Duties and Obligations of the Kheprian Priest Tender (and one big torment)

**This is a story set in E.R. Donaldson's Nethraverse** Part 2

The life of a priest in the Temple of Khepri is one of unwavering devotion and rigorous discipline, or at least that’s what it is supposed to be. I do my best, but I often fail and though I’m supposed to pretend not to see it - I see my peers and my superiors fail too - sometimes very hard.

Ideally, from the break of dawn until the final whisper of twilight, my days are filled with rituals, teachings, and the ever-present search for deeper understanding into the dualistic nature of Khepri. The weight of my duties is supposed to be balanced by the sacred honor of serving but honestly, sometimes I just need to get away from all of it or it starts feeling like a ball of dung.

Daily Rituals and Ceremonies

Each morning, I begin with the ritual ablutions in the Khepri Vascular, the sacred stream that feeds the temple. The water, dark and reflective, is believed to carry the essence of Khepri’s transformative power and my repeated daily bath is the means towards a spiritual and physical transformation. As I immerse myself in its cool depths, I chant the ancient prayers, invoking the god’s blessing for the day ahead.

In your light, we find our purpose,

In your shadow, we remain,

Khepri, god of transformation,

In your service, we are trained.

Oh, Khepri, lord of morning,

Scarab-faced, in golden gleam,

Cleanse our hearts and souls with blessing,

In the waters of the stream.

I’ve actually translated and put some rhyme into it for you. In High Kheprian, when we chant it, it sounds like this:

Tul vehras, nir'ae tu'kel,

Tul maran, nir'ae talar,

Khepri, dor ta'lanthrae,

Tul vehran, nir'ae valar.

O, Khepri, lor ta'morar,

Vulcarab-fel, tul'orin glim,

Veris nir'ae jon tar, lor valar,

Tul na'mir ta'valar.

After the ablutions, I am designated to lead the dawn ceremony in the grand hall. The air is always choked with incense in there - in truth, I hate it, a blend of myrrh and sandalwood, creating an atmosphere of solemn reverence and suffocation. We offer rare herbs, precious stones, and golden scarabs at the altar, beseeching Khepri for guidance and strength. The chants of my fellow priests echo through the hall, a haunting harmony that resonates with the divine presence of our god.

Throughout the day, I teach the novices the fundamentals of the runic languages and interpretations of the sacred texts. These intricate symbols and cryptic scriptures are the keys to understanding Khepri’s will and the ancient wisdom carved into the temple walls. Each lesson is a step towards deeper knowledge, a path that only the most dedicated can tread. We make sure of that - when a novice shows a lack of dedication. We push them harder until they quit, die, or become dedicated.

ArchPriest Ramdothenese Seven

In the labyrinthine corridors of the temple, there is one figure I am not able to ignore: ArchPriest Ramdothenese Seven. He is both my mentor and my nemesis, a figure of profound wisdom and formidable power both within the temple and within the galaxy. I am honored that Ramdothenese Seven has been a guiding force in my journey, his teachings opening my mind to the vast depths of Khepri’s doctrine and yet - I hate him. His strict adherence to tradition, his dogmatic approach to learning, and his unyielding demeanor often clash with my own views and aspirations.

Standing in the shadow of ArchPriest Ramdothenese Seven, I often reflect on the striking contrasts between us. His towering figure, with its midnight blue skin speckled like the starry sky, commands immediate respect and awe. He moves with the confidence of a mountain, each step a testament to his strength and cosmic heritage. In contrast, my own presence is more subtle, my pale, iridescent skin shifting between green and silver like the play of light on water. Where Ramdothenese’s eyes, with their ever-changing hues, intimidate and mesmerize, mine, slit-pupiled and reptilian, penetrate quietly, unsettling those who meet my gaze. His tattooed head makes bold declaration of his sacred vows, while my short, dark green hair speaks of practicality and the natural world. Ramdothenese’s starry skin speaks to the spiritual nature of his role, while my bioluminescent patterns, visible only in darkness, reveal hidden depths known to few - especially because they are almost always covered. He embodies the raw power and resilience of Khepri’s teachings, a living symbol of divine strength. I, on the other hand, represent adaptability and the quiet, persistent quest for understanding. Together, we balance the temple's energies, each reflecting different facets of our divine patron’s essence…but that doesn’t mean that we always see eye to eye. And though according to the teachings we are equals, it is quite certain that he doesn't see it that way.

Ramdothenese Seven is a master of the ancient rites and the keeper of the most esoteric secrets of the Kheprian Priesthood. His knowledge of the runic languages is unparalleled, and he is the only one who can fully interpret the most complex carvings and scriptures. Under his tutelage, I have learned much, but his methods are harsh, and his expectations, unforgiving. Also, he holds knowledge back from me as a way to retain control over my actions. I yearn to be free of the chains he binds me with and yet - I also know that there is still much I need to learn from him. Dual nature manifests in many ways.

Our relationship is a delicate balance of respect and rivalry - though, perhaps, he does not see it that way. I strive to earn his approval, yet I am driven by a desire to transcend his teachings and uncover truths that even he has not grasped. This tension fuels my devotion and my relentless pursuit of wisdom, even as it often brings us into conflict.

The Excavation of the Hidden City

Deep within the temple’s inner sanctum, the hidden city, slowly emerging from the shadows of history, is a symbol of our conflict. Ramdothenese Seven has forbidden me to dig without his being there. I break this command whenever I am able. My most crucial duty is overseeing the excavation of this ancient metropolis and while each day, I lead a team of priests and scholars in the meticulous work of unearthing its secrets - in the dark of light and the early shadows of morning - I lead my own solo expedition.

We - the priesthood - delve into the depths, driven by the hope of discovering relics that might unlock new realms of understanding and possibly grant us the power to transcend our mortal forms.

I - the Tender - delve into the depths driven by a command that has always been my master. It is that same voice that led me to Wataru, to the temple, and to the life which I lead. Khepri has given me this mission and also demanded that I defy the will of my mentor.

This work is both a sacred mission and a personal quest. The hidden city holds the promise of enlightenment, and every artifact we uncover brings us closer to the divine. It also holds something that I alone am supposed to discover and hold. I don’t know what that is. The process is painstaking, the dangers real, but the rewards are beyond measure. Here, among the ruins and relics, I feel the closest to Khepri, the god’s presence almost tangible in the air.

A Solemn Vow

Despite the challenges and conflicts, my faith remains unshaken - in Khepri, in the Priesthood, and in Ramdothenese Seven. Each evening, as the sun sets and the shadows lengthen, I return to the grand hall for the final ritual of the day. We perform our obeisance seven times before the altar, our prayers a vow of unwavering devotion to Khepri. This solitary moment each day is a reminder of our sacred duty and the eternal cycle of transformation and rebirth.