(From Ashes) Chapter 19

        Pride: From Ashes
            Chapter 19
            For the Lost

(From Ashes) Chapter 18

Pride: From Ashes
            Chapter 18
            This is Only a Test

(From Ashes) Chapter 17

Pride: From Ashes
            Chapter 17
            Bring to Light

(From Ashes) Chapter 16

Pride: From Ashes
            Chapter 16
            The Knight of the Storm

(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.

(From Ashes) Chapter 14

        Pride: From Ashes
        Chapter 14
        The Knight of the Flame

(From Ashes) Chapter 13

Pride: From Ashes
            Chapter 13
            Damages Done

(From Ashes) Chapter 12

Pride: From Ashes
            Chapter 12
            The Knight of the Winds

(From Ashes) Chapter 11

Pride: From Ashes
            Chapter 11
            Natural Resources

(From Ashes) Chapter 10

             Pride: From Ashes
            Chapter 10
            The Knight of the Waters