Monadic deva (SLASH'EM)
A monadic deva 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 23 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 3d4 physical, Weapon 6d4 physical, Spellcasting 3d4 clerical |
| Base level | 15 |
| Base experience | 531 |
| Speed | 18 |
| Base AC | −4 |
| 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 |
|
A monadic deva:
| |
| Reference | SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2/monst.c#line1954 |
A monadic deva, A, is a type of monster that appears in SLASH'EM, SpliceHack and SlashTHEM. The monadic deva is a humanoid angelic being that is stronger and of higher rank than the movanic deva. Monadic 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.
A monadic deva has two weapon attacks, with the second one using twice as many weapon dice, and the ability to cast one clerical monster spell during each of their turns. Monadic devas possess death resistance, require a +1 weapon or better to be hit and implicitly hit as +1 weapons.
Generation
Randomly generated monadic 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, monadic devas are additionally only generated on the Elemental Planes; a movanic deva can grow up into a monadic deva, and a monadic deva can grow up into an astral deva.
Hostile monadic devas can be generated as minions of an angry lawful god, and tame monadic devas can be given to lawful heroes by their god via prayer or sacrifice from experience levels 10 to 16.[2][3]
Monadic 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]
A monadic deva never leaves a corpse upon death.
Strategy
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Monadic devas are somewhat stronger than movanic devas, in exchange for one less point of base AC and no elemental weapon damage that can compromise a target's inventory: they still have formidable defenses in -4 base AC, an MR score of 90, and immunity to death magic and unenchanted, non-artifact weapons; their attacks also still hit hard enough that hostile ones may give heroes pause. In SLASH'EM and SlashTHEM, it may generally be wise for non-lawful heroes to convert lawful altars while at much lower experience levels, and being under experience level 4, reliably prevents hostile minions of any kind from generating[6][7]—lawful heroes that maintain their alignment record and do not anger their god will not have to fear hostile monadic devas nearly as often.
Monadic devas have access to all available clerical monsters spells: they can 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. Even if the deva lacks a source of reflection, players that are unable to dispatch a hostile one quickly should get as much distance as they can when the first opportunity arises, using whatever escape items they have available. Weapons that are highly-enchanted and/or artifacts work best against monadic 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
Monadic devas are even better pets compared to movanic 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 with a higher base level and the ability to wear all armor unless they are gifted as minions. Non-minion monadic devas can be given armor that grants magic resistance to protect against polymorph traps and complement a shield or other source of reflection; even minion monadic devas can be useful without being able to equip armor and weapons, since a lawful hero can sacrifice for several of them to keep close with a magic whistle.
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 monadic deva being the "middle" of the three orders that serve as stewards of the gods and oversee the Elemental Planes and the Ethereal Plane; the devas of the 5th edition are not tied to any particular order. Unlike the lithe movanic devas, monadic devas are built for strength and appear muscular or even bulky in build, with dark brown skin, jet black hair and green piercing eyes; they do share a similar height, standing at around 72 to 78 inches (1.8-1.98 meters) tall, with particularly mighty ones growing to much larger size. All devas are averse to clothing and don simple loincloths or other coverings in humanoid form. Monadic devas possess all the powers, protections and traits common to devas and other angels, along with many more of their own.
Monadic devas are the most patient and stoic of devas, with a firm appreciation for balance, and make up the majority of neutral good devas; however, they also love battle the most of the devas, seeing it as a much-needed and much-enjoyed diversion from their watches, and are strong-willed and fearless like the rest of their kin. Similarly, while they sometimes dealt with neutral beings, no deva would knowingly deal with evil beings in a peaceful manner. Favoring their great strength much more than agility or speed, monadic devas cannot be surprised in battle and are hard to flank—they prefer to charm elemental opponents before rushing in to overpower any remaining foes with powerful swings of their weapons. The monadic deva's weapon is one of a long and sturdy +2 metal rod, a +3 rod of smiting or a +3 mace of smiting: it can strike or pierce a foe up to 10 feet (3 meters) away, and deals greater impact damage to foes that are armored in or made of solid materials such as stone or metal; it also functions only for its owner, and never runs out of power.
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
