Archons make the world go round in Genshin Impact, both literally and figuratively. The whole story revolves around them and the Traveler twins just somehow get entangled in the web of narratives. Each nation in Teyvat has a story that's perpetuated by an Archon's existence, making them the main driving force of the game, and at times, their dynamics dictate where the plot goes.
Hence, it's only natural to want to know more about them. After all, they tend to become playable characters as soon as they're introduced. It just so happens that some lesser-known information about Archons can be intriguing or downright spine-chilling. Something's up with them and whatever that is, it's about to be a big plot twist sometime in the game's near future. Before that happens though, it's time to be in the loop.
10 They're Named After Biblical Demons
Well, we did say something's up with these Archons, right? Their alternate names are sort of telltale signs. Zhongli/Rex Lapis is named Morax who's a demon of liberal sciences and considered as the President of Hell. Venti is Barbatos who' also a demonic Earl of sorts and commands legions of demons.
Meanwhile, the upcoming Electro Archon, Baal is either a demonic king or respectable god depending on who you ask. Presumably, the other four Archons' official names also have similarly demonic names. Oh, and don't get us started on Paimon.
9 They Have A Link To Celestia
Now with the demonology out of the way, another thing that binds the Archons together is their link to Celestia. Celestia is a mysterious floating island of godhood that can be seen in the skies of Teyvat. Little is known about this mysterious place.
Apparently, it's where mortals and other god candidates are tested or screened if they're worthy of godhood. So far, only two mortals in Teyvat have been admitted: Vennessa from Mondstadt and Guhua from Liyue. The Archons, particularly Venti and Zhongli also probably underwent the same treatment several thousands of years ago.
8 They're The Last Of Their Kind In Teyvat
Gods and for that matter, Archons are actually scarce in Teyvat right now thanks to the Archon War that took place several thousands of years ago. They killed off one another until only seven gods remained (not counting the lesser ones who conceded) in what appeared to be a divine battle royale.
Of those original seven, only Zhongli and Venti remain. The other five have since been replaced by successors with the Dendro Archon being the latest to be replaced. Regardless, they're no longer as ubiquitous as they are compared to millennia ago.
7 Some Of Them Gain Power Through Faith
How gods gain their power can be a little arbitrary and nebulous in Genshin Impact. Zhongli or Rex Lapis apparently has a vague origin story and the people of Liyue simply accepted him as the Geo Archon as soon as he descended.
Meanwhile, Barbatos was but an insignificant wind spirit who managed to gain enough power through the Gunnhildr clan's (Jean's family) faith. After that, it became powerful enough to be recognized in Celestia and to depose the old ruler and god of Mondstadt, Decarabian.
6 They Can Shapeshift
Gods are not just more advanced Vision users who can mold Teyvat to their will. They're also powerful shapeshifters who can assume many forms. Venti or Barbatos for example, created his own bard vessel so that he can have a human form but originally, he's just a wisp.
Then there's Zhongli whose original form might have been that of an oriental dragon but also chose to have his own human form to be more approachable (and playable). All in all, the Archons can be whoever they want to be probably even imitate other people.
5 They Can't Be Killed
While the Archon War had monumentally high numbers of casualties, it's safe to say that the dead gods can't really count among the dead. Archons can't be destroyed according to the lore. They can only lose their physical form.
When that happens, they become pure essences probably drifting in the wind waiting for an opportune moment to rise again. Others were merely imprisoned or subdued (such as Osial and Chi) since they can't be permanently vanquished.
4 They Don't Really Need Their Gnosis
The Gnosis is an Archon or a god's link to Celestia. It's a borrowed item from up above that allows the Archons to tap into Celestia's power. It's practically their symbol and their token of power. Needless to say, it accounts for more than half of their godly powers.
Still, they don't exactly need their Gnoses in order to be a cut above other Vision users. One has to recall that before they became official Archons, they had to prove their capabilities in the Archon War meaning they can very well function in combat without it.
3 They're Up To Something
Speaking of taking and collecting Gnoses, that's the initiative of the Tsaritsa or the Cryo Archon. So far she has taken Venti's (by force) and Zhongli's (through an arrangement). So far, it hasn't been revealed why she's doing this.
However, theories and speculation point to a grand Archon scheme to do something against or to Celestia. Whatever that is, it's huge and catastrophic. Why else would the Archons require all the other Gnoses? Or for that matter, why would Zhongli agree to it?
2 Their Reign Is Only Valid In Teyvat
One might think that the Archons are omnipotent in Genshin Impact's world but in actuality, their jurisdiction begins and ends in Teyvat. Teyvat is just a continent in Genshin Impact's bigger world where the "world of Teyvat" is likely just used in a metaphorical context for advertising.
Because there are other gods in the Archon War who were defeated or didn't accept the seven Archons' rule and were compelled to leave and establish their own domains outside Teyvat. They became known as evil gods in their domains.
1 They Can Be Replaced
The title or Archon is inheritable; as explained earlier, only Venti and Zhongli remain as one of the original seven Archons who established Teyvat. The other five are successors of their respective nations' Archons.
Now that Venti lost his Gnosis and Zhongli surrendered his (or is probably tired of godhood), it might be high time for Mondstadt and Liyue to have new Archons. It just so happens that Vennessa and Guhua are in the process of ascending as gods in Celestia. In any case, the future of Genshin Impact's lore is exciting.