The Keepers of Culture

The Keepers of Culture is a military unit throughout the Northern Tripartite whose primary focus is protecting libraries, museums, and other cultural hubs during times of war and disaster, when these artifacts are often raided, stolen, and even destroyed. They are a Reserves branch of the Infantry that trains extensively in the use of melee weapons and shieldbearing. There is a small patrol of healers in the army, roughly one per twenty soldiers. These healers are usually Clerics that serve at a local temple in town.

The Keepers were created in response to the War in which the Astral Elf city of ... was attacked by Frost Giants because of the conflict they had with... and perceived betrayal of... and all of the star charts, archives, and records in the city were burned. Their Sanctuary of Stars was completely destroyed; the Planetarium, crystal windows, and every work of craftmanship found in its construction. The lens of the telescope in the Planetarium was taken back to the Frost Giant Queen as a war trophy.

The Keepers of Culture are regarded by the commoners as the "Heroes of History" because of the role that they have had in upholding their culture. They are viewed as a noble profession to follow because the loss of cultural relics and collective memory to war is taught with great sadness and loss in the North.

Amongst the Astral Elves, these military formations are strictly dedicated to guarding the Sanctuary of the Stars in the every settlement. There are always at least two soldiers posted at the doors of every Sanctuary, but in larger cities it is common to see them posted throughout as well.

During war times and especially in the incident of a surprise sack on their city, the Keepers of Culture would deploy immediately and find as many vulnerable citizens (pregnant women, children, elderly and disabled individuals) as possible, and bring them to the library, museum, or other cultural center they are guarding so that they can be protected and preserved along with their cultural relics.

Type
Infantry

Comments

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Aug 17, 2024 15:31 by Marjorie Ariel

This reminds me of the booksmuggling movement in 19th century Lithuania. Several of the better known people in that are still important historical figures today.