Deva or Aasimar?

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

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.

Maybe Celestial will still be used in another context? I can't remember at the moment - what happened to Solar/Planetar?

 

[Green Knight]

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

I wish they'd kept it. I really liked that name, and was looking forward to playing a "Celestial Paladin".

 

[Henrix]

I never liked aasimar either.

Deva is ok. I kinda picture devas as more powerful than just slightly divine mortals, but it does not matter much.

I'm not too keen on 'celestial' anyway. Too much of an adjective.

 

[Klaus]

Aasimar. Never had problems with pronounciation, and the double-A look cool.

Plus, even though they're not directly related (thanks, Mouse!), "deva" is still too similar to "devil" for my tastes (I pronounce it "deh-va", rhyming with "let car").

 

[Drkfathr1]

I'm fine with Deva, much better than Aasimar.

However, in my campaign, they'll be called "Lumaren", as they are filled with an inner divine light.

 

[mattdm]

I'm fine with Deva, much better than Aasimar.

However, in my campaign, they'll be called "Lumaren", as they are filled with an inner divine light.

I can't tell from the context here, but: are you aware that that's what the root word for deva means in the first place?

 

[Cadfan]

Voted Deva, but would have preferred "Other."

 

[Drkfathr1]

I can't tell from the context here, but: are you aware that that's what the root word for deva means in the first place?

yes...but Deva carries so much "real-world" connotation with it that I wanted something original.

 

[EATherrian]

OTOH, "deva" has the virtue of being

A) A real word,

B) Connotations that actually make sense for the race, and

C) Is pronounceable without sounding like you're trying to curse. (It's "day-vuh," for the record, not "diva" like Mariah Carey.)

Gee, can we tell how I voted?

But, if you have a long-time world devas already have a place in there. I didn't vote, because I'd rather not have either name for the concept that is being asked here. I'd probably call them 'the Blessed' or something like that in my campaign as I call the tieflings 'the Accursed'.

 

[Krensky]

OTOH, "deva" has the virtue of being

A) A real word,

B) Connotations that actually make sense for the race, and

C) Is pronounceable without sounding like you're trying to curse. (It's "day-vuh," for the record, not "diva" like Mariah Carey.)

Gee, can we tell how I voted?

Except that Devas are godlike, if not actual divinities in both Hinduism and Buddhism. The connotations are all wrong. If you want a real word, Nephilim is a better choice.