Is Archaon the Good Guy? A Deep Dive into the Everchosen’s Morality
No, Archaon the Everchosen is definitively not the “good guy” within the Warhammer universe. He is a primary antagonist, a figure of immense destructive power, and the embodiment of Chaos’s will to tear down all order and creation. While his actions might be seen as having a twisted logic behind them, stemming from his deep-seated resentment of the Chaos Gods and their manipulations, his goal remains the complete annihilation of all existence, a vision of a cosmos devoid of gods and thus devoid of life as we know it. He is not a liberator; he is an apocalyptic force. He is a figure driven by nihilism, not altruism, making him a villain in the most absolute sense.
Archaon’s Twisted Path
Archaon’s story is one of tragic descent. Born Diederick Kastner, a man of mixed Norscan and Nordlander heritage, he was subjected to a horrific childhood, marked by violence and the influence of the very Chaos forces he would later serve. He is the 13th and current Everchosen of Chaos, a title bestowed upon him after he gathered powerful magical artifacts for the Chaos Gods. This act cemented his status as their foremost champion, but it also bound him to their dark designs.
In the old world, Archaon forged one of the largest armies ever seen, using it to lay waste to entire nations and break empires. He didn’t just seek conquest, he sought oblivion, tearing down the existing world and paving the way for the Age of Chaos known as the End Times. He won the battle in the Old World marking him as the greatest champion of Chaos. The destruction he wrought was absolute, making him, by any metric, a villain.
The Rise of a Demigod
After the destruction of the Old World in the End Times, Archaon was revived by the Chaos Gods in the Age of Sigmar to once again be their Everchosen. But he has a new goal: to destroy the new world created by the God-King Sigmar. The ultimate aim is to recreate it without gods. His transformation into a demigod, capable of conquering entire realms, makes him an even greater threat. While it is true he resents the Chaos Gods and their machinations, this resentment doesn’t translate into a force for good. He seeks not to liberate the Mortal Realms, but to reduce them to nothingness, a blank slate upon which no god can impose their will. This destructive vision, however, is hardly something a “good guy” would pursue.
Why He Isn’t a Hero
His motives are not rooted in any desire to save or improve things. Instead, they are born from a personal pain and hatred. He is an embodiment of nihilism. The chaos powers may have twisted him, but he is an instrument of destruction with the will to destroy. He might believe that he’s freeing existence, but his vision requires the obliteration of all life and hope, making him a definitive villain. While he stands between the Chaos gods as a champion of sorts, he is not rebelling to do good or correct the wrong. Instead, he seeks only to tear down all existence, making him one of the primary antagonists in Age of Sigmar. His alliance with Chaos outranks almost everyone in the Grand Alliance of Chaos.
Archaon’s methods are brutal, indiscriminate, and lack any moral compass. He is driven by a desire to tear down all established order, even if that includes the lives of innocent people. He is the Three-Eyed King, the Herald of the Apocalypse, and the Lord of the End Times, all titles which speak to his ultimate aim: the destruction of everything.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Archaon’s primary goal in the Age of Sigmar?
Archaon’s primary goal is to destroy the Mortal Realms created by Sigmar and to reshape reality to remove the influence of any god. He wants to annihilate existence as it is known to create a world without gods.
2. Does Archaon genuinely hate the Chaos Gods?
Yes, despite serving them as their champion, Archaon harbors a deep-seated resentment for the Chaos Gods and the misery they have brought upon him. This is a major source of his motivation.
3. Is Archaon a daemon or a Daemon Prince?
No, Archaon is neither a daemon nor a Daemon Prince. He is a mortal who has positioned himself between all the great Chaos Gods. He was later transformed into a demigod through the powers granted to him by the Gods of Chaos.
4. What are the sources of Archaon’s strength?
Archaon is a skilled warrior and general with dark abilities enhanced by the six treasures he collected to become the Everchosen. He also has the Mark of Chaos which gives him amplified benefits of all other Chaos Marks.
5. Is Archaon truly more powerful than the Chaos Gods?
No, while Archaon is incredibly powerful, he is not more powerful than the Chaos Gods themselves. He is, however, one of their most powerful champions.
6. What is Archaon’s real name and background?
Archaon was born Diederick Kastner, and he is of mixed Norscan and Nordlander heritage. He grew up in a world of violence and Chaos, leading him down the path to becoming the Everchosen.
7. How was Archaon transformed into a demigod?
After slaying all those sent against him, the Chaos Gods recognized him as their foremost champion, transforming him into a demigod capable of conquering all of the Mortal Realms.
8. How did Archaon “win” in the old world setting of Warhammer?
Through sheer ambition and force, Archaon united and led one of the largest Chaos armies in the Old World, bringing about its ultimate destruction. Unlike other warlords before him, he succeeded in his world-ending goal.
9. What are the “six treasures” that empower Archaon?
These are powerful magical artifacts collected in the name of the Chaos gods, which grant him many dark abilities that make him the formidable warrior he is known to be.
10. What does “Everchosen” mean?
The title of Everchosen is granted to a mortal champion by the Chaos Gods to lead their forces and bring about their will in the mortal world, and often used to describe Archaon himself.
11. What is the Eye of Sheerian and how was it destroyed?
The Eye of Sheerian is a magical artifact associated with Archaon, which Grimgor Ironhide destroyed with a headbutt during a battle, breaking Archaon’s helmet in the process.
12. How does Archaon’s army function in the Age of Sigmar?
His army, known as the Slaves to Darkness, focus primarily on further empowering Archaon to make him even more powerful than he already is. They are there to serve him and the Chaos Powers.
13. How does Archaon view the concept of “good”?
Archaon’s actions stem from nihilism. He believes the current world is so corrupt it must be destroyed and then he is going to try and create something new, without gods. However, his methods are far from what any good-aligned being would see fit.
14. Is Archaon more powerful than Be’lakor?
While both are powerful, Be’lakor has some advantages. Be’lakor can fly, upgrade his demon units, use rift travel, and has upkeep bonuses for his demons. While both are immensely powerful, Belakor has advantages in certain circumstances.
15. Is Archaon considered the most ruthless Everchosen?
Yes, of all the Everchosen of Chaos, Archaon is considered by far the most ruthless, and possibly the most powerful, due to the scale of devastation he has caused and his ability to bend the will of even the gods themselves.
In conclusion, while Archaon’s motivations might stem from a complex and tragic past, his actions and goals are unambiguously villainous. He seeks the destruction of all that exists, driven by hatred and nihilism rather than a desire for any form of good. He remains one of the most significant antagonists in the Warhammer universe.