TRAVELERS

By Terry French (vampire@osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu) (13 Jan 1995)

The Travelers or Timekeepers, as some would have them be known, are rumored to have existed since the dawn of time, while others say they are a disjointed group of travelers who have seen the horrors caused by creating ripples in time. Though their existence may have always been, they have remained a relatively small group. Strange as it may seem, many of the Traditions have no knowledge of the Traveler's existence. Those that do have knowledge support the group fully.

The Travelers have taken it upon themselves to watch and maintain the flow of time. They are enforcers, seeing that no one interferes with the natural order of time.

The Travelers are broken into several branches. The upper branch are the Assembly, all other branches report to the Assembly. The Assembly gathers information and send out the proper agents to correct the situation.

There are essentially three field agents, Observers, Hunters and Walkers. The role of the Observers is to watch over time and record events...they are to report any strange anomalies back to the Assembly, so they can determine if further action must betaken. The Observers are said to maintain the largest Library in existence.

The Hunters are the most vicious agents, they are also referred to as the executioners. The Hunters are not directly sent out by the Assembly, certain extremely serious matters are sent to the Judges. The Judges are Travelers that take the cases sent down by the Assembly and decide what type of Hunter/s must be sent. They will either send out a Hunter to bring back the person or persons corrupting time, and sentence them when brought in. While the most serious of cases are given the death penalty, however, this requires that all Judges vote accordingly.

The Hunters, are by no means evil...only extremely efficient, and will most usually carry out the death sentence in a way that will make others think twice before corrupting the flow of time.

The third field agency is known as the Walkers, also as the Keepers. The Walkers for the most part combine the two other groups. The Walkers must maintain the order of time. Which at times gives them the role of Observer and Hunter. The Walkers are the ones who maintain the web of time. They are probably the most knowledgeable of the three groups. The Walkers interact with people to make sure that certain events continue their scheduled course. At times due to interference or simply a ripple in time, sequences will get out of place, therefore, the Walkers must step in and correct the situation. The role of Walkers is one of prestige, and many aspire to reach said position.

There is rumored to be a forth group, known as the Seekers...whose only job is to watch over the Travelers.

The Travelers have remained a relatively small , and only a select few are ordained into the order. Some say they travel to the future, to observe who they have selected and thus know who to select. However, others say they undergo bizarre rituals of truth. Those that are brought into the covenant, undergo extensive training. They study all aspects of history down the smallest detail. They learn the art of acting...for each area and time period one must dress a different way, speak in a certain way, the manners and customs are different, all this must be mastered. Language, is heavily studied...back to ancient Greek, and Celtic language, and even the more extinct language such as Summerian, Elamite, Hattic. They also study the fighting skills of several different time periods.

When one has excelled in her studies then and only then is she allowed...to move on to the more extreme...the study of Time.

Philosophy: Time is a wondrous sight, but those that take advantage of time do all a disservice. Time must be preserved, kept whole...no fluctuation or disturbance will be allowed. We have dedicated our lives to protect the flow of time, and we will die doing so. Therefore, many of us have not the time to seek out Ascenscion...but it will come in Time.

Organization: Travelers are organized into branches, each one supporting the other in one form or another. Chantries existence are unknown.

Meetings: Meetings are an every day occurrence to discuss certain situations, and how these situations must be dealt with...meetings are a part of their task.

Initiation: Unknown

Chantries: Unknown, though speculated they have the largest library that exists.

Acolytes: Historians, FBI, Book store owners.

Sphere: Time

Foci: Omni- is a strange looking device. Gold in color it resembles a compass. It helps the Travelers navigate through time. It gives them dates, area...and what seems to be the disturbance in time. The Omni is a tool, and is never relied upon...several Travelers do not use the Omni and rely totally on their own knowledge.

Concepts: Historians, FBI, Book store owners.

Quote: "We have very little time for ourselves, for we are constantly keeping others from destroying time...and thus the world as we know it"