Guardians

**Note:** This is Babel' equivalent to the Reverents of the Lance

**Alignment:** Any (Non-evil encouraged, but evil pragmatists are welcome)

**Symbol:** A staff sprouting flowers, three dots forming triangle

**Disciplines:** Piercing Thunder

**Oath:** If one wants to become a Guardian, and are found capable, they will be approached by Shard of the Protector - Avatar of a mysterious figure unable to reach the Chronus themselves, yet hoping to influence it and other words. In most cases the Shard resembles a harmless plush animal, but there are cases of humanoid with impossible to figure out features. Regardless, the process is simple.

The Shard bestows single commandment - ranging from simple “Fight Evil” to “Oppose set organisation”. If accepted, a set of three discoloured dots appears on the back of their right hand, easily mistaken for regular blemishes. The commandment is customized to the receiver (It will not ask evil-doers to always be beacon of goodness), but are always aiming at improvement of the world and/or multiverse. Just because someone is selfish, does not mean they cannot serve the greater good.

**Allegiance Benefit:** A Guardian gains a +4 bonus on Knowledge checks to know about or identify outsiders with the chaotic or evil subtypes, as well as a +4 bonus on Perception checks against such creatures. In addition, a Guardian of 3rd level or higher gains Haft Strike as a bonus feat, even if they do not meet the prerequisites

A Guardian who violates their commandment (such as by aiding their sworn enemy or retreating from ordered combat under their groups’ challenge rating) loses these bonuses and benefit of the Haft Strike feat (but not the access to the Piercing Thunder discipline) until they atone by slaying a creature with a CR equal to or greater than their character level in single combat (Thus proving their commitment) or spending seven days meditating on their commandment (this does not require additional action beyond regular rest block).

A Guardian that leaves the order sees the three dots form an equilateral triangle, marking their choice. Due to relative ease of the commandments, this (if seen) may lead to distrust from Guardians toward such person.

**Description:** The Guardians are less of organisation and more of a group of individuals seeked out by the Protector - Most commonly, but not always, the Magical Girls. Guardians sharing the same or similar oath tend to eventually assemble into small operational organisations.

The Protector is a mysterious figure with little to no information known about them. They show clear mastery over chronomancy, spatial magic and biomancy. If they need to do something, they use proxies known as Shards of the Protector - Avatars of their power, usually appearing as non-threatening stuffed toys. The Shards serve as their eyes and ears, sparing the effort of scrying, divining and such, as well as their mouth - conveying new commandments, directing the Guardians at critical targets, allowing for coordination of otherwise separate groups. It is unknown if the Shards are born of the Protector, made by them or simply empowered - but the end result remains the same.

One of main influences by the Protector on Chronus and other worlds is creation of the Magical Girls - using a combination of divination, and scrying to save potential Dull Sparks from misery, at the cost of becoming something else. The process of creating a Magical Girl ties it irreversibly with the Shard managing it, allowing the reborn girl to channel energy more easily. Such Shard becomes a familiar, letting go of the bestowed power - or simply creates weaker duplicate of itself to accompany newly made Magical Girl. Either way, this allows Protector to keep an eye on newly-born champion of good cause.

The Guardians prefer the use of spears, staffs, polearms and similar - instinctively knowing better how to handle combat using these, even if only as last resort.

**Common Tasks:** The Guardians can receive revelations from a Shard passing by or directly from an Familiar, yet usually do not need to act upon them. If a greater evil (such as demonic invasion) is at hand, however, the Guardians shall receive a call to arms

**Available Services:** The allies of the Guardians provide them with access to lawful-aligned weapons (and holy ones, for those Guardians who can use them), lore on demons and planar travel, and often are willing to provide discounted spellcasting for the good-doers.

## Chronos’ Guardians cell (Faction part)

**Tier:** 1

**Assets & Inventory:** Saint Nanoha's Orphanage (Expenses - 3 gp/day), Saint Madoka's Orphanage (Expenses - 3 gp/day), Copied details on ritual of Veil Structure

**Fame:** 22 = 20 (start) +2x +1 15-days-of-activity

**Followers:**

2 - 1/2 of Mifuyu's 5

**Leader(s):** Mifuyu

**Member(s):** Mifuyu (Leader), Balasar Bulwark, Teniel

**Alignment:** Neutral Good

**Archetypes:** Magical (Divine), Religious

**Leadership Roles:**

Free - Head Magical Researcher - Mifuyu