After first hearing about a "Tempus Milites", you are probably thoroughly confused. There are several requirements to becoming a Tempus and duties that must be performed. First I�ll explain the requirements.

The most basic requirements for a Tempus are knowledge of the power, respect of authorities, obedience to laws, and a firm sense of responsibilities. Now, along with these requirements, you also need to pass several tests to prove one�s character. Generally, great scholars and hermits become Time Guardians. There must be very few attachments to matters of earthly value and such.

Once you become a Tempus, you�re hand is marked with the symbol of the element. This symbol is also specific to the Tempus. The symbol and the gate assigned to the Tempus are bound. This is one of the limits that were put on the power by the wise men who discovered it.

Now, onto the duties they perform. The title of "Tempus Milites" comes from the Latin meaning Time Soldier or Time Guardian as popularly called. Therefore, the greatest responsibility of a Tempus is to prevent the abuse of Time Travel.

When the power of Tempus was first discovered, there were several gates to different and specific periods in time. Imagine �time� as a long hallway lined with many gates. The Tempuses were founded to protect these gates from being passed by wanderers. However, Time Guardians are not immortal and several have died already leaving some gates or Tempus Portae unguarded.

The unguarded Portae become easy pathways for ambitious men to try and change their past or control the future. The next duty of a Tempus is to not only keep an eye on their assigned gate but be aware of time activities or tampering.

So, is time travel illegal? Not completely. Sometimes, it is predicted that some person should pass through a certain gate. It does not change the future but merely fulfills it. Also, sometimes it is common for those gifted with the power of Time to receive passage to take a vacation during a certain time period. But only under the eye of the Guardian. Anther common thing that happens is when these Time people make a mistake or don�t fully understand their power. It is then up to the Guardians to rescue that person and bring him/her back to their original time.

Have there been abuses? Sure have! It is completely possible for a Tempus to be corrupted since they�re only human. They are sought out quickly! The Ministers of Time, who command, train, and oversee the Tempus Milites, punish them by stripping them of their title and banishment to a different time. Very rarely, did we have to kill one of our fellow Milites.

Another abuse is using the time gates as a means of murder. Those gifted with the power of Time like to use the unguarded gates as a means of killing. If a Time wizard is skilled enough, they can send their enemies to a specific location, under a specific circumstance, during a specific time that would ensure their deaths. This has been done before. It is a Tempus�s job to watch out for these occurances and attempt to avert them.

Future of the Tempus Portae: Since so many Tempus Milites are dying off and fewer are able enough to fulfill all the duties and requirements, it seems as though the Tempus Portae will become open avenues of abuse. However, it has been predicted that a power will come and strip man of his gift of Time. The gates will be shut forever and the Tempus Milites will no longer be needed.

PERSONAL NOTE: My experience as a Tempus has been pretty amazing. Oringinally, I was from the Age of High Magic. I elected, however, to guard my Porta from the inside instead of from my oringinal time period. I live in the year 2003 in a small town. I have lived here for a good 25 years. During this time I have traveled many places, learned many things, and taught a great deal. I have also become a minister during this time. After becoming a priest, I discovered I could be gifted with great power. I have had experience in exorcisms, which is quite excited and frightening. My sense of Time is much keener than your average Tempus. I also have gained more control on where to bring Time Travellers. For example, if someone is about to be sent through an unguarded Gate, I can manipulate the paths of Time to connect to my gate and bring them to any location I desire.

It has been said in the Age of High Magic that "the Pair" would pass through the gates of time and shut them forever. I have a feeling that I will get to meet this pair as it is predicted by the prophet hermit Yaurmish that they would pass around my Gate. I am very anxious for that day.

Yours,

Father Andrew T. Watcher