Pesh Gai'lin

The Pesh Gai’lin are the radical opposite of the Mustani, so much so that some believe they were purposefully created as a reaction to their over-zealous aggression, making up for it with kindness. The Pesh Gai’lin adhere to a strict pacifist lifestyle of non-aggression, and believe in this idea so firmly that they avoid stepping on insects. If they happen to crush an art, they will bow down on their knees to apologize profusely to it with a small prayer before continuing on, often mourning the ant for days.

“Pesh,” as the ConFeds call them, are considered to be a pious group of people, seen travelling to other worlds chanting and praying on missionary excursions. Their bodies are often painted head to toe in a blue body paint that over time saturates their skin so totally that it can never wash out. This marks them very visibly as Serin, being unable to hide among other races.

They are well known for their charity on stricken worlds, helping others where called upon, and attempting to invite outsiders to join their order – though never proselytizing or assuming their faith is in any way superior. Instead of coming across as morally superior, which to the Pesh is a cardinal sin, they are seen prostrating themselves on the mercy of others and accepting judgement or punishment wherever it is levied – whether they deserve it or not.

It is almost unheard of that a Pesh Gai’lin follower be seen retaliating for an attack on their person. When stolen from they tend to give their possessions away and refuse to take them back, insisting they were a “gift,” and when praised for their charity instead give the praise back for being praised. They are overwhelmingly kind and gracious to the point that it is almost farcical, the other races having a hard time comprehending how the Pesh can be so sweet while their Mustani brothers can be so unwaveringly cruel. But that is the nature of their belief in the 5 Fold Path, specifically the part that says enlightenment is a matter of charisma and empathy, and “the Serenity at the heart of chaos is grace being chosen over anger, and kindness over vengeance.”

Blue, white, and silver tend to be the colours the Pesh adorn most, and they are known for their spiritual teacher and patron goddess, “Gai’lin,” a female version of Anax with four arms, one amputated at the elbow – the absent arm representing the path of aggression. They also celebrate with green, orange, and pink incense dust, often splashing the streets in colour on every festival. The throwing away of red is seen as a symbol of abolishing aggression, and is never thrown onto someone as it simulates bloodshed and cruelty; though washing it off is seen as a sign of redemption and forgiveness.