of a different trade within their village. Whether it be agriculture, military, or education, there exists an elder that is able to sit at the table with the King of Thunder and Lightning. 

While the Second Raikage had sought to destroy the process of shifting power to next of kin, the Raijin tribes had brought it back, under different circumstances. Unlike before, a leader could be challenged for power by any citizen within their walls. Crown by lineage would exist once more, but now a son could be challenged by any person within said tribe. 

The challenge of course was to a trial by combat with no outside substitutes nor representative. The battle would be on equal footing regarding equipment and arena. The trial would also be to the death or if the person yielded, this often times led to banishment from the tribe leaving a mark to go along with it. Other tribes were subject to accept all banished members if they so pleased, but spies and secrets were more dissuading in most instances 

From an outside perspective, the land of lightning is more or less seen as savage land. The village that had crumbled beneath its own weight and decisions. They serve the best purpose as a warrior race that cannot be tamed nor conquered despite how fractured it is, whether it’s due to its advantageous geographical location or the guerilla warfare and barbarianism that stems from their tribal infrastructure. Regardless, a country most divided and tragic in terms of its original projected growth. 


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[center][h3][b]Foreign Relations[/b][/h3][/center]
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[b]The Land of Earth:[/b] : Bittersweet, the once powerful ally was nothing more than a hindrance and source of dismay. The Dynasties hold no favor towards the first world power now, with some random surge of cohesion, the tribes hope to take over Iwagakure or perhaps ally once more when the time comes or history reveals the truth behind the misalignment. 

[b]The Land of Fire:[/b] The original enemy now turned ally, seems to be one of the greatest, if not, the only nation that sends resources to that of the divided cloud. As a neutral territory and protector of all, Konoha has extended its helping hand to the Raijin Dynasties as it has with other neighboring counties. With constant shipments of food and resources the tribes dare not bite the hand that feeds. Occasionally, the Dynasties will all send a representative to speak with the Hokage and also send children to prosper in other regions safe from constant war and conflict. 

[b]Land of Wind:[/b] The wind is just a vessel to conduct the destructive force that is lightning. Yet, due to their history, neither nation was successful enough to be considered a country of value. Distance had also been a deterrent as the trek from cloud to sand was a far cry with little to no reward besides diplomatic exchanges. 

[b]Land of Water:[/b] Another mutual beneficiary to the hostile tribes. The dynasties act as the main supplier for the land of water, with some relief coming back towards the way of the tribes. Not as much as Konoha, but any resources are good resources. Any orphaned children are sent and recruited by Kiri for use in their detailed line of security and defense firms. The tribes wish to continue their talks and strive for some greater agreement. [/color]