Aasterinian
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, Aasterinian is the draconic
deity who serves as Io
's messenger. Her symbol is a grinning dragon's head.
In many campaign setting
s, the draconic pantheon of gods consists of the leader Io
, as well as Aasterinian, Bahamut
, Chronepsis
, Faluzure
, and Tiamat
. Other draconic gods may be present in different campaign settings.
(1992), including details about her priesthood.
Aasterinian appears in 3rd edition in Defenders of the Faith
(2000). Her priesthood and her role as a draconic deity are further detailed in Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons
(2003), and in Races of the Dragon
(2006).
, Fharlanghn
, Olidammara
and similar deities.
. It is a series of small caverns just big enough to contain Aasterinian's hoard. Trespassers are devoured unless they're amusing; some members of the planar faction known as the Society of Sensation have survived a visit to her realm. Aasterinian does enjoy the inventions of the Norse dwarves, and sometimes her avatar walks among them in dwarven guise.
Races of the Dragon places her realm in the Outlands instead.
Aasterinian's herald on the Material Plane is an ancient brass dragon whose turquoise-sheened forehead bears a golden star in the center.
Prayers to Aasterinian often express a desire for change for its own sake. One common line is, "Let today be different from both yesterday and tomorrow."
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, Aasterinian is the draconic
Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game , dragons are an iconic type of monstrous creature used as adversaries or, less commonly, allies of player characters...
deity who serves as Io
Io (Dungeons & Dragons)
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Io is the chief deity worshipped by dragons, god of dragonkind, balance, and peace. He is seen by his people as the creator of all things. He is neutral in alignment, but he also contains within him all other alignments...
's messenger. Her symbol is a grinning dragon's head.
In many campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
s, the draconic pantheon of gods consists of the leader Io
Io (Dungeons & Dragons)
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Io is the chief deity worshipped by dragons, god of dragonkind, balance, and peace. He is seen by his people as the creator of all things. He is neutral in alignment, but he also contains within him all other alignments...
, as well as Aasterinian, Bahamut
Bahamut (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Bahamut is a powerful draconic deity, who has the same name as Bahamut from Arabic mythology....
, Chronepsis
Chronepsis
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Chronepsis is the dragon deity of Fate, Death, and Judgment. His symbol is an unblinking draconic eye....
, Faluzure
Faluzure
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Faluzure is the dragon deity of Energy Draining, Undeath, Decay, and Exhaustion. "Faluzure" is also sometimes spelled "Falazure". His symbol is a draconic skull....
, and Tiamat
Tiamat (Dungeons & Dragons)
Tiamat is the name of a powerful draconic goddess in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The name is taken from Tiamat, a goddess in ancient Mesopotamian mythology who is substantially different ....
. Other draconic gods may be present in different campaign settings.
Publication history
Aasterinian was first detailed in the book Monster MythologyMonster Mythology
Monster Mythology is a sourcebook for the second edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Released by TSR in 1992 and written by Carl Sargent, with interior illustrations by Terry Dykstra, John and Laura Lakey, and Keith Parkinson, Monster Mythology was released as a companion volume for...
(1992), including details about her priesthood.
Aasterinian appears in 3rd edition in Defenders of the Faith
Defenders of the Faith (Dungeons & Dragons)
Defenders of the Faith: A Guidebook to Clerics and Paladins is an optional rulebook for the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons, and notable for its trade paperback format.-Contents:...
(2000). Her priesthood and her role as a draconic deity are further detailed in Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons
Draconomicon
The Draconomicon is an optional sourcebook for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, providing supplementary game material focusing on dragons. Different versions of the Draconomicon have been printed for different editions of Dungeons & Dragons...
(2003), and in Races of the Dragon
Races of the Dragon
Races of the Dragon is an optional supplemental source book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:This book contains info on two new races...
(2006).
Description
Aasternian appears as a huge brass dragon who is always grinning. She is quick-witted, with a sharp tongue.Relationships
Aasternian is the messenger of Io, the draconic god of creation. She and her followers enjoy good relations with Garl GlittergoldGarl Glittergold
Garl Glittergold is the patron deity of gnomes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, and a member of the game's default pantheon of deities. His symbol is a gold nugget.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :...
, Fharlanghn
Fharlanghn
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Fharlanghn, the Dweller on the Horizon, is the Oeridian god of Horizons, Distance, Travel, and Roads. He is a well-known deity on the world of Oerth...
, Olidammara
Olidammara
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Olidammara is the god of Music, Revels, Wine, Rogues, Humor, and Tricks. He is often called the Laughing Rogue.Olidammara is one of the more...
and similar deities.
Realm
Aasterinian's realm of Brassberg can be found on the plane of YsgardYsgard
Ysgard is the Outer Plane of Chaotic Neutral / Chaotic Good alignment in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. It is also called Asgard, Gladsheim or The Heroic Domains...
. It is a series of small caverns just big enough to contain Aasterinian's hoard. Trespassers are devoured unless they're amusing; some members of the planar faction known as the Society of Sensation have survived a visit to her realm. Aasterinian does enjoy the inventions of the Norse dwarves, and sometimes her avatar walks among them in dwarven guise.
Races of the Dragon places her realm in the Outlands instead.
Dogma
Aasterinian encourages those who follow her to think for themselves, rather than believing what others tell them. She abhors self-doubt and criticism, and enjoys upsetting the status quo to keep others on their toes. Flighty and quick-witted, she believes the worst crime is not trusting in yourself.Worshippers
Aasterinian loves all those who enjoy innovation and whimsy, and she is accepting of all dragonblooded races. She is especially amused by spellscales.Aasterinian's herald on the Material Plane is an ancient brass dragon whose turquoise-sheened forehead bears a golden star in the center.
Clergy
Typically wanderers, clerics of Aasterinian often travel in secrecy or disguise. The majority of them are draconic or half-dragon humanoids, and members of the sorcerous race known as spellscales often find that Aasterinian is the most compatible deity for them.Temples
Aasterinian has no known temples though shrines do occur in places where worshippers can rest on their travels. Their designs emphasize functionality and comfort, typically containing a library or at least a shelf full of books. Travelers are welcome to take a book from a shrine if they leave one to replace it.Rituals
Worshipers of Aasterinian honor their patron simply by learning and remembering her during moments of pleasure. Quests assigned by the goddess are unpredictable, though they usually involve travel and seeking out new experiences, being more about the journey than the destination.Prayers to Aasterinian often express a desire for change for its own sake. One common line is, "Let today be different from both yesterday and tomorrow."
Additional reading
- Conforti, Steven, ed. Living GreyhawkLiving GreyhawkLiving Greyhawk was a massively shared Dungeons and Dragons living campaign administered by RPGA that ran from 2000 to 2008. The campaign setting and storyline were based on Gary Gygax's World of Greyhawk setting, and used the Dungeons and Dragons Third Edition rules...
Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LG_Deities.zip
- Smith, Lester W., and Wolfgang BaurWolfgang BaurWolfgang Baur is an American game designer, best known for his work with Dragon magazine. He designs role-playing games and also is known for his work at Wizards of the Coast.-Biography:...
. Planes of Chaos. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994.