Archon

Archons are 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).

Archon is a Greek word that means "ruler", "magistrate" or "lord".

Development

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. 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 previous archons are directly associated with said concepts. Unlike previous archons, which are personifications of abstract concepts, Krond appeared to be a solar deity.

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. 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. The most notable of these Archon tyrants was Agnomakhos, who used the leonin as an army. Eventually, the Archon empire 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. 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.

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). Most Zendikari archons ride winged lions.

Trivia

• The black Cabal Archon is a Human Cleric, not an Archon.

Gallery

• 

  Archon of Redemption. Art by Steven Belledin.

• 

  Archon of Justice. Art by Jason Chan.