Throughout Arcadian history, one trend stands out: the appointment of guardians to protect resources, territories, or various Arcadian groups. ThemeWorlder’s researchers have collected many historical accounts of such groups, such as the Dredd Knights, valiant warriors tasked with protecting the Medici Principality from invasions, and the Taysian Guard, who defended Tay’s temple (the Goddess of Agriculture) from theft and vandalism. We also collected data on the Great Empire’s military encampment, where soldiers were trained to defend the Great Empire. It is clear that Arcadians deeply valued their land, resources, and deities enough to protect them by all means necessary.
As we explored the land of this expansive parallel world, our attention was drawn to Royaume de Satoshi (RDS). It is located north of Arcadia and is known for its opulence and rich vegetation. While not as rugged or mountainous as its neighboring Kingdom of Xbysl, Royaume de Satoshi boasts landmarks like Mt. Merope—a pilgrimage site dedicated to Chief God Kempe and Fagra, the Goddess of Love. Mt. Merope lies between RDS and the Kingdom of Xbsl and offers a breathtaking blend of the golden green landscape of Royaume de Satoshi and the sharp icy peaks of the Kingdom of Xbysl.
Lindwell, the fearless leader of Royaume de Satoshi, cherished the land’s fertility and took monumental steps to preserve its health and promote environmental consciousness throughout the realm. Guided by Artimia, the Goddess of Nature, Lindwell established an army natures guardians, which he named the Watchers, that served to conserve the forests, underscoring the significance Arcadians placed on their land, vegetation, and leaders.
The Watchers were more than protectors; these individuals emerged as symbols of resistance, environmental stewardship, and unwavering determination. They did not just view the forests as a resource that could boost industries and eventually the realm’s economy, but they viewed forests as a spiritual sanctuary and a life-source. The Watchers possessed bravery and an almost spiritual devotion to the Goddess Artimia and the land. They believed that promoting forest conservation brought them closer to Artimia herself.
Being a Watcher came with its challenges. Many greed-driven individuals viewed the forests as business ventures, eager to capitalize at any cost. Arcadia wasn’t devoid of greed, as evident from tales like that of the Dwarves and men who aimed to fell Artimia’s forests for precious gems. Such narratives of greed and exploitation illustrate the similarities between Arcadia and Earth. Pressures to modernize, often at nature’s expense, were rampant, indicating that even in Arcadia, no sector was immune to exploitation.
The narrative of the Watchers isn’t isolated. Throughout Arcadian history, many societies had guardians—whether they protected sacred texts, ancient territories, Lootian Deities, or natural wonders. This collective desire to safeguard what’s precious indicates a universal recognition of beauty and the Arcadian propensity to destroy what it doesn’t understand.
The Watchers have proved that dedication weakens adversity. The forests they protected are living museums of their resilience, which ThemeWorlder can still experience today despite the extinction of the Arcadians.
Read More: The History Behind Mt. Merope
