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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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Gnokesh (Codex Archon)

The structure of a gnokesh, a wheel of ancient tomes, reflects its role in Heaven. These archons perfectly embody Heavenly knowledge, in particular the diligent pursuit of study and research. Each gnokesh is dedicated to one particular subject. This subject is crucial to their identity in a way few other than gnokeshes can understand. These archons avoid violence, finding the pursuit of knowledge far more interesting. They prefer to gather with others of their kind in great libraries or serve as record-keepers or tutors for archivists, researchers, generals, advisors, and others who can use their expertise.

Recall Knowledge - Celestial (Religion): DC 20
Unspecific Lore: DC 18
Specific Lore: DC 15

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Weak are marked in red below.
NOTE: The -2 damage penalty to non-strike offensive abilities (-4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Weak GnokeshCreature 4

Medium Archon Celestial Holy 
Source Monster Core 2 pg. 36
Perception +13; darkvision
Languages Chthonian, Diabolic, Draconic, Empyrean, Fey, Sakvroth, Shadowtongue, Utopian; truespeech
Skills Arcana +10, Diplomacy +9, Lore +14 ((any one)), Nature +9, Occultism +10, Religion +11, Society +10
Str +2, Dex +4, Con +0, Int +5, Wis +4, Cha +4
Light of Diligence (divine) The gnokesh has devoted themselves to the thorough study of one particular Lore skill (with the bonus found in the Skills section above), such as Heaven Lore or Warfare Lore. If the gnokesh rolls a critical failure to Recall Knowledge with this skill, they get a failure instead. They can also use the Aid action for this skill without first preparing to help, and they automatically grant a +3 circumstance bonus.
AC 19 all-around vision; Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +13; +1 status to all saves vs. magic
HP 55; Immunities fear; Weaknesses unholy 5
Archon's Protection [reaction] Trigger An enemy damages the archon's ally and both are within 15 feet of the archon; Effect The ally gains resistance 5 to all damage against the triggering damage, and the archon can make a Strike against the enemy.Light of Diligence [reaction] (divine, fortune) Trigger A willing ally within 15 feet critically fails at a check; Effect The ally gets a failure instead and becomes immune to Light of Diligence for 1 minute.
Speed 25 feet, fly 25 feet
Melee [one-action] tome +11 [+6/+1] (divine, finesse, holy), Damage 1d6-2+6 bludgeoning plus 1d6-2 spiritRanged [one-action] light ray +11 [+6/+1] (divine, fire, holy, light, magical, range increment 20 feet, spirit), Damage 2d6-2 fire plus 2d6-2 spiritSpells DC 20, attack +12 (-4 dmg); 4th clairvoyance, translocate (at will); 3rd calm, clairaudience; 2nd silence; 1st sure strike (×3); Cantrips (5th) light, message, telekinetic hand; Constant (5th) truespeech
Alluring Knowledge [two-actions] (divine, holy, light, mental) Frequency once per hour; Effect A twisting scroll of runes made of light appears in an unoccupied square within 60 feet. Each creature adjacent to the runes must succeed at a DC 20 basic Will save or take 3d8 mental damage and be fascinated with the magical text as long as it remains. The magical text lasts until the end of the gnokesh's next turn.

All Monsters in "Archon"

NameLevel
Aesra (Legion Archon)7
Archon Bastion16
Bastion Archon20
Excinder (Censor Archon)13
Giylea (Wheel Archon)16
Gnokesh (Codex Archon)5
Hound Archon4
Kadamel (Gate Archon)17
Lantern Archon1
Okenevem (Bowed Archon)15
Qarna (Horned Archon)4
Rekhep (Shield Archon)10
Star Archon19
Trumpet Archon14
Zoaem (Ring Archon)1

Archon

Source Monster Core pg. 26 1.1
Archons are guardians of Heaven and enemies of corruption. Before gods and their servants set foot in the celestial planes, archons already resided in Heaven, the original inhabitants of the realm. Upon meeting, the archons and divine angels quickly discovered they were of a kind, holding justice and righteousness in their hearts. An alliance was formed, and archons now serve as stalwart allies to all celestials and mortals they find worthy.

While the first archons coalesced from the immense seven-tiered mountain of Heaven, they choose willing and worthy Heaven-bound souls to join their ranks. These mortals hear and answer the call of a mysterious voice, manifesting in the Garden at the mountain's peak. There they swear to forever serve the cause of justice and transform into their new archon forms.

Though deeply concerned with defending mortal life and willing to sacrifice themselves in battle against fiends, archons often feel rote and inscrutable to others, and their forms can border on frightening and bizarre. For this reason, they often have issues with interacting with mortals, or with the free spirited azatas. Despite this, archons draw great strength from others, especially those who exemplify virtue.

Beyond their celestial allies, archons also maintain ancient ties with aeons. The inscrutable factions can still be seen working together to defend long- forgotten secrets and enforce rules that predate mortal life. Archons explain these missions as necessary without further elaboration, leaving even their angelic allies frustrated with archons' obstinance.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Archon Aesthetics

While archons do not seek to gather or maintain wealth, they do appreciate beauty and art, and their domains are often decorated with valuable crafts and creative works. They themselves are similarly ornate, and they always take time for proper maintenance after battle. Archons value care—and thus tidiness—in all things.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Archon Divinities

As with angels and azatas, the most powerful archons count among a group of demigods known collectively as empyreal lords. Each archon empyreal lord is a unique and powerful creature who keeps a domain somewhere in Heaven and is worshipped on mortal worlds. Archon divinities serve a variety of goals and focus on different aspects of righteousness. Some, such as Arqueros, hold influence over the defense of the innocent, while others, like Damerrich, demigod of executions, emphasize the punishment of unrepentant wrongdoers and seek to obliterate evil in all its forms.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Crime And Punishment

Archons enforce law and order as their most fundamental duty. Not terrestrial laws—those concern archons little. The cosmic order, on the other hand, is baked into their very being. Most archons find themselves unable to consciously break cosmic laws, though some who were once mortal petitioners can call up an echo of their past autonomy. Though they enforce cosmic laws, archons still prefer to bring lawbreakers to redemption. Within the mountain of Heaven, the Chambers of Repentance hold fiends and lawbreakers they believe can still be redeemed. Whenever possible, they choose this path over destroying a foe, even if the law would justify doing so.

Sidebar - Locations Heavenly Mountain

Though they can be found anywhere in their endless battle against fiends, archons originate in Heaven, a plane that appears as a single massive mountain. Heaven is broken into seven tiers, with most archons occupying the second level, Proelera, their base of army operations, or the sixth level, Iudica, the administrative heart of Heaven.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Order And Preservation

Though it's part of archons' core identity, the order of the cosmos isn't treated as inviolable dogma. Archons consider the philosophy behind their laws and the value of enforcing them. Though they remain aligned in purpose, archons often debate the laws and their roles within the celestial machinery. A frequent argument asserts that one of the great goods of preserving order is protecting the fruits of creation from entropy and the forces of destruction. Archons appreciate aesthetics and the beautiful things mortals create. What fiends might see destroyed or controlled, archons fight to preserve.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Unknowable Bearing

Gnokesh and exscinder archons have frequent reasons to associate with mortals. This challenges mortals, as most find it difficult to comprehend the thoughts and desires of archons. Even a scholar who studies the same topic as a gnokesh needs to adapt the way they present questions and information to communicate with their archon guide. Exscinders present an even harder challenge, as they're usually encountered while on duty, with the purpose of confiscating or destroying forbidden texts. This means someone first meeting an exscinder is likely attempting to convince them not to destroy a tome containing rare knowledge or even their life's work in scholarship or literature.