Variant Aasimar Heritages

Most aasimars do not know exactly where their celestial powers came from, and the similar qualities of many such celestially touched beings hint at a relatively indistinct or all-encompassing heavenly force in their lineage. Some, however, possess more unique traits and abilities inherited from their supernal forebears, attributes that hint at the precise type of celestial being that affected their ancestors.

Players may choose one of the following six heritages for their aasimar characters in place of the traditional aasimar racial features. Each heritage presents new ability modifiers, spell-like abilities, and skill modifiers that replace the default aasimar racial traits, as well as a pair of custom traits. Each entry also discusses the most common (though by no means ubiquitous) personality traits, physical features, and places of origin of aasimars with that particular heritage.

• Alternate Skill Modifiers: While most aasimars gain a +2 racial bonus on Diplomacy and Perception checks, those of the variant heritages listed below gain a modifier to different skills.
• Alternate Spell-Like Ability: The listed spell replaces the standard aasimar’s daylight 1/day spell-like ability and also functions once per day as a spell-like ability.

Back to Aasimar Statistics

Table: Variant Aasimar Heritages

D6	Heritage	Typical Alignment	Ability Modifiers	Alternate Skill Modifiers	Alternate Spell-Like Ability	Description
1	Agathion-Blooded (Idyllkin)	NG	+2 Con, +2 Cha	Handle Animal, Survival	Summon nature’s ally II	Idyllkin possess bestial aspects and calm dispositions, and often act as peaceful intermediaries between lawful and chaotic agents of good.
2	Angel-Blooded (Angelkin)	CG, NG, or LG	+2 Str, +2 Cha	Heal, Knowledge (planes)	Alter self	Angelkin are mortal paragons of exceptional beauty, and they serve as exemplars of good and light regardless of the myriad forms they may take.
3	Archon-Blooded (Lawbringers)	LG	+2 Con, +2 Wis	Intimidate, Sense Motive	Continual flame	Lawbringers are champions of justice and of doling out punishment to the wicked, and often believe chaos is the cause of all mortal suffering.
4	Azata-Blooded (Musetouched)	CG	+2 Dex, +2 Cha	Diplomacy, Perform	Glitterdust	The musetouched epitomize freedom and joy, and travel the world to liberate less fortunate individuals.
5	Garuda-Blooded (Plumekith)	CG	+2 Dex, +2 Wis	Acrobatics, Fly	See invisibility	Their shimmering avian features make plumekith instantly recognizable. Though they can act rashly, plumekith never shirk their duty after making a commitment.
6	Peri-Blooded (Emberkin)	NG	+2 Int, +2 Cha	Knowledge (planes), Spellcraft	Pyrotechnics	Masters of fire magic, emberkin feel the dual pull of their peri forebear as well as that of a fallen angel further down their ancestry, and wrestle with their urges to do both good and evil.

Variant Aasimar Heritage Details

Agathion-Blooded (Idyllkin)

Idyllkin possess bestial aspects and calm dispositions, and often act as peaceful intermediaries between lawful and chaotic agents of good.

Ancestry Agathion

• Typical Alignment NG
• Ability Modifiers +2 Con, +2 Cha
• Alternate Skill Modifiers Handle Animal, Survival
• Alternate Spell-Like Ability Idyllkin gain summon nature’s ally II as a spell-like ability.
• Idyllkin Race Traits: Enlightened Warrior, Speech Of The Wilds

Like their agathion ancestors, idyllkin seek to spread good in its purest form, unconcerned with the trivialities of chaos and law. They often travel from place to place to spread their righteous wisdom, and recruit both intelligent creatures and animals to their cause.

Idyllkin often possess bestial qualities such as dragon scales, fish scales, fur, manes, or talons. Slit pupils, pronounced canines, and furry ears are all common indicators of an aasimar’s agathion background. Just as agathions take on different traits depending on their animal aspect, so too do idyllkin. Descendants of avorals often possess feathery hair and enjoy wide-open areas such as plains, while the progeny of leonals are aggressive and often have sharp, clawlike fingernails. Many idyllkin, regardless of their animal aspect, feel called to walk the path of the druid, and idyllkin are among the most likely aasimars to become such protectors of nature.

Angel-Blooded (Angelkin)

Angelkin are mortal paragons of exceptional beauty, and they serve as exemplars of good and light regardless of the myriad forms they may take.

Ancestry Angel

• Typical Alignment Any good
• Ability Modifiers +2 Str, +2 Cha
• Alternate Skill Modifiers Heal, Knowledge (planes)
• Alternate Spell-Like Ability Angelkin gain alter self as a spell-like ability.
• Angelkin Race Traits: Celestial Tracker, Planetar’s Visions

Angel-blooded aasimars—called angelkin by many—follow the righteous paths their celestial ancestors walked, and are as varied as angels in how they go about their virtuous duties, split evenly among those who embrace law, neutrality, or chaos.

Of all the aasimars, angelkin are the type who perhaps most often clash with tieflings. Angelkin have difficulty embracing the idea of harmony when it comes to their corrupt cousins, and most see tieflings as embodiments of evil that can never be trusted. It takes extraordinary circumstances for most angelkin to cooperate with tieflings, and even then, alliances are rarely more than fleeting.

Archon-Blooded (Lawbringers)

Lawbringers are champions of justice and of doling out punishment to the wicked, and often believe chaos is the cause of all mortal suffering.

Ancestry Archon

• Typical Alignment LG
• Ability Modifiers +2 Con, +2 Wis
• Alternate Skill Modifiers Intimidate, Sense Motive
• Alternate Spell-Like Ability Lawbringers gain continual flame as a spell-like ability.
• Lawbringer Race Traits: Good Influence, Lantern Spirit

Lawbringers reflect the patience of their archon ancestors in their daily lives; they understand the need for rules and routines, and use their inherent discipline to train in their chosen field as they seek to do good. They develop their talents faster than most of their peers and show exceptional skill at whatever they focus their attention on.

Lawbringers feel most comfortable in regions where a clear hierarchy and system of justice exists, preferably alongside good people and honest rulers.

Azata-Blooded (Musetouched)

The musetouched epitomize freedom and joy, and travel the world to liberate less fortunate individuals.

Ancestry Azata

• Typical Alignment CG
• Ability Modifiers +2 Dex, +2 Cha
• Alternate Skill Modifiers Diplomacy, Perform
• Alternate Spell-Like Ability Musetouched gain glitterdust as a spell-like ability.
• Musetouched Race Traits: Bralani’s Step, Lillend’s Harp

The capricious aasimars known as musetouched are the most likely of their kind to be found adventuring throughout lands both civilized and remote. Imbued with an undeniable spirit of wanderlust, musetouched feel the constant urge to explore new places, meet new people, and ferret out evil and corruption wherever they lurk.

Of all the aasimars, musetouched tend to be among the most beautiful by most humans’ standards. They possess features with an unearthly charm, such as long, thick hair of a seemingly impossible hue and limpid, jeweltoned eyes. Musetouched are commonly possessed of innate musical talent and a love for melodies, and many train as bards while they wander.

Garuda-Blooded (Plumekith)

Their shimmering avian features make plumekith instantly recognizable. Though they can act rashly, plumekith never shirk their duty after making a commitment.

Ancestry Garuda

• Typical Alignment CG
• Ability Modifiers +2 Dex, +2 Wis
• Alternate Skill Modifiers Acrobatics, Fly
• Alternate Spell-Like Ability Plumekith gain see invisibility as a spell-like ability.
• Plumekith Race Traits: Snake Hater, Toxophilite

Garudas are noble but impetuous birdlike celestials, and most garuda-blooded aasimars grow graceful feathers during puberty. The majority of these aasimars have shimmering wings; the wings can be of virtually any shade, ranging from metallic colors to muted hues to pure white, or rarely, glossy black. Plumekith are sometimes born with taloned fingers or toes, and occasionally amber eyes like those of an eagle.

Like their celestial ancestors, plumekith tend to take action at the spur of the moment when their abilities seem needed. Plumekith rush into the heat of battle to face off against evildoers, only stopping to ask questions afterward. Plumekith often have an extreme hatred for nagas and other snakelike creatures, a racial disdain no doubt stemming back to their garuda forebears.

Peri-Blooded (Emberkin)

Masters of fire magic, emberkin feel the dual pull of their peri forebear as well as that of a fallen angel further down their ancestry, and wrestle with their urges to do both good and evil.

Ancestry Peri

• Typical Alignment NG
• Ability Modifiers +2 Int, +2 Cha
• Alternate Skill Modifiers Knowledge (planes), Spellcraft
• Alternate Spell-Like Ability Emberkin gain pyrotechnics as a spell-like ability.
• Emberkin Race Traits: Burnished Skin, Pyromancer

Emberkin reveal their divine heritage through their skill with fire-based magic and their desire to repent for others’ sins. Many emberkin suffer from frequent nightmares and strange impulses to commit spontaneous acts of evil. They typically have igneous features such as wispy auburn hair and bright yellow eyes, and a rare few are born with albino skin. emberkin often feel an insatiable need to continually perform acts of good. Some are content to perform small acts of kindness at home, though they may feel driven to travel regularly in order to find pockets of true evil that they can eradicate.

Like all aasimars, emberkin are not necessarily compelled to embrace good and justice. Perhaps more so than most of their celestial kith, emberkin have a propensity to revolt against their benevolent predisposition and instead follow a darker path. Perhaps these emberkin are evil by nature, or perhaps it is a remnant of their fallen angel ancestry. Either way, such wicked individuals are often dangerous, and are both pitied and hunted down by their aasimar brethren.

Variant Abilities and Physical Features

GMs may customize their aasimar NPCs using the following chart, or allow their players to do so by rolling a d%. Players with a particular character concept in mind may consult their GM if they want to select a specific variant ability.

The abilities presented here replace an aasimar’s spell-like ability racial trait. Any abilities that grant spells or spell-like abilities are treated as having a caster level equal to the aasimar’s character level. Table: Variant Aasimar Abilities D% Ability 1 You can channel 1d6 points of positive energy once per day as a supernatural ability. 2 You can use stabilize 3/day as a spell-like ability. 3 As a move action, you can manifest or dismiss a halo around your head that sheds colored light as a torch. 4 Once per day, you can drink a flask of holy water to heal 1d6 hit points. 5 You gain a +4 racial bonus on Knowledge (religion) checks pertaining to a deity of your choice. 6 You possess taloned fingers that act as natural weapons and deal 1d4 points of damage. 7 You gain DR 2/evil. 8 You use your Charisma score instead of your Constitution score to determine how many rounds you can hold your breath. 9 You gain an additional +2 racial bonus to your Strength score. 10 You can subsist entirely on honey and wine. 11 You can breathe both thin and stale air without ill effects, and you never suffer from altitude sickness. 12 You have a natural swim speed of 20 feet. 13 You gain a +2 racial bonus on attack rolls made to confirm critical hits against evil outsiders. 14 You possess the unnatural aura universal monster ability, except the DC to make animals come near you is equal to 10 + 1/2 your character level + your Charisma modifier. 15 Once per day, when you are at 0 hit points, you can take a full round of actions without losing a hit point and falling unconscious. 16 You display exceptional grace and easily keep your balance. You gain a +2 racial bonus on Acrobatics checks. 17 You can cast spear of purity once per day as a spell-like ability. 18 You gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws made against poison. 19 Once you’ve reached adulthood, you never appear to age, although you take aging penalties normally and die when it is your time. 20 You gain an additional +2 racial bonus to your Dexterity score. 21 You can manipulate any metal armor you wear, causing it to appear to be made of shining silver or gold. This illusion lasts only as long as you wear your armor. 22 You gain a +1 racial bonus on Will saves. 23 You can cast create water three times per day as a spell-like ability. 24 You gain sonic resistance 5. 25 Once per day, you can exhibit a burst of speed, moving as if your base land speed were 50 feet for 1 round. 26 You gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC against attacks of opportunity made by creatures of the human subtype. 27 You have a knack for creating high-quality objects. You gain a +2 racial bonus on any one kind of Craft check. 28 Once per day, for 1 minute, you can understand and be understood by any creature as though using tongues. 29 You gain a +2 racial bonus on initiative checks during the day. 30 Pick one weapon that normally deals lethal damage. You can deal nonlethal damage with that weapon without the usual –4 penalty on your attack rolls. 31 You gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against charm effects. 32 You can cast shield other once per day as a spell-like ability. 33 When coins or other small metal objects pass through your hands, they become perfectly clean and shiny again. 34 You gain a +2 dodge bonus to your AC against attacks of opportunity from evil outsiders or undead. 35 You can cast aid once per day as a spell-like ability. 36 Non-magical insects never bite or sting you unless magically compelled to do so. 37 You gain a +2 racial bonus on checks made with any one Perform skill. 38 Once per day, you can generate a glowing aura that emanates in a 20-foot radius centered on you. Any creature within the aura that is at negative hit points stabilizes immediately. The aura lasts for 1 round. 39 You can mimic the sound of any animal perfectly. 40 You gain an additional +2 racial bonus to your Intelligence score. 41 Three times per day, you can sing for 10 minutes to put one willing creature to sleep. Any creature that falls asleep to the sound of your song is protected from nightmare and similar spells for the duration of its rest. 42 Whenever you successfully use the aid another action to help someone make a skill check, you grant a +3 bonus instead of +2. 43 You gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws made against fear effects. 44 If you stand atop a grave and meditate for 10 minutes, you learn the name of whoever lies buried below. 45 You have cat-like ears that grant you a +2 racial bonus on hearing-based Perception checks. 46 Once per day, you can breathe frosty air in a 10-foot cone. This acts as a breath weapon that deals a number of points of cold damage equal to 1d4 + 1/2 your level, to a maximum of 1d4+5. 47 You feel sick to your stomach and take a –1 penalty on ability checks when within 30 feet of an evil outsider. 48 You can cast weapon of awe once per day as a spell-like ability. 49 You gain a +1 racial bonus on Reflex saves. 50 You gain an additional +2 racial bonus to your Wisdom score. 51 You can make fruit ripen with a touch. 52 You can understand any written material as though under the effects of comprehend languages. 53 You gain a +2 racial bonus to your CMD. 54 You gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against spells and effects that would cause you to become dazzled. 55 You can cast augury once per day as a spell-like ability. 56 You can cast zone of truth once per day as a spell-like ability. 57 You gain a +2 racial bonus on Heal checks. 58 Any creature that bites you must succeed at a DC 12 Fortitude save or become sickened for 1d4 rounds. 59 Any good creature you call via summon monster remains for 3 rounds longer than usual. 60 You always know the current position of the sun. 61 You gain a +1 racial bonus on attack and damage rolls against evil outsiders. 62 You gain a +4 racial bonus on saving throws to remove any temporary negative levels you possess. 63 You have a strong and stable build. You gain a +2 racial bonus to CMD against bull rush and trip attempts. 64 You gain a +4 racial bonus on Intimidate checks made to demoralize foes. 65 Once per day as a full-round action, you can summon a silver holy symbol out of thin air. The holy symbol remains in existence for 1 hour or until you drop it. 66 You are immune to undead creatures’ create spawn special ability. 67 You gain a +2 racial bonus on Sense Motive checks. 68 You can cast whispering wind once per day as a spell-like ability. 69 Your tears cure disease. You can cast remove disease once per day as a spell-like ability. 70 You gain an additional +2 racial bonus to your Constitution score. 71 You gain sustenance from sunlight. Standing in direct sunlight for half an hour nourishes you as though you had just eaten a hearty meal. You still need to drink water. 72 You gain spell resistance equal to 10 + 1/2 your Hit Dice. 73 If your body is placed on consecrated ground and prayers to your deity are recited continuously for 24 hours, you return to life as if by a raise dead spell. This ability works 1d4 times in your lifetime. 74 Your kiss invigorates others. Once per day, you can kiss a creature to change its condition from exhausted to fatigued, or from fatigued to normal. 75 You can sense when a creature is pregnant by standing within 10 feet of the creature. 76 You gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws made against curses. 77 You gain a +2 racial bonus on Knowledge (planes) checks. 78 You are always comfortably warm. You gain a +4 racial bonus to resist environmental cold effects. 79 You always know the current position of the stars. 80 You gain fire resistance 5. 81 You heal double the normal amount of hit points while resting. 82 You can cast mending three times per day as a spell-like ability. 83 You feel energized and gain a +1 racial bonus on ability checks while you are within 30 feet of a good outsider. 84 You gain a +4 racial bonus to resist environmental heat effects. 85 When targeted by lesser restoration or another spell or effect that cures temporary ability damage, you heal an extra +1 point of temporary ability damage. 86 You can cast blessing of courage and life once per day as a spell-like ability. 87 You gain a +2 racial bonus on Handle Animal and Ride checks. 88 Once per day as a move action, you can make a melee weapon you are wielding holy. The enchantment lasts for 3 rounds or until you drop or give away your weapon. 89 You gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws made against disease. 90 You gain an additional +2 racial bonus to your Charisma score. 91 If you die, your body can never be reanimated as an undead creature. 92 You gain a +1 racial bonus on Fortitude saves. 93 You can summon a lantern archon once per day as though by summon monster III. 94 You can speak to horses and other equine animals. 95 You gain a +2 racial bonus on Diplomacy checks. 96 You gain a +2 racial bonus on Use Magic Device checks. 97 You gain DR 2/magic. 98 You can cast compassionate ally once per day as a spell-like ability. 99 You have a natural fly speed of 20 feet (poor). 100 Roll on this table twice, ignoring any further rolls of 100.

Presented below are dozens of features aasimars might possess. None of the following features grant characters any special powers in excess of their usual abilities. Table: Alternative Physical Features D% Feature 1 Arms: appear sculpted from marble 2 Arms: extra long 3 Arms: feathered forearms 4 Arms: scaled forearms 5 Arms: seemingly boneless 6 Build: always slender 7 Build: beautifully proportioned 8 Build: graceful 9 Build: unusually light 10 Build: well-muscled 11 Digits: extra long 12 Digits: metallic nails 13 Digits: odd number 14 Digits: shining talons 15 Digits: unusually colored nails 16 Ears: catlike 17 Ears: feathered 18 Ears: long-lobed 19 Ears: pivoting 20 Ears: pointed 21 Eyes: catlike 22 Eyes: glowing 23 Eyes: iridescent 24 Eyes: jewel-like 25 Eyes: multicolored 26 Face: baby-faced 27 Face: metallic lips 28 Face: perfectly symmetrical 29 Face: unearthly beauty 30 Face: white scar 31 Hair: animated 32 Hair: feathers 33 Hair: heatless flames 34 Hair: metallic 35 Hair: turns silver in moonlight 36 Hands: always cool and dry 37 Hands: blackened knuckles 38 Hands: glowing palms 39 Hands: leave contrails 40 Hands: fingerprints look like holy symbols 41 Head: animal features 42 Head: bald 43 Head: draconic features 44 Head: halo 45 Head: unusually shaped 46 Legs: clawed feet 47 Legs: extra long 48 Legs: feathered shins 49 Legs: metallic scaled shins 50 Legs: unnaturally small feet 51 Shadow: animated 52 Shadow: bright 53 Shadow: metallic 54 Shadow: prismatic 55 Shadow: winged 56 Skin: ashen 57 Skin: feathered 58 Skin: furred 59 Skin: glittering 60 Skin: glowing 61 Skin: iridescent 62 Skin: metallic scales 63 Skin: metallic sheen 64 Skin: prismatic scales 65 Skin: unusual hue 66 Voice: echoes dramatically 67 Voice: musical 68 Voice: unusually high 69 Voice: unusually low 70 Voice: words you speak aloud seem to be heard mentally 71 Wings: butterfly 72 Wings: feathered 73 Wings: light 74 Wings: metallic dragon 75 Wings: prismatic 76 Other: always look clean 77 Other: always well lit 78 Other: androgynous 79 Other: breathing sounds like ocean waves 80 Other: clothing billows even without wind 81 Other: covered in freckles 82 Other: don’t sweat 83 Other: floral breath 84 Other: fox tail 85 Other: melodic laugh 86 Other: multicolored tears 87 Other: nearby bells ring when you pass by 88 Other: no body hair 89 Other: pearlescent teeth 90 Other: random choral sounds surround you 91 Other: sacred birthmark 92 Other: stigmata 93 Other: sweet scent 94 Other: sweet taste 95 Other: trance-like sleep 96 Other: unicorn horn 97 Other: unusual footprints 98 Other: unusual temperature 99 Roll twice, ignore any result of 99 or higher. 100 Roll three times, ignore any result o