What is an Archon anyways?

I was thinking about this when replying to another thread: is "Archon" actually ever defined somewhere that I missed? As far as I know we are told that certain individuals are Archons but not what that means. Is it a political title? The Erozean equivalent of mensa? Is it even a proper noun?! :confused: I know about the Archon/twelve speculation, but that is based on a story about an Archon, not necessarily Archons as a whole. Also if their tattoos do in fact indicate Archon "status" then that means G'raha Tia is an Archon as well, not just the former members of the Circle of Knowing.

Hatching-tide is just around the corner, so you may get way more information than you expected... but I'll keep it simple. Legend states that the Archons are the earthly incarnations of the Twelve; figures that lead the world safely through Calamity to the light of a new Astral Era. The beast tribes have a similar legend, except they're called Paragons and lead them to the light of the Primals. The Ascians presented themselves to the Beast Tribes as Paragons, the Circle of Knowing presented themselves to us as Archons.

Were any of them telling the truth, or were both just using words to command power, trust, and authority when it was needed? In 2.2, Minfilia wonders if the ability the Sahagin elder used to transcend death might be related to the legends of the Archons. Or is this more closer related to the nature of Ascians?

I've no idea.

Ah hatching tide was one of the events I didn't complete. I did pick up Minfilla's reference to the Archons of legend, but she did not seem to think it had anything to do with our Archons, only the echo. There was no "lets go talk to the Archons standing in the next room and see if they have more info about their order/kin/whatever". I wonder if its another case of two different things having the same name, or one being named after the other?