Agathion

Agathion
(Creature)
Type	Outsider; (agathion, extraplanar, good)
CR	Varies
Environment	Nirvana
Adjective	Agathion
	Images of agathions
	Source: Bestiary 2, pg(s). 15

Agathions (pronounced a-GATH-ee-ons)^[1] are a race of celestials with animal characteristics native to Nirvana, the plane embodying goodness unconcerned with law or chaos.^[2] They defend the realm of Nirvana and meditate on its deeper mysteries.^[3]^[4]

Appearance

All agathions bear the characteristics of a particular animal species. Some appear humanoid, while others are nearly identical to true animals. Certain animals, particularly scavengers or parasites, specifically have no associated agathions, as their habits and ecological niches clash with the traditions of those who seek enlightenment. Agathions take pride in their bestial aspects and do not like to be compared to mere talking animals or werecreatures; indeed, to suggest that an agathion's appearance is a punishment is one of the worst insults one could level at the species.^[5]^[6]

Ecology

Agathions are created from petitioners who have successfully achieved enlightenment, whether in life or after death, and were rewarded with a form suiting their talents and personality.^[6]

Habitat

Agathions can be found everywhere across Nirvana. They are free to travel wherever they wish, but understand their roles well and serve where they are most needed. Unless summoned elsewhere or when there is an opportunity to aid mortals, agathions rarely leave Nirvana; when they do, they prefer idyllic countryside but are willing to live in cities if required by the situation. When incognito in the Material Plane, agathions often counsel prisoners, hoping to lead them to redemption. Many mythologies tie numerous humanoid species with animalistic aspects to the result of humans forming strong emotional attachments to agathions. In between these visits, they return to Nirvana to revel in its beauty and to find solace.^[2]^[6]

Agathions also send representatives to Pharasma's court to help mortal souls reach a more enlightened state.^[7]

Society

Agathions are usually regarded as wise and mysterious, full of aphorisms and animal-themed metaphors. Agathions embody the principles of mutual respect, but are ferocious when defending themselves and their allies from evil. They do not remove themselves from mortal affairs, and are aggressive when dealing with evil in the mortal world.^[5]

Agathions easily understand good and evil, view goodness as the only path worth pursuing, and see the dichotomy between law and chaos as unimportant. Because of this, they make natural arbiters between other celestials, and frequently make common cause between archons and azatas, who in turn often view their arbitration concerning conflicts between law and chaos as fair and reasonable. However, agathions sometimes have difficulty understanding their lawful or chaotic kin.^[2]^[5]

Agathions view souls who suffer without respite or recourse as the worst evil. To them, imprisonment is the most heinous punishment, especially when a mortal is imprisoned by evil, like children raised in despair, or people corrupted by magic or forced to turn to evil as a last resort. Such individuals are viewed as trapped, unable to even follow the path of good and redemption, and are most likely to draw agathion attention.^[2]

Agathions never try to enforce their will on others and have no formal hierarchy, but usually follow the teachings of a powerful agathion empyreal lord who has been granted far greater power by the plane itself, and who is believed to have been one of the first mortal souls to have reached Nirvana. Agathions do not restrict their service to neutral good deities or empyreal lords, and perform good deeds where they believe necessary.^[4]^[2]

As well as contemplating the nature of Nirvana, each of the agathion races have their own specific roles from guardians to messengers to bards.^[3]

Agathion leaders

Powerful agathions enter the ranks of empyreal lords. Some of the more famous are:^[8]

References

For additional resources, see the Meta page.

↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 246. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 Amber Scott. (2013). Chronicle of the Righteous, p. 34. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-506-8
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Amber Stewart. (2009). The Great Beyond: A Guide to the Multiverse, p. 45–46. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-167-1
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 James Jacobs et al. (2011). The Inner Sea World Guide, p. 245. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-269-2
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 Robert Brookes et al. (2018). Planar Adventures, p. 161. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-044-6
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 Wolfgang Baur et al. (2010). Bestiary 2 (First Edition), p. 15. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5
↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 187. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
↑ Wolfgang Baur et al. (2010). Bestiary 2 (First Edition), p. 15. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5

[1] Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 246. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1

[CotR-34-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 Amber Scott. (2013). Chronicle of the Righteous, p. 34. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-506-8

[TGB-45-45-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Amber Stewart. (2009). The Great Beyond: A Guide to the Multiverse, p. 45–46. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-167-1

[ISWG-245-4] 4.0 ^4.1 James Jacobs et al. (2011). The Inner Sea World Guide, p. 245. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-269-2

[PA-161-5] 5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 Robert Brookes et al. (2018). Planar Adventures, p. 161. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-044-6

[B2-15-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 Wolfgang Baur et al. (2010). Bestiary 2 (First Edition), p. 15. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5

[7] Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 187. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1

[8] Wolfgang Baur et al. (2010). Bestiary 2 (First Edition), p. 15. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5

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