Tempus

Tempus, also known as the Mother of Battles, was the goddess of war, honour and the forge. Her dogma was primarily concerned with honourable battle, forbidding cowardice and encouraging the use of force of arms to settle disputes.

Her symbol was a sword upon a flaming field, her favoured animals were lions.

Common titles given to her were The Red Knight, Changebringer and Hammerstriker.

Description
War. War never changes. From before the First Age until today, gods, mortals, monsters and everything in between has forced conflict upon one another. Perhaps a sickness, perhaps a need. Tempus was the last of the war gods to survive Harmonic Convergence and as such considered a warrior unrivalled. Patron of soldiers and honourable fighters she is depicted in art as armour clad riding a golden lion into battle, but also shown as a shadowy figure walking amongst the dead of battle.

Whilst imbued with glory and chivalry it is said in the midst of battle she can be overtaken with the same bloodlust as all who make war, yet none can shake the foundations of creation as she. For that reason she is said to wander the elemental plains, honing her skill and focusing her mind, lest she become the destroyer she is often called.

Orders
Aletrias has always seen violence and thus from sheer number of historical worshipers Tempus was one of the mightiest deities in the Realms. Nearly everyone who drew a sword or nocked an arrow had fought felt her strength and knew her nature.

Temples to the Lord of Battle looked more like military fortresses than the archetypal temple. They featured barracks, mess halls, armouries, and training grounds.

Due to its tendency to have followers and priests on both sides of any engagement, the church of Tempus had no central authority that might support one side or the other exclusively. Within a given temple or order, however, there was a strict hierarchy and chain of command.

Hierarchy
All clergymen of Tempus were known as "Hammers". Each Hammer received their own ceremonial armour, depending on their rank. Hammers were broken down further into ranks:


 * Acolyte: The lowest in the hierarchy, they wore leather jackets and baldrics.
 * Stalwart: Priests, who wore chainmail.
 * Hardhar: Warrior-priests, who wore breastplates and bracers.
 * Arahar: Battle-chaplains, who wore splint mail.
 * Rauthat: Swordmasters, who wore plate mail with shoulder spikes.
 * Direhar: Guardian priests, who wore full plate.
 * Warlyon: High priests, who wore gilded magic plate mail.

Dogma
Tempus' orders to all combatants were simple and direct:


 * 1) Be fearless
 * 2) Never turn away from a fight.
 * 3) Obey the rules of war.

Orders

 * Order of the Broken Blade
 * The Order of the Broken Blade honoured those warriors and clergy who could no longer fight at their best. They continued to serve Tempus by working at shrines and temples.


 * Tempus.jpg of the Red Fang
 * The Order of the Steel Fang were an elite group that took on the most dangerous missions. Their leaders were battle-tested members of the clergy.