Akai Clan dynamics

Akai Clan dynamics can be defined into two categories, the Inner and Outer Clan.
The Outer Clan is made out of traditionally those of lesser status within the clan, children of concubines, slaves and servants traditionally belong to the outer clan due to the inferiority of their status at birth. While members of the Outer Clan can rise to that of the Inner Clan, it is often difficult and rare. Outer clan males are only permitted one wife and unless their worth is proved to the clan must commit ritual suicide and either do the same to their children or become eunuchs or concubines of the main clan - traditionally kept isolated and controlled to prevent the legitimacy of blood escaping. Some of the older lineages have entire servant castes formed from outer clan descendants. Females however often become wives of the inner clan.  Outer clan members typically are considered a courtier or patrician class within Akai.

The Inner Clan, however, is made of full members of the clan, traditionally children of marriages which among aristocracy are typically incestuous, often keeping the size of the inner clan relatively small. What counts as a marriage for the inner clan varies, typically on the whims of the clan patriarch. The inner clan members have the full privileges of aristocracy, typically serving as the appointed rulers of provinces, businesses or services within the military or bureaucracy. The inner clan also maintain monopolies on clan titles, being owed greater reverence than those of the outer clan. Inner clan males are expected to take on multiple wives and concubines, typically of shared lineage in order to preserve ancestral blood and to continue eugenic births. Their children remain members of the inner clan regardless of what happens although the patriarch (or matraricah on occassion) and his children take priority owning the most valuable parts of the clan.
Succession in Akai unlike Nordanian aristocratic traditions is typically based on meritocratic selection which promotes the selection of worthy members of the inner clan. Lordships were not hereditary, required reappointment, and could be revoked.

Part of the Lial (灋) system.