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Solars (pronounced: /ˈsoʊlɑːr/ SO-lar[3][11]) were the most powerful of all the angels[2][3][4][12] and indeed of all the celestials.[3][4][5][6][12][13] Described by some as truly godlike,[1][3][4] only the celestial paragons were more glorious and powerful.[13] Solars never took their own worshipers.[3][4][12] Instead, they often served as the direct hand of the divine being to whom they owed their allegiance.[1][2][5][6] Even the demon lords feared these holy celestial beings.[1][12]
Deities known to employ solars as stewards included Corellon, Horus-Re, Ilmater, and Milil.[14]
Description
A solar had a deep, commanding voice.[2][3][4][5][6] Its human-like[3][4] body was muscular[2][3][4] and beautiful,[3][4] with skin of copper,[5][6] silver,[2] gold,[2] or other metallic coloration.[3][4] Its hair was bronze or metallic-colored as well.[3][4][5][6] Its large, gleaming double[5][6] wings were white[2][15] or coppery-gold,[5][6] and its eyes were as radiant topaz.[2][3][4][5][6] Solars stood about 9 feet (270 centimeters)[2][3][4] or 10 feet (300 centimeters)[5][6] tall and weighed about 500 pounds (230 kilograms).[2]
Not all solars appeared like this, however. For example, the solars in Corellon's court appeared rather as androgynous elves in shining white robes.[16]
Abilities
Solars were powerful and influential entities, and only the most fearsome fiends could rival them for power.[2] Like planetars, solars could pray for and cast divine magical spells like the most powerful of clerics.[2][3][4][5][6]
In addition to the magical powers common to all angels, solars had innate access to a wide range of powerful magics, for which they did not need to pray. These were too many to list entirely here, but they included such wondrous magics as the ability to grant wishes,[2][3][4][5][6] to restore victims from ailments,[1][2][3][4][5][6] and to resurrect the dead.[1][2][3][4][5][6] They could create a barrier of magical blades;[1][1][2] trigger a massive earthquake;[2][3][4][5][6] send waves of exhaustion over their enemies;[2] charm large groups of monsters at the same time;[2] make the effects of certain spells permanent;[2][3][4][5][6] blind, stun, or kill with only a single word;[2][3][4][5][6] and damage enemies with a prismatic spray.[2][3][4][5][6] Solars could make themselves invisible,[1][2][3][4][5][6] commune directly with their deity,[1][2][3][4][5][6][12] and control the weather.[1][2][3][4][5][6] By touching a mortal, a solar could grant the ability for that creature to survive in any environment for up to 100 years.[3][4][5][6]
A solar bearing his traditional weapons.
A solar could emit a searing burst of holy, magical energy to burn away its enemies, and its gaze could strike blindness in its foes.[1]
Solars sometimes summoned the aid of other celestial beings.[2][3][4][5][6] Those of lawful good philosophies tended to favor summoning ki-rin. Neutral good solars favored phoenixes, while chaotic good solars chose titans. They were also known to gate in planetars or devas.[3][4][5][6]
They bore all of the same immunities and resistances of other angels and were surrounded by the same protective aura of good.[2][3][4][5][6] Furthermore, they could only be permanently harmed by magically evil attacks from the most epic of foes;[2][3][4][5][6] they could regenerate from any other injuries.[2][3][4][5][6]
Like planetars, solars could see in the dark and in low-light,[2][5][6] and they always saw things as they truly were,[1][2] being able to see invisible and shapechanged creatures and objects,[2][3][4][5][6] hidden traps,[2][3][4][5][6] and evil auras.[1][2][3][4][5][6] Solars could even see into the ultraviolet spectrum to a visual range of 300 yards (270 meters).[17] They could always sense when someone was lying.[1][2]
Older scholars even attributed certain psionic abilities to the solars.[5][6]
Solars could take to the wing at immense speeds with good maneuverability, and were swift of foot as well.[1][2][3][4] Beyond these physical means of movement, they could teleport short distances.[1][5][6]
Solars, like all other angels, could use magic to speak any language,[2][5][6] They could also communicate telepathically within 120 feet (37 meters).[1][5][6]
Personality
As with other angels, solars were always good in outlook, but some leaned more toward law and others more toward freedom,[2][3][4][5][6] though perhaps more commonly the former case was true.[1] They were unmovable in their loyalty toward both their divine masters and their alignment.[5][6] They truly were the epitome of such virtues as devotion, honor, and purity.[12]
Combat
A solar about to nock a slaying arrow.
Solars had immense fighting prowess complemented by their magical angelic greatswords as well as by composite longbows that allowed the solar to enchant any arrow as a slaying arrow when nocked.[1][2][3][4][5][6] These bows were known as bows of the solars.[18] Their magical greatswords could hover in the air and fight by will of the solar's mind alone, falling only if the solar were destroyed.[1][3][4][5][6]
Society
Later scholars believed that there were only ever 24 solars in existence in the multiverse.[1] Earlier scholars had instead used that figure as the minimum value.[5][6][note 1]
Solars resided in the Upper Planes,[10] including Mount Celestia, Bytopia, Elysium, the Beastlands, and Olympus.[7][9]
Solars could travel to any of the planes of existence but only when directed to by the powers,[5][6] and this was a very rare occurrence.[12] Perhaps once in several millennia, they might be called upon to lead armies of other angels in battle against the fiends. More likely, they were sent on missions of great import, yet which most mortals would not find interesting.[12] When not called into service, solars maintained a state of restful contemplation, awaiting the call to the service of good.[1]
Promotion
Solars were created from the ascendancy of planetars as a reward of the gods that they served.[8][19] Ascension was voluntary, but such an offer of promotion to so high an order as a solar was exceptionally rare.[19]
Similarly, solars who failed to serve the cause of good could lose their powers and be reduced to a lesser form of angel. In the most extreme of cases, they are considered "fallen" and were exiled from the Upper Planes, stripped of their innate powers.[20]
Physiology
As outsiders, solars were not dependent upon their environment for survival. They did not need to eat, drink, or sleep.[21]
Lifecycle
Solars were truly immortal beings and did not die of old age.[8] In fact, as with other aasimon, solars could not be permanently slain unless on their home plane. If their bodies were destroyed anywhere else, their life forces would return to their home plane, where their bodies would reform over a period of 70 years.[3][4][5][6] On occasion, rather than returning to the form of a solar, the spirit would be changed into a light aasimon.[12]
Reproduction
On rare occasions where a solar would take a mortal lover, his or her aasimar descendants would often have silvery or golden skin, bright topaz-colored eyes, or the traces of white feathers at the shoulder, as evidence of the celestial heritage.[22]
History
In the Dawn Ages, circa −30,000 DR, the solar Malkizid was cast down to the Nine Hells.[23]
Notable Solars
An artist's depiction of the solar Zariel before her fall to evil.
- Felarathael and Lashrael, in service to Corellon[16]
- Gabriel, in service to Bahamut[24]
- Malkizid (fallen)[25]
- Viryn, in service to Tyr[26]
- Zariel (fallen)[27][28]
Appendix
Notes
Appearances
- Adventures
- The Throne of Bloodstone • Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
- Novels
- The Crystal Mountain
- Video Games
- Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal • Neverwinter (Avernus) • Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
- Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
- The Vast Emptiness of Grace
Gallery
Further Reading
- Tedd Crapper (September 2001). “When Celestials Attack”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #287 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 42.
- Chris Thomasson (September 2001). “Vs. Celestials”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #287 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 43.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 2.34 2.35 2.36 2.37 2.38 2.39 2.40 2.41 2.42 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 12–13. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.34 3.35 3.36 3.37 3.38 3.39 3.40 3.41 J. Paul LaFountain (1991). Monstrous Compendium: Outer Planes Appendix. Edited by Timothy B. Brown. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 1-56076-055-9.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 4.34 4.35 4.36 4.37 4.38 4.39 4.40 Allen Varney, ed. (June 1994). Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 10–11. ISBN 978-1560768623.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 5.25 5.26 5.27 5.28 5.29 5.30 5.31 5.32 5.33 5.34 5.35 5.36 5.37 5.38 5.39 5.40 5.41 5.42 5.43 Gary Gygax (August 1982). “Featured Creatures”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #64 (TSR, Inc.), p. 11.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 6.29 6.30 6.31 6.32 6.33 6.34 6.35 6.36 6.37 6.38 6.39 6.40 6.41 6.42 6.43 Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), pp. 111–112. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), pp. 88–91, 93. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Christopher Perkins (April 1999). Warriors of Heaven. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-1361-4.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Jeff Grubb, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan (September 2001). Manual of the Planes 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 133, 137, 141, 142. ISBN 0-7869-1850-8.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 James Wyatt, Darrin Drader, Christopher Perkins (October 2003). Book of Exalted Deeds. (TSR, Inc), p. 123. ISBN 0-7869-3136-1.
- ↑ Frank Mentzer (January 1985). “Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 28.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 Christopher Perkins (April 1999). Warriors of Heaven. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 40. ISBN 0-7869-1361-4.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 James Wyatt, Darrin Drader, Christopher Perkins (October 2003). Book of Exalted Deeds. (TSR, Inc), p. 121. ISBN 0-7869-3136-1.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. pp. 10–15. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
- ↑ James Wyatt, Darrin Drader, Christopher Perkins (October 2003). Book of Exalted Deeds. (TSR, Inc), p. 115. ISBN 0-7869-3136-1.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 101. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 102. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
- ↑ James Wyatt, Darrin Drader, Christopher Perkins (October 2003). Book of Exalted Deeds. (TSR, Inc), p. 114. ISBN 0-7869-3136-1.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Christopher Perkins (April 1999). Warriors of Heaven. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39. ISBN 0-7869-1361-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins (April 1999). Warriors of Heaven. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-1361-4.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 313. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 112. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson (1988). The Throne of Bloodstone. (TSR, Inc), p. 53. ISBN 0-8803-8560-X.
- ↑ Jeff Crook, Wil Upchurch, Eric L. Boyd (May 2005). Champions of Ruin. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 155–157. ISBN 0-7869-3692-4.
- ↑ Thomas M. Reid (March 2011). The Empyrean Odyssey. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 525. ISBN 0-7869-5768-9.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (May 29, 2018). Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7. ISBN 978-0786966240.
- ↑ Adam Lee, et al. (September 2019). Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. Edited by Michele Carter, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 144. ISBN 978-0-7869-6687-5.
Connections
Celestial Stewards: Deva (Astral deva • Monadic deva • Movanic deva) • Light • Planetar • Solar