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).

Development

Archons symbolize White's harsher aspects like it's 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.

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 (Archon of Justice representing justice, and so forth). Unlike previous archons, which are personifications of abstract concepts, Krond appeared to be a solar deity.

As Archon is a Greek word that means "ruler", "magistrate" or "lord", it is fittingly that archons were further developed in the Theros block where they are considered to be part of a vicious ancient race. These archons are gendered.

According to the Zendikar Planeshift guide, Archons and their steeds are actually the same being, sharing the same mind and will.

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.

Trivia

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

Gallery

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  Archon of Redemption. Art by Steven Belledin.

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  Archon of Justice. Art by Jason Chan.