Diverse, Equal and Inclusive Guardinals

[ Guardinals ] [ Custodian | Luminary | Scout | Yeoman ] [ Unique | Paragons ]

Elysium, the plane of boundless compassion and harmony, celebrates the individuality of every soul that ascends to its radiant meadows. Unlike more rigid planes, Elysium does not impose strict physical forms upon its celestial inhabitants. Instead, it embraces the diversity of personalities, the equality of all souls who have been deemed to belong on the plane, and the inclusivity which makes space for all would-be guardinals—even if they are not wolf-like, lion-like or bird-like. Each petitioner who is selected to become a guardinal will manifest as a creature that reflects their unique personality, virtues, and philosophy. While leonals, avorals, and other common forms dominate the ranks of guardinals, there exist a myriad of rare and extraordinary types of creature—beings whose forms defy all of the common boxes. The philosophy of Elysium is that goodness flourishes most vibrantly when individuality is nurtured and allowed to thrive the way that suits them.

Among these rare beings are tamanduals, or anteater guardinals, whose long tongues and patient demeanours make them natural seekers of hidden truths; shark-like carcharinals, fierce protectors of oceanic realms who embody the relentless pursuit of justice; spider-like arachneals, who are weavers of intricate webs that symbolise the interconnectedness of all life; and even annelidals, earthworm guardinals, who are humble stewards of renewal and growth who transform the unwanted into fresh beginnings. These rare forms arise when a petitioner’s essence does not quite align with the archetypes of the more common guardinals. Each unique guardinal brings a fresh perspective to Elysium, ensuring that no facet of virtue is overlooked and that every soul can find a place in the Joyful Plane.

Unusual Guardinals from any layer of Elysium

Guardinal	Animal Hybrid	Function in Society
Columbal	Dove, pigeon	Resilient urban caretakers and messengers of peace
Corvidal	Raven	Mystical messengers and keepers of secrets
Mandrillal	Mandril	Champions of community diversity
Nocturnal	Owl	Silent strike force
Osphrantinal	Kangaroo	Medics and protectors, nurturers and travellers
Psittacal	Parrot	Joyful spreaders of hope
Strutonial	Ostrich	Messengers

Amorian Diversity

Guardinal	Animal Hybrid	Function in Society
Bactrinal	Camel	Water-bearers and guides, embodying resilience and perparation
Bradypal	Sloth	Meditators, embodying patience and mindfulness
Diceral	Rhino	Unstoppable protectors of sacred spaces
Erinaceal	Hedgehog	Quiet protectors of the vulnerable
Gallinal	Chicken	Guardians of the vulnerable, vigilant protectors
Hyaenidal	Hyena	Guardians of balance, humour and the importance of scavenging wisdom from mistakes
Lupulellal	Jackal	Wanderers between worlds, guiders of lost souls
Obcutinal	Chameleon	Subtle and adaptable, able to blend into spread harmony, cunning spies
Suidal	Pig	Foragers and bathhouse workers, able to find value in the overlooked
Tamandual	Anteater	Seekers of hidden truths

Eronian Equality

Guardinal	Animal Hybrid	Function in Society
Alceinal	Moose	Solitary guardians of vast wilderness
Bovinal	Cattle	Farmers and providers, symbolising abundance and community
Bubalal	Buffalo	Collective strength and community
Hirundal	Swallow	Long-distance messengers of hope
Laginal	Rabbit	Quick-witted cutters able to thrive even in adversity
Ovinal	Sheep	Devoted followers and worshippers

Mysteries of Belierin

Guardinal	Animal Hybrid	Function in Society
Anatidal	Duck	Mediators, able to navigate turbulent disagreements
Annelidal	Earthworm	Stewards of renewal who transform the unwanted
Arachneal	Spider	Weavers of intricate symbolic webs
Castorinal	Beaver	Industrious and cooperative builders of harmony
Eutheconal	Crocodile	Silent watchers of liminal spaces, protectors of secrets
Herpestal	Mongoose	Quick-thinking fearless defenders against corruption
Najadal	Cobra	Guardians of sacred truths
Lutrinal	Otter	Joyful problem solvers and guardians of Oceanus
Viperal	Adder	Subtle agents of transformation, able to shed philosophies that no longer serve them

Thalasian Inclusivity

Guardinal	Animal Hybrid	Function in Society
Acipenseral	Sturgeon	Keepers of wisdom and the deep currents of time
Anguillal	Eel. moray	Guardians of hidden currents
Balænal	Whale	Profoundly wise and deep sages, singers of the hero myths
Brachynal	Crab, lobster	Resilient defenders of the seas
Carcharinal	Shark	Relentless hunters of corruption and danger
Elepal	Flycatcher bird	Hunters of pestilence and disease
Falcatinal	Praying mantis	Ascetic monks
Lophiodal	Anglerfish	Lurkers in darkness who guide lost souls with their light, symbols of hope in despair
Makairal	Swordfish, Narwhal	Champions of decisive action, speedy and precise
Octopodal	Octopus	Masters of strategy and multitasking
Sirenal	Manatee	Gentle protectors of peaceful waters

Source: Jon Winter-Holt and Margarita. The agathion are all from the Pathfinder game, either 1e or 2e.† Canonwatch: The guardinal species mentioned here are homebrew—in terms of statistics I recommend reskinning existing guardinal statblocks.