Father Timmis was brought up in Chance by a couple who were both devout followers of Irori – his father is a strict, ascetic monk his mother a lorekeeper and archivist. At a young age, he became an acolyte within the church and rapidly demonstrated his skill and understanding of the world, finding a place working within the church’s archives.
Gradually, however, he began to run afoul of the church authorities. Being the God of self-improvement and perfection, the standard church doctrine often focuses on self-reliance and perseverance in the face of suffering. Timmis discovered an old, almost heretical interpretation of Irori’s teachings which had long since fallen out of favor. This alternate theology taught that the followers of Irori should help those who are less fortunate come to realise their true potential through education, guidance and assistance. The orthodox teachings of Irori consider such ideals as misguided at best and counter-productive at worst. The accepted view is that any charity or assistance which is lent by the church will hinder the devout follower’s path to self-reliance and perfection.
Eventually, Timmis’s position within the church became untenable. Although still a devout follower of Irori, he came to believe that it was his job to provide guidance and assistance to those disadvantaged by birth and to help them on their journey of self-discovery and fulfillment. Consequently, he left the service of the main temple to Irori (and retains a very poor reputation there as a borderline heretic). Scraping together what funds he could, he purchased a large, abandoned warehouse on the edge of the Warrens – the poorest and most dangerous ward within Chance.
From this new home, Father Timmis aimed to bring the discipline and culture of self-improvement which faith in Irori provides to the poorest, most desperate inhabitants of Chance. The large, rundown building was a poor temple by most measures. There was a large, empty chamber with uncomfortable wooden pews and a simple, hardwood altar. Father Timmis slept in a tiny room off the main temple. He preached to the few who attended the tiny church daily – offering what he hoped would be inspiration to the poor and needy of Chance, teaching that through perseverance and dedication they would be able to lift themselves from their desperation and achieve their full potential. He would also provide healing and teaching free of charge to any who came in need.
His actions eventually crossed the wrong people (although he doesn’t know that) and one night the temple was attacked by a horde of animated zombies who rampaged through one of his sermons, attacking the faithful and destroying as much of the temple as they could. Although Father Timmis was able to fend off many of them, during the struggle a lamp was overturned and the old, wooden building was set alight. By the time the undead menace was overcome – the building was ruined and Father Timmis went through a bleak period of depression.
Such gloom has recently lifted. Although he still believes in the same noble ideas, he is now of the view that true evil can only be countered with direct action. The recent memories of his destroyed temple and murdered flock fresh in his mind, Father Timmis maintains a particularly passionate hatred of the undead who are one of few types of creatures he considers to be unredeemable. Resolute in this new resolve to confront wrongdoing, he purchased armor and weapons – planning on putting the martial training he received from the church to work for the first time in his life. Suitably attired, he applied to work for the watch – doing good deeds and protecting the innocent. Although they were a little hesitant given the old man’s advancing age, he was ultimately accepted into the watch.
