Homebrew Archon Hound Species Details

Archons are a race of Celestial's from Heaven, creatures of fundamental law and good tasked with the protection of that planes as well as all who are innocent or free of evil. They are the natural enemies of devils, demons, and most are veterans of many attacks against their home by fiends of the Lower Planes.

The natives of Heaven arise from amid the earth and clouds of that divine realm, inspired into creation by Gods and angels of the heavens, the faith of goodly mortals, and the transformation of virtuous spirits. Each archon begins life as a lantern archon or lesser servitor spirit, gaining in power and prestige through aiding the cause of good. Watched over by benevolent mentors and captains of the divine orders, each spirit is encouraged and aided in indulging its fundamental desire to see peace, honesty, and fairness spread across all lands, especially throughout the Material Plane. To this end, archons of all walks often take on the roles of questing knights, journeying throughout disparate worlds and realms aiding in good works and promoting courageous acts. These virtuous outsiders prefer to motivate mortals to act with honor and integrity rather than righting mortal wrongs themselves, believing the cause of righteousness is best served by enlightening creatures to make just choices and cast off their own shackles of evil. This makes future temptations easier to resist and plants the seeds of spiritual deliverance. Thus, most archons take a subtle hand in their interactions with mortals, taking special pleasure in bringing solace and reprieve to those who are wholly unaware of their presence.

The efforts of Heaven prove far less subtle when it comes to combating the hordes of the Lower Planes. Armies of archons stand in staunch opposition to the affronts of Hell, Abaddon, and the Abyss, confronting them upon both the Heavens battlefield and the Material Plane itself. These encounters might take the form of vast armies clashing over strange planar holdings, or solitary archons revealing themselves upon mortal worlds to push back the machinations of fiendish invaders. In such cases, archons generally prefer to meet foes head-on if it is prudent to do so, but if outmatched, they do what they can to even the odds (usually by employing hit-and-run tactics or standing off and engaging a foe with magic before moving into melee). Because they can teleport at will, it is easy for them to vanish only to reappear later, often with reinforcements, when their enemies are unprepared. These warriors of law act honorably, even to their foes, but are not foolish or without passion, and little in the multiverse dares stand against the rage of Heaven.

Although archons are champions of good, they have little patience for those who do not follow strict traditions and patterns of goodness. While a cruel dictatorship might be a legitimate enemy of the archon, rebellion and riot is not the proper way to address such an inequality. Justice and law must not be abandoned in the constant struggle for peace and good, for in such anarchic actions one often promotes further harm and mayhem, even if unintentionally. The laws of Heaven exist to minimize collateral damage and unwanted pain, and while adhering to these laws often results in longer campaigns, archons point out that their victories are lasting triumphs as a result. Because of this strong adherence to tradition and law, archons often find themselves the unwilling enemies of chaotic good creatures, particularly the azatas. To an archon, an azata’s nature seems whimsical and impatient—in striking swiftly against an enemy without bothering to think through the implications of their sudden act, it’s possible to do more harm than good. Still, while opposing the chaos of an azata is a necessary step, the archon takes no pleasure in such opposition, and does its best to minimize the length of such a conflict. Unfortunately, the capricious and emotional azatas are legendary among the archons for their ability to hold grudges, so for many archons the best policy when interacting with the azatas is to be brief, succinct, and firm.

Some Archons have chosen to step out of the Evolution process and spend more time with in certain planes, most often the material plane. These Archons happen at any stage but most frequently it happens at the Hound stage. It is encouraged for most Archons to do this so they could better understand and relate to those that are not of the heavens. Although when this happens the Hounds generally become slightly weaker than when they stayed in constant contact with the heavens. Even with in the weaken state they are formidable opponents. They usually spend a humans life time before returning to the heavens to complete their evolution to Trumpet Archons. 

Hound Archons are humanoids, though with a canine form skull. Although there is a wide variety in facial features, most do not closely resemble any particular breed of dog, and they often have exotic features, such as extra facial features, unusual fur colors, peculiar fur plumes, feline-like manes, occasional small horns or antlers, or geometric patterning. They are typically quite well-built and are naturally suited to combat thanks to their natural weapons.

In addition to their natural appearance, Hound Archons may also assume the form of any canine, such as dogs, wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals, and dingoes. They often do so when on the mortal plane, to subtly aid good mortals in various ways, though they have also been known to use this ability to improve their stealth and to pass by unnoticed. A Hound can not turn into any Dire Form or evil aligned beast or creature canine.

 

Archon Hound Names

Most Archons are created from humanoid races, that are reborn into Archons , and they use the same naming conventions as their native culture.

Natural Weapons 

Because of the Hounds body type they have natural weapons they can use which includes their Hands and Feet. You deal 1d6 Slashing damage, if you are a monk you add a +2 Damage to your unarmed strikes. 

Size

You are considered a Medium size humanoid, although you are considered Celestial for purposes of affects.

Alignment Restriction

All Archons must be one of the Good Alignment spectrum. 

Age

Archons do not age, but during their time away from the heavens they do age, but not their physical bodies, their souls age. The Archons can only spend up to Constitution Modifier x 100 years away from the celestial heavens. Archons can not be the target of [Tooltip Not Found] but can be [Tooltip Not Found]. If they die they return to the Heavens and continue on as an Archon.

Languages

Archons can Read, Write And Speak Common, Celestial, and one other Language of their choice.  

Archon Hound Traits

Celestial, Shapechanger, Darkvision, Soul of the Heavens, Aura Menace

Ability Score Increase

Do to their eternal Life, the Archons have honed their ability to reflect on their lives, and because of their canine connection their canine instincts allows them a greater since of dexterity.  

+2 Wisdom, +1 Dexterity or Strength 

Speed

Your Base walking speed is 35 ft

Darkvision

The Archon Hound can see in dim light within 60 Ft. as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. Archons Hounds can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. 

Soul of the Heavens

Because of your Creation you retain a spark of the heavens in you, this gives you access to certain spells

You gain the Light Cantrip as an At Will spell. 

Starting at 3rd Level, you gain access to  See Invisibility Once a Day

Starting at 5th Level, you gain access to tongues Once a Day

You regain the ability to use the spells after a long rest.

Aura of Menace

You can activate your Aura as a Bonus Action, when you do so the aura extends from the Hound it self up to 15 Feet. The Aura Last for 2 rounds, any enemies in the Aura are at Disadvantage on any attack rolls rolls. You can use this ability once per a short rest.

Shapechanger

You can change into any none dire and evil canine, as an action. When you are shapechanged you use the Templates of the animal physical stats but retain your mental stats. 

Languages

You know the following languages Common and Celestial, in addition you pick one other language you can read, write and speak