Aasimar (PWH)

*For other Aasimar, see Aasimar (disambiguation).*

**Aasimar** are the other side of the tiefling coin. Like tieflings, aasimar are plane-touched. But while tieflings have the blood of some sort of lower-planar creature in their veins, aasimar are the scions, or descendants of scions, of celestial beings from the Upper Planes.

These folk generally appear as gloriously beautiful humans with golden hair, fair skin, and piercing eyes. They might be mistaken for half-elves, or even true aasimon, for their innate purity and inhuman glory. Most aasimar are true to their sires and the blood that courses through their veins, being true of heart, courageous, and honest to a fault. Their nobility and goodness are legendary. Nevertheless, a few turn stag and become as untrustworthy a bunch of spivs as ever plied the cross-trade.

Unlike other plane-touched, aasimar are rarely orphaned or abandoned by their nonhuman parent. Though usually raised by the human parent in human communities, the celestial — if possible — tries to maintain at least some contact or provide some influence in the child's life, guiding him along on the "right path."

Aasimar often attempt to pass as normal humans in order to right wrongs and defend goodness in a mortal community. They strive to fit into society, although they usually rise to the top as cream rises above milk, becoming revered leaders and honorable heroes.

Members of this race add a +1 bonus to Strength and Wisdom and have a -2 penalty to their Constitution score. Aasimar have infravision to a range of 60 feet. Because of their catlike, keen senses, they add +1 to surprise checks. Though in many ways the aasimar are light of build and even somewhat frail, their celestial heritage protects them from half of the damage normally delivered from heat and cold attacks. Additionally, they gain a +2 bonus to saving throws versus any sort of magical charm, fear, emotion, or domination effect. All nonwizard aasimar have 10% magic resistance on top of all that. PC aasimar may be of any nonevil alignment, though most will be lawful, neutral, or chaotic good.

All character classes are available to aasimar, and in addition they can be multiclassed with the following numerous options: fighter/priest, fighter/mage, fighter/bard, ranger/mage, ranger/priest, mage/priest, mage/thief, mage/bard, and priest/bard.

## Aasimar Options

One may assume that some aasimar do not fit the mold described above. Certainly there are those who have greater attributes of physical beauty and charm, adding +1 to their Charisma scores rather than their Strength.

At least a few aasimar have features different from those described above. An aasimar with planetar blood, for example, may have green skin. Some may even have nonhuman attributes such as regal-looking tails, birdlike or leonine lower bodies, or even vestigial wings. A few rare specimens have spell-like abilities such as detect lie, detect evil, or light (all usable once per day) rather than the resistances to heat or cold.

## Roll-Playing an Aasimar

Nobility, courage, honor, sincerity - these words describe you. You are the descendant of celestials, worthy of respect — but beleaguered by responsibilities. You must be evervigilant, for the purveyors of evil, the foes of life itself, lurk about every corner. It is your duty to protect those whom you resemble in form, if not in spirit. All mortal creatures are your charges and all the forces of darkness are your enemy. You seek no reward greater than the knowledge that darkness has been thwarted or even vanquished, and you permit yourself no rest while evil remains unchecked.

It's best if no one knows of your heritage. Despite the inherent nobility within the near-divine progenitors of your line, you must earn respect as any other being. Sword held aloft, golden hair sparkling in the bright light of day, you lead your compatriots - heroes all — toward victory against evil.