From the very start, the Bajoran religion played a key role in the story of Deep Space Nine. As the story grew more complex in the final seasons, the influence of the Prophets got some competition from their evil counterparts, the Pah-wraiths. With the show's shift deeper into mythology, these two sides were critical to the endgame of the Fire Caves.

Following the Occupation, Bajorans unhappy with the Prophets formed the Cult of the Pah-wraiths. At the same time, two power-hungry leaders—Gul Dukat and Kai Winn—turned to a dangerous book not opened for more than seven hundred years. This tome—The Book of the Kosst Amojan—was the key to releasing the Pah-wraiths, and act with serious consquences for the Bajoran people and their Emissary.

In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing delve into the deep mythology underlying DS9. Despite its importance to many series threads, relatively little is known about the Cult of the Pah-wraiths and the Kosst Amojan. We discuss what we know, how it mirrors our own mythologies and religions, as well as why some Bajorans may have turned to the Dark Side.

Chapters

Meet the Pah-wraiths (3:38)

The Cult of the Pah-wraiths (10:03)

The Kosst Amojan (17:27)

Closing (28:12)