aasimar (AZ ih mar)
"He possessed a great beauty, the likes of which I have seldom seen in mortal men before or since, and a gentle countenance--but his eyes! The merest glare from him struck deep into my soul, and I resolved not to question his authority further."
An aasimar is a humanoid creature, usually born to otherwise human parents, that has a celestial being somewhere in their heritage, most commonly a deva due to their role as messengers between the Upper Planes and the Material Plane. Because such births are rare, most communities consider them a sign of good fortune, or evidence that benevolent forces are watching over them. This bloodline manifests in many different ways, but most frequently in the form of exceptional beauty or charisma, unusual colors of hair, skin, or eyes, and intrinsic magical abilities.
The first aasimars showed up shortly before the Year of New Prophets, when benevolent deities and their messengers returned to Lyranthium to herald the end of the Time of Darkness. These individuals were blessed with the abilities of angels and other celestial beings, granting them extraordinary abilities and access to divine magic that drove back the Elder Things and locked them away from the Material Plane. Since then, aasimars are born occasionally in times and places where their abilities will be required to combat an extraplanar threat.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Aasimars are humanoids that are very similar in appearance to baseline humans and will share hereditary traits with their mortal parents. However, their extraplanar heritage manifests in subtle physical traits such as an usual color of hair, eyes, or skin. More rarely, an aasimar may be born with more obviously inhuman features such as horns, beast legs, or vestigial wings, among other more unusual traits. That said, they typically are not perceived as monstrous in appearance, no matter how unusual these manifestations may be.
An aasimar's celestial heritage manifests most vividly when they are in combat or using their innate abilities. They have been observed to glow white, manifest spectral wings, or even to produce lightning or fire from their eyes or hands, especially if they are facing off against an evil creature or if they are especially angry or defending an ally or innocent.
Ecology and Habitats
Aasimars may be found in any land-based environment, mingling with communities of non-aasimars or traveling alone. At times they may find themselves drawn to religious orders as priests, paladins, or adventuring clerics, or else they may find their talents leaning towards storytelling or music as bards.
Behaviour
Aasimars tend to be benevolent to those around them, influenced by their celestial heritage to assist others in need and to defend their homes from the forces of evil. Most who deal with aasimars describe them as being kind and charming, with a talent for putting others at ease. They will take quick offense at deliberate cruelty, and will not associate willingly with evil creatures.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
In addition to the standard senses expected of their human heritage, aasimars possess the ability to see in absolute darkness, and most have the ability to sense malevolence nearby.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Most aasimars will receive a birth name according to the traditions of their mortal parents, but once they fully develop their celestial-inherited abilities, they may take on a title or new surname to reflect their divine nature.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Aasimars can speak and write in whatever is the Common tongue of their homeland, and will also possess an innate knowledge of the Celestial tongue.
History
The earliest known aasimars to be born were first reported during the Year of the New Prophets, when the Age of Darkness came to a close and magic returned to the world in a manageable state. It was first believed that these comely, charismatic individuals were messengers from the gods, akin to angels, and in fact many of them have a scattering of holy abilities, an innate mastery of the Celestial language, and a general drive to protect the innocent and strive towards the greater good.
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