Role

Chapter 13

For two years Calbaseeti has diligently studied under the tutorage of the
high priestess herself. Like all novice priestesses she has learned the basic
arts of healing as well as the magics of divination and revelation. Her skin
has become hardened to the cool temperatures of the mountain, and she is
comfortable in her nude form at all times. She knows that if she were to
visit the Pool of the World clothed, she may distribute particles from her
clothing into the pool and poison its purity. Despite her diligent studies,
she is not yet ready to view the pool let alone begin to read into its magic.
First she must learn to aid the dead, allowing their souls to join the
energies of the pool.

The dead are sprinkled with minerals collected from the cavern walls around
the pool as well as salt, preservatives thought to keep the soul within the
body the until it is processed. Runes are painted on the palms and forehead
of the body prior to a silent prayer. After the body has been blessed with
prayer it is then sprinkled with water, allowing the soul inside to become
free and venture to the pool.

For years and years Calbaseeti practiced the ritual of the dead until it was
a part of her being. She also continued to study the arts of magic as well as
healing, until on her thirtieth birth day the high priestess thought it time
to allow her to view the pool.

Trained to be calm in all situations, Calbaseeti did not display her
excitement , but inside her heart thumped with delight. She had been waiting
for this day for twenty years. The high priestess carefully demonstrated the
process of taping into the energies of the pool. This process takes years of
study to learn, many more than Calbaseeti had already accomplished, for when
a priestess harvests the energies of the pool she is able to see the memories
trapped in the souls of those who have fallen. She is able to gain their
knowledge, and she is able to use this energy in the practices of divination
and revelation in order to aid the Altrisupendai . Only a priestess that is
strong of mind can properly interpret the energies from the pool, and all
others who attempt it may become mad from the process.