Homebrew Bone devil Species Details

A bone devil appears as a humanoid husk, with dried skin stretched tight across its skeletal frame. It bears a fearsome skull-like head and the tail of a scorpion, and a foul odor of decay hangs in the air around it. Very few travel outside of the nine hells, but the ones that do are usually disguised, as many fear bone devils. If they are lucky enough to learn common, they probably would seek leadership positions. Some are known to enjoy adventuring, and very few may find a party to go with.

People tend to be suspicious of bone devils, assuming that their species has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance and abilities. Shopkeepers keep a close eye on their goods when bone devils enter their stores, the town watch might follow a bone devil around for a while, and demagogues blame bone devils for strange happenings. The reality, though, is that even though they have a tendency toward evil, not all bone devils are. Years of dealing with mistrust does leave its mark on most bone devils, and they respond to it in different ways. Some choose to live up to the wicked stereotype, but others are virtuous. Most are simply very aware of how people respond to them. After dealing with this mistrust, a bone devil often develops the ability to overcome prejudice through charm or intimidation.

Bone devil Traits

Bone devils share certain racial traits as a result of their infernal descent.

Stinger

Your barbed spinal tail is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, and the target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or become poisoned; instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 1, and your Strength score increases by 2.

Age

Bone devils, like all other devils, are immortal in all places but the nine hells, where if they are slain, they are destroyed forever.

Size

Bone Devils normally stand at 6-7 feet tall and up to 9 feet tall when including wings. Their weight averages around 300 pounds. Your size is large.

Speed

Your primitive wings allow you to fly, but not as fast as other flying races. You have a flying speed of 25 ft. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your infernal heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Hellish Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage.

Infernal Legacy

You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the hellish rebuke spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal.