About the Watchers
An example of one of the portals created by the Watchers.
The Watchers are a group of powerful unseen forces who seem to run and orchestrate the series behind the scenes. They have the power to move through different versions of the game, and they are the ones who created the portal that lead the players to each new version of Minecraft throughout the course of the server. Aside from the altered end poem when the Evolutionists, the Watchers primarily talk to the players through rhymes and poems. The exception to their speaking style was in the modified end poem text, where they spoke normally.
In episode 30 of The Spawn Chunks, a podcast hosted by Joel Duggan & Pixlriffs, Grian revealed that the Watchers were intended to be a representation of the actual Youtube viewers of the series. When Grian ended his series and became the third Watcher, it was a in-universe representation that he was now another viewer of the series instead of a member.
The only player who missed a version jump was Taurtis, who overslept the day of the jump to a new Minecraft version and was stranded in version Beta 1.4_01, was trapped in a place he called the "Downside Up" until he made his way to the portal himself. The version appeared nearly identical to the regular world, however, with a purple tint and the Nether portal texture over the entire screen. He is the only person known to have missed a jump and been stranded in the Downside Up.
Consequences & Pranks
They have a tendency to punish those who displease them or go against their desires in some way, though they only apply consequences when they have a reason to do so. One such prank was at one point they covered the tops of Grian's chest with obsidian. They have also directly punished Martyn when he decided that he would be Mayor. The Watchers stated that the did not approve that Martyn was "wearing a false crown on his head", and they unleashed a meteor upon his building.
Normally, however, as their name suggests, they simply observe the players and guide them through scavenger hunts and puzzles to the next portal when it is time to have them update the world.
The Listeners
Underneath the old mayor's office, Jimmy and Martyn discovered a dungeon that detailed the existence of another force known as the Listeners. This can be seen in Martyn's 61st episode. Though nothing virtually is known about these entities, they might be opposed to the Watchers in some way.
While they also have the ability to move bedrock, like the Watchers, their symbol is that of an ear, instead of the portal-like shape that the Watchers use. They are also restricted to speaking in rhymes like the Watchers are.
The first time SolidarityGaming and InTheLittleWood heard from the Listeners, it was stated that they would be given a mission. However, they remained silent on what this mission was until they sent SolidarityGaming alone in his 98th episode. The results of this mission were discovered by the rest of the group in InTheLittleWood's 81st episode, when the Listeners spoke to the Evolutionists again through a book in rebellion of the Watchers' decision.
Altered End Poem Dialogue
Watcher 1: Oh, hello everyone. They’re here, friends.
Watcher 2: It’s about time. I was beginning to think they might not ever find us.
Watcher 1: We’ve been watching you for a very long time, Evolutionists.
Watcher 2: From the start, in fact.
Watcher 1: Indeed. From when we dropped you in Beta 1.2 all the way to now.
Watcher 2: We watched you struggle to craft old recipes, build with limited blocks and walk absolutely everywhere.
Watcher 1: But most of all, we watched you have fun.
Watcher 2: We watched empires rise and dirt cheap fall, the antics that you all got up to over the last 11 months have been legendary.
Watcher 1: Oh, remember the time Zee made a giant squid in Grian’s base?
Watcher 2: Yeah, Squiddy was great, shame he had to burn... At least he made a return later on. And what a day it was when Taurtis joined the server!
Watcher 1: And a sad day when he decided to leave... We’re getting side tracked. We need to tell them the news, good and bad.
Watcher 2: But I don’t want to. I want to talk about the good times. Remember the property police and mafia war? Who won that in the end?
Watcher 1: There are no winners in war, friend. Only losers. There certainly were some great alliances on the server. The Property Police... The Mafia... The Empire.
Watcher 2: Don’t forget the Private Investigators! Who knew Tom and BigB could build well?
Watcher 1: That’s debatable. They definitely got pranked a lot. They all did. Mainly by one person though...
Watcher 2: He also got in trouble with us a good few times too, taking rewards that were meant to be shared.
Watcher 1: He even took blocks from our temples! We got him back though. Remember when we put obsidian over his chests?
Watcher 2: That Grian sure was a nuisance. But he did create an entire town and help bring people together.
Watcher 1: Only so he could have an easier time blowing them up! I think he trolled just about every streamer going... Poor Solidarity.
Watcher 2: Solidarity wasn’t exactly innocent though, was he? Remember when he killed Salem’s chickens?
Watcher 1: Yeah, she didn’t like that at all. At least she had Netty as a friend... They got up to so many hijinks.
Watcher 2: Overall though, they did a lot of good things. Remember she made the “communetty” centre? I do enjoy a good pun.
Watcher 1: They all have their quirks... Mini’s attempts at making dirt cheap a success were... Admirable. Oh! And Pearl’s base is stunning! I wish I could build like that...
Watcher 2: Uh, I think we’re missing the point of this conversation now, friend.
Watcher 1: Right, right. Well as you all know, you have just killed the ender dragon.
Watcher 2: One each, to be exact. The portal you all jumped in was not the same as the one we create for you to jump between versions.
Watcher 1: Indeed. The portal you jumped in will create a fundamental change to the evolution server.
Watcher 2: It is a powerful thing, to have a conversation with us. Our worlds briefly collide, and we are able to speak freely without song or rhyme.
Watcher 1: When you return, nothing will be the same. You will have to find a new way to survive.
Watcher 2: But you will also have to go on with one less of you. Ten will become nine.
Watcher 1: That’s right. Evolution will continue, progress will be made but without the empire. Grian will have to be taken.
Watcher 2: It was not an easy decision to make. But we have our reasons. Maybe one day you will understand them.
Watcher 1: Yes, perhaps they will. But one person does not make a server. I for one am excited to watch what this rejuvenation will bring!
Watcher 2: As am I, friend. But I will miss Grian on the server.
Watcher 1: We all will, not least The Evolutionists themselves.
Watcher 2: Well, he won’t really be leaving will he? He’ll still be watching.
Watcher 1: Of course he will. He’ll be joining us.
Watcher 2: Maybe we should take him now?
Watcher 1: Let’s wait until the end.
Watcher 2: Alright. Evolutionists, it is time for you to move on to the next chapter of this server.
Watcher 1: Yes, best of luck to all of you. And remember...
Watcher 2: We will always be watching.
Watcher 1: While we may not be the best of listeners, we certainly do enjoy everything you do.
Watcher 2: Be wary of the things to come, and enjoy your time together.
Watcher 1: Grian, I think it is time for you to come with us now.
Watcher 2: Yeah, I think so too.
Watcher 1: ...
Watcher 2: ...
Watcher 1: Welcome, friend. Would you like to send them on?
Watcher 3: It would be my pleasure. Good luck everyone, I am sad that this is my fate... But I want you to remember my heart will be with you all, and I will still be on the server in your hearts and in spirit...
Good luck in the next chapter of Minecraft Evolution. I look forward to watching you all.
Post-Series Information
In Martyn's Last Life videos, he revealed more information about the Watchers at the end. It is assumed that Martyn's lore is not canon to anyone else on last life or on Evo.
You can watch Martyn's Last Life perspective in this playlist.
Martyn's Conversation with them after Last Life
Martyn: Oh my god, oh my god, that was too much,
Martyn: Just give me a second to get my breath
Martyn: Deep breaths
Martyn: Oh my god I feel so light-headed
Martyn: Oh my god it's all just- It's all just dark.
Martyn: That means- what does that mean?
Martyn: Oh my god, did we win?
Watcher: Oh the irony.
Watcher: To be undone by the one you were tasked to destroy.
Watcher: Even given the tools, you couldn't do it.
Watcher: Leaving only the Hound standing would have sufficed.
Martyn: I'm sorry but, who are you exactly?
Watcher: The nerve...
Watcher: You know not our name but we have communed.
Martyn: Wait you're- you're you!
Martyn: What about all the rhyming?
Watcher: Rhyming? No. Not for you.
Watcher: We will speak plainly now so your feeble mind can comprehend us.
Watcher: Plus, there's nobody around to hear now anyway.
Martyn: Feeble?
Watcher: Yes. Quite.
Watcher: You must understand why it is you failed us.
Watcher: TWICE.
Watcher: And thus you're making your way in to the light as we speak.
Martyn: Hold on, I don't, wait a minute! You said "you and your allies will see the end", you said I could bring them all.
Martyn: Impulse, Jimmy, Mumbo, Me.
Martyn: You said we'd All join you in the end.
Watcher: You misunderstand
Martyn: No no no no you told me that if I did everything you said that there would be a place for us.
Martyn: There was no stronghold, there was no portal, so you couldn't have meant that end.
Watcher: And so...?
Martyn: Unless..
Watcher: He's learning.
Martyn: You just meant the end of days, didn't you.
Martyn: The end. Done deal. Yeah, cheers buddy thanks for living! One last stand, knowing that full well we'd have to run out of food or patience eventually and then what, we just kill one another? Is that it?
Watcher: Amusing. Is it not?
Watcher: We had a taste before. Back in the winter.
Watcher: It wasn't enough!
Watcher: There was something... missing.
Watcher: The adrenaline of war softens the fear of men. Their souls don't ring with the colour of panic and confusion as they try to understand what's happening moments before their demise.
Watcher: It's delicious.
Watcher: Our hunger grew those months. We waited and then all it took was a simple 3, 2, 1. And you all obliged.
Watcher: Bar one.
Martyn: You mean Scott.
Watcher: His will to live was too strong. His flame burned too bright. Now look what's happened.
Martyn: I'm starting to feel.. Really sleepy.
Watcher: It's grasp is getting stronger.
Martyn: Oh my god.. Just tell me one thing before I go.
Martyn: Why were you so set on Grian?
Watcher: Hmph.. HIM.
Watcher: He was never meant to be there.
Watcher: He was only ever meant to watch.
Martyn: I don't understand.
Watcher: You wouldn't. You're more of a... Listener.
Watcher: You don't comprehend.
Martyn: Please. Just explain it to me.
Watcher: No. We don't think we will.