Balete

"The Mage-Lords of the Border"

The **Baletehan**, or simply "The Balete", also known as the "Los Ocultos" or "Hidden Ones" by the Spanish authorities and the Martyrdom, is a society of magi and the oldest group of mystics in the Philippines, pre-dating the many kingdoms and chiefdoms of the ancient archipelago. True to their moniker of hidden ones, the Balete primarily reside in several settlements and bases in the Border Realm, only ever emerging into the Mortal Realm for raiding, spying, and the rare instance of trading. Known to many outside groups as proud, isolationist, ruthless, the Balete dominate their territories as mage-lords, resulting in their magi to be constantly grasping for power and imposing said power on those they deem weaker. To them, the Powerful define the standards of virtue, As such, they constantly clash with the Martyrdom who retains a presence in the Philippines while having a tenuous neutrality with the Snake Tong. While certainly hostile to outsiders, those who prove their worth can end up with powerful connections.

## History

The Origins of the Baletehan are shrouded in myth, but every Balete mage believe that their ancestors were created by a hidden goddess that was above every deity, a mother from the endless void, they referred the being known as Kalibotan. They derive their name from the Balete tree, which was said to be the tree where their ancestors emerged from. They consider the tree sacred and at the core of every Baletehan settlement is a giant Balete tree that was shaped to be the tower of their most powerful mage-lords.

Instead of settling in the archipelago now known as the Philippines, the Balete populated different zones in the Border Realm, accessed through a technique they call "Side-Striding", which allowed them to magically travel between the Mortal and Border Realm, a technique that was said to be thought to them by the Hidden goddess. While they settled islands, mountains, and even vast plains in the Border Realm, they also made temporary settlements in the Philippines, mostly as bases to raid the ancient polities in the archipelago for loot and slaves. Many Balete magi would bicker amongst themselves, as the organization became a libertarian confederation of different mage-lords who governed their own settlements. Clans in the Baletehan rose and fall, fueled by the idea of only the powerful dictate the law.

By the collapse of the Mythic Era, the Balete have expanded a vast network of settlements within the Border Realm, while expanding their raids outside of the Philippine archipelago and bringing in all sorts of knowledge, wealth, and people (forcefully and voluntarily). When the Spanish colonized the archipelago and named it the Philippines, which the Balete just called "The Isles of the Hunt", the Baletehan were more than happy to get a brand new source of slaves and wealth. This introduced them to the Martyrdom, and hostilities immediately sparked upon their first encounters. While experienced from fighting the Mesoamericans during the conquest of the New World, the Martyrdom were not fully prepared to fight organized troops and magi utilizing ships that appear from and disappear into the Border Zones, and they were unable to permanently find a way to prevent the raids. While they pacified many different kingdoms and chiefdoms, including their magi, the Martyrdom had to combat constant attacks from the Balete for the next centuries. While certainly isolationist, the Balete did not fully stop interacting with outsiders for mostly hostile reasons.

By the end of the Spanish era and the dawn of the 20th century, the Balete would continue their expansion into the Border Realms while maintaining their centuries-old disdain for the Martyrdom who remain in the Philippines, while also extending the "Warm welcome" they gave to the Spanish to the American Colonial regime that came after. The American Government's magi had experienced first hand what the Martyrdom have warned them about, constant raids from Balete magi and their retinue for glory and wealth. It was at this time that they encountered the relatively new group known as the Snakes. And while they saw them as nothing more than outlanders, their leader Fenghuang would prove that they are not like the groups the Balete simply raided and harassed, and fought back ferociously. The fact that the Tong's founding member was a rogue Balete mage, it was easier for Fenghuang to understand the culture of the Balete, when others dismissed them as warmongering heathens from the shadows of the Border Realm. After skirmishes and battles, the Snakes and the Balete struck an accord, that they will "tolerate" one another, but everyone else in the island is free game. When the Philippines became independent in 1946, the new government had to struggle in dealing with both Snakes and Balete refusing to acknowledge their authority. A Grand Order-backed agency was made to enforce the government's legislations on the magic, which only painted a bigger target on their backs. The Balete viewed this as a challenge, a declaration stating that their outlander magi could impose laws on them. While the Snakes were open to negotiations, the Balete were not and the agency was nearly wiped out by several Balete magi exclusively hunting them down for several years. To this day, the Philippines' secret government branch of magic is underfunded, understaffed, and only kept as a formality, while the Snakes and the Balete dominated the world of magic in the country.

In the present, the Baletehan continue to thrive in their Border Realm cities, while those who chose to travel outside now have the entire world to travel too, resulting in many "Slavehunters" roaming the world and praying on innocents and not-so-innocent people from different countries to sell to outsiders and keep as slaves in their Border Realm cities. The most powerful Balete Magi embrace their isolationist policies and are too engrossed on their own research and projects to care about outside affairs, while the young and ambitious Balete of lower standing constantly fight for power and influence, and also travel the world to accumulate wealth and sources of power that could help them rise the ranks of Baletehan society.

## Culture and Beliefs

The Balete are a group of magi that believe that authority is earned through power, and that power is supported by your wisdom and magical prowess, as well as your ability to prove people wrong by vaporizing them into ash. It is common for arguments to end in one party killed, as the Balete value the culture of "Power defines the standard of virtue". If you kill the person you were arguing with, your argument has more merit. Theft is also another example, if you steal an artifact from another Balete and live to tell the tale, you certainly deserve to keep it, but it won't stop the original owner, or others, from stealing it from you, or killing you for it. The Baletehan is comprised primarily of magi rulers who have traditionally isolated themselves and protected commoners in their villages built around their Balete Tree-Tower, pursuing wisdom and mastery of magic in solitude. While they are made up of different clans, the more powerful Balete magi tend to disregard politics or what others think, staying out of matters beyond their lands as they find it a waste of their time and mere distractions from their projects. These wizard-lords and ladies, their retainers, and their mercenaries keep the people in their cities secure, and otherwise leave them alone for the most part. By bringing prosperity to their Tree-tower, honor to their clan, and security to kinsmen and retainers, they insure the health, wealth, and security of their house and its people.

Balete magi cultivate the largest and majestic Balete trees and shaping and manipulating them with magic to build their iconic tree-towers, the most skilled taking only a few days or weeks to cultivate a tower, Some magi are so in-tune with the trees that they can grow these trees into any shape they desire. Balete who specialize in building towers are respected greatly, for they both keep the sacred tree alive and also create the hearts of every Balete stronghold.

The Balete are very xenophobic and shun contact with outsiders. Even those who lived in the Philippine Archipelago were considered outsiders, for the Balete believe that they alone are the ones blessed by Kalibotan the bounty of their Border Realm homes and their inclination for magic, which they view as a gift from their goddess as a source of wisdom and power. They called the Philippine islands the "Islands of the Hunt", since many young and enterprising Balete would treat the people living there as prey for sport or slavery. Although they dislike outlanders by default, they are open to hiring mercenaries who prove their worth, which was one of the reasons how the Snakes earned the respect of some Balete by sending their agents to do the Balete's dirty work for them. They are scornful of outsiders imposing their authority over them, or simply being told what to do by them, and the more arrogant Balete would simply respond with violence. The first meeting between Martyrdom and Balete agents ended up in hostilities because the Balete refused to acknowledge the Martyrdom's deity and even burned the Bible that was given to them as a way of saying "Screw you, I'm not reading your holy book". While they are generally hostile to newcomers from the outside, once these outlanders prove their worth, Balete do show respect proper skill, wisdom, and strength.

With their strong beliefs of "might makes right", slavery continued to be practiced, for asserting one's power and shackling another to do your bidding is just. They believe that if "they didn't want to be slaves, they should have fought back harder". A large majority of the population in Balete strongholds include slaves who earned their freedom, interbred, and became the commoner class, while those who remain in bondage continue to be used for hard labor and experiments.

### Pagsuki

*Main Article: Pagsuki*

More commonly known as the Path of Defiance, is the religion of the Balete that emphasizes developing one's strength, intellect, and cunning, and ultimately ascending even beyond their Primordial goddess.

## Organizational Structure

Joining the Balete is as simple as becoming a hireling to a Balete mage clan. Even an outsider can become one if they are seen as useful, however, one can only rise through the ranks if they have the magical capability and the ambition or affinity for treachery. Members of the Balete can rise through the ranks by eliminating or otherwise 'indisposing' other members. Most Balete lords and ladies want little more than to be left alone to their research and ambitions, although a good amount did enjoy the friendly company of their fellow Balete rather than remaining in isolation. The younger and less-influential and powerful Balete on the other hand are highly ambitious and egocentric, and were known to compete ruthlessly among themselves for magical mastery and to control and exploit resources in the Border Realm, some even staying in the Mortal Realm in hidden bases. The upper echelons of Balete believed that these young magi were expendable, and would be less trouble to the rest of the Baletehan if they were outside of the Border stirring up trouble in other places.

The Balete are made up of several mage-clans, who are the authorities in their respective regions in the Border Realm. The main governing body if the society is a council of the heads of each major clan in the Balete. The council is formally known as the "Mga Taga-Lupon". While they make up the highest authority, the most influential and powerful representative becomes the "Head", who has more say compared to the other members. However, these Council members only tolerate each other at best, and usually cooperate in only the most dire of times. Some are usually busy with their own projects and interests, while others are politically active and run the administration.

### **Political Ranks**

**Manahari**

First among equals of the mage-lords of Balete, who demonstrated exceptional arcane knowledge, and political influence. Formally, the Manahari is the literal head of the Council. They position is considered the most dangerous, since you can be killed off by rivals who want your seat.

**Mouths (Hiwa)**

Despite the name, the Balete councilors do not usually meet up personally and instead send trusted representatives called 'Hiwa', or 'Mouths', that reside in the main council hall in the city of Bakunawa. These Mouths are young and politically active Balete magi, They represent interests of their masters in the Council; negotiating and making decisions on their behalf. Mouths have complete authority to speak for their masters, but they often defer the tough decisions to their masters. Mouths often train apprentices who can take over for them, though some are subjected to minor experiments more often than being taught lessons.

### **General Ranks**

Each of the settlements are owned by one of the major clans, and have their own subordinates, such as retainers and hirelings residing in their territories. Each family and their subordinates preside over assigned areas and they manage specific properties of the Balete.

**Payo sa Balay (Clan Head)**

The leader of one of the noble families in the Balete, who make up the main council. They are the leaders of a clan and are expected to rule over their respective territories, although this is usually sidetracked by their own research and projects. The Clan Head is chosen based on their magical prowess as well as charisma and influence. Or alternatively, gained by killing the previous Clan Head. They typically have 'Mouths' or representatives in the council from their subordinates.

**Hataasan**

The high tier, and usually senior, Balete nobility - Masterful mages who demonstrated exceptional wisdom gathered after decades of research. They prefer to stay away from politics, devoting themselves to study and their own research. They hold defacto claim over the title of Family Head within a clan, but can give it to a different family member if they wish.

**Daragao**

The majority of Balete nobility. Mages who earned their position by hard work and display exemplary knowledge. They mostly devote themselves to research, but also take part in politics to some degree.

**Daitan**

The lower level of Balete nobility. Young but powerful magi who have demonstrated considerable magical talent. They may still be apprentices, and can conduct their own independent research.

**Puro**

Non-noble members of the Balete who have made their way to this level with hard work, or who have it by right of blood. Puro are usually not active with involvement in politics. Mostly, they are apprentices and less often independent researchers. Balete who do not engage in research cannot rise above this rank.

**Ka-istaran (Housemen/Housewomen)**

Balete commoners who have proven their loyalty to a clan. They are commonly apprentices, skilled trainers, experienced guards, farmers, artisans, and skilled workers. They are allowed to own property in Balete cities.

**Tawohan (Retainer)**

Distinguished members of a clan, who demonstrated their usefulness through their deeds. They carry out various assignments for higher-ranking members and can become assistants of higher ranking mages. For further advancement, they must find the support of a Balete with a rank of Puro or higher, under whose guidance they will serve. Retainers are not eligible to own property.

**Baguhan (Hireling)**

New members of the Balete. They are allowed to use public facilities such as barracks, laboratories, and libraries. Nevertheless, the study of magical arts is not mandatory for them. Mages, as a rule, do not stay in this rank for a long time, while workers, traders, and agents are often content with this position.

## Border Realm Territories

### Bakunawa

Bakunawa is one of the major cities of the Balete, residing in a region of the Border Realm which is surrounded by a vast and seemingly endless sea. The city is built around one of the "Natural gateways" from the Mortal to the Border Realm. The gateway was created when a Bakunawa, the giant serpents of legends, "tore" a hole in the barrier between the Mortal and Border Realm as it attempted to escape ancient Balete magi who hunted it down. Its giant skeleton now resides in a half-sunken island that with the city of the same name built on it. Thanks to its natural entrance, located in an underwater cavern off the coast of Agihan City, in the Philippines' Bicol region, it is considered one of the most accessible Balete cities to outsiders, and also the city with the most outlander population. The city features a Snake Tong hideout, and several buildings built on the skeleton or under it. From the ribs to the spine, to the waterways of districts on the "mouth" and "belly" of the skeleton, dwellings are either made from fungi or trees and plants that wrap around the ribs, while others are carved into hollowed out bones such as the teeth and the spine. The Balete Tree-Tower of "Pana Kan Halas" stands high on the middle of the skeleton's spine. While it is the most easily accessed city, it is not the most convenient for non-magi or the unprepared, as many buildings aren't built with stairs leading up to them, as Balete expect it to be "normal" for people to levitate or fly with magic. Bakunawa is ruled by the Clan Haliyahan, the very clan who supposedly killed the giant creature. The Council Hall of the Balete is also located in the city.

And despite its "Natural Gateway", it is only accessible if someone has an enchanted vessel or a submarine that can go underwater and reach the cavern and cross the barrier.

## Clans

### Clan Haliyahan

* Malayari Haliya San Balete
* Laonsina San Balete