You were spawned in the pits of the Nine Hells. You might be a devil, or a lost soul made flesh.
During your time in Hell, to what extent were you tormented? Do you have any memory of your time there? How did you find you way to the material realm? Perhaps you escaped, or sent on a mission by a greater devil, or summoned by external forces? Are the jailors of hell in pursuit of you, checking your progress, or merely waiting your return?
Prerequisite: You must be a devil or other race native to the Nine Hells.
- Skill Proficiencies: Skill Proficiencies: Religion, Persuasion
- Tool Proficiencies: Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set
- Languages: Languages: Infernal
- Equipment: Equipment: An infernal contract describing your duties or punishments, common clothes, a set of bone dice or playing cards, 5 gp
You are not from the material realm, so how did you cross the planes? You can work this out with your DM or roll on the table below.
You have an infernal taint that makes your origin obvious to anyone proficient in Religion. Choose one of the following features based on your particular genesis.
Suggested Characteristics
The terrestrial world is a far cry from the fires, cacophonies and tyranny of the Hells. Hellborn will not be accustomed to civilized lands, or the relative peace. This may be a relief, or a source of distress.
Buried in the smallprint of every infernal contract is a clause that allows any fugitive from Hell to claim refuge at certain sacred sites. While claiming sanctuary, no devil or agent acting on a devil's behalf may attack, touch, bind or otherwise harm the claimant until the claimant leaves the sacred site. There are particular requirements: the sacred site must be devoted to a lawful good or lawful neutral deity; it must have some means for the claimant to signal their desire for protection (ring a certain bell, sit on a certain chair or hold a certain door knocker); the claimant must surrender their weapons; and they must publicly announce their sins. The fugitive cannot claim sanctuary at one particular holy site for longer than 4 days.
Present in any civilized land are secret (or not so secret) cults devoted to usurping governments, accruing power or seeking forbidden knowledge: some groups achieve this through worshiping or making pacts with powerful entities like devils. A creature with the Mark of Hell is a desirable find for such a cult. A cult learning of your existence will send agents to strike a bargain with you. They can offer esoteric knowledge; access to hidden clubs, guilds and conspiracies; and secret places to rest. In return, they expect you to partake in infernal rituals of powerlust and sacrifice. Reneging on this deal can make an enemy of that damned sect; on the other hand cults are often in competition with one another.
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