Deva or Aasimar?

Hussar

Legend

• Sep 11, 2008

• #11

MerricB said:

For "Throat-wobbler Mangrove"? Knew I left something off the poll!

Interesting to see the split in votes - it's very heavily towards Deva at this point; which probably says an awful lot about how real words are generally better than made-up ones.

Cheers!

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I'm not sure if you can make that conclusion though. I'd certainly say that, in this specific case, a made up word that includes the word "ass" in it is likely not going to do as well as some other words might.

After all, Tiefling and Githyanki both seem to be fairly well received.

 

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F

Fallen Seraph

First Post

• Sep 11, 2008

• #12

Deva as well here.

 

JVisgaitis

Explorer

• Sep 11, 2008

• #13

You forgot the option that says who cares, its just a name.

 

Ander00

First Post

• Sep 11, 2008

• #14

Not too fond of the name change, but it's not like it's a big deal.


cheers

 

D

doctorhook

Legend

• Sep 11, 2008

• #15

(As long as you distinguish it from "diva" in your mind, you'll realize that) Deva is simply a better name.

 

blargney the second

blargney the minute's son

• Sep 11, 2008

• #16

Deva in a heartbeat.

 

Derro

First Post

• Sep 11, 2008

• #17

Personally I don't see either one as a winner. Aasimar is clearly made up and could be anything. Deva on the other hand has actual religious and mythological basis and in all cases is a clearly higher order of being. In Hinduism they are godlings, in Buddhism powerdul spirits or kamis, and in Zoroastrianism they are closer to demons.

I just don't see it. Instead of making up a word (I'm looking at you too, tiefling) or co-opting a name that implies something else why not try make something simple and descriptive? Reincarnation is a big theme, right? How about Everborn or Lightchild. It seems like aasimar/deva are not much more than celestial humans so how about Celestial? Is that already taken?

I don't have much invested in this since I doubt I'll have anything to do with 4e FR but I will say this. 4e really seems to be trying to re-write D&D's history and I wonder if it's really necessary.

Tempest in a teapot really.

 

G

Green Knight

First Post

• Sep 11, 2008

• #18

How about a choice for neither? I think they're both terrible names. They should've stuck with Celestial. Or gone Biblical and called them Nephilim. Or come up with some other name entirely. But Deva? And to think I thought Aasimar was bad...

 

K

Khaalis

Adventurer

• Sep 11, 2008

• #19

Derro said:

Personally I don't see either one as a winner. Aasimar is clearly made up and could be anything. Deva on the other hand has actual religious and mythological basis and in all cases is a clearly higher order of being. In Hinduism they are godlings, in Buddhism powerdul spirits or kamis, and in Zoroastrianism they are closer to demons.

I just don't see it. Instead of making up a word (I'm looking at you too, tiefling) or co-opting a name that implies something else why not try make something simple and descriptive? Reincarnation is a big theme, right? How about Everborn or Lightchild. It seems like aasimar/deva are not much more than celestial humans so how about Celestial? Is that already taken?

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QFT. I agree here. While not totally keen on Aasimar, it is familiar. However, Deva doesn't fit the race either due to its real world connotations. WotC would have been much better off making up a new name for the race if they didn't want to use Aasimar anymore.

 

K

Khuxan

First Post

• Sep 11, 2008

• #20

Green Knight said:

How about a choice for neither? I think they're both terrible names. They should've stuck with Celestial. Or gone Biblical and called them Nephilim. Or come up with some other name entirely. But Deva? And to think I thought Aasimar was bad...

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Celestial was the name they originally planned for the race. I'm not sure why they changed.

I kind of like that they've cannabilised each of the celestials now - angels are no longer Lawful Good, archons are elemental-armor-mercenaries, eladrin are fey, and devas are aasimar.