Appearance Change

[CptAmyrica]

Hi! New player here.

Been thinking of rolling an aasimar, and I was wondering if it would be copacetic to have its appearance changed to that of a human.

Thanks,

CA

[DM Narshe]

Aasimar are very similar to humans in appearance already, though they don't always share the same character models ingame. While you can roleplay their appearance being very humanlike (because it is) we won't actually switch the models to mirror human.

It's partly because it's a HUGE hassle to actually do something like that, partly because if we do it this once then we have to offer the same to everyone that wants it, and mostly because if you want the Aasimar/orc/elf/genasi stats then you should be recognizable as one.

I hope you can understand and agree with those reasons.

But like I said, you can RP their appearance to be as humanlike as you want. Aasimar is almost entirely human-blooded afterall. I forget my source but I think they're 15/16ths Human and 1/16th (or less) Celestial blooded.

It's a good question though and I'm glad you asked!

[mireigi]

Aasimar, and any other planetouched race for that matter, can be up to 1/4th non-mortal, with the remaining 3/4ths being primarily human, although other races can be planetouched as well, though it is rarer.

If looking at the Tiefling bloodline, the initial ancestry is typically a Succubus or some male Demon, both of whom carry 100% demon blood. If either of those mate with a human mortal the offspring is an Alu-Fiend (Succubus variant) or Cambion (male Demon variant), who both carry 50% demon blood. If either of those mate with a human mortal the offspring is a Tiefling carrying 25% demon blood. As this first generation Tiefling mates with other non-Tieflings, the bloodline becomes further diluted.

The same principles hold true for any of the other planetouched races. The bloodlines for of the planetouched races goes like this:

• Aasimar < Half-Celestial < Celestial
  Tiefling < Alu-Fiend / Cambion < Succubus / male Demon
  Genasi < Elemental being

However, due to NWN2 limitations and aestaetic rules put in place by the staff, it isn't possible to portray any planetouched race as more than 1/16th planetouched. Whether or not aestaetic changes can be made through RP is a whole other box of chocolates to dig into.

[CptAmyrica]

No worries, mang. Thanks for the prompt response.

[NegInfinity]

Hi! New player here.

Been thinking of rolling an aasimar, and I was wondering if it would be copacetic to have its appearance changed to that of a human.

Thanks,

CA

You can be almost indistinguishable from human. This is perfectly fine. Just keep in mind that aasimar are supposed to "rarely feel that they fit in human society", have tendencies toward vengefulness and quick judgement and get along with half-breeds (except tieflings) better. (from planar handbook, page 6). Monster manual mentions that they're often loners and rarely found in leading positions (page 209, MMI).

Still, as long as there is a good backstory, many things are possible.

If looking at the Tiefling bloodline, the initial ancestry is typically a Succubus or some male Demon,

Would be nice if you cited your sources. Like where you got that idea from. Articles on tieflings in monster manual and planar handbook don't mention anything like that. On material plane I'd say infernal heritage might be more likely.

[mireigi]

If looking at the Tiefling bloodline, the initial ancestry is typically a Succubus or some male Demon,

Would be nice if you cited your sources. Like where you got that idea from. Articles on tieflings in monster manual and planar handbook don't mention anything like that. On material plane I'd say infernal heritage might be more likely.

Right here:

The male equivalent to an alu-fiend is generally called a cambion. Successive offspring from either (with mortals) are demonic tieflings.

Source: http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Alu-fiend

So a minor correction to the original in that Tieflings with a demonic / abyssal heritage come from Alu-fiends and Cambions.

[NegInfinity]

If looking at the Tiefling bloodline, the initial ancestry is typically a Succubus or some male Demon,

Would be nice if you cited your sources. Like where you got that idea from. Articles on tieflings in monster manual and planar handbook don't mention anything like that. On material plane I'd say infernal heritage might be more likely.

Right here:

The male equivalent to an alu-fiend is generally called a cambion. Successive offspring from either (with mortals) are demonic tieflings.

Source: http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Alu-fiend

So a minor correction to the original in that Tieflings with a demonic / abyssal heritage come from Alu-fiends and Cambions.

I was talking about assumption that Tiefling bloodlines typically start with abyssal heritage. Nothing of this kind is mentioned in source books, as far as I know. One might argue that infernal heriatage is more likely (because devils plot and corrupt while demons simply destroy), but as far as I know, source books don't say a thing about likelyhood of either bloodline. It could be any evil outsider, probably even neutral evil one.

[Catam]

The best source for information regarding Aasimars (or any race) is the Forgotten Realms Source Book aptly named Races of Faerûn and the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. Below is an excerpt from the Races of Faerûn.

[Vekin]

It's partly because it's a HUGE hassle to actually do something like that, partly because if we do it this once then we have to offer the same to everyone that wants it, and mostly because if you want the Aasimar/orc/elf/genasi stats then you should be recognizable as one.

I hope you can understand and agree with those reasons.

Agreed, DMs should not be having to micro manage stuff like this but that said if someone wanted to have human looking planetouched its a pretty easy task to add the heads as options to those races at character creation.

[mireigi]

Something to add to the above is that while Aasimar are generally considered good, they often fall to evil due to ridicule and mistrust from others. Their inherent love and care for others make it difficult for them to remain positive when faced with the evil of the world and the negativity that is often directed towards them.

This is listed in the Races of Faerûn book as well, and should be RP'ed whenever possible.

Tieflings are actually better equipped since they accept that their heritage is a cause for concern in many, unlike Aasimar who feel such attention is unjust.

[NegInfinity]

Something to add to the above is that while Aasimar are generally considered good, they often fall to evil due to ridicule and mistrust from others. Their inherent love and care for others make it difficult for them to remain positive when faced with the evil of the world and the negativity that is often directed towards them.

This is listed in the Races of Faerûn book as well, and should be RP'ed whenever possible.

Tieflings are actually better equipped since they accept that their heritage is a cause for concern in many, unlike Aasimar who feel such attention is unjust.

Erm... that doesn't quite sound right.

Favored class of aasimar is "paladin", and manual of the planes mentioned that they're prone to fighting evil and quick judgements. Not to "love and caring". In fact "love and caring" isn't even mentioned. Even in "races of faerun". The impression I got from reading of aasimar is that tend to be people with strong sense of good and justice. Not "loving and caring" types. Evil feels wrong. Unjustice feels wrong and there's not much you can do about it. You feel it isn't right, and have an urge to do something about it.

Regarding tieflings... if it were a tiefling thread, I could contribute a lot to the topic, but that thread is about aasimar. However, there is nothing in the books that suggest that "tiefling accept that their heritage is concern for anybody." If you're a tiefling, your heritage can be a bane of your existence (it is explicitly mentioned that if a tiefling achieves position of great power he/she loses it when heritage is discovered). Heritage is a curse bestowed upon tiefling at birth, and a good portion of life will be spent dealing with it one way or another (fight it, ignore it, succumb to it, embrace it).

As I said before, quote/cite your sources.

[mireigi]

Loving and caring might have been a mistake. I couldn't remember the exact wording, but sure, here it is, taken from Races of Faerûn:

Aasimar
The aasimar bear the legacy of a celestial being or even a deity in their ancestry, and have incredible potential to do good in the world. At the same time, their heritage marks them as different and often leads to persecution, ridicule, or exile from superstitious or backward communities. It is not unknown for an aasimar to give in to bitterness in the face of adversity and turn to evil.

Outlook
Most aasimar are wary of their human neighbors. Even those raised by parents who understand their heritage cannot escape the stares of other children and adults, for humans fear that which is different. Aasimar usually experience a great deal of prejudice, which is all the more painful to the good-inclined aasimar who truly wants to help others survive in a hostile world. Aasimar are often seen as aloof, when in many cases this is a protective measure born of years of misunderstandings. Aasimar often look upon true celestials and other good outsiders with a mixed envy and respect. The lucky ones receive occasional guidance and advice from their celestial ancestor, and these aasimar are more likely to exemplify the stereotypical celestial virtues.

Because an aasimar’s favored class is paladin, a majority of them follow that path, at least for a time. The philosophy of the paladin class resonates in the aasimars’ hearts, and they are innately suited for a career championing law and good. Some aasimar, particularly those descended from a nonlawful outsider, instead become clerics, since they are naturally wiser and more charismatic than most humans. Even aasimar who don’t become divine spellcasters gravitate toward divine-related classes such as the divine champion, for the call of the light is very strong.

Not all aasimar live up to their potential. An aasimar blackguard or sorcerer of evil is a terrible opponent, and deities such as Shar and Set love to corrupt an aasimar, turning her into a bitter, angry creature nursing old grudges from unjust persecution.

Source: Races of Faerûn - Page 112 to 113 - Aasimar

The first underlined part sumarizes much of of what is contained within the other underlined parts.

The second underlined part is where I derived the loving and caring from, perhaps a mistake to include loving, but caring certainly seem within their portfolio.

The third and fourth underlined parts paints an image of aasimar being prone to turn to evil if they do not receive the proper counsel and guidance during their early years, and possibly also well into their adult life.