The Bird and The Dragon

The end of the world believers consider any deviation in appearance a potential sign of ash or its demons. People with these marks are believed to serve old Tarasten, the commanding officer of the planetary defense who dropped the orbital cities. Anything may be seen as old Tarasten’s mark: pale eyes, skin diseases, or even the lack of illnesses.

The ainadu are often counted among old Tarasten’s servants for the pale eyes and blonde hair are more common among the ainadu than Watergate’s original population. However, ainadu’s political treachery in the hot segment conflict right after their arrival at Watergate has complicated the political relationships more than any superstition. The ainadu did not hand over the rich metal production site they conquered with Khem’s help. They never vowed allegiance but pushed all the Southerners out of the area. This incident is the Duha betrayal, and it created many stories about ainadu’s demonic nature.

Old Tarasten was a traitor, and his name is used as a curse. He is responsible for accidents. Legislation in Khem allows sanctions for the work done in Tarasten’s cause and this periodically leads to persecuting and sometimes executing people.