Born: 1790
Embraced: Around 1849 (based on his grave stone in the Manzanita
                   cemetery, which records his official date of death)
Died: 1996 (at the end of Cabin in the Woods)

Clan: Ventrue
Sired by: Unknown
Sired: Julian Luna 

Significant Other: Unknown
Family: Unknown

Position: Former Prince of San Francisco and Primogen of the Ventrue
               Clan.

Other: Archon was shot and killed by the new Brujah Primogen, 
            Cameron in Julian's garden.

Archon Raine is Julian's sire, and mentor. The two have a father/son relationship which is both tender and conflicted. As the former Prince of San Francisco he commands significant power in the Kindred world, not least with Julian. Although he shows wisdom and grace, Archon can also be ruthless and cruel. In 1985 he sent Julian, then his enforcer, to Manzanita Springs, to the Old Mission Winery where the Brujah clan in the area had their base. Telling Julian that he was exacting justice for the murder of innocent Venture the Brujah had killed, Archon commanded the deaths of all the resident Brujah. Archon lied. It was his own hatred for the Brujah that drove him to order their deaths.

Archon is incredibly proud of Julian's achievements, and is focused on keeping him and the Ventrue Clan in power. His belief in his childe is clear from his decision to leave San Francisco (Romeo And Juliet). Although Archon and Julian often disagree, their bond remains strong even after Archon's death.

The relationship with Julian is pretty interesting. Although Archon obviously trusts his childe he also seems to have trouble relinquishing the reigns of power. He isn't afraid to make his feelings known, and right from the Pilot he appears to be quite a controlling father figure. The first time I saw it, I was struck by how odd it was that Archon didn't even think twice before entering Julian's bedroom, despite him having company. The expression of disbelief from Lillie indicated that it wasn't anomalous. Julian, on the other hand, doesn't seem to think it strange that his sire will interfere in the most intimate areas of his life.

When Archon warns Julian that Caitlin poses a threat to the Kindred (Prince) he is incredibly blunt. This seems to be in his nature, and though he is strict he never challenges Julian's decisions in public. Whether he is more concerned with showing the Venture as a united front or giving his Prince his loyalty and support is never totally clear. For myself I prefer to think it's the later, given the obvious affection and belief he has in Julian. 

Archon rarely interacts with the other Primogens but when he does he gives the impression that, to a greater or lesser degree, he seems to still think himself Prince, and there are indications that the other Primogens aren't too keen on that attitude. Cash is the only one who directly challenges him (Cabin). The only other Primogen Archon seems to relate to is Daedalus, to whom he confesses his sin against the Brujah. Perhaps it's because of his great age, but Daedalus is the only other Kindred Archon seems to be in the least in awe of. During his confession (Cabin) he is for the first time in a real position of weakness. He doesn't seem to handle it well.

To me Archon has always seemed to be the archetypical patriarch. His devotion to Julian is admirable, though he often seems as much his manipulator as his protector. He is a flawed man, and I can imagine that in his younger days he was as power hungry and relentless as Eddie Fiori. It's a shame that we saw so little of Archon in the series, as I'm sure his history would have made fascinating viewing. I would have loved to have seen a flashback episode, focusing on Julian's embrace and how the two came to be so close that Archon would choose him to be his successor.