Archon Trio

Archon Trio is the poly ship between Venti, Zhongli, and Raiden Ei from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Canon
The three have known each other for centuries or decades. Both Venti and Zhongli are the only remaining members of the original Seven that are alive, however, Ei is only a kagemusha of her sister, who was the Original Electro Archon. Each are the archons for their respective nation. All preside over their respective elements, and used to possess Gnoses of the corresponding element, allowing them to resonate with Celestia. Each have their own Divine Ideal: Venti's being freedom, Zhongli being contracts, and Ei's being eternity. All three have the ability to change the form they take, although Ei has not displayed this ability of hers in game.

They all are seemingly still on good terms, as their voicelines show. Both Zhongli and Ei comment on and complain about Venti and his hobby of drinking wine, while Venti on the other hand teases both of them in his voicelines about the two. But despite that, they all still hold respect for each one and another.

The trio seem to have connecting patterns. They all have some kind of running gags and they all lost someone who they truly cared about. Venti lost his friend, the nameless bard. Zhongli lost his friend, Guizhong, and Ei lost her sister, Raiden Makoto. Their Archon names are all associated with The Lesser Key of Solomon, though Ei's Archon name is less so, but has at least a connection to Makoto's Archon Name, Baal, also associated with The Lesser Key of Solomon.

As said, they all have some kind of running gags, like all consistently lacking Mora. Venti spends all of his Mora on drinks, Zhongli always forgets his Mora despite being the one who invented it and even working at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and Ei having no need for Mora as she can simply ask the Tri-Commission to bring what she needs to her. None of them are still in possession of their Gnoses because of the Fatui, Venti's Gnosis having been taken by Signora, Zhongli giving his Gnosis to Signora as part of a contract, and Ei not needing hers, having given it to Yae Miko, who later gave it to Scaramouche in exchange for the Traveler's life.

All of them have hair that fades into the color of their respective element. When casting an Elemental Skill or Burst, they glow as it is cast. All of them are considered supports, although Ei is less so, as she serves as a main DPS and a battery. However, they possess less synergy in a team comp.

Quotes
"Tsk... It reeks of wine. That bard has just been through here, hasn't he? That drunkard is a disgrace to the arts. Oh... Has he tricked you into getting drunk? You're slurring a little. Wait a moment, I'll brew a pot of sobering tea. It'll be ready in only six hours, so just wait a moment."

- Zhongli's Voiceline about Venti

"That's the name the Anemo Archon takes these days, is it? Truth be told, from the very first moment I met him, I could somehow sense that we were not going to get along. Also, he sure can drink a lot."

- Ei's Voiceline about Venti

"Have you seen that gentleman around? Huh? He's just a normal man by the name of Zhongli now? That must be quite the change for that old block-head. Come with me to see him, will you? I have a vintage I dug up from Windrise that I can take as a condolence gift. Oh, ahh... did he still seem strong when you saw him? How strong? Am I likely to get blown away?"

- Venti's Voiceline about Zhongli

"I had an opportunity to feast with him once, back when I was just a kagemusha attending a gathering of the gods. So he's made his choice. Be that as it may, I don't believe his story is anywhere near finished yet."

- Ei's Voiceline about Zhongli

"So, I hear you defeated the mighty Raiden Shogun? Ah, I recall the days when she was a kagemusha, seeking to perfect her martial prowess. Hehe, she now no doubt employs a wide range of reasoning to get you to train with her. Oh but yes, come close and I shall let you in on her weakness — desserts!"

- Venti's Voiceline about Ei

"Time tempers all volition. Yet she would give up everyone for her beliefs. Perhaps it is for this very reason that she has come to where she stands today... Should the chance come by me, I too would like to learn of the Eternity for which she so earnestly endeavors."

- Zhongli's Voiceline about Ei

Fanon
The Archon Trio is a popular ship within the Genshin Impact fandom. It's much more preferred for the Archon Trio as a friendship or having the dynamic of siblings or as a familyship. They also have their own respective ship, those being XiaoVen, ZhongChi and EiMiko. Along with these ships, Archon Trio is also rivaled by Venther, Zhongguang and EiMiko. The ship is more popular in fan art than it is in fan fiction.

The Genshin Impact fandom tends to portray them as a group consisting of a drunkard (Venti), a homeless person (Zhongli), and a hikikomori (Ei). All in all, they have a couple of running gags, which became a strong reason why people ship the trio.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

Variations

 * EiVen refers to the ship between Venti and Ei
 * ZhongEi refers to the ship between Zhongli and Ei
 * ZhongVen refers to the ship between Zhongli and Venti