The first records of the guild “date back” to a late 21st century Earth. Instead of dealing with the world’s problems together, the nations of this world blamed each other. Their pride and greed fueled their ambitions, keeping themselves in constant turmoil. Instead of making compromises, they focused their energy and resources on destroying each other, developing greater weapons to kill millions at a time. After countless wars and conflict, the planet’s resources had finally been exhausted. The land had been scorched, the skies and seas were poisoned. Civilization was on the brink of extinction.

In a last ditch effort to save themselves, the remaining nations finally cast their weapons aside and finally combined forces. They used what little resources remained to try to bring the earth back into balance. Unfortunately, this union brought more unrest. Even though their eyes were finally open to the error of their ways, they saw nothing but trouble ahead. The damage had already been done. The land and seas could no longer sustain life. Years of biological contamination led all but the heardiest of species to die off. Nuclear winter blocked out the skies and the world was soon to enter another, final ice age. It seemed that civilization was ready to give up and accept that they have finally brought about their own destruction.

The 'Oracle'

The numbers dwindled until there were only several dozen left. These people wandered the wasteland of what was once their former home in search for shelter and and food... or ultimately a place to end their lives with what little dignity they had left. It was then that they stumbled upon an old research center. Strangely enough it had withstood the onslaught of war. Like an oasis in a desert, this place stood out amongst the rubble. Everything seemed to be intact, its gray unscathed walls standing tall in defiance of the chaos around it. Inside they discovered something even more surprising. Stores of food and mobile equipment seemed to be prepared for a long journey…

It was there that they found what is identified now as the “oracle”; a tall metallic machine composed of a peculiar arrangement of spheres, rings and cylinders. The design was alien, yet somehow familiar to these people. Upon looking at the machine, some of them felt compelled to interact with it. It was as if an unseen force was calling to them, feeding them with the necessary information to complete whatever this machine originally set out to do. Within a matter of hours, they were able to operate its various terminals and began deciphering what they discovered. They found records of virtually every aspect of life; plants, animals, civilizations, historical events, technologies... even of those not yet seen or heard of. As they traversed the vast libraries of data, they were drawn to a record with a very specifc set of operating instructions. "Time travel" it read. They realized that the oracle was capable of creating a one-way physical portal to the past. Considering their situation, this record seemed to speak directly to the people. 

With absolutely nothing to lose and so much more to gain, the people felt the relief they've spent decades searching for. It seemed that civilization was given a chance to redeem itself. With proper caution outlined by this “oracle”, they managed to successfully transport themselves to the past where civilization was just beginning, taking all of their knowledge and experiences with them...