感谢
solariusyang 翻译了原始版本的
神使绪论（Archon）。
本篇由
沉沦 进行校对与润饰。
亚空是来自天堂的异界生物种族。他们是秩序与善良的生物，身负保护天堂与无辜者，以及消灭邪恶的重任。他们是魔鬼、邪魔、恶魔的天敌，绝大多数更是历经下层位面魔族多次进犯的老练战士。
这些天堂的原住民源于那神圣国度的大地与云海，降生自圣山的某种抽象过程、善良凡人的信仰或高尚灵魂的转化。初生的亚空都是圣光亚空或更低阶的侍从精魂，透过弘扬善道获得力量与声名。慈悲的导师与神圣教团的领袖看护着精魂，鼓励并帮助它们满足自己最根本的渴望：让和平、诚实与公正广布诸界——尤其是主物质位面。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 extraplanar battlefields 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.
Archons speak Celestial, Draconic, and Infernal, but can
speak with almost any creature because of their truespeech
ability. A full list of archon traits is presented on page 311.
Many archons have additional abilities beyond these traits,
as befits their particular role in the army of Heaven.
Archon Empyreal Lords
Numerous powerful archons number among the empyreal
lords, benevolent heroes of goodness and rulers over
sacred realms. Having ascended beyond the specific forms
of their kindred, these unique archons spread the peace of
righteousness and order, either through subtle acts or at the
forefront of divine armies, and war against all who would
corrupt that which is just. The following is but a selection of
some of the most venerated archon empyreal lords.
Asteria, of the Endless Order
Cocidius, Hawk-Keeper
Duellona, the Warrior Maiden
Erlang Shen, the All-Seeing
Hors, the Freezing Sun
Inanna, Princess of the Sky
Lugus, the Three-Faced
Ogoun, of Fire and Iron
Oro, the Flame in the Sky
Radigost, Bringer of Boons
Sheave, the Orphan Lord
Svarozic, the Face of Flame
Tanit, Guardian of Life
Tahmineh, the Wounded Mother
劇透 - :
Archon
Archons are a race of outsiders from Heaven, creatures of
fundamental law and good tasked with the protection of
that plane as well as all who are innocent or free of evil.
They are the natural enemies of devils, daemons, and
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 the
sacred mountain's metaphysical processes, 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 extraplanar battlefields 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.
Archons speak Celestial, Draconic, and Infernal, but can
speak with almost any creature because of their truespeech
ability. A full list of archon traits is presented on page 311.
Many archons have additional abilities beyond these traits,
as befits their particular role in the army of Heaven.
Archon Empyreal Lords
Numerous powerful archons number among the empyreal
lords, benevolent heroes of goodness and rulers over
sacred realms. Having ascended beyond the specific forms
of their kindred, these unique archons spread the peace of
righteousness and order, either through subtle acts or at the
forefront of divine armies, and war against all who would
corrupt that which is just. The following is but a selection of
some of the most venerated archon empyreal lords.
Asteria, of the Endless Order
Cocidius, Hawk-Keeper
Duellona, the Warrior Maiden
Erlang Shen, the All-Seeing
Hors, the Freezing Sun
Inanna, Princess of the Sky
Lugus, the Three-Faced
Ogoun, of Fire and Iron
Oro, the Flame in the Sky
Radigost, Bringer of Boons
Sheave, the Orphan Lord
Svarozic, the Face of Flame
Tanit, Guardian of Life
Tahmineh, the Wounded Mother
