Astral deva (SLASH'EM)
A astral deva 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 27 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 3d12 physical, Weapon 1d4 stun, Spellcasting 3d4 clerical |
| Base level | 18 |
| Base experience | 676 |
| Speed | 18 |
| Base AC | −6 |
| Base MR | 90 |
| Alignment | 15 (lawful) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 1 (Very rare) |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 1450 |
| Nutritional value | 400 |
| Size | Medium |
| Resistances | death magic |
| Resistances conveyed | None |
|
An astral deva:
| |
| Reference | SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2/monst.c#line1962 |
An astral deva, A, is a type of monster that appears in SLASH'EM, SpliceHack and SlashTHEM. The astral deva is a humanoid angelic being that is the strongest of the devas. Astral devas are strong, capable of flight, have infravision, can see invisible, can be seen via infravision, and can follow a hero to other levels if they are adjacent.
An astral deva has a strong weapon attack, a second weapon attack that can stun targets, and the ability to cast one clerical monster spell during each of their turns. Astral devas possess death resistance, require a +1 weapon or better to be hit and implicitly hit as +1 weapons.
Generation
Randomly generated astral devas may be created as peaceful towards lawful heroes with a non-negative alignment record, and will not appear in Gehennom.[1] They are not a valid form for polymorph. In SpliceHack, astral devas are additionally only generated on the Elemental Planes, and a monadic deva can grow up into an astral deva.
Hostile astral devas can be generated as minions of an angry lawful god, and tame astral devas can be given to lawful heroes by their god via prayer or sacrifice from experience levels 16 to 22.[2][3]
Astral devas are always generated with a blessed erodeproof long sword that has an enchantment ranging from +0 to +3, and has a 1⁄20 chance of being made into either Demonbane or Sunsword (with an equal probability of each if neither artifact has been generated).[4] They are also always generated with an uncursed erodeproof +0 shield, which is a shield of reflection 1⁄4 of the time and a large shield otherwise.[5]
An astral deva never leaves a corpse upon death.
Strategy
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As the strongest of the devas, astral devas boast the highest monster level and the best AC, with even higher damage potential than the monadic devas: they have -6 base AC, along with the same 18 speed, MR score of 90, and immunity to death magic and unenchanted, non-artifact weapons as other devas, and can also utilize all clerical monster spells. As with other devas, the dangers of a lawful deity sending one upon converting lawful altars is a reason for a non-lawful hero to avoid doing so unless they are prepared or below experience level 4 (which reliably prevents hostile minions of any kind from generating).[6][7] Lawful heroes that maintain their alignment record and keep their god happy will rarely (if ever) encounter hostile ones.
Astral devas can raise their boost their already-high speed of 18 with haste self, cast cure self to restore HP, curse items, summon insects, and wield the powerful fire pillar and geyser spells. They are roughly comparable to Archons in power, even if they lack a source of reflection: a hero that cannot quickly defeat a hostile one should evade them wherever possible, using any available escape items if necessary. Weapons that are highly-enchanted and/or artifacts work best against astral devas, and draining and fireball wands can circumvent their resistances; a means of stoning can immediately dispatch one for a hero fortunate enough to have it.
As pets
Astral devas are among the best pet candidates of the three devas: lawful heroes can receive them via prayer or sacrifice at altars (the latter of which does not increase prayer timeout), and they have similar speed, self-healing and AC, as well as the ability to reach level 27 before requiring any potions of gain level. Non-minion astral devas can wear all armor, including any armor that grants magic resistance to protect against polymorph traps and complement a shield or other source of reflection; minion astral devas can still be quite strong in spite of being unable to equip further armor and weapons.
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 ]
References
- ↑ makemon.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 2038
- ↑ pray.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 1167
- ↑ pray.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 1203
- ↑ makemon.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 661
- ↑ makemon.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 673
- ↑ pray.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 1583
- ↑ pray.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 1606
