by Michelle Belanger
Those of our number who are most disconnected from the physical
side of the threshold have the greatest range of sensitivity and
power at their disposal, but they suffer the greatest weaknesses.
They are few in number and many have not survived the passing
millennia as their disconnectedness from the flesh can often lead
them to reside purely in spirit. The demands of the balance they
struggle to maintain while in the flesh are extreme, and over the
years, it has taken its toll. These individuals are our priests,
and they often command the greatest respect for the level of
awareness they can attain.
The priest's physical body is inextricably linked to his
psychical well-being. If his power begins to wane and he
approaches need, his health will suffer, for he can no longer
compensate for the lost energy center in his subtle body. Need,
especially deep need, can be physically debilitating for one of
this caste, and if left to go too long without feeding, they can
be reduced to invalids, hollow shells of what they could be.
Priests are very sensitive to the changing cycles. Much of
their power wanes during the day, then waxes full with the
approach of night. They suffer the most under direct light and
must take pains to avoid sunstroke. Their systems are sensitive to
most complex foods, especially when in deep need. Of all our kind,
their physical bodies are the most concretely affected by their
spiritual state. Thus, they are the most likely of our number to
be recognized for what they are for their nature manifests itself
in very physical ways.
The priest requires a greater quantity and a finer quality of
energy than any other of our number. He, more so than any other,
is constantly pulling energy into himself. This occurs on an
unconscious, instinctive level, and though it can be consciously
dampened, it cannot be shut off completely. However, even this
constant draw will not sustain the priest unless coupled with
conscious feeding.
Priests are the only of our number that must feed deeply on a
regular basis. This entails feeding from the energy at the very
core of another rather than simply skimming energy from their
surface. This is a draw which encompasses all of the energy
centers at once, and can leave the partner burned (suffering
extreme effects of energy loss) the next day.
Because they stand upon the threshold between matter and
spirit, the priests have access to the greatest range of powers
inherent in our kind. However, priests run the risk of being
mentally or emotionally unstable because of the strain such power
puts on their systems. They must develop strong egos and
indomitable wills in order to bear up under the burden of their
power, but this may lead them to become domineering, arrogant, and
obsessed with control.
Moderation as well as control are the two rules a priest must
live by. With great power comes great responsibility, and those of
the priestly caste who do not understand or respect this doctrine
will end up bringing harm to both themselves and others. A priest
must feed carefully, always drawing away before feeling completely
satisfied. He must never give in to the urge to pull all of his
partner into himself, to devour for the sake of devouring. Priests
hold the power of life and death, sanity and madness over their
partners, and they must recognize this power and use it
responsibly.
The priest's way must ever be the way of balance. He must
sacrifice satiation for the safety of the partner. He must accept
physical weakness and pain in exchange for the ability to
manipulate the subtle energies of all around him. He must accept
the pull of his constant need in exchange for the ability to feed
upon his partners in so profound a manner that he will come to
grasp and understand their very essence.
Next:
XXVIII. Counselors
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