Interplanetary School for Research and Advancement (ISRA)
(a.k.a. clairsentients, seers, clears or eyes)

As a clairsentient, you perceive the universe with unimaginable senses. You can see through walls and into the deepest reaches of space. Your comprehension of the physical world is unparalleled.

You are a scout and detective. You pilot orbital craft and incredible new jump ships. You scan the stars for signs of hostile incursions of all types, from Aberrants to aliens o human forces. You investigate disaster sites, crimes and mysteries, uncovering information with your powers of perception.

RECRUITING

ISRAn recruiting is as offbeat and freeform as the rest of the order. There are no formal ISRA recruiting offices or recruiters; each clairvoyant keeps his own watch for potential latents. In some cases, this watch is physical, but more often it utilizes Clairsentience. Potential candidates are "gyres in the noetic continuum," registering psionically to those clears who know how to look. When as ISRAn finds a candidate, she either passes word along to a more experienced clear or handles the situation herself.

Either way, nobody approaches the candidate directly. Rather the ISRAn handling the case leaves subtle clues for the candidate to find. If the candidate is a good match for ISRA, he'll follow those clues, drifting deeper and deeper into the mystery over a period of weeks or months. In some cases, the candidate avoids the mystery, running away physically and mentally. This is not disqualification; Otha Herzog himself ran from his awakening for over a year. It's often a sign of great potential.

The nature of the clues, and of the mystery itself, depends on the mentor involved. Moral and ethical test - suggesting that a loved one is having an affair or inviting the candidate to embezzle funds - are often part of the recruitment process, though the mentor herself seldom reveals her involvement directly. Aside from testing the candidate's moral fiber, the mentor must also believe that he is psychologically and emotionally stable before bringing him into the fold.

After the potential clear gets to the heart of the puzzle - by determining that it's a test - and meets his mentor, a period known as dormition begins. Akin to solitary mediation, this is the final screening for stability and fitness for experiencing the Prometheus Effect. The mentor who brought the candidate this far guides him through dormition. Once the mentor and any other interests parties are completely satisfied, the candidate enters the Prometheus chamber.

TRAINING

Each new clear goes through an individualized training process, overseen by one of the Mashriqi, ISRA's inner circle. This may be teaching by example or the new psion may be thrown into the deep end to make his own mistakes while his instructor stands by to comment. It's always heavily flavored with meditative grounding techniques and a strong emphasis on the virtues of simplicity.

These virtues are reinforced by the menial work used to teach the value of concentration and patience. Proxy Herzog believes that simple physical labor provides grounding and a sense of confidence.

Noetic instruction complements the physical. The most important element of Clairsentience training is the zikkir, a nonsense word best thought of as a type of mantra. In theory, a zikkir represents the clairsentient's position within the noetic universe... although skeptics claim that it's merely a psychological tool with no real significance. Regardless of the truth, the zikkir is of grave importance to most ISRAns, helping them focus in the midst of chaos.

On occasion, new clears take the virtues of simplicity to extreme ends, searing vows of poverty and isolation. While this isn't wrong in and of itself, Proxy Herzog encourages his Mashriqi to keep a close eye on them, as these sorts are generally failing for personal direction or spiritual meaning. The misguided receive help and counseling as necessary; most find their balance, but some drift into Messianic Baha'i and worship of Herzog - a trend that greatly distresses the proxy.

DAILY LIFE

ISRA has no centralized structure. There are a number of groups within the School, however, which give form to the order as a whole. These groups have loose internal structures formed mostly by common interests. Herzog recognizes each group by appointing a Mashriq to guide it.

Joycean ISRA is the group closest to Herzog's core beliefs. In one of the oblique jokes clears are fond of, it's named after James Joyce, author of the great Finnegan's Wake, perhaps the most complex and obscure book ever written/ Joycean seers spend their time contemplating and analyzing their visions in the hopes of finding the truth therein. The group that calls itself Messianic Baha'i is equally mystical, but on the opposite end of the scale when it come to Herzog's affections. Messianic Baha'i members look upon Herzog as a messiah, despite the proxy's continued efforts to correct the misapprehension.

The Hajj and the Qadiyya occupy more practical roles within the ISRAn whole. The Hajj are much sought after pilots and explorers; after all, no pilot is better than the clairsentient who can see without mechanical sensors. The best of the Hajj pilots crew the gigantic leviathan jump ships. Meanwhile, the Qadiyya exercise their noetic insights by becoming the best investigators in known space. Although taking a similar investigative rile, the shadowy Al Alif has a much more grim purpose. This faction is dedicated to maintaining the School's integrity, including hunting down rogue psions and others who would corrupt the noetic totality.

Adherents of Muzzein bang, along with the Sharifiyya, are the face of ISRA as far as society is concerned. Muzzein bang artists and philosophers claim inspiration from the teaching of Herzog and other ISRAns, the movement is inescapably associated with the order. The Sharifiyya is the closest thing to a public relations bureau within ISRA and works to polish the School's image. Much of this effort is expended to help support the group's pursuit of noetic research.

Interestingly, the seven groups (counting Muzzein bang) form a well balanced whole. Each provides an essential function and, while there's certainly overlap in purpose, it only rarely causes friction. This is particularly amazing when one remembers that each group is a purely voluntary association. On occasion, reporters have asked Herzog about this. His response is always, "I do not determine the shape of the noetic totality; I merely watch it with awe and wonder."

Other than the occasional request by a Mashriq - which is always phrased as a request - individual clairsentients do as they will. The order provides shelter and hospitality as needed, trusting each ISRAn to determine his proper course of action on his own. Clears are typically drawn to areas and periods of noetic significance, which include notable upheavals and times of chaos as well as seemingly insignificant events. This helps give ISRAn their reputation for odd oracular pronouncements and mysterious demands. Indeed, many clears consider it their duty to give advice, no matter how cryptic, if it's necessary to make events progress auspiciously.

LEAVING the ORDER

Proxy Herzog doesn't mind when clears want to leave his order. In his eyes, every clairsentient alive is part of the School's totality, It doesn't really matter if a psion works for another order; he's still apart of ISRA. If ISRA needs to tell clairsentients what to do, it's failed to train those Gifted properly. Herzog expects ISRAns to find their own direction and, if that leads them elsewhere, that's as valid a choice as any.

Still, the School's leadership doesn't allow any clairsentient anywhere to misuse his powers. Psionics are a gift and must not be used unfairly or immorally. Al Alif dedicates itself to hunting down rogues, with a virtually perfect success rate to date.

Whereas ISRA as an entity is content to allow its members to go elsewhere, individuals within the School are sometimes less sanguine about such matters. Antonia Noordsij - Doso, leader of the Hajj, hates to see her pilots go elsewhere. Abbas Kastami, the man behind Al Alif, is also reluctant to let his people go, concerned as he is about the lives they might lead without the structure he provides.