Understanding the Role of the 7 Archons in Genshin Impact
The Seven Archons
The Seven Archons, typically shortened to The Seven, are the seven gods who preside over the seven regions of Teyvat, established after they or their predecessors emerged as the victors of the Archon War 2,000 years ago. Each is a god, representing their own ideal and people.
Authority and Responsibilities
Each Archon possesses a magic focus called a Gnosis, which allows them to resonate directly with Celestia. By comparison, Visions are ‘primitive’ — though a Gnosis’s capabilities and purpose, beyond acting as a symbol of an Archon’s status, remain unknown. Moreover, each Archon is bound to a Divine Throne, composed of a portion of the Authority of one of the Seven Sovereigns, granting them authority over the corresponding element.
Historical Context
The original Seven appeared to be relatively close, sharing a common duty of guiding humanity and often gathering in Liyue for drinks. However, over time, five of The Seven ed away, and some of the newer Archons no longer adhered to the duty of guiding humanity. Notably, only Barbatos and Morax remain the current Archons who are original victors of the Archon War, while the other five have been replaced over the past 2,000 years.
Current Archons and Their Traits
In the modern era, their hip consists of:
- Anemo Archon Barbatos
- Geo Archon Morax
- Electro Archon Beelzebul
- Dendro Archon Buer
- Hydro Archon Furina de Fontaine
- Pyro Archon Mavuika
- Cryo Archon Tsaritsa
Barbatos, who refuses to govern Mondstadt directly and has left Mondstadt for extended periods of time, claims to be the weakest of The Seven as a result. Lesser Lord Kusanali, who has been imprisoned in the Sanctuary of Surasthana and shunned by the sages since she was born 500 years ago, explains that her fighting skills are inferior to the Traveler’s because she does not hold her people’s faith.
Trivia
The Seven have parallels with the seven deadly sins and the Heavily Virtue:
- Barbatos/Venti – Sloth and Humility
- Morax/Zhongli – Greed and Patience
- Raiden Shogun/Ei/Beelzebul – Envy and Charity
- Buer/Nahida – Gluttony (of knowledge) and Kindness
- Focalors/Furina – Pride and Chastity
- Mavuika – Wrath and Diligence
- Tsaritsa – Lust and Temperance
Gnostic Beliefs
There is a great variety of different Gnostic belief systems regarding the Archons; however, in most Gnostic texts, the Archons are depicted as being evil or malevolent.
Comparative Analysis: The Abilities of Each Archon
When analyzing the abilities of each Archon in Genshin Impact, it’s important to understand the sources of their power. An Archon’s power is derived from three main sources:
- Presiding over their respective region
- The faith of their people
- A fragment of the elemental Authority stolen by the Heavenly Principles from the Seven Sovereign
Additionally, the use of the gnoses’ power is not exclusive to each respective Archon. For instance, Nahida has utilized the power of the Electro Gnosis to aid in the healing of Irminsul.
Now, let’s delve into the individual Archons:
- Anemo Archon: Venti
- Oversees the Nation of Mondstadt
- Emphasizes the ideal of freedom, believing the citizens should be ruled by no one
- Despite being one of the oldest Archons, Venti is considered the weakest due to his governance style
- Geo Archon: Zhongli
- The oldest among The Seven, with a rich history spanning over 6,000 years
- Known as the God of Contracts and has various monikers like Morax and Rex Lapis
- Gave rise to Mora, the greatest catalyst
- Has ‘retired’ and surrendered governance over Liyue to its people
- Electro Archon: Ei
- Safekeeper of Eternity in Inazuma
- Implemented the Vision Hunt Decree, which restricted the movement of citizens, leading to conflicts
- Her flawed concept of eternity created a series of unfortunate events resolved with the help of the Traveler
- Dendro Archon: Lesser Lord Kusanali
- The youngest Archon overseeing the Irminsul Tree, the tree of knowledge
- Presides in Sumeru, the Nation of Wisdom, and is d with the prestigious Akademiya
- Tsaritsa
- Regarded as the strongest Archon among The Seven
- Leader of the Fatui and a Cryo Archon
- Possesses abilities to grant her subjects various powers
Currently, the sources of power available to an Archon include:
- Innate Power: This is the power they wield prior to ascension. For Venti, Zhongli, and Ei, their abilities were displayed during the Archon War, though they showed varying mastery of their elements.
For instance, Venti appeared to be a feeble wind spirit compared to the prime Zhongli.
In summary, each Archon’s abilities correlate with their governance style, age, and unique characteristics, contributing to their individuality within the lore of Teyvat.
The Folklore and Legends Behind Teyvat’s Archons
Teyvat consists of seven distinct nations, each governed by an Archon who embodies one of the seven elements: Anemo, Geo, Electro, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, and Dendro. These nations aren’t just geographically distinct; they reflect unique cultural and philosophical values.
The cultures of Teyvat’s nations are as diverse as the real-life regions from which they draw inspiration. Teyvat’s nations are also influenced by the ideals that their Archons embody.
The Seven Archons, typically shortened to The Seven, are the seven gods who preside over the seven regions of Teyvat. They were established after they or their predecessors emerged as the victors of the Archon War 2,000 years ago. Each Archon is associated with an element and an ideal, embodying the characteristics of their nations.
The lore of Teyvat is steeped in mythology, with tales of ancient wars, divine beings, and forgotten civilizations.
The Archon War is a momentous and incredibly significant point in Teyvat’s history that helped shape its current landscape and culture. This historic event began around two thousand years ago, resulting in the mass casualties of gods across Teyvat. The reason for the warring gods era is yet to be disclosed, but one thing is certain: strife and chaos walked the surface of Teyvat because of the gods.
Some NPCs throughout Teyvat also reference gods with different plans for humanity, ranging from benevolent to vengeful. This reflects the complexity of the Archons and their influence on the lives of the people in their respective nations.
Highlighting specific nations:
- Mondstadt: Known as the City of Freedom, it is protected by Barbatos, the Anemo Archon.
- Liyue: Inspired by Chinese traditions, Liyue is a bustling hub of commerce and culture, ruled by Morax, the Geo Archon.
- Inazuma: A land of eternity influenced by Japanese aesthetics, it’s overseen by the Electro Archon, Raiden Shogun.
Additionally, Celestia, the realm of gods, remains shrouded in mystery. It is said to be where the gods reside and where humans may ascend if they obtain godhood.
The Abyss is a dark and enigmatic force opposing the order of Teyvat; its connection to the Traveler and the sibling drives much of the main story.
There are also significant events like the Cataclysm, which occurred 500 years ago and spanned all of Teyvat, involving the destruction of the godless nation of Khaenri’ah.
Overall, the Archon War shaped Teyvat’s political and geographical landscapes, creating a rich tapestry of culture and legends around the Archons.
