The Archons are the first primordial beings to manifest on the Prime Plane, existing alongside the Elementari during the early ages of creation. Embodiments of the elemental forces that sustain the cosmos, the Archons serve as avatars of the will of the Unknown deities, acting as stewards and protectors of the cosmic balance. While the Primus gods are restricted in their direct influence upon the Prime Plane to prevent overwhelming disruptions, the Archons act as their intermediaries, safeguarding the elemental harmony of the world and the greater cosmology.
Origins and Purpose
The Archons were formed as living manifestations of the core elements: fire, earth, water, air, life, and death. Charged by the Primus gods, their primary purpose is to protect the Worldstones, primordial artifacts that anchor the elemental planes to the Prime Plane and maintain the balance of the cosmos. The Worldstones also serve as conduits for the Riftways, allowing the flow of elemental forces across the planes.
Each Archon embodies the elemental spirits of their domain, acting as an eternal guardian and arbiter of the balance they preserve. They are not just protectors but also creators, having shaped the first cycles of life and civilization upon the Prime Plane. Their influence is etched into the very fabric of the world and the beings who inhabit it.
Embodiments of The Elements
Ember the Radiant Phoenix (Energy/Fire)
- Ember embodies the fiery brilliance of the sun and flame, having been created by Unknown. This Archon ignites the passions of creation and destruction, granting vitality and renewal through fire. Ember's form inspired the creation of the Solar Drake, radiant beings that became the progenitors of the Solir - imbuing them with Sun-Rifting.
- Ember fiercely protects the Unknown atop Unknown.
Bjorn the Magma Bear (Earth)
- Bjorn represents the strength and endurance of the earth, having been created by Unknown. A colossal, unyielding bear of molten rock and searing magma, Bjorn's steadfast nature gave rise to the Terran Drake, progenitors of the Njordir - imbuing them with Earth-Rifting,
- Bjorn fiercely protects the Earthstone within the vault of Unknown.
Mythia the Wise Dragon Turtle (Water)
- Mythia embodies the wisdom and adaptability of water, having been created by Unknown. A vast and serene dragon turtle, Mythia created the Dragon Turtle, progenitors of the Unknown - imbuing them with Water-Rifting.
- Mythia fiercely protects the Seastone which rests at the bottom of the Atlan Abyss.
Zirael the Golden Dragon (Air)
- Zirael (aka Goldbrand) represents the boundless expanse of the skies and the arcane threads of the Ether, having been created by Aether. Majestic and luminous, Zirael gave rise to the Aether Drake, progenitors of the Vanir - imbuing them with Ether-Rifting.
- Zirael fiercely protects the Etherstone nestled on the island haven of Aerenal.
Archon of Fae (Growth)
- Believed to reside in the Fae, this Archon is thought to embody the essence of growth, nature, and life itself. Their presence has never been directly seen by mortals, but their influence is felt in the flourishing of life and the verdant realms of creation.
Archon of Shadow (Entropy)
- Thought to dwell in The Shadowfell, this Archon governs death, entropy, and the passage into the afterlife. Like the Archon of Fae, their presence is shrouded in mystery, and they remain unseen on the Prime Plane.
Dawn of The Dragons
The Archons played a direct role in the creation of the True Dragon during the Second Age. Unknown, the Primus god of creation, fashioned the True Dragons from the forms of the Archons to act as protectors of the Prime Plane during ">The Aeonic Struggle]. Each Archon’s essence inspired the creation of a corresponding dragon lineage:
- Ember - Solar Drakes
- Bjorn - Terran Drakes
- Mythia - Dragon Turtles
- Zirael - Aether Drakes
The True Dragons became the stewards of the Prime Plane, charged with preserving elemental harmony and guiding mortal civilizations.
Archons of The Avatars
At the dawn of the Third Age, as the first species of elves spread across the Prime Plane, the Archons began the Cycle of Avatars to ensure their elemental realms remained in balance. Every 3,000–4,000 years—marking the turn of an age—the Archons choose a mortal champion to act as their Avatar.
These Avatars are granted a fraction of the Archons’ elemental essence, tasked with protecting their respective elemental realms, safeguarding the Worldstones, and maintaining cosmic harmony. The Avatars serve as both warriors and stewards, mediating the delicate balance between mortals and the elemental forces that sustain life.
Edicts of The Elemental Realms
The Archons' influence extends far beyond the Worldstones. Their presence shapes the geography, climate, and life of the elemental realms:
- The Sun Realm: A landscape of arid deserts and volcanic plateaus, sustained by Ember’s radiance.
- The Earth Realm: Towering mountains and fertile valleys shaped by Bjorn’s resilience.
- The Sea Realm: Vast oceans and flowing rivers nurtured by Mythia’s wisdom.
- The Air Realm: Floating islands and endless skies formed by Zirael’s boundless energy.
Legacy and Mythology
The Archons are revered by elementalists, druids, and scholars across the Prime Plane as embodiments of balance and harmony. Their influence is woven into the mythology of countless cultures, their names invoked in rituals, prayers, and trials of elemental mastery.
Though the Archons remain distant and enigmatic, their presence is a constant reminder of the cosmic order they safeguard. Through the Avatars and their stewardship of the Worldstones, the Archons endure as eternal guardians of the Prime Plane and the greater cosmos.
Their legacy, like the elements they embody, is eternal—shaping the tides, shaking the earth, igniting the flames, and stirring the winds in an unending cycle of creation and renewal.