Church of Tempus

The Church of Tempus was the collective group of individuals that called upon Tempus the god of war as their patron deity. It attracted people from all walks of life, from all across Faerûn, that engaged in war for one cause or another.

Titles
Befitting a religious organization that elevated the tenets of warfare, the church bestowed upon its members a number of military-style ranks and titles. Notable among these were: Lord/Lady of the Field, Swordmaster/mistress, Battlelord/lady, Shield of the God, Lance of the Lord, Terrible Sword, Swung Sword, and Warpriest. Higher rank could be achieved by distinct service to the church, when necessary in times of need, or temporarily when it was deemed necessary.

Other titles associated with a specific role in the church were put in these ranks when appropriate. The title of Trusted Sword was bestowed upon the heads of Tempus' temples and Battle Chaplain on clergy members that oversaw his shrines.

Activities
The faithful of Tempus were tasked with aiding anyone that had a need to engage in battle, regardless of affiliation. They were tasked with maintaining honor, respect, and professionalism among the combatants of battles in which they participated.

When not taking an active role in warfare, they helped predominantly human societies prepare for war, with a focus on defense against terrifying creatures or monstrous humanoids. At times they served as witnesses during the signing of mercenary contracts.

The most mighty of Tempus' priests could magically imbue weaponry and armor with the consciousness of retired and elderly once-great warriors. Some instances of this practice were witnessed in a small number of helmed horrors.

Rituals
One of the most common Tempuran rituals was a prayer calling for bravery and self-preservation made before each battle.

Additionally each day, they held the Feast of Heroes at highsun, and performed the Song for the Fallen as the sun began to set. At some temples, high priests would perform a ceremony entitled the Song of the Sword for Tempus' faithful worshipers.

Celebrations
Once each year, after the final night of Uktar, priests of Tempus undertook the March of the Dead in various towns and cities across the Realms. During this ceremony, priests would list the names of the fallen dead in a chant as they walked through the streets.

On occasion, some of the larger temples would host grand athletic competitions known as "champion frays".

Regions
Worship of Tempus was prominent among the peoples of Icewind Dale, the Moonshae Isles Narfell Threskel, the Vast, Waterdeep.

Places of Worship
Temples dedicated to the Lord of Battle tended to resemble military fortresses rather than actual places of worship.

Notable Shrines & Temples
Notable temples of Tempus included:
 * Abbey of the Sword, the temple in Battledale that marked the location where Tempus arrived in the Realms during the Time of Troubles.
 * Beacon of Battle, a small temple in the Qhibal Sabban of Calimport that recruited new members from among the city's gladiators.
 * High House of Swords and Banners, also known as the "Bloodhall" in Ormpetarr in the Vilhon Reach.
 * House of Heroes, the local temple in Waterdeep that drew members from combatants of the Field of Triumph.
 * House of War, the imposing fortress-temple found in the city of Ravens Bluff.
 * Towers of the Vengeful Hand, the lucrative and influential holy house found in Eshpurta in Amn.

Other temples could be found in Archenbridge, Calimport (in addition to the aforementioned), Tantras,

Shrines could be found in Arabel, the Golden Fortress academy in Eshpurta, Esembra, Highcastle, Scardale Town, Shadowdale, Suzail, Swordpoint in Arkhen Vale, Voonlar,

Dress
Tempus' clergy typically wore the same armor they would don on the battlefield, preferably plate or full plate mail. They were always careful to never wear helms or headgear that covered their face however, as to do otherwise was seen as a profane emulation of Tempus' likeness. Some of the more zealous orders of the church always kept at least one piece of their armor on at all times.

The practice of always (or nearly always) wearing their battlefield armor was less common among Tempuran clergy found in larger cities.

Priests' robes varied in color depending on rank, from brown and purple worn by lesser priests to red and amber worn by high priests. Yellow and white robes were only to be worn by the most esteemed of Tempus' priests. The robes of all priests were adorned in red trim, dyed with actual blood.

Spells
Notable spells associated wit Tempus and his faithful included holy flail, reveal, dance of the fallen, bladebless, and sacred link.

Dogma
"Only time and Tempus know who shall prevail."

- Common Tempuran saying.

Beliefs
Followers of Tempus believed their god did not achieve victory in war, rather provided aid for those that were so deserving. Warfare was a natural force of the world; the great equalizer of the mortals of the Realms. For during battle, any mortal could be just as easily slain as they could achieve greatness and glory.

They believed Tempus honored those that engaged in honorable warfare and did not succumb to cowardly or shameful tactics such as terrorizing innocents, performing torture, utilizing poisons, or committing outright slaughter.

Attitudes
"(you should) disparage no foe and respect all, for valor blazes in all, regardless of age, gender, or race."

- Excerpt of the Tempuran dogma.

While they were stalwart in their beliefs, and would readily defend the tenets of their faith in battle, Tempus' faithful did not engage in war without reason. They felt the consequences of initiating battle should be carefully considered before committing to action in battle. At the same time, those that attempted to avoid conflict, either by speech or by fleeing, were among the most harmful cowards to all of civilization.

Tempurans felt they should never avoid battle but did not engage in conflicts for which there was no chance of victory. They believed a swift, decisive battle was much more preferable over a long, drawn-out engagement.

Worshipers of Tempus firmly believed in honoring the dead that fell in battles past. Their names were always to be recorded following battle, to be honored during the March of the Dead.

Military Orders

 * Order of the Broken Blade, former Tempuran warriors and other clergy members that could no longer effectively fight in battle.
 * Order of the Steel Fang, an elite fighting order that were often dispatched by the church to the most deadly assignments across the Realms.

Classes
The church of Torm attracted numerous clerics, crusaders, specialty priests known as Battleguards, and in some locales even tribal shamans.

Relationships
Distinct conflict arose between Tempus' Waterdhavian clergy and those that venerated the goddess Shar.

Following the decline of the Untheric pantheon, the Tempuran church maintained a rivalrous relationship with the church of Anhur. They each competed with one another for faithful that sought to venerate a patron of martial combat.

History
Clerics of Tempus fought alongside local Dalesfolk when Battledale came under threat of occupation by the drow of Clan Auzkovyn in the.

Members
Tempus was worshipped by several localized tribal communities, including Reghedmen of Icewind Dale, the Northlanders of the Moonshae Isles, the Nars people of Narfell. It was among these communities that tribal shamans, rather than priests, oversaw and led worship of Tempus.

The faith attracted many mercenaries from across the Realms.

Notable Tempurans

 * Abordabe, the influential leader of the largest of the Nars barbarian tribes.