Dieties,Avatars, Demi gods? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dieties,Avatars, Demi gods? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Throdin
10-08-07, 11:09 PM Im realy confused with the difference between Dieties,Demi-gods,avatars and aspects? Anyone care to explain?
The Ubbergeek
10-08-07, 11:22 PM Deities; the Power that ARe, ancient (or not...) and powerfull, shapers of the universe.

(Note; the Planescape-born word 'Power' is used to designate ANYTHING with cosmic, divine power, not just deities.)

Avatars: from the hindu believes, a 'descend' of the god on earth. In D&D, a sort of creation of the god, used to represent himself and act more directly than using his powers. Contain a portion of his or her self.

Demigod: Denote a minor, not very powerfull god still linked to the mrotal world - or literraly, half-god, half-mortal (think Heracles). Legacy term, not as meaningfull now with the divine ranks.

Aspects; Some gods are worshipped in otehr cultures or other cults, in deviations... like in the hinduist religion, they have 'aspects', sides - who are worshiped nearly like an independant (buit still close) deity, with difference.
Taeldrin Laesrash
10-09-07, 12:58 AM Actually, in D&D, aspects are pretty much just like avatars, although much weaker. Demon lords and archdevils also have aspects, but not avatars.
Shemeska the Marauder
10-09-07, 01:46 AM Actually, in D&D, aspects are pretty much just like avatars, although much weaker. Demon lords and archdevils also have aspects, but not avatars.

To some extent the use of avatar/aspect varies depending on what author is using them. Some folks use "aspect" in the way the Miniatures Handbook used them, as mini-avatars for mid level PCs to fight, and sometimes they're much higher in CR (20-30+ range) and more in line with avatars are for a deity (though archfiend aspects don't have divine ranks).

I really dislike how the mini handbook began using aspects as a term for mini-avatars, because "aspect" already had a use for alternate guises of divine beings. Arg. But of course my general antipathy to minis and the minis game in general probably colors my opinion here more than not.
Rohano
10-09-07, 02:00 AM Demigod: A god that isn't as powerful as other gods, often due to weak lineage in mythology.

Quasi-Deity: The same thing a demigod used to be. A being that barely qualifies as a god.

Avatar: A physical incarnation of a god, sent to visit blessings upon worshippers or to lead the faithful during a conflict. Oftentimes an avatar serves as a messenger, to bring omens or inspiration.

Aspect: A creature created by a god to represent itself. Because most gods are capable of atleast minor feats of creation, their aspects are limited only by their ability to cast epic spells or their specialization in creation powers. An aspect serves many roles, usually minor ones in comparison to an avatar... such as leading the faithful into battle (either as a leader or as a shock trooper), issuing a decree, or cleansing the church of corruption.
Originally, an 'aspect' was the term used for when a god dwindled in power in order to focus on different domains or portfolios. For instance, Saint Cuthbert primarily focusses on retribution and justice. To a very minor degree, he is a war god - but only in the sense that a town guard is a soldier... therefore Saint Cuthbert has a less omnipotent war aspect - as an armored shock trooper that ruthlessly bashes criminals and usurpers on the head with a stick.
Another good example... Obad Hai. As a deity that forms from all classical elements but usually takes a green forest-creature form... his lesser aspects all identify with the other elements that Obad Hai represents. One of which would likely be some kind of waterbreathing humanoid, or a humanoid fire that cleanses nature of dead weight, or a wind spirit that contributes to the world's weather patterns (eliminating damaging storms and helping to stabilize regular season patterns).

For a great wealth of deific information in D&D terms, you ought to check out Deities and Demigods or visit the Deities section of the SRD (http://d20srd.org).
Throdin
10-09-07, 05:58 PM I dont understand the Aspects shuch as Aspect od Bane or Kord, or lolth
Rohano
10-09-07, 10:02 PM A creature created by a god to represent itself.
Just a clone... a mini-god... a tank that is worshipped.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Throdin 10-08-07, 11:09 PM	Im realy confused with the difference between Dieties,Demi-gods,avatars and aspects? Anyone care to explain?
The Ubbergeek 10-08-07, 11:22 PM	Deities; the Power that ARe, ancient (or not...) and powerfull, shapers of the universe. (Note; the Planescape-born word 'Power' is used to designate ANYTHING with cosmic, divine power, not just deities.) Avatars: from the hindu believes, a 'descend' of the god on earth. In D&D, a sort of creation of the god, used to represent himself and act more directly than using his powers. Contain a portion of his or her self. Demigod: Denote a minor, not very powerfull god still linked to the mrotal world - or literraly, half-god, half-mortal (think Heracles). Legacy term, not as meaningfull now with the divine ranks. Aspects; Some gods are worshipped in otehr cultures or other cults, in deviations... like in the hinduist religion, they have 'aspects', sides - who are worshiped nearly like an independant (buit still close) deity, with difference.
Taeldrin Laesrash 10-09-07, 12:58 AM	Actually, in D&D, aspects are pretty much just like avatars, although much weaker. Demon lords and archdevils also have aspects, but not avatars.
Shemeska the Marauder 10-09-07, 01:46 AM	Actually, in D&D, aspects are pretty much just like avatars, although much weaker. Demon lords and archdevils also have aspects, but not avatars. To some extent the use of avatar/aspect varies depending on what author is using them. Some folks use "aspect" in the way the Miniatures Handbook used them, as mini-avatars for mid level PCs to fight, and sometimes they're much higher in CR (20-30+ range) and more in line with avatars are for a deity (though archfiend aspects don't have divine ranks). I really dislike how the mini handbook began using aspects as a term for mini-avatars, because "aspect" already had a use for alternate guises of divine beings. Arg. But of course my general antipathy to minis and the minis game in general probably colors my opinion here more than not.
Rohano 10-09-07, 02:00 AM	Demigod: A god that isn't as powerful as other gods, often due to weak lineage in mythology. Quasi-Deity: The same thing a demigod used to be. A being that barely qualifies as a god. Avatar: A physical incarnation of a god, sent to visit blessings upon worshippers or to lead the faithful during a conflict. Oftentimes an avatar serves as a messenger, to bring omens or inspiration. Aspect: A creature created by a god to represent itself. Because most gods are capable of atleast minor feats of creation, their aspects are limited only by their ability to cast epic spells or their specialization in creation powers. An aspect serves many roles, usually minor ones in comparison to an avatar... such as leading the faithful into battle (either as a leader or as a shock trooper), issuing a decree, or cleansing the church of corruption. Originally, an 'aspect' was the term used for when a god dwindled in power in order to focus on different domains or portfolios. For instance, Saint Cuthbert primarily focusses on retribution and justice. To a very minor degree, he is a war god - but only in the sense that a town guard is a soldier... therefore Saint Cuthbert has a less omnipotent war aspect - as an armored shock trooper that ruthlessly bashes criminals and usurpers on the head with a stick. Another good example... Obad Hai. As a deity that forms from all classical elements but usually takes a green forest-creature form... his lesser aspects all identify with the other elements that Obad Hai represents. One of which would likely be some kind of waterbreathing humanoid, or a humanoid fire that cleanses nature of dead weight, or a wind spirit that contributes to the world's weather patterns (eliminating damaging storms and helping to stabilize regular season patterns). For a great wealth of deific information in D&D terms, you ought to check out Deities and Demigods or visit the Deities section of the SRD (http://d20srd.org).
Throdin 10-09-07, 05:58 PM	I dont understand the Aspects shuch as Aspect od Bane or Kord, or lolth
Rohano 10-09-07, 10:02 PM	A creature created by a god to represent itself. Just a clone... a mini-god... a tank that is worshipped.