The Aasimar dilemma [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Aasimar dilemma [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Naderion
09-24-07, 11:33 AM Everyone knows tieflings and has an idea what they are. They may be perfect prey for players wanting emo-characters or chaotic stupid ravagers, but everyone knows what and how tieflings are and even people with strong aversions agains tieflings will admit, that they have a lot of potential for many different character concepts.

But on the other hand, there the aasimar...

Yes, almost everyone can recite the book what aasimars are. They are "the descandands of mortals celestials". That's nice, but what kind of racial identity do they have? What makes an aasima an aasimar and what are his defining characteristics?

Most people will have an idea about an aasimar character, some kind of heroic paladin, bard or cleric with shiny blond hair, golden eyes and just the manifestation of compassion and pure goodness. But lets face it, almost everyone hates this kind of character! Nobody like someone who all day holds a neon sign over his head "I'm holyer than all of you! Admire me!". You could make a character that doesn't show his shiny celestial side, but what is he else then, but a regular good aligned human?

They are cool in a planar campaign, I think, but what to do with them in a regular game? Anyone ideas?
hiryuu
09-24-07, 02:01 PM Aasimar have always been raised up. In Planescape, they stood out as noble beings that banged around celestial gate towns and always had a place to go; they were welcomed by pretty much everything and everyone because you knew what to expect, and because of that, they generally fell into broad stereotypes. I supposed one could become bitter at this treatment, upset and angry that they're not what everyone claims them to be.

In AD&D 2nd Edition, no one was quite clear on what tieflings (or Aasimar; the only assumption one could make were "somehow lower or upper planar," respectively) were descended from; it was hard to tell because each and every one was different, even the children of two tiefling parents looked nothing like each other or their adult counterparts (they even had a dang random appearance chart with fun entries like "row of spines down back" and "feathers instead of hair" and "multicolored hair" and "extra finger!"). I've always liked tieflings for that reason. They were an entire race with no history, culture, no racial uniformity, no magics or ancient secrets of their own, and unlike Aasimar, who are accepted almost everywhere, they weren't allow to leech off of anybody else's culture. It's like an entire race of bastard children, as even their own physical appearance rejects them from each other, tossed to the worlds and planes with nothing behind them except a cold shoulder and a shrug. It's fighting that and finding a place and purpose that made them interesting, and you're right, no one's ever done anything with Aasimar, precisely because if you see one, you nod and smile, "oh look, there's an Aasimar, he's a handsome fellow," and when you see a tiefling you warn your kids not to look at it, that might make it think you're challenging it, and part of that was the mystery of both lineages.

.....then 3E came out a while back and made tieflings definitely and directly descended from fiends and Aasimar from celestials. There goes any semblance of meaningful character development.
Naderion
09-24-07, 02:29 PM I don't think that really much has changed compared to planescape. When there is someone looking like nothing widely known to mankind, you can be sure that it is either half-dragon, half-fey or half-outsider. Descandands of dragons should be fairly easy to recognize and half-fey shouldn't cause to much trouble and are likely to be mistaken for elves. So anything else is likely descanded from an outsider. Golden hair and booming voice? Likely from the upper planes. Red glowing eyes and long fangs? Probably lower planes.
It really doesn't have to be "Look, that one is a half-avoral, and we all know what an avoral is."
I think that doesn't really make aasimars difficult.

Even if you ignore all that and go back to how you've seen them in planescape. What other charcter concepts can you follow with an aasimar but Prince charming?
Morka
09-24-07, 02:31 PM Aasimar are known to be good. You look at them, and they seems good. That, and their golden hair, fair look, and +2 to Charisma... they make the perfect villain!
Yeah, no where is it written their alignment is restricted to good. I've seen a lot of CG tieflings, but why restrict the aasimars to paladins or goody-clerics? They could seem noble, with an proud stance, but that's just another trick to deceive us! Evil, they are evil, I say! :rant:
Naderion
09-24-07, 02:56 PM Very good point. Though their race description says outsider, I actually consider all those plaetouched to be monstrous humanoids. They lack all the things that define outsiders, like not being creatures of body and soul, but a corporeal soul, and needing to eat and sleep and being natives of the outer plane, or being of (good) or (evil) subtype. Though evil isn't their likely nature, they can range from Lawful Stupid to Chaotic Pychotic.

But mentioning the avoral got me thinking. Not all aasimars are the descendants of devas or solars. There are a lot of really freaking celestials in the MM and other books that would likely result in very different traits.

This Person is very tall and has a slim build. The skin is slightly pale but also has a redish bronze hue. The hair is of a feiry red and the eyes glow in a warm orange light.
a Fierre Eladrin
This Person has a large mob of long and thick hair on the head and peominent bushy eybrows. The canines in the mouth are pointy and the eyes resemble those of a cat. Massive fists are on the end of equally strong arms and the voice is deep and rumbling.
a Leonal Guardinal.
This Person has pointed ears, the eyes of a predator and skin with a dark redish hue. Though are bit stocky in stature, the chest and limbs are massive and clearly show of a lot of strength. In the dark, the eyes eerily reflect the light, that falls into them.
a Hound Archon
This person is tall, slender and most importantly has a skin color of a deep emerald hue. The head is completely bald and the eyes without any trace of color. The voice is almost earily clear and makes the whole appearance even more unsettling.
a Trumpet Archon
This person is of slim and almost frail build, but also seems to be in very good health and strong condition. The motions are slow and graceful and the eyes glance carefully everywhere at the surroundings, observing everything with a knowing gaze. The beautiful fair face is surrounded by thick curly hair of deep rich color.
actually not a Celestial, but the Person is a tiefling descended from a Marilith Demon.
This person appears to be human, but two small horns grow out of the forehead, not quite covered by the thick curly hair. Even more disturbing are the backward bent knees.
a Cervidal Guardinal

When tieflings and all kinds of genasi look like that, why not aasimars? Changing the mere apearance away from just a striking human should inspire a lot of fun and interesting ideas for aasimar PCs and NPCs.
Darth Sephiroth
09-24-07, 06:06 PM Also consider that some people purposefully turn against their heritage. Aasimaar Battle Sorcerer with Celestial Heritage feats could make a great play for the Sephiroth effect. Take a Lesser Aasimaar for no loss of caster levels either.

The Aasimaar out to end the world just to spite dear old dad...
RealSorceror
09-24-07, 07:01 PM I like the Aasimar Rogue concept, especially if you go into Shadowbane Inquisitor (possibly the pimpest Paladin-style prestige class).

Last time I played one, I purposefully made sure that I was not the face of the party. I just roleplayed him as a quite background character. Whenever I encountered an evil NPC, especially if I was alone, I'd make sure to leave the worst sort of impression; I'm a very bad, scary man, and I will cut you. I pretty much had the criminal underworld in mortal fear of me after two or three games. If only I'd had a dire bat costume....
BahamutAlchemist
09-25-07, 11:56 AM In a previous campaign I played, the DM's bbeg was an Aasimar Favored Soul of Hextor. His particular mental dysfunction was that he had developed a hatred for celestials, including himself. He mutilated himself, grafted demon horns onto his own heads and flensed his own eyes. And as crazy as that sounds the villain was cool, calculated and the very picture or Lawful Evil.

Ironically, there was a NG Aasimar Sorceror in the party who couldn't tell what the true race of the villain was. I played a Dwarf Fighter, and thusly, didn't care.
Arakano
09-25-07, 02:02 PM Everyone knows tieflings and has an idea what they are. They may be perfect prey for players wanting emo-characters or chaotic stupid ravagers, but everyone knows what and how tieflings are and even people with strong aversions agains tieflings will admit, that they have a lot of potential for many different character concepts.

But on the other hand, there the aasimar...

Yes, almost everyone can recite the book what aasimars are. They are "the descandands of mortals celestials". That's nice, but what kind of racial identity do they have? What makes an aasima an aasimar and what are his defining characteristics?

Most people will have an idea about an aasimar character, some kind of heroic paladin, bard or cleric with shiny blond hair, golden eyes and just the manifestation of compassion and pure goodness. But lets face it, almost everyone hates this kind of character! Nobody like someone who all day holds a neon sign over his head "I'm holyer than all of you! Admire me!".

There are some good posts in this thread, but frankly, this starting makes me boil with angry heat of rage just by reading it! :mad:

Where is the potential within Tieflings, and where is the lack of potential in Aasimars? NO, I do NOT agree with your broad generalisation! I saw as many PCs/NPCs who looked holy/good/saintly but were evil/self-absorbed/etc. as I saw PCs/NPCS who look unholoy/evil/fiendish but were good/noble/etc..

As for your last point - that's simply ridiculous, sorry. So no one likes someone who acts like a noble paladin, yes? But everyone LOVES someone who looks like the devil's child and acts like a selfish, angsty teen? That's not how the world works, AFAIK. And those persons who REALLY feel this way... well... I will do my best to stay away from them. ;)
Naderion
09-25-07, 02:06 PM I didn't say that there has to be only one way to play aasimars, but asked if anybody could help me to advance my limeted horizon regarding this issue. :D
Had I just wanted to bash "Aasimars are the suXor! Everbody hatse tham!", I would have done that. :D
Japan_the_cougar
09-25-07, 02:37 PM The Planar Handbook entry on aasimar says that while they are almost never evil, those that are make the best villains. Thus, even though they are usually good, their alignment can stretch across the spectrum.

I would say do with an aasimar what you would do with a human, since they have the same range of concepts. They just have a bit more motivation to be good, is all.
Naderion
09-25-07, 02:38 PM But if you do what you would do with a human, what would the aasimar be but a human with a halo?
That's thw "dilemma"...
Japan_the_cougar
09-25-07, 02:40 PM But if you do what you would do with a human, what would the aasimar be but a human with a halo?
That's thw "dilemma"...

No, what I meant is that they have the same motivations and problems as any other race, so you needn't limit yourself.
The Ubbergeek
09-25-07, 02:51 PM It's not an halo; like Tiefling, you look at an Aasimar, and you feels that something is... not right, not normal with him. Even if it's not obvious at all.

The smell of santicty, a calming sort of aura around, etc... Something that animals feels, that you feels at the atavic level. That guy/girl is more than a mere man.
Mr_Teapot
09-25-07, 04:34 PM Perhaps play up the bastard child aspect of the aasimar:

Celestials aren't supposed to consort with mortal beings. Their station in life is grander than romantic or sexual relations allow for. Thus, every half-celestial and aasimar is the physical embodiment of an angel's fall from grace. Knowing this, celestials (and many humanoid races) treat the aasimar far worse than they would tieflings (who are only the result of some mere mortal being seduced by a fiend, much less of a loss for the side of Good).
warforged51092
09-25-07, 09:04 PM I like what mr. teapot said, but that were the case wouldn't Aasimar be more inclined to be evil, or do they just want to prove to the world that they're good. Good and evil is confusing:confused: .

p.s. Tieflings still own Aasimar,aasimars? (what's the plural for aasimar?)
Mr_Teapot
09-26-07, 10:16 AM I like what mr. teapot said, but that were the case wouldn't Aasimar be more inclined to be evil, or do they just want to prove to the world that they're good. Good and evil is confusing:confused: .

The exact reaction would vary a lot from aasimar to aasimar, but the aasimar's inclination towards good is a genetic predisposition. And their parents were still basically good beings, even if they had a moment of weakness in producing the child. So any alignment could be justified, and a predisposition towards good could remain.

Alternative take: In one of our current games, the "divine right of kings" really exists, because all kings and nobles are half-celestial, celestials or aasimars. The stronger your celestial bloodline is, the higher in the royal hierarchy you are. This makes playing a leser aasimar / minor nobleman interesting. My lesser aasimar is totally certain of his inherent superiority to everyone around him, because it's a genetic fact. This lets him mentally justify all sorts of acts, like seizing control of the campaign city from a mere human. It's for their own good, realy.
kumquatelvis
09-26-07, 07:35 PM Hah; I want to see someone descended from a Lantern Archon.
The_Shaman
09-26-07, 08:35 PM It would probably involve liberal use of polymorph or shapechange spells.

I think of the alignment thing more like urges. Aasimars and tieflings feel an instinctive urge to do what would be appropriate for their planar nature; they can obey it or resist it, but it stays there. An aasimar of a particularly wicked nature might actually enjoy doing the reverse of what s/he should be doing.

Of course, for true archons/eladring/demons/devils it's much worse. Remember Planescape: Torment and Ravel's little chat with Fall-from-grace?
Anguish2
09-26-07, 09:30 PM Concepts are concepts, and Aasimar are every bit as concept-rich as their darker cousins. Think about what one is; a less-than. Less-than an angel. Less-than perfect. Nothing says that the LG outsiders are Lawful Perfect. Nothing says that a human parent who gives birth after a tryst with an angel doesn't look upon the child as a bitter reminder of how they've been used by the agents of the very gods. Nothing says that Aasimar are any better at coping with playground bullying better than anyone else... in fact, they may bring more than their fair share upon themselves for trying to defend others, which could twist their views of the mundane races. Nothing says an Aasimar isn't on the brink of suicide every day, knowing that he or she will probably never live up to the expectations of whoever bore him or her.

My point is that for every personality you can dream up for a race that's got a thimble-full of sewage in their bucket of wine, there's an equally compelling personality to be imagined for a race that's got a thimble-full of wine in their bucket of sewage.

Race, and alignment are inspiration. "What if..." "Could you imagine..." You should never be shackled by the obvious. "Oh, there's evil outsider in its background... it must be LIKE an evil outsider." "Oh, there's good outsider in its background... it must be LIKE a good outsider."

Final point: it SUCKS being a "gifted kid". Your parents always expect overachieving. Sure, it's hard being the kid who never does good. But it's equally bad being the kid who never does good enough.
Darth Sephiroth
09-26-07, 09:59 PM Also consider taking a variant of that, an Aasimar could easily be the DnD equivalent of the Greek Heroes, being descendants of the gods themselves.

I'm currently playing a Half-Celestial Lesser Aasimar who is trying hard to be as much of a hero as his parents. He's inexperienced, but trying.

As a side note, replacing Daylight with Heroism makes that link very viable.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Naderion 09-24-07, 11:33 AM	Everyone knows tieflings and has an idea what they are. They may be perfect prey for players wanting emo-characters or chaotic stupid ravagers, but everyone knows what and how tieflings are and even people with strong aversions agains tieflings will admit, that they have a lot of potential for many different character concepts. But on the other hand, there the aasimar... Yes, almost everyone can recite the book what aasimars are. They are "the descandands of mortals celestials". That's nice, but what kind of racial identity do they have? What makes an aasima an aasimar and what are his defining characteristics? Most people will have an idea about an aasimar character, some kind of heroic paladin, bard or cleric with shiny blond hair, golden eyes and just the manifestation of compassion and pure goodness. But lets face it, almost everyone hates this kind of character! Nobody like someone who all day holds a neon sign over his head "I'm holyer than all of you! Admire me!". You could make a character that doesn't show his shiny celestial side, but what is he else then, but a regular good aligned human? They are cool in a planar campaign, I think, but what to do with them in a regular game? Anyone ideas?
hiryuu 09-24-07, 02:01 PM	Aasimar have always been raised up. In Planescape, they stood out as noble beings that banged around celestial gate towns and always had a place to go; they were welcomed by pretty much everything and everyone because you knew what to expect, and because of that, they generally fell into broad stereotypes. I supposed one could become bitter at this treatment, upset and angry that they're not what everyone claims them to be. In AD&D 2nd Edition, no one was quite clear on what tieflings (or Aasimar; the only assumption one could make were "somehow lower or upper planar," respectively) were descended from; it was hard to tell because each and every one was different, even the children of two tiefling parents looked nothing like each other or their adult counterparts (they even had a dang random appearance chart with fun entries like "row of spines down back" and "feathers instead of hair" and "multicolored hair" and "extra finger!"). I've always liked tieflings for that reason. They were an entire race with no history, culture, no racial uniformity, no magics or ancient secrets of their own, and unlike Aasimar, who are accepted almost everywhere, they weren't allow to leech off of anybody else's culture. It's like an entire race of bastard children, as even their own physical appearance rejects them from each other, tossed to the worlds and planes with nothing behind them except a cold shoulder and a shrug. It's fighting that and finding a place and purpose that made them interesting, and you're right, no one's ever done anything with Aasimar, precisely because if you see one, you nod and smile, "oh look, there's an Aasimar, he's a handsome fellow," and when you see a tiefling you warn your kids not to look at it, that might make it think you're challenging it, and part of that was the mystery of both lineages. .....then 3E came out a while back and made tieflings definitely and directly descended from fiends and Aasimar from celestials. There goes any semblance of meaningful character development.
Naderion 09-24-07, 02:29 PM	I don't think that really much has changed compared to planescape. When there is someone looking like nothing widely known to mankind, you can be sure that it is either half-dragon, half-fey or half-outsider. Descandands of dragons should be fairly easy to recognize and half-fey shouldn't cause to much trouble and are likely to be mistaken for elves. So anything else is likely descanded from an outsider. Golden hair and booming voice? Likely from the upper planes. Red glowing eyes and long fangs? Probably lower planes. It really doesn't have to be "Look, that one is a half-avoral, and we all know what an avoral is." I think that doesn't really make aasimars difficult. Even if you ignore all that and go back to how you've seen them in planescape. What other charcter concepts can you follow with an aasimar but Prince charming?
Morka 09-24-07, 02:31 PM	Aasimar are known to be good. You look at them, and they seems good. That, and their golden hair, fair look, and +2 to Charisma... they make the perfect villain! Yeah, no where is it written their alignment is restricted to good. I've seen a lot of CG tieflings, but why restrict the aasimars to paladins or goody-clerics? They could seem noble, with an proud stance, but that's just another trick to deceive us! Evil, they are evil, I say! :rant:
Naderion 09-24-07, 02:56 PM	Very good point. Though their race description says outsider, I actually consider all those plaetouched to be monstrous humanoids. They lack all the things that define outsiders, like not being creatures of body and soul, but a corporeal soul, and needing to eat and sleep and being natives of the outer plane, or being of (good) or (evil) subtype. Though evil isn't their likely nature, they can range from Lawful Stupid to Chaotic Pychotic. But mentioning the avoral got me thinking. Not all aasimars are the descendants of devas or solars. There are a lot of really freaking celestials in the MM and other books that would likely result in very different traits. This Person is very tall and has a slim build. The skin is slightly pale but also has a redish bronze hue. The hair is of a feiry red and the eyes glow in a warm orange light. a Fierre Eladrin This Person has a large mob of long and thick hair on the head and peominent bushy eybrows. The canines in the mouth are pointy and the eyes resemble those of a cat. Massive fists are on the end of equally strong arms and the voice is deep and rumbling. a Leonal Guardinal. This Person has pointed ears, the eyes of a predator and skin with a dark redish hue. Though are bit stocky in stature, the chest and limbs are massive and clearly show of a lot of strength. In the dark, the eyes eerily reflect the light, that falls into them. a Hound Archon This person is tall, slender and most importantly has a skin color of a deep emerald hue. The head is completely bald and the eyes without any trace of color. The voice is almost earily clear and makes the whole appearance even more unsettling. a Trumpet Archon This person is of slim and almost frail build, but also seems to be in very good health and strong condition. The motions are slow and graceful and the eyes glance carefully everywhere at the surroundings, observing everything with a knowing gaze. The beautiful fair face is surrounded by thick curly hair of deep rich color. actually not a Celestial, but the Person is a tiefling descended from a Marilith Demon. This person appears to be human, but two small horns grow out of the forehead, not quite covered by the thick curly hair. Even more disturbing are the backward bent knees. a Cervidal Guardinal When tieflings and all kinds of genasi look like that, why not aasimars? Changing the mere apearance away from just a striking human should inspire a lot of fun and interesting ideas for aasimar PCs and NPCs.
Darth Sephiroth 09-24-07, 06:06 PM	Also consider that some people purposefully turn against their heritage. Aasimaar Battle Sorcerer with Celestial Heritage feats could make a great play for the Sephiroth effect. Take a Lesser Aasimaar for no loss of caster levels either. The Aasimaar out to end the world just to spite dear old dad...
RealSorceror 09-24-07, 07:01 PM	I like the Aasimar Rogue concept, especially if you go into Shadowbane Inquisitor (possibly the pimpest Paladin-style prestige class). Last time I played one, I purposefully made sure that I was not the face of the party. I just roleplayed him as a quite background character. Whenever I encountered an evil NPC, especially if I was alone, I'd make sure to leave the worst sort of impression; I'm a very bad, scary man, and I will cut you. I pretty much had the criminal underworld in mortal fear of me after two or three games. If only I'd had a dire bat costume....
BahamutAlchemist 09-25-07, 11:56 AM	In a previous campaign I played, the DM's bbeg was an Aasimar Favored Soul of Hextor. His particular mental dysfunction was that he had developed a hatred for celestials, including himself. He mutilated himself, grafted demon horns onto his own heads and flensed his own eyes. And as crazy as that sounds the villain was cool, calculated and the very picture or Lawful Evil. Ironically, there was a NG Aasimar Sorceror in the party who couldn't tell what the true race of the villain was. I played a Dwarf Fighter, and thusly, didn't care.
Arakano 09-25-07, 02:02 PM	Everyone knows tieflings and has an idea what they are. They may be perfect prey for players wanting emo-characters or chaotic stupid ravagers, but everyone knows what and how tieflings are and even people with strong aversions agains tieflings will admit, that they have a lot of potential for many different character concepts. But on the other hand, there the aasimar... Yes, almost everyone can recite the book what aasimars are. They are "the descandands of mortals celestials". That's nice, but what kind of racial identity do they have? What makes an aasima an aasimar and what are his defining characteristics? Most people will have an idea about an aasimar character, some kind of heroic paladin, bard or cleric with shiny blond hair, golden eyes and just the manifestation of compassion and pure goodness. But lets face it, almost everyone hates this kind of character! Nobody like someone who all day holds a neon sign over his head "I'm holyer than all of you! Admire me!". There are some good posts in this thread, but frankly, this starting makes me boil with angry heat of rage just by reading it! :mad: Where is the potential within Tieflings, and where is the lack of potential in Aasimars? NO, I do NOT agree with your broad generalisation! I saw as many PCs/NPCs who looked holy/good/saintly but were evil/self-absorbed/etc. as I saw PCs/NPCS who look unholoy/evil/fiendish but were good/noble/etc.. As for your last point - that's simply ridiculous, sorry. So no one likes someone who acts like a noble paladin, yes? But everyone LOVES someone who looks like the devil's child and acts like a selfish, angsty teen? That's not how the world works, AFAIK. And those persons who REALLY feel this way... well... I will do my best to stay away from them. ;)
Naderion 09-25-07, 02:06 PM	I didn't say that there has to be only one way to play aasimars, but asked if anybody could help me to advance my limeted horizon regarding this issue. :D Had I just wanted to bash "Aasimars are the suXor! Everbody hatse tham!", I would have done that. :D
Japan_the_cougar 09-25-07, 02:37 PM	The Planar Handbook entry on aasimar says that while they are almost never evil, those that are make the best villains. Thus, even though they are usually good, their alignment can stretch across the spectrum. I would say do with an aasimar what you would do with a human, since they have the same range of concepts. They just have a bit more motivation to be good, is all.
Naderion 09-25-07, 02:38 PM	But if you do what you would do with a human, what would the aasimar be but a human with a halo? That's thw "dilemma"...
Japan_the_cougar 09-25-07, 02:40 PM	But if you do what you would do with a human, what would the aasimar be but a human with a halo? That's thw "dilemma"... No, what I meant is that they have the same motivations and problems as any other race, so you needn't limit yourself.
The Ubbergeek 09-25-07, 02:51 PM	It's not an halo; like Tiefling, you look at an Aasimar, and you feels that something is... not right, not normal with him. Even if it's not obvious at all. The smell of santicty, a calming sort of aura around, etc... Something that animals feels, that you feels at the atavic level. That guy/girl is more than a mere man.
Mr_Teapot 09-25-07, 04:34 PM	Perhaps play up the bastard child aspect of the aasimar: Celestials aren't supposed to consort with mortal beings. Their station in life is grander than romantic or sexual relations allow for. Thus, every half-celestial and aasimar is the physical embodiment of an angel's fall from grace. Knowing this, celestials (and many humanoid races) treat the aasimar far worse than they would tieflings (who are only the result of some mere mortal being seduced by a fiend, much less of a loss for the side of Good).
warforged51092 09-25-07, 09:04 PM	I like what mr. teapot said, but that were the case wouldn't Aasimar be more inclined to be evil, or do they just want to prove to the world that they're good. Good and evil is confusing:confused: . p.s. Tieflings still own Aasimar,aasimars? (what's the plural for aasimar?)
Mr_Teapot 09-26-07, 10:16 AM	I like what mr. teapot said, but that were the case wouldn't Aasimar be more inclined to be evil, or do they just want to prove to the world that they're good. Good and evil is confusing:confused: . The exact reaction would vary a lot from aasimar to aasimar, but the aasimar's inclination towards good is a genetic predisposition. And their parents were still basically good beings, even if they had a moment of weakness in producing the child. So any alignment could be justified, and a predisposition towards good could remain. Alternative take: In one of our current games, the "divine right of kings" really exists, because all kings and nobles are half-celestial, celestials or aasimars. The stronger your celestial bloodline is, the higher in the royal hierarchy you are. This makes playing a leser aasimar / minor nobleman interesting. My lesser aasimar is totally certain of his inherent superiority to everyone around him, because it's a genetic fact. This lets him mentally justify all sorts of acts, like seizing control of the campaign city from a mere human. It's for their own good, realy.
kumquatelvis 09-26-07, 07:35 PM	Hah; I want to see someone descended from a Lantern Archon.
The_Shaman 09-26-07, 08:35 PM	It would probably involve liberal use of polymorph or shapechange spells. I think of the alignment thing more like urges. Aasimars and tieflings feel an instinctive urge to do what would be appropriate for their planar nature; they can obey it or resist it, but it stays there. An aasimar of a particularly wicked nature might actually enjoy doing the reverse of what s/he should be doing. Of course, for true archons/eladring/demons/devils it's much worse. Remember Planescape: Torment and Ravel's little chat with Fall-from-grace?
Anguish2 09-26-07, 09:30 PM	Concepts are concepts, and Aasimar are every bit as concept-rich as their darker cousins. Think about what one is; a less-than. Less-than an angel. Less-than perfect. Nothing says that the LG outsiders are Lawful Perfect. Nothing says that a human parent who gives birth after a tryst with an angel doesn't look upon the child as a bitter reminder of how they've been used by the agents of the very gods. Nothing says that Aasimar are any better at coping with playground bullying better than anyone else... in fact, they may bring more than their fair share upon themselves for trying to defend others, which could twist their views of the mundane races. Nothing says an Aasimar isn't on the brink of suicide every day, knowing that he or she will probably never live up to the expectations of whoever bore him or her. My point is that for every personality you can dream up for a race that's got a thimble-full of sewage in their bucket of wine, there's an equally compelling personality to be imagined for a race that's got a thimble-full of wine in their bucket of sewage. Race, and alignment are inspiration. "What if..." "Could you imagine..." You should never be shackled by the obvious. "Oh, there's evil outsider in its background... it must be LIKE an evil outsider." "Oh, there's good outsider in its background... it must be LIKE a good outsider." Final point: it SUCKS being a "gifted kid". Your parents always expect overachieving. Sure, it's hard being the kid who never does good. But it's equally bad being the kid who never does good enough.
Darth Sephiroth 09-26-07, 09:59 PM	Also consider taking a variant of that, an Aasimar could easily be the DnD equivalent of the Greek Heroes, being descendants of the gods themselves. I'm currently playing a Half-Celestial Lesser Aasimar who is trying hard to be as much of a hero as his parents. He's inexperienced, but trying. As a side note, replacing Daylight with Heroism makes that link very viable.