(From Ashes) Chapter 15

Pride: From Ashes
            Chapter 15
            Pieces of the Puzzle

Overview: Baltan Mythology

    Baltan religion has not been seriously observed for more than ten thousand years, yet their religious beliefs color nearly every aspect of their society. This seeming paradox makes more sense when their beliefs are understood: while Baltans by and large do not worship their gods, it would be inaccurate to say they don't believe in their gods. Rather, they believe the gods are indifferent enough to mortals that attempting to appease them is generally a waste of time.

    Baltans recognize three pantheons of seven deities each: the Aroira, the Tairra, and the Kezra. Much can be drawn from these three pantheons about the Baltan psyche. The Aroira, the highest pantheon which rules over the universe, is composed of scientists whose knowledge allows them to command, control, and predict all things. The Tairra, the middle-ranking pantheon, is composed of deadly ninjas whose martial prowess allows them to rule and guard the hells. And the Kezra, the lowest pantheon, represent the elements of the natural world—they are massive, powerful, fearsome-looking creatures, but unfailingly loyal and subservient to the higher pantheons.

    The universe is believed to be an experiment carried out by the Aroira, while all mortals are the experiment's variables. The Baltans believe themselves to be the 'favored' variables of their gods, but also believe the gods prefer not to interfere with mortals at all lest they contaminate their experiment; the interaction of these two primary tenets of faith is the heart of most Baltan religious philosophy. One of the most common beliefs is that the shinori are the control group by which all other variables are to be judged, but this is far from universally held.