- For the geographic area, see West Continent.
The Kingdom of Guardia (ガルディア王国 "Garudia-ōkoku"?) is the primary human kingdom in the world of Chrono Trigger. It was founded in the first year of the new calendar, signified by the acronym AD. The ancestry of Guardia most likely traces its origin from the Kingdom of Zeal of the Antiquity era.
Important Dates
In 1 AD, the first year of the new calendar, Guardia was founded by Cedric Guardia, proven by the Millennial Fair which celebrates the 1000th anniversary of the founding of the nation.
From the years 580-600 AD, the Kingdom was embroiled in a battle against the race known as Fiends and their master, Magus, who sought the extermination of mankind. In the year 600 AD, Queen Leene was kidnapped by covert Fiend operatives led by the beast Yakra operating out of the land of Guardia. Later that year, a group assaulted the Fiendlord's Keep and destroyed it, ending the war.
In the year 984, Princess Nadia, the daughter of King Guardia XXXIII, was born.
In the year 1000 AD, the Kingdom of Guardia celebrated its first 1000 years by holding a Millennial Fair in Leene Square. King Guardia XXXIII was put on trial by a descendant of Yakra, Yakra XIII, impersonating the chancellor, and was very nearly executed.
In the year 1005 AD, in the events of Chrono Cross, Guardia is invaded by the armies of Porre and was destroyed (probably because of Dalton). It is unknown whether the nation was still ruled by King Guardia XXXIII at this time, or if he had already been succeeded by Nadia and her husband Crono.
Capital, Cities, and Geography
Truce is the capital of Guardia due to its close proximity to Guardia Castle and its large population. Between the years 600 AD. and 1999 AD., it remains the major city of Guardia, but due to its prominence in the Middle Ages, likely its place as capital has a much older origin. The city was likely named Truce due to the peace between Enlightened Ones and Earthbound Ones that survived the Fall of Zeal. Truce is located on the West Continent. Porre, another major city, sits on the southern most tip of the Southern Continent, linked to the West via Zenan Bridge. To the East, and separated by miles of sea, lie Choras and Medina. Both are relatively insignificant, although interestingly enough, Medina is the only city occupied fully by non-humans.
These cities dismantled or were destroyed during the Apocalypse, but their continental locations, although shifted by geothermal or tectonic activity, remain relatively similar to previous eras. Many newer buildings and ruins exist in locations where these cities might have been.
Millions of years in the past, the continent was Pangaea and separated sometime between Prehistory and Antiquity to form the continents. Massive volcanic abduction and glaciers from the coming Ice Age likely sculpted the many mountains and caves present in Modern Guardia. Locations once lost resurfaced in the Future, solidifying this theory. Sun Shrine is one good example of this.
Vegetation also forested the continents again, until destroyed by Lavos. Later, it was re-corrected by the time-travelers.
Currency
Through most eras, the standard unit of currency in Guardia is Gold, represented by the letter G (usually capital). In Prehistory, gold is accepted by minor apothecaries, but the merchant in Ioka Village Hut accepts Petals, Fangs, Horns, and Feathers as currency. In the Future, the authenticity and value of gold coins are questioned by the merchants but are never turned down. Silver Points, a special brand of currency, is only obtainable and spendable in Leene Square.
Religion
Although a Cathedral exists in the Middle Ages, there is no evidence or reference to god(s) within. No paintings, sculptures, or edifices praise any celestial being anywhere in time. The only mention of deity stems from Robo, a sentient machine, who ponders the meaning of life and the seemingly intentional stream of events braided into the lives of inhabitants of Guardia while reforesting the Southern Continent for four hundred years. Sophisticated as this idea seems, the being is only named "Entity". Little else is known about it and little proof is given to its existence and role in the lives of Guardians.
Government
Guardia is ruled by monarchs and their successors; Guardia Castle is their seat. Surrounding cities are governed by mayors (also called elders) who maintain fiefs for the crown.
A judicial system was introduced some time between [600 A.D. and 1000 A.D. at the suggestion of the Chancellor; Queen Leene were kidnapped by Yakra, who impersonated a royal official, and the stricter government was needed. After rescuing Leene and Marle, Crono is put on trial in the Present, represented by a lawyer Pierre, in the very system his actions inspired. Ironically, whether the court finds him guilty or innocent of kidnapping Marle, he is thrown in prison, pending execution. This suggests that while democracy blossoms in Guardia, there are still faults, as noblemen refuse to relinquish their power.
Name Etymology
Guardia is a Spanish noun for a guard, defense, on the watch. On guard is a common phrase, in Spanish "en Guardia".