Archon: Difference between revisions
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===Theros=== | ===Theros=== | ||
In ancient times, the archons of [[Theros (plane)|Theros]] held a massive empire, tyrannising the world in the belief that they were imposing a strict justice.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/planeswalkers-guide-theros-part-3-2013-09-04|Planeswalker's Guide to Theros, Part 3|The Magic Creative Team|September 04, 2013}}</ref> The most notable of these Archon tyrants was [[Agnomakhos]], who used the [[leonin]] as an army. Eventually, the Archon | In ancient times, the archons of [[Theros (plane)|Theros]] held a massive empire, tyrannising the world in the belief that they were imposing a strict justice.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/planeswalkers-guide-theros-part-3-2013-09-04|Planeswalker's Guide to Theros, Part 3|The Magic Creative Team|September 04, 2013}}</ref> This was known as the '''Age of Trax''', beginning when the Archons marched from the north and ending with the fall of their empires.<ref>Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast</ref> The most notable of these Archon tyrants was [[Agnomakhos]], who used the [[leonin]] as an army. Eventually, the Archon empires fell, being instead replaced by the poleis, and the remaining Archons now lash at these, slighting the "honor" they feel was stripped from them. These archons are gendered.<ref>{{DailyRef|best-mike/behold-pale-cat-2015-03-26|Behold a Pale Cat|[[Mike McArtor]]|March 26, 2015}}</ref> They stand apart from the [[god]]s of the plane, serving a force they deem higher. Theran Archons ride a large variety of mounts, including winged lions and winged oxens. | ||
===Archon of Falling Stars=== | |||
The text known as ''The Cosmogony'' details the battle of an archon and the champions of the gods. [[Heliod]] took pity on the archon and gave it a spear almost as radiant as his own in exchange for the rule of law in the world's wildest places.<ref>Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast</ref> | |||
===Ashen Riders=== | |||
Some of the despondent archons took refuge in the [[Underworld]], and their minds, bodies and spirits wre subsequently twisted, turning them into especially monstrous variants who delight in culling mortals.<ref>Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast</ref> | |||
===Archon Steeds=== | |||
Evil creatures, typically bulls or lions, that may or may not be an extension of their rider's will.<ref>Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast</ref> | |||
===Zendikar=== | ===Zendikar=== | ||
Revision as of 18:05, 17 November 2020
| Archon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Creature Type | |
| (Subtype for creature/kindred cards) | |
| Statistics |
17 cards
as of Commander Legends 76.5%  5.9%  11.8%  5.9% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| type:"Archon" | |
Archons is a creature type describing mystical celestial beings that are heavily aligned with the principles of White, have obscured faces, and always appear on a flying steed (a winged lion, bull or other creature).[1]
Description
Archon is a Greek word that means "ruler", "magistrate" or "lord". Fitting this, some archons warp the game through imposing a significant restriction, most famously Blazing Archon.
Archons symbolize White's harsher aspects like its moral rigidity and ferocious retribution, while angels have a more varied role, generally leaning towards compassion and mercy.[2] Originally, archons seemed to be mirror-images of the black Specters, hooded beings that also ride flying mounts.
Storyline
Alara
The flavor text of Krond the Dawn-Clad implies that archons might be created, naturally or by white-aligned mages, as embodiments of concepts, something supported by the fact that many archons are directly associated with said concepts. Unlike them, however, Krond appeared to be a solar deity.
Eldraine
Archons on Eldraine ride winged stags, and appear to wield weapons fashioned after their steeds' antlers. Not much is known about Eldraine archons, but it is implied they're part of its fair folk and likely more benevolent than on other planes, since one watched the Kenrith twins from the trees and protected them from goblins.[3]
Fiora
Archon of Coronation comes from Fiora; its stance on the local political drama is unknown. It rides an eagle.
Shadowmoor
Archons manifested on Shadowmoor, among them the Archon of Justice, who apparently manifested as a reaction to the darkening of the plane in order to defend their associated concept. They ride winged stags.
Ravnica
On Ravnica, Archons seem to be closely aligned to the Azorius Senate, who embody the law on the plane, as opposed to the angels that are leaders of the Boros Legion or within the Orzhov Syndicate; guildless Archons are featured in the first block, but currently they are mostly found within the Azorius.[4] Their presence is strong enough that people willingly submit to them and cease fighting. They ride lions and large, winged and horned beasts reminiscent of cats, particularly felidars.
Theros
In ancient times, the archons of Theros held a massive empire, tyrannising the world in the belief that they were imposing a strict justice.[5] This was known as the Age of Trax, beginning when the Archons marched from the north and ending with the fall of their empires.[6] The most notable of these Archon tyrants was Agnomakhos, who used the leonin as an army. Eventually, the Archon empires fell, being instead replaced by the poleis, and the remaining Archons now lash at these, slighting the "honor" they feel was stripped from them. These archons are gendered.[7] They stand apart from the gods of the plane, serving a force they deem higher. Theran Archons ride a large variety of mounts, including winged lions and winged oxens.
Archon of Falling Stars
The text known as The Cosmogony details the battle of an archon and the champions of the gods. Heliod took pity on the archon and gave it a spear almost as radiant as his own in exchange for the rule of law in the world's wildest places.[8]
Ashen Riders
Some of the despondent archons took refuge in the Underworld, and their minds, bodies and spirits wre subsequently twisted, turning them into especially monstrous variants who delight in culling mortals.[9]
Archon Steeds
Evil creatures, typically bulls or lions, that may or may not be an extension of their rider's will.[10]
Zendikar
The Archons of Zendikar are subordinated to its Archangels and act as their enforcers. Archons and their steeds are actually the same being, sharing the same mind and will (it is unknown if this applies to all Archons or just the ones on Zendikar).[11] Most Zendikari archons ride winged lions.
Notable Archons
- Alara
- Theros
Trivia
- The black Cabal Archon is a Human Cleric, not an Archon, using the standard definition of the title.
Gallery
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Zendikar: Archon of Redemption. Art by Steven Belledin.
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Lorwyn–Shadowmoor: Archon of Justice. Art by Jason Chan.
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Kylem: Archon of Valor's Reach.
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Eldraine: Archon of Absolution.
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Ravnica: Blazing Archon.
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Ravnica: Archon of the Triumvirate, Azorius Senate archon.
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Theros: Silent Sentinel.
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Theros: Archon of Falling Stars.
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Theros: Ornitharch.
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Theros: Archon of Sun's Grace.
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Nyxborn archon: Celestial Archon.
References
- ↑ Doug Beyer (February 10, 2010). "Angry Lands, Brave Adventurers, and Other Decks for Vorthos". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Doug Beyer (May 27, 2013). "What are your thoughts on archons?". A Voice for Vorthos. Tumblr.
- ↑ Kate Elliott (2019), Throne of Eldraine: The Wildered Quest, Penguin Random House
- ↑ James Wyatt (January 2019). "The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Ravnica". Wizards of the Coast
- ↑ The Magic Creative Team (September 04, 2013). "Planeswalker's Guide to Theros, Part 3". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast
- ↑ Mike McArtor (March 26, 2015). "Behold a Pale Cat". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast
- ↑ Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast
- ↑ Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast
- ↑ Plane Shift - Zendikar
