The Corruption of Arcadia

The universe was created by a pantheon of gods. Or so, that was what the legends would proclaim. Every aspect of the world was ruled by a being of divine power. Those in Terre were blessed by Gaea, a goddess known as the mother of all life. Arcadia was in charge of balancing that life…

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Arcadia. A goddess of the protection of the world’s balance. An icon of neutrality, no matter how evil a force may manifest. No matter how bright a light may shine. No matter how wartorn a land may become.

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No matter how many tries the legendary King of Misery may attempt to conquer Terre. No matter how many times his opposition, the Saints of Noel, have defended it.

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Arcadia, who remained unperturbed as Krampus’ soul was crushed into pieces following the Battle at the Arctic Circle in Terren Year 1240. It would be rare for the fragments — five scattered in the winds — to unite to resurrect the King once again, so it was certain to believe Terre may have finally found peace.

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Arcadia, who remained dedicated to her role, uninterrupted and isolated from mortal eyes. Who lived in quiet solitude for many, many years.

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Arcadia. An icon of neutrality — but with a fascination with the embodiment of merriment.

The unique spirit of the Saint enraptured her heart. With the soul of Boreas, the goddess had never before seen a hero with such strength, and a clan with such mirth. With immense interest, Arcadia watched each successor to the Saint of Cheer, up to the fifth of present time. Observing each daring feat and brave escapade that they accomplished to save Terre from the forces of darkness. Each Conveyance celebration. Each ray of positive energy. Never before had the goddess witnessed souls so pure, full of light and courage. She found herself drawn to the spirit of the Saint, captivated by its impenetrable force for good. And as time went on, the interest grew to admiration. Admiration became affection, and affection became amor.

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Arcadia. An icon of neutrality — that began to fade.

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Though every heir was bound to another. The matriarch of the clan was a role dutifully respected, and each missus served as a symbol of strength, hope and wisdom to the family line. Arcadia was not ignorant to the presence of these figures in the lives of the Saints. In each and every age, a woman stood beside them, and almost every time deep fondness was found, and returned in full. And upon realization, Arcadia took moments to grieve. She knew that because of her purpose, the heavy burden of maintaining balance placed on her shoulders, she could never be with the soul she had grown to love. Various barriers kept them apart.

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Until one day, when she discovered a potential opportunity.

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As she noticed the current heir was unbetrothed. That the young woman who stood beside him was his kin. That his next closest associate, an aid to his family, while fitting the description of a prospective espouse, remained timid in any possible approach. And the heir, ever oblivious.

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As Arcadia stood preoccupied, an outlet of darkness seized the chance for revenge.

The shadow, cunning and perceptive, duly noted the goddess’ strong feelings of sorrow and jealousy, knowing just how to channel those emotions to an advantage in the war. The whispers of the King of Misery found their way into her heart, providing soft, deceptive promises of receiving everything she had ever desired.

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Freedom.

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And to be bound to the spirit of light.

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Follow me…

Do as I say…

And you shall finally be with your beloved…

Eternally…

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In many tales, the feeling of love was viewed as blind. That adoration could trump common sense. While Arcadia was a figure of wisdom, her feelings became too strong to fight back. The vows were enticing. The dream of her spirit linked to the Saint of Cheer drew her in. And on the other end, the idea intrigued the King, who found honest difficulty defeating the Kringles. Perhaps throwing Saint Nicholas Kringle V to the corrupted soul of the divinity of balance would eradicate him for good. Or at least provide enough distraction for the demon’s vanquishing of the rest of the world.

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Arcadia. The young goddess who willingly allowed the King to purge her inner light. Whose affection and curiosity warped into a perverse lust and a desperate desire to possess the iconic Saint’s soul. Who began to target Nick Kringle, a man of twenty two years, bound to succeed his legendary grandfather within the following holiday.

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Certainly, it was unknown to the goddess just how serious the shadow was of its own desires. A force of evil, the King of Misery yearned for proper revenge once again. The darkness compelled the goddess to shift the balance of the world, the plane reviving the mirthless and fortifying the shadows. As Terre became exposed to ruin once more, Arcadia seeked the leaders of joy, aiming to erase the very phenomenon of happiness in order to revive Krampus.

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Arcadia. Who enlisted the assistance of the Yule Lads. Who, together with the King, started to plot her conquest.

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Arcadia. Written in history as the young goddess corrupted by both the encroaching darkness and the twisted covets of her own heart.