# Betazian Matriarchy Betazians are a race of empathic humanoids that inhabit the Western valleys of Antaris. The Matriarchy is actually a small collection of feifdoms that are on generally good terms, and typically present a united front against potential invaders. Betazian women can speak to each other telepathically while they are in close proximity, but their abilities are limited to a sense of the emotional aura of other intelligent creatures. Betazian men can project emotions to women, but not among each other or with non-betazians. Betazian men have a different mental acuity, which is attuned to physical objects. They are able to read and invest psychic energy into inanimate objects. This psychometric sense allows them to impress messages on objects that can be read by others, but also allows them to read objects of sentimental value to any intelligent creature, and gain a sense of the objects owner. Betazian society is regimented along gender lines, and is reinforced by their religion. They worship the Way of Lashamun, an ancient scholar and philosopher whose teaching revolve around the separation and balance of all things. All things belong in their place, and must move according to their purpose, which is in time with their complementary aspect. Those that resist their place creature discontent, and those that do not move as they should create discord. Part of that ordained order is the assignment of gender roles where women deal with "people" and men deal with "things," thus women are largely thought to be suitable to tasks of leadership, dissemination and research, while men are craftsmen, merchants and laborers.