{{Ambigambig|subject=the Dark Eldar Titletitle|disambiguation=Archon}}

[[Image:ArchonArt8th.jpg|thumb|right|250px|An Archon{{Fn|11}}]][[Image:Archon.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Dark Eldar Archon{{Fn|1d11b}}]]An '''Archon''' is the highest ranking member of a [[Dark Eldar]] [[Kabal]] and the ruling nobles of [[Commorragh]]{{Fn|1111b}}. They are considered the single most powerful, ruthless, and cunning member of their Kabal, due to the fact that if there existed anyone who held greater ability in these aspects, they would no doubt kill their Archon and claim their title.{{cite thisFn|1b}}

Indeed, the The singular power Archons hold over the members of their Kabal make the title incredibly appealing to subordinates, and assassination attempts are not only common, but frequent. The average Archon suffers dozens of assassination attempts before finally succumbing, and some have maintained their position even after well over three hundred attempts on their life.{{cite Fn|1}} The most capable Archons have pacts with [[Haemonculi]] that allow them to come back from most injuries in the event these acts do succeed, forcing rivals to come up with creative solutions to dispose of them. This dance of intrigue and assassination is dubbed the ''thyllian ai-kelethril'' in Drukhari, or the "path of shards". At the end of such a path is ultimate power for those strong enough to survive it.{{Fn|11b}} Despite the elaborate network of allegiances within the Dark City, the Overlords of the Kabals run rings around those who seek to beat them at their deadly game. The endless ambition of their underlings keeps their paranoia razor-sharp, and hence it is at the business of treachery that the Archons truly excel. These strategies have been known to play out for millennia. Some of the [[Lords of Twilight]], who govern from the highest spires of [[Commorragh]], even claim to have seized their thrones in the times before the [[Fall of the Eldar]].{{Fn|11b}} These elder Archons look down upon their younger kid, and do not suffer fools gladly. Notoriously prideful, a single syllable out of place may rouse an Archon’s deadly wrath, and in matters of Kabal hierarchy, Archons will seek solutions that work to the detriment of all other parties purely out of spite. However, reveling in such dark depths has exacted its price. Kept alive for millennia through the torment of others, it now takes a true atrocity to invigorate them. Thousands of slaves are sacrificed before the oldest Archons each night, and still thismight not be enough to grant them a youthful sheen. Hence, elder Archons sometimes cover their black-veined visages with masks. Some are stylized and beautiful, some fashioned from the flayed faces of rivals.{{Fn|11b}} In battle, Archons are infamous for their extreme speed and agility, being able to rip the eyes out of the sockets of a mortal warrior before they are even able to respond. A lifetime of murder and intrigue has made them highly experienced and skilled warriors that are amongst the deadliest in the galaxy.{{Fn|11b}}

Despite the elaborate network of allegiances within the Dark City, the Overlords of the Kabals run rings around those who seek to beat them at their deadly game. ===Ranks===*'''Overlord Archon''' - The endless ambition powerful of their underlings keeps their paranoia razor-sharpkind, ruling over an entire [[Kabal]] and hence it is at the business of treachery that the overseeing multiple junior Archons truly excel. These strategies have been known to play out for millennia{{Fn|11b}}*'''Prime Archon''' - The senior lieutenants below an Overlord Archon. Some of the The [[Lords Kabal of Twilightthe Black Heart]], who govern from the highest spires of largest Kabal, is known to possess five such figures.{{Fn|16}}*[[CommorraghHierarch]], even claim to have seized their thrones - Trusted advisors and adjuncts who are above Dracon's in the times before the authority.{{Fn|17}}*[[Fall of the EldarDracon]]. These elder - Lower ranked Archons look down upon their younger kid, and do not suffer fools gladly. Notoriously prideful, a single syllable out of place may rouse an Archon’s deadly wrath, and in matters of Kabal hierarchy, Archons will seek solutions that work to who oversee the detriment of all other parties purely out execution of spite. However, revelling in such dark depths has exacted its price. Kept alive for millennia through the torment of others, it now takes a true atrocity to invigorate them. Thousands of slaves are sacrificed before the oldest Archons each night, and still this might not be enough to grant them a youthful sheenmilitary operations. Hence, elder Archons sometimes cover their black-veined visages with masks. Some are stylized and beautiful, some fashioned from the flayed faces of rivals{{Fn|1111a}}.

[[Image:Archon.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Dark Eldar Archon{{Fn|1d}}]]Archons have access to the most powerful weapons, equipment, and artefacts available to their Kabal, and as such are frequently seen using amazingly advanced technologies when they deem it necessary to appear on the field of battle (although some arcane items of [[Haemonculi]] or [[Incubi]] are restricted even from the archons, as powerful as they are).{{cite thisFn|1g}} Every Archon carries a [[splinter pistol]], though some may carry more powerful [[Darklight weapon]]ry such as a [[blast pistol]] or even a [[blaster]]. Some archons, preferring close combat, may boost themselves with [[combat drugs]] more commonly used by [[wyches]]. They also may carry many kind of blades like [[Djin Blade|djin-]], [[Venom Blade|venom]], [[Husk Blade|husk-]] or just common [[Power Sword]]s. Whips such as the [[agoniser]] and [[Electrocorrosive Whip]] are also popular.{{Fn|1g}}

Every Archon carries Besides these weapons, Archons often go into battle with a number of exotic and esoteric devices. These include [[splinter pistolHaywire Grenade]]s, though some may carry more powerful [[Darklight WeaponryCombat Drug]] such as a [[Blast pistol]] or even a [[blaster]]. Some archonss, preferring close combat, may boost themselves with [[combat drugs]] more commonly used by [[wyches]]. They also may carry many kind of blades like [[Djin Blade|djinSoul-Trap]]s, [[Husk Blade|husk-]] or just common [[powerbladePhantasm Grenade Launcher]]s. Whips such as the [[agoniser]] , and [[Electrocorrosive WhipWebway Portal]] are also populargenerators.{{cite thisFn|1g}}

Archons, like the vast majority of Dark Eldar, feel that speed and dexterity are more than a replacement for defence, and wear only a light pressurised neuro-responsive body armour, allowing them to traverse vacuum when necessary and shrug off most civilian arms fire. Their suits, however, are usually covered in trophies and ornate fixtures that are better representative of their lofty position within the Kabals.Nowadays archons Archons may also possess lightweight [[Ghostplate Armour]] which also incorporates minor forcefield technology.{{cite thisFn|1g}}

More rare protective gear is also being used by archons. The very rare [[Shadow Field]] provides the best protection of all [[Dark Eldar]] technology. There is also the strange [[clone field]]s used by some archons.{{cite thisFn|1g}}

*[[Akhara'Keth]] — Archon of the [[Kabal of the Bloodied Claw]].{{cite thisFn|18}}

*[[Skalorix]] — female [[Archon]] of the [[Kabal of the Pierced Eye]].{{Fn|9}}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="250220">DE Archon.jpg|A Dark Eldar Archon ([[3rd edition]])DEArchon2.jpg|A Dark Eldar Archon ([[5th edition]])Archon7th.jpg|Archon ([[7th Edition]]){{Fn|4}}Archon10th.jpg|Archon ([[10th Edition]]){{Fn|15}}

{{CiteCitation issues}}

**{{Endn|1a}}: {{Cite ThisMarker End}}

*{{Endn|5}}: [[Path of the Archon (Novel)]], {{Cite thisMarker End}}, pg. 18

*{{Endn|7}}: [https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2015/12/8/enslave-the-masses/ FFG] ''Teaser to the "Boundless Hate" - Warpack to the Warhammer 40',000 Conquest Card Game''

*{{Endn|11}}: [[Codex: Drukhari (8th Edition)]], :**{{Endn|11a}}: pg. 15**{{Endn|11b}}: pg. 50