Homebrew Archon (Theros) Species Details

In ancient times, the archons of Theros held a massive empire, tyrannizing the world in the belief that they were imposing strict justice. This was known as the Age of Trax, beginning when the Archons marched from the north and ending with the fall of their empires. 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. 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.

During their rule, the archons of Theros apparently held some animosity towards the giants. Agnomakhos' actions were justified with the war against the giants, while the hundred-handed ones were the result of archons using magic to twist giants into forms that would make them more monuments.

 

"The archon fell like a star from the sky, meeting the rising sun at the horizon's edge."

— Cosmogony (Archon of Falling stars)

 

Celestial Embodiments

Archons are beings that embody drives and concepts of the world; Absolution, honor, harmony, retribution, malice, greed, grace. They can also be guardians of specific locations. Along with their mount, they are a single being, mounted to fight for what they feel is right and what drives their natural being instinctively. The appearance of archons greatly vary but they all have a radiance of light and eyes that shine with their core energy. Oftentimes, their faces are obscured and are clad in armor.

 

Obsessive Impulse

 Born from the magical pools of the world, archons embody a concept and it is part of their core nature. An archon that goes against their nature and concepts of justice or rules, struggles to do so. If an archon embodies the ideals of perfect order, they will actively seek and take actions that will result in this being executed, with tyrannical, ruthless force. Some even consider archons a force of nature and thus fear them and judge them with great prejudice. The reputation of an archon tends to be low, no matter where they go, and many who see the great mounted celestial, avert their gaze and even hide out of sight.

Archon Mounts

Archons always ride into battle on fearsome winged mounts. Some legends suggest that the mount is actually a physical manifestation of the archon's will, allowing the pair to act with a single mind. The two most common archon mounts are winged bulls and winged lions.

Archon Names

Archons have their own names and they vary greatly based on where they grew up. Many archons also have a title that is representative of their nature and what they embody or what they follow. 

Archon Names: Agnomakhos, Timitis, Calisthes, Acastus, Tyndareus, Vania, Xanthia

 Title Names: Archon of Ceremony, Archon of the Lost, Archon of Honor, Archon of the Polis, Archon of Rebirth

Archon (Theros) Traits

Archons share certain racial traits as a result of their celestial origins.

Alignment

Archons are inclined towards lawful.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2

Age

Archons mature and age at about the same rate as humans. They come into existence as a young teenager in appearance and maturity. Their age limit is unknown.

Size

Archons stand between 5 and 7 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

You have a base walking speed of 30ft.

Radiant Rebirth

Once per long rest, as a reaction when you fall to 0 HP, you can burst with radiant energy, healing yourself and hurting your enemies around you. You heal an amount of HP equal to twice your level. Every creature of your choice within 15 ft of you must succeed on a Constitution saving throw (DC = 8 + prof + Charisma mod) or take 1d6 radiant damage and be blinded until the start of your next turn. This damage increases by 1d6 at 5th level, 11th level, and 17th level.

Mount

You and your mount are one being. It is an extension of you and your will and consciousness. 

-While mounted you count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push or drag. In addition, any climb that requires hands and feet is especially difficult for you because of your mount's legs. When you make such a climb, each foot of movement costs you 4 extra feet, instead of the normal 1 extra foot.

-While mounted you have a flight speed equal to your walking speed.

-You cannot be dismounted against your will. You are dismounted as normal if you're knocked unconscious.

-You can call or summon and dismount or mount as a bonus action, but the mount must remain within 15ft of you. Any damage the mount takes while you are separated is shared with you. You must use an action to control the mount, otherwise it does nothing on its turn. If the mount moves further than 15ft of you, you become extremely weak and will die within minutes.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Celestial.

Celestial

You are a celestial. You are also considered a humanoid for any prerequisite or effect that requires you to be a humanoid.