The Stronghold
Evidence suggests that a group of Guardians-like chronomancers exists on Oerth, but little is known of them. The Codex of the Infinite Plains has a cryptic reference to the Monitors of Infinity "drawn from all piaces in Tlme" but this is the sum of the evidence. Chronomancers risk pursuit by the Monitors or by an avatar of a time-related deity if a major disruption of history occurs.
Two quasi-deities, Heward and Murlynd. are suspected of heing chronomancers or having time-travel powers from devices, psionics, or artifacts. The mad demigod Zagyg likely travels Temporal Prime, which is here usually calied the Piane or Demiplane of Time; the demigod Vecna certainly knows of ciironomancy.
The andent Suloise-Baklunish conflict may have involved time battles between rival chronomancers. Istus (goddess of fate and destiny) is Baklunish; Lendor (god of time) is Suel. The results of such fighting, and any involvement of the Monitors or godly avatars, are unknown. Chronomancy might also be known to elves worshipping Labelas Enoreth, the elven deity of longevity, history and time, and wizards of Boccob, the Oerik god of magic.
Chronomancers may wish to explore Tovag Baragu, the Stone Circles, whose arches sometimes open into Oerth's past. (See the Greyhawk adventure, Vecna Lives!).
The Order
Guardians have structured their organization into almost a religious program. Every Guardian swears binding oaths of allegiance and is placed under several special geases. The Guardian oaths are a closely guarded secret, and thev are thought to be magical in nature and unbreakable. Guardians place the safety of Temporal Prime above all else, and the protection of the timestreams of their reaiities next. Last is the protectlon of the timestreams of other realities but thoserealities often have Guardian organizalions of their own.
Leading Members
The administrative rulers of the Order form a council consisting of chronomancers of the highest level and knowledge. There is no set number that may be on the cotmcil, but it usually hovers around 12, Being placed on the council is the highest honor availabte to members of the Ordcr. New council members are chosen on the basis of their accomplishments and knowledge of Temporal Prirne. The final requisite for acceptance is for the selected chronomancer to discover a new piece of major kriowledgë about any portion of Temporal Prime. The council discusses and votes on ail actions of the Guardians, and for being a democratic burcaucracy whcrc every chronomancer is allowed a say they are remarkably efficient and can reach a course of action quickly.
Set above the Council is a pair of chronomancers with the ability to override any decision and demand instant lovalty from all members of the Order. Highest of the two is the Premier Temporus, said to be the original founder of the Guardians. Rarely does he put in an appearance, and when he does, he remains cloaked and in shadow. Whether this affectation is to keep a mysterious air about him or has some purpose, the council does not question. No one outside the council sees this figure and few even hear rumors of his existence.
The assistant to the Premier is the Director Marshal. The Director sits in at most council meetings but does not interfere unless necessary. He offers advice and sometimes organizes spedal missions, possibly without the council's knowledge. The Director is the arbitrator of any dispute or challenge to the Order. His knowledge of Temporal Prime and chronomancy is said to be the highest of all, perhaps in excess of the Premier's. He was dircctlv recruited by the Premier and has never sat on the council, and he also maintains an air of mysterv about him. He answers to the name Kourat, but no record has ever been found to suggest his origins, The prevailing thought among the council is that the Director was an extremely powerful chronomancer who kept himself hidden from the Order for decades or perhaps centuries, one more knowledgeable than any other about Temporal Prime. What is known as fact is that the Premier left the stronghold one day and returned with his assistant, who was set above the council immediately. There were several changes to the structure of the Order and in the way Guardians handled their affairs.
Stronghold Guard
After a Guardian has taken the oaths and has proven his ability with a few minor accomplishments, he is indoctrinated into the Stronghold Guard. The Guard follows council direction and forms the backbone of the Cuardian intelligence network, Its members keep track of all chronomancers under surveillance, filing new information as the monitors make their reports. They compile all research into organized form and help in the experimentation to formulate and prove new theories. Most of the work is routine and would cause severe dissatisfaction in the ranks, except the Guard is also responsibte for the patrolling and safety of the stronghold, a demanding task.
Comments