Gaspar (Chrono Trigger)
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Gaspar, the Guru of Time, is a non playable character (NPC) in the Chrono Trigger video game.
Gaspar was once one of the three Gurus of the magical Kingdom of Zeal in 12,000 B.C. While his colleagues Belthasar and Melchior were associated with the concepts of Reason and Life respectively, Gaspar's field of study was Time.
The golden age of Zeal comes to an end when Queen Zeal seeks to master a powerful and seemingly eternal source of energy that emanates from the ocean floor. That energy comes from none other than the immortal alien parasite Lavos, which had crashed into the planet in 65,000,000 B.C. and began constantly growing stronger. Under Lavos's influence, the Queen becomes cruel and ambitious; obsessed with building a palace near the energy flow to harness its almost limitless power via the Mammon Machine.
Gaspar, together with the other two Gurus and the Queen's daughter Schala realize that Lavos could awaken if the Mammon Machine were brought to such proximity, and try to make the Queen listen to reason. Eventually the situation becomes so dire that Melchior is imprisoned and the other two Gurus are forced to flee from Queen Zeal's wrath. Gaspar was rumored to have escaped to an island, where he was said to be researching a device called the "Chrono Trigger", or "Time Egg".
The heroes free Melchior and battle an awakened Lavos in the newly completed Ocean Palace. Lavos completely obliterates Crono, but Schala manages to teleport the remaining heroes to safety.
Then, the three Gurus appear. Lavos uses its power once more to create time gates under each of the Gurus, banishing each one to a different era. Melchior is sent to 1000 A.D. (the "present") and Belthasar is whisked away to 2300 A.D. (the "future"), but Gaspar himself lands in the nothingness of infinity: the very End of Time itself.
While living in the bleak, lonely End of Time, Gaspar has the company of Spekkio, the self-proclaimed master of war in addition to the occasional time travellers who end up at the End of Time accidentally when four or more enter a single Time Gate at once.
Image:Gaspar, Guru of Time (Sprite).png Over time, Gaspar's appearance changes. He exchanges his ceremonial robes for a brown overcoat and a bowler hat. His staff mysteriously disappears and is replaced by a cane. In addition, he somehow creates a small cobblestone square floating in the void at the End of Time. This area contains a fence, a bucket, a magical jar and the lamppost under which he is usually seen standing or sleeping. From this vantage point, Gaspar can observe any time period he desires, partially due to his powers as the Guru of Time, and partially due to his unique location. Image:End of time.jpg
Early in their quest, Crono, Lucca, Marle, and Robo are transported to the End of Time and meet Gaspar, although they do not yet know his true identity. Gaspar explains how they cannot travel through time in groups of larger than three (due to the Conservation of Time theorem) and introduces them to Spekkio, who teaches them magic. From this point on, Gaspar provides a plethora of assistance, giving the adventurers direction for their quest. During their first visit to the Kingdom of Zeal, after Crono's untimely demise, the heroes learn of the Guru of Time and his power to change the past. They pay the "old man" at the End of Time a visit for assistance on finding this "Guru of Time." Touched by this sign of friendship, Gaspar's hesitation fades and he gives them his finest creation: the Chrono Trigger. He reveals that it can have a powerful effect on time when the proper conditions are met. If Crono's friends manage to unlock the power of the Chrono Trigger it is possible to prevent the death of Crono before it occurs. After they thank Gaspar for the service he has provided, he returns their thanks and requests (jokingly) to join the team.
Following Crono's return, Gaspar further helps the heroes by offering his insights into other eras, effectively giving the player hints to the game's optional side-quests.
Gaspar's English name, as those of the other two Gurus, is a reference to the traditional names of the Three Wise Men or Magi who, according to the Christian Gospel, gave gifts to the newborn Jesus. An analogy can be made in that each of the Gurus gave valuable items to Crono and his team, Gaspar's being the Chrono Trigger. Gaspar's Japanese name is Gasshu.