[ Guardinals ] [ Custodian | Luminary | Scout | Yeoman ]
The Guardinals of the Custodian Phratry
Also known as: The Flock of Elysium
Custodians are slow and sturdy defenders of Elysium. They often help other guardinals, petitioners and planewalkers during times of peace with their superior strength, but when Elysium is invaded they arrive en masse and unite into a formidable force.
| Guardinal | CR | Phratry | Animal Hybrid | Layer | Function in Society |
| Icthynal / Bishop †| 4 | Custodian | Anglerfish | Thalasia | Diplomatic liaisons and message carriers |
| Lupinal | 4-5 | Custodian | Wolf | Eronia | Well disciplined frontline troops |
| Chelonidal †| 7 | Custodian | Turtle / tortoise | Thalasia | Sturdy guards and defenders |
| Equinal | 10 | Custodian | Horse | Amoria | Athletes, wrestlers and heavy troops |
| Guloval / Mustelidal †| 12-16 | Custodian | Wolverine / badger | Any | Ferocious defenders |
| Gypseal ‡ | 14 | Custodian | Vulture | Any sky | Eaters of fiends |
Icthynal / Bishop
Who bring together land and sea in harmony
NG; CR 4 â€
Icthynal guardinals are enigmatic celestials with a strikingly fish-like appearance, blending humanoid forms with features such as translucent fins, webbed hands and feet, and tentacle-like beards that cascade from their chins. Their shimmering colouration, ranging from silver to coral hues, gives them the perpetual appearance of being wet. Also called bishop agathion, they are known as Elysium’s diplomats and emissaries, and serve as liaisons between civilisations of land and water, mediating disputes and carrying vital messages between good-aligned beings. Their philosophy of goodness emphasises harmony through balance and adaptability, for they believe that true virtue arises when opposing forces—such as land and sea or law and chaos—are brought together into alignment. They are particularly revered for their ability to think clearly and logically, making them trusted negotiators in even the most volatile situations.
Stats: Pathfinder #61: Shards of Sin [PF1e] p80
More chant on icthynals soon…
Lupinal
Who protect their flock from the shadows
NG; CR 4-5
Lupinals, the wolf-like guardinals, are vigilant and tireless protectors of Elysium, embodying loyalty, cunning, and an unrelenting drive to root out evil. With lean, muscular humanoid bodies covered in sleek fur, lupinals possess pronounced muzzles, sharp fangs, and piercing eyes that glow with inner light. Their rear legs are bent like a wolf’s, bestowing incredible speed and agility, while their keen senses make them exceptional trackers and hunters. Lupinals adhere to a philosophy of goodness rooted in vigilance and proactive action—they believe that evil must be hunted down and declawed before it can harm the innocent. This worldview leads them to act as scouts, spies, and guardians along the outskirts of Elysium, constantly patrolling for fiendish incursions or planar disturbances. Unlike more militant leonals or contemplative ursinals, lupinals excel in subtlety and precision, often infiltrating enemy territory to gather intelligence or disrupt evil schemes from within. Despite their fierce demeanour in battle, lupinals are deeply compassionate toward those they protect, valuing community and mutual trust above all else, and they embody the ideal that goodness must remain ever-watchful to endure.
Stats: Planescape Monstrous Compendium Vol. 2 [2e] p48; Monster Manual II [3e] p43; Manual of the Planes [5e] p377; Creature Codex [PF1e]
More chant on lupinals soon…
Chelonidal
Who stand firm and protect their charges
NG; CR 7 â€
Chelonidals are the turtle-like guardinals who embody the virtues of patience, resilience, and steadfast protection. With humanoid forms blended with sea turtle features—flipper-like hands, a powerful bite, and a fortified shell—they’re natural defenders of peace and sanctuaries of life. Their philosophy of goodness emphasises endurance, for they believe that true virtue lies in standing firm against chaos and harm while providing a safe haven for others. Chelonidals are often stationed as guardians of Elysium’s sacred sites or as protectors of vulnerable locations on the Prime, such as remote fishing villages or oceanic shrines. They excel in defensive tactics, using their sturdy shells to shield allies and halt enemies in their tracks with holy magic. Despite their grizzled and cantankerous demeanour, chelonidals are deeply compassionate, often sharing war stories to inspire courage in those they protect. Their unique blend of unyielding defence and nurturing care makes them indispensable as the backbone of Elysium’s celestial armies and as enduring symbols of stability and resolve.
Stats: Pathfinder #121: The Lost Outpost [PF1e] p80
More chant on chelonidals soon…
Equinal
Who are boisterous team players
NG; CR 10
Equinal guardinals are towering, horse-like celestials renowned for their immense strength, unwavering courage, and boisterous camaraderie. Resembling humanoids with the features of draft horses, they possess heroic physiques, powerful hooves, and long manes that flow down their backs. Their philosophy of goodness is rooted in steadfastness and partnership; they believe that virtue is best demonstrated through action and that standing shoulder-to-shoulder with allies against evil is the purest form of righteousness. Equinals are deeply social beings, often forming tight-knit herds that travel together across Elysium’s open fields and farmlands. They’re known for their love of athletic contests, racing, and games of skill, which reflect their belief in the importance of both physical strength and teamwork. In battle, equinals disdain weapons, preferring to use their devastating fists and hooves in a boxer-like flurry of jabs and uppercuts that can shatter stone. As the heavy infantry of Elysium, they are unyielding on the battlefield, pursuing objectives with herculean determination. While their headstrong nature can sometimes lead them to disregard new orders in favor of finishing what they’ve started, their loyalty and tenacity make them indispensable defenders of goodness. Equinals embody a philosophy of goodness as resilience and unity, proving that even the fiercest strength can be tempered by fellowship and joy.
Stats: Planescape Monstrous Compendium Vol. 2 [2e] p46; Book of Exalted Deeds [3e] p173; Morte’s Planar Parade [5e]
More chant on equinals soon…
Guloval / Mustelidal
Who believe the best defence of goodness is a good offense
NG; CR 12-16 â€
Gulovals and Mustelidals are two frequently confused but distinct types of guardinals, each embodying unique complimentary virtues of goodness and perseverance. Gulovals, the wolverine-like guardinals, are ferocious defenders of the downtrodden, with muscular frames, sharp claws, and a relentless drive to protect the vulnerable. Mustelidals, the badger-like guardinals, are similarly tenacious, and are protectors of burrowing creatures and underground realms. They share Gulovals’ resolve but temper their ferocity with a deep sense of community and care for those they guard. The philosophy of both guardinals is rooted in unyielding determination—they believe that no evil is too great to challenge and that even in defeat, one must rise again to fight for what is right. They are often found battling subterranean threats like neothelids or purple worms, often taking on foes far larger than themselves with reckless bravado. Both types of agathions are deeply tied to the earth, using their burrowing abilities and connection to nature to shield others from harm. Together, they embody the idea that goodness is not passive but an active force—one that fights tirelessly against darkness while standing as a bulwark for the innocent.
Stats: Pathfinder #108: Hell Comes to Westcrown [PF1e] p84; Pathfinder #183: Field of Maidens [PF2e] p81
More chant on gulovals soon…
Gypseal
Who put an end to sin by eating it up
NG; CR 14 ‡
Gypseal guardinals are vulture-like celestials, the grim yet vital carrion eaters of Elysium, tasked with ensuring the permanent destruction of fiends. These humanoid-birds have featherless heads, sharp hooked beaks, and dark, ragged wings that give them a haunting appearance. Their most unique ability is their divine metabolism, allowing them to consume anything, including the corrupted essence of fiends slain in battle. This act prevents the fiends from reforming on their home planes, making the gypseals indispensable in the eternal struggle against evil. Their role often places them in the aftermath of celestial strikes, and the gypseals will circle above Blood War battlefields like omens of finality. Among the fiendish warriors of the Lower Planes, the sight of gypseals descending is a chilling reminder of their possible fate. Despite—or perhaps because of—their macabre duties, gypseals are deeply spiritual beings who view their work as a sacred purification, cleansing corruption to preserve cosmic balance. Their philosophy of goodness revolves around transformation—turning destruction into renewal and ensuring that even death serves a higher purpose. Though often misunderstood or feared even by other celestials due to their unsettling nature, gypseals are revered for their unwavering dedication to safeguarding the Upper Planes from the lingering taint of evil.
Stats: Coming soon
More chant on gypseals soon…
Source: Jon Winter-Holt and Margarita. Canonwatch: †Guardinals are called agathion in Pathfinder; ‡ Homebrew guardinals