Mortals are marvelous creatures imprisoned in the endless cycle of life. Their existence is a symphony in which there is room for birth, creation, love and the inevitable finale. Every mortal, regardless of their worldview and religion, knows that they are both Sha and Ro. Ro is the physical shell, a temporary vessel for the soul. It is born, develops, ages and eventually dies. The soul, accordingly, is called Sha, and it is the amazing and multifaceted part that gives life to Ro, endows creatures with uniqueness, personality, emotions and memories.

Death is not the end for Sha. It can become part of all living things or continue its journey in the unknown. Many believe that after death, the Sha ascends to the sky, where it becomes one of the hundreds of other stars. Sometimes star falls can be seen in the sky, marking Sha's return to the world of Mortals to find a new vessel and live a new life.

Altera is inhabited by many different intelligent species of creatures. Perhaps there are others…