D&D General What if the Wind Dukes of Aaqa were actually Djinn?

[Chaltab]

Of course, I was just talking about what the current lore is in D&D. I am all for making your own lore ( I do it myself), but I think it is interesting to know what the current lore is.

Currently in D&D , based on the descriptions in Fizban's and the DMG (at least):

1. What makes a God a God and not something else? "...worshiped by mortal creatures, able to grant cleric spells to their followers, and both ageless and immortal." and "...hail from the Outer Planes." (from FToD)
2. How is Asmodeus a God and an Arch-Devil? He is not. He is just an Archdevil with power like a lesser god: ..."Asmodeus is the supreme ruler of all devils and wields the power of a lesser god." (from 2014 MM & 2024 DMG)
3. Is Orcus a God named Tenebrous? We don't know for sure as I don't think Tenebrous is mentioned in 5e. However, I would guess demon lords fall into a similar category to archdevils and primordial dragons. Potentially god like, but not gods.
4. Were Moradin and Corellon et al mortal beings in the First World who became Gods? That does not appear to be the case based on the 5e lore in Fizban's and the DMG, but I wouldn't say we have definite info on this as I don't think these gods are mentioned by name in the Elegy of the First World. It appears the gods came from somewhere else: "...sing of the outsiders, war-bringer gods with their mortal adherents; Teeming, they came to the First World, seeking a home for their legions of followers." (From FToD). Notice the gods came seeking a home for their followers, not for themselves, and are outsiders to the first world.
5. Or are Gods a species of Celestial just with nigh-omnipotent power? That seems like a pretty good description based on item #1 above. Though it may not be whole accurate.

The First World stuff is still just mythology even in the canon. This is stuff that happened so long ago not even the gods themselves likely remember it clearly--it would be like making a coherent narrative out of a concert you sort of remember visiting when you were 10.

 

[Chaltab]

4e D&D has Zovvuts (former angles that have become elemental-type demons). The angels of Mal Arundak have also become demons.

So it seems that there could be angels that once were elemenal genies.

Zovvuts apparently originated in 3E and were more associated with Orcus.

There's a 5E version in Monster Manual Expanded 2 but it's mechanically pretty weak (only 85 HP at CR7?) and the lore is... uh...