Tempus

Overview

Tempus governs the tide of war, and dispenses his favor at random, his chaotic nature favoring all sides equally. The god of war may back an army one day, and an opposing force the next. He may manifest before a battle, appearing to one side or the other: if he is seen riding a white mare (known as Veiros), then the army will succeed. If he rides a black stallion (known as Deiros), then defeat is certain. Most often he appears to be riding with one foot in each mount's stirrup, signifying the unpredictable nature of battle. Mighty and honorable in battle, Tempus is a robust and strong deity who answers to his own warrior code only, and no other, and pursues no long-lasting alliances.

Description

Tempus appears as a 12 foot (3.7 meter) tall giant human wearing battered and bloodied plate armor, with his face hidden by a massive war helm. His bare legs and arms are crisscrossed with bleeding wounds, and he carries a great axe or a black-bladed sword, notched and stained with use.

Holy symbol

Tempus's symbol is an upright, blazing silver sword on a blood-red shield.

Favored weapon

Tempus wields an array of giant, silver-bladed weapons, blackened and battle worn, but is known to favor a black-bladed sword. notched and stained with use, and a battleaxe known as Battle Prowess. His priesthood have selected the battleaxe as their favored weapon.

Realm

World Tree cosmology

In the World Tree cosmology of Realmspace, Tempus resides within his realm, known as Warrior's Rest, which encompasses the entire outer plane of the same name. Tempus shares the plane with his subordinate war deities, including the Red Knight, Garagos, Uthgar, and Valkur, and allows them to shape their realms as they see fit. Warrior's Rest is an enormous battlefield with features similar to a rocky desert. Mesas and buttes tower over the otherwise flat terrain, while unusual outcroppings of rock jut from the earth. The plane is in constant flux, erupting into eternal battles, with random shifts of terrain and equally wild shifts in battlefield loyalties.

Great Wheel cosmology

In the Great Wheel cosmology, Tempus resides within his realm, known as Knight's Rest, which is located on the Ever-Changing Chaos of Limbo. Knight's Rest is anything but restful. Battles rage endlessly and those killed in combat lie on the ground while they heal, until they rise and join the side of those who killed them and fight again. Only cowards die forever.

Worship

Over the centuries, the priests of Tempus have made an effort to spread and enforce a common code of warfare - to make war a thing of rules, respect for reputations, and professional behavior. This code, called Tempus's Honor, has the purpose of making conflicts brief, decisive, and as safe as possible for those not directly involved. The rules in the code include the following: arm anyone who has need of a weapon; disparage no foe; acquit oneself with bravery; train all for battle; and don't engage in feuds. Those who poison wells, taint fields, kill noncombatants, or engage in torture in the name of war are all considered sinners.

Worshipers of Tempus are legion, and all soldiers pray to him for aid in coming battles. His priests are tacticians, often skilled in the art of war. Many of his priests don't serve in temples, but as battlefield chaplains with armies and mercenary companies, encouraging their fellow soldiers with both word and blade. Priests of Tempus teach that war conducted properly is fair in that it oppresses all sides equally, and that in any given battle, a mortal might be slain or might become a great leader among their companions. Mortals shouldn't fear war but should see it as a natural force, the storm that civilization brings about by its very existence.

In Spelljammer

Tempus is a member of the Faerûnian pantheon and as such is considered native to Realmspace. Priests of Tempus can travel throughout Realmspace without limitation; however once they leave the sphere they lose access to all mid-to-high level spells until they return. Priests of Tempus are popular with pirates, and many adventuring companies, due to their martial skills, and their mere presence improves morale amongst the crew of those vessels they serve on.

Appendix

External Links

• Tempus article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
• Tempus article at the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from 2nd edition AD&D.

References

Connections