In Dungeons and Dragons the physical body of an deity, this body is mortal and can be destroyed with a widespread efect of mass destruction. the death of an avatar will not kill the deity controling it, due to the fact that the greater deitys normaly have and control about 5 to 20 avatars at one point in time. though the death of an avatar can weaken a deity.
an avatar or avatara is an incarnation of an immortal being or an ultimate supreme being (i.e. a god or goddess). avatars or avataras are said to descend to earth in times of great evil or unrightousness.