Raiden is a major character in the Mortal Kombat video game series and other related media. Throughout the franchise, he has been depicted as the God of Thunder and the Protector of Earthrealm. He is also the patron deity of the White Lotus, an order of Shaolin monks tasked with training warriors for the express purpose of defending Earthrealm in Mortal Kombat, a legendary fighting tournament established by the Elder Gods as a means of safeguarding Earth from otherworldly forces that seek to do it harm.
As the God of Thunder, Raiden wields the power of lightning and storms, though his status as an immortal deity prohibits him from participating in Mortal Kombat. Therefore, he uses his godly wisdom and knowledge to train human kombatants and guide Earthrealm's chosen heroes as they confront the forces of Outworld and other hostile realms. In some of his depictions, Raiden has even sacrificed his godhood and become mortal so that he can join his comrades in battle without defying the decree of the Elder Gods. Even without godly powers, he has many lifetimes of experience to draw upon and is adept in many forms of martial arts.