Astral Deva (dNetHack)
| 9 Astral Deva (No tile) | |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 18 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 2d8 physical, Weapon 2d8 physical, Cast 0d6 clerical spell |
| Base level | 12 |
| Base experience | 450 |
| Speed | 16 |
| Base AC | -7 |
| Base MR | 30 |
| Alignment | 0 (neutral) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 1 (Very rare) |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 1450 |
| Nutritional value | 400 |
| Size | medium |
| Resistances | cold, sleep, shock, poison, acid, petrification
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An Astral Deva:
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An Astral Deva, 9, is a type of monster that appears in dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack. The Astral Deva is a type of deva, a humanoid neutral angel, that is ranked above the Monadic Deva. Astral Devas are strong, capable of flight, can see invisible, can be seen via infravision, will seek out weapons and other items to pick up, and can follow a hero to other levels if they are adjacent.
An Astral Deva has two weapon attacks and the ability to cast one monster spell clerically during each of its turns. Astral Devas possess cold resistance, sleep resistance, shock resistance, poison resistance, acid resistance, and stoning resistance.
Generation
Randomly-generated Astral Devas can generate in small groups, and may be created peaceful towards neutral heroes with a non-negative alignment record.
Astral Devas can be generated as minions of Ishtar, Thoth, Varda Elentari, Vaire, Mandos, and Garl Glittergold, and are included among the standard neutral angels and minions that can serve as minions of Raijin, The Lady, and Lobon.
Astral Devas can appear among the prisoners of a throne room ruled by any of the following: an orc of the ages of stars, a titan, an Aurumach Rilmani, an ogre king, the Avatar of Lolth, or the Necromancer.
Astral Devas can be generated among the plague victims that are imprisoned by the Cyclops and carried in sacks by hill giants in the Healer quest, as well as those that lay on bedrolls in the Drow Healer quest.
Astral Devas may appear among the crazed angels whose statues are placed within the iron bars throughout the lair of Dispater at level creation, if his dwelling is generated as the first Hell level.
Two Astral Devas are randomly generated within the lair of Lamashtu at level creation if her dwelling appears as the third Abyss level.
Astral Devas are always generated with a +7 mace and +7 chain mail.
Astral Devas do not leave a corpse upon death.
Origin
Devas are derived from Dungeons & Dragons, where they debut in the AD&D Monster Manual II for the 1st Edition and were previewed in issue #63 of Dragon Magazine. These devas are named for the heavenly deities or deity-like figures of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, which were later adopted as nature spirits in New Age belief: though they share some traits of all three types, they also draw on common portrayals of angels from Western tradition and Abrahamic religions. The word deva (masculine, feminine form devi) is from Sanskrit, and is translated as "deity", "god", "exalted one", or "shining one".
The devas of Dungeons & Dragons, are human-like beings of extraordinary beauty with two magnificent feathered wings emerging from their backs. From their debut up to the 3rd edition, there are three orders of deva, with the astral deva being the strongest of the three orders overseeing the Lower and Astral Planes: they perform services for their sovereigns, recuse lost or stranded mortals of good alignment, come to the aid of planeswalkers, mighty creatures and other good beings who pursued good causes, and battle fiends in the outer Lower Planes. Astral devas were especially tall at 84-90 inches (2.1–2.3 meters), with particularly mighty examples growing to much larger size; their bodies were lithe and supple with long white wings tinted with gold, and they moved with grace and unearthly speed. An astral deva glows with an inner power bright enough that it can be hard to look directly upon one; they also possess golden-hued skin, fair or golden hair, and amber-colored eyes. All devas are averse to clothing and don simple loincloths or other coverings in humanoid form.
Astral devas possess all the powers, protections and traits common to devas and other angels, along with many more of their own. Like other devas, they sometimes dealt with neutral beings and would not knowingly deal peacefully with any evil being. While astral devas do not enjoy battle the way monadic devas are known to do, they are ferocious and swift to react; they still take joy in fighting evil creatures, entering melee without hesitation or fear to powerfully cleave through enemy ranks. Each astral deva wields a large celestial mace equivalent to a +3 standard or heavy mace of disruption, and has a tendency to carry useful items where other devas often forego non-weapon possessions—they wield their maces with finesse, such that two blows in quick succession could leave a foe stunned senseless for a brief period. Astral devas are always alert to danger and can always react to defend themselves, even from unexpected attacks.
Encyclopedia entry
Devas are the descendants of plane-touched aasimon. They have
feathery wings that may be vestigial or functional.
Movanic devas are the most frequently seen by mortals. Their
milky skin and slender build distinguishes them from the
dark and muscular monadic devas. The latter are rarely encountered
except in the inner planes. It is said they are able to breathe
elements other than air.
[ adapted from Aasimar, by David Roberts and Brynn ]
