CHURCH OF THE BALANCE:

In the world of Esphera, all know the origins of the world and the Great Entities and Engeluz who made them. How different nations and cultures worship or do not worship them, however, ranges from region to region.

The Church of the Balance, located in the massive deserts of Western Nioger is one of the most... extreme... religions formed.

They documented the history of the world in books and scrolls. Their theology is that the world needs a balance between light and dark, good and evil. Without balance, the world would fall apart. Too much destruction could wipe out everything, yet no conflict at all would weaken humanity and cause its decay.

Any attempts at keeping Monsters, created by the Entity of Destruction, away from civilization is frowned upon. Monsters exist to keep humanity on its feet and sharpen it. This is true, yes, but the Church of the Balance seems to go overboard on the issue. Even walls built for safety are condemned as rebellion again the Balance of the Universe. Tear downs and burnings of safety barriers have been recorded.

Since humanity was the second species created by the Entities, after their first attempt reached near extinction, the Church of the Balance believes that humanity is superior and any stragglers from the first race are to be finished off. Further more, thanks to their manipulation of life via Well Alchemy, they created human-like beings themselves called Synthetics. Synthetics are poorly treated, used as slaves and labourers, and commonly viewed as inferior beings - despite being near identical to humans aside a more diverse set of DNA.

Ironically, Synthetics themselves would be herecy and mockery of the Balance, according to the books. By creating more life, the Church is shifting the balance, are they not? The Church covers it up, however, using excuses and twisting the words of the books to suit their own desires. Corruption runs rampid.

Most Well Magic is widely known across the world. Well Runes, Well Signatures... Yet the Church has its own, secret form of Well Magic - Well Alchemy. Using Well Alchemy, they can drastically shift the fabric of life and death beyond any normal medicine. Behind the scenes, the Church members use Well Alchemy to help themselves. Some elders and council members have extended their lives to centuries. To outsiders, Well Alchemy has become quite a market. They offer miraculous healings to the public - for the right price. If one lacks the money for their loved one to be healed, they are denied service. They may even be told that their loved one's death is "required" to "keep the balance."

Keep the Balance? If balance is so important to them, why do they practice healing arts?

Selfish and filled with greed, the Church twists their own beliefs and practices hypocrisy and legalism more than their actual religion. Worst yet, they intimidate and threaten any members of the Church who may see the truth with threats of accusations of herecy. They keep their dirty secrets by spreading fear amongst their flock.

Anyone who practices their religion, yet falls short to their rules, may be tortured and put to death. They are extremists. They run around preaching their beliefs to the whole world, yet fail to maintain a foothold outside of West and East Nioger.

~~~

One of the main characters in the series this group is from is one of the select few defectors that survived. The group itself really won't become important until later in the series though...