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Message: <blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 4451886" data-attributes="member: 11">InterSession #25.1 – “Laarus Visits Prison” [sup]1[/sup]Osilem, the 24th of Keent - 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)A couple of days later, Laarus Raymer of Ra arranged for an audience with Jakos Ilmari. He was led into "the Cross;" the interrogation and visiting cell at the Sluetelot Gaol.  Jakos looked haggard and tired, pulling at his beard frequently and not very happy about being pulled from his cell. ‘The Cross’ was the inner building in the gaol where Victoria, Markos and Bleys had fought the possessed Warden and prisoners.[sup]2[/sup] The center of it was enclosed with bars, allowing access to a prisoner from all sides and no privacy. A guard stood behind Laarus as he approached the bars to address the droopy-eyed old wizard. After looking over Jakos, Laarus turned to the guard. "I would prefer to speak with him in private.""I am sorry, Sir. . . But that is against regulations. . .""What I have to say is for his ears only. You have my word that I will not see him come to any harm. Inspect me for weapons and contraband, if you wish. I do not require for you to leave the premises. If you could take your post on the other side of that door, it should prove sufficient.""I'm sorry, sir, but…" The guard was clearly uncomfortable refusing the priest. "It is not just for his safety, but for yours… Also, legally he has a right to someone present in case he decides he does not want to talk to you anymore… I mean… He has that right, but…You give me the word and I will leave… I just always thought <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Priests+of+Ra" target="_blank">priests of Ra</a> were 'by the book'."Laarus nodded. "You are versed in the law. And you seek to uphold it. But you would still defer to one of higher station. Those are virtuous traits. You see the worth of law, truth, and honor." Slowly turning around, he continued, "And you are correct. I cannot deny this man the rights granted to him by the law. But you, Jakos…" He motioned to the prisoner. "…can waive that right. Would you accept to speak in private? I give you my word it shall end should you wish to continue no longer. Though, I suspect you'd have some interest in what I have to say.""Yes… Fine…It matters not…" Jakos replied, clearly dejected.  The guard nodded and stepped out.Laarus turned to face Jakos full on.  There was no where to sit, though the prisoner had a low stool on his side. "You had mentioned briefly that this chaos you caused was due to your desire to contact a god. To awaken him and powers you believed to have been forgotten. Powers you believed may be connected to those of the ancients known as <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/the+Mystics" target="_blank">the Mystics</a>…" Laarus paused for a moment, examining Jakos' countenance. "I've come to tell you that these powers which you sought are not lost. Are not forgotten. Even today, there are those among us who wield these powers. Though, not to the extent as during the days of the Mystics.""You misunderstood me," Jakos replied. "I was not trying to access these powers, which are known to some as 'psionics' and are clearly still used to some small degree throughout Aquerra. Rather, I was seeking make contact with <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Untamo" target="_blank">Untamo</a> to see if I might probe the power that keeps him cloistered - whether it be by that god's will or by some other. . ." He swallowed loudly and sighed. "Anyway, even if I did not know of the existence of these powers, I would have taken your obvious bloodline as evidence of them…I take it you use these powers?""The power I possess manifests itself without my control. I do not use it. I only experience its effects." Laarus cleared his throat. "But, then, what interest did you have in contacting Untamo? What did you hope to find? What did you hope to gain?""To sate my curiosity… To explore the mysteries that might keep a god in check…" Jakos shrugged.Laarus nodded, disheartened. "And has your curiosity been sated?""No…Though obviously whatever power it is, is demonic. . .or at least employs fiendish servants to do its will. . . If I ever get out of prison and can establish myself somewhere more isolated than here… Well, then I may try again by other means. . . though I am not sure what those means would be. . . I would have seek out someone with your powers, and with control over them… Do you plan to follow in the footsteps of the forgotten <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Order+of+Epiphany%27s+Dawning" target="_blank">Order of Epiphany's Dawning</a>?""What path would that be? I no nothing of this order other than what you've mentioned." [sup]3[/sup]"I don't know specifically…I only meant if you planned to improve and expand your psionic powers as a way to engender your devotion to <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Ra" target="_blank">Ra</a>, as that order once did. Yes, they were declared heretics and exiled, but before that they were an accepted order in the social and political structure of the <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Sunra+Kingdom" target="_blank">Sunra Kingdom</a>… I assume their excommunication had more to do with politics than faith…"  Jakos looked at his feet, or absently at places on the floor as he spoke."This power does not spring from Ra. So, I do not see how its development would further my devotion. With it, I only see death and destruction. Perhaps the powers of this lost order came forth through the glory of Ra. Or they were mistaken about its origins," Laarus replied."Death and destruction?" Jakos looked up at Laarus with his deep-set sad ice-blue eyes. "You have the power of prophecy? Mmmm, yes…A burden by all accounts, but that is just one among many powers available to such practitioners… Of course, your view of your faith is your own, but the Order believed that in perfecting themselves and this internal power they were reflecting the glory of Ra who infused them with the fire of a spirit. . . But little is known of them in actuality…Legend… Rumor. . .""I am aware there are variety of these powers. Though, I've not known any others than the Mystics to possess more than one. I wonder if this Order became too devoted to these powers and began disregarding other duties and responsibilities," Laarus speculated as he paced a bit, but then stopped and shook his head.  "I do intend to use what I see to aid me in enforcing Ra's will. But I cannot fathom that the glory of Ra has infused me with such ... darkness.""Heh. Call it darkness if you like, but it is only as dark as the man it emerges from," Jakos replied. "I cannot tell you the true reasons for their exile… Perhaps they can be found among the ancient archives in the tombs of the High Temple of Ra in what was once <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Heliopolis" target="_blank">Heliopolis</a>…Who knows? Perhaps such knowledge is inscribed in the High Temple of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Thoth" target="_blank">Thoth</a> in <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Moon+City" target="_blank">Moon City</a>? Again…I do not know…I do know however that when they left it is said they followed the course that <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Ambrose+the+Enlightened" target="_blank">Ambrose</a> and his people took centuries before… and according to legend returned from exile to fight in the <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Battle+of+the+Fire+Gods" target="_blank">Battle of the Fire Gods</a>… But who knows the truth of such things?  There are those with many of these powers… It is up to you to decide to seek them out. Now, was there something else…?""No. You have provided me with the information I wished to know. But, what I came here for can not be done." Laarus turned to leave, but stopped and asked, "Unless there is something else you wish to talk about?""What did you come here for?" Jakos’ eyes narrowed."I had hoped to be able to stay your further experimentation in this area. Experimentation that conjured great chaos; that harmed many innocents and endangered many more and even sent some towards <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Anubis%27+Realm" target="_blank">Anubis' Realm</a>. That blood is on your hands… Yes, but your actions have stained others' with it as well." The priest's glance fell down to his palms, held out before him.  "But, I was misinformed of your intentions. What information I would have to share would do nothing to sate your curiosity and halt your endeavors." Raising his head, he returned his focus to Jakos' eyes and concluded, "And you have expressed your desire and intention to continue along this path, in spite of what your actions have wrought. That was the information I wished to know." After standing there for a moment, looking over Jakos in silence, Laarus made his way to the door behind him and rapped on it with his fist. "We are done here."End of InterSession #25.1--------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes:(1) This scene was played out using our messageboards.(2) See Session #23(3) Jakos told the Signers of the Charter of Schiereiland of the Order of Epiphany’s Dawning in Session #25.</blockquote>

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