Homebrew Athasian Tiefling Species Details

Infernal Bloodline

Tieflings are derived from human bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look human. However, their infernal heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Tieflings have large horns that take any of a variety of shapes: some have curling horns like a ram, others have straight and tall horns like a gazelle’s, and some spiral upward like an antelopes’ horns. They have thick tails, four to five feet long, which lash or coil around their legs when they get upset or nervous. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are solid colors—black, red, white, silver, or gold—with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple.

Cursed and Blessed

At the center of a tiefling’s motivations is their relationship with their infernal heritage. Tieflings interpret their ancestors’ pact with Asmodeus in different ways. Although the vast majority of tieflings revel in their evil nature, the result is a diverse set of philosophies belonging some of the most ruthless villains and virtuous heroes in all Athas.  

Some tieflings view their infernal blood as a sin or curse. These tieflings are full of self-loathing, either resigned to obscurity or seeking to purify their bloodline. However, tieflings approach this in different ways, either by paying their contract in blood, or by committing to good and ascending above their infernal form. Tieflings who follow this philosophy in one way or another are more inclined to be sellswords, soldiers, or nobles.

Other tieflings revel in their heritage, bringing honor to their infernal father by spreading death and chaos. These tieflings massacre caravans, tribes, and villages. They are known for their cruelty; their favorite practice is to kill an entire group of travelers except one, dismember one of their legs, and send them hopping towards civilization. Those that survive are forever haunted by their encounter with these terrors of the desert. Tieflings who embrace this philosophy are often raiders, lacking the ability to channel their aggressions like a sellsword or soldier.

The Ruthless Are Rewarded

Tieflings can be found throughout the Athasian landscape in all kinds of situations. Regardless of their station, they are regarded with fear and apprehension, known for their intimidating presence and absolute lack of mercy. Even tieflings who do not fall into these common trappings suffer from this impression.

Most tieflings compose bands of raiders or bandits, slaughtering whomever are unlucky enough to encounter them and leaving their victims' bones to be picked clean by the critters of the desert. Other tieflings find a place serving the sorcerer kings as a templar, and some of the richest of the noble houses in the city states are tieflings. They often make great defilers, having the ability to unlock rich arcane energy. Those who resent their evil nature resolve to do good, often hindered by the reputation their kin have created for them. The rest are ashamed of themselves, spending their lives in solitude until Athas claims them. 

Athasian Tiefling Traits

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

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age

Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.

Alignment

Tieflings are by nature evil, though some are known to be good. Tieflings who are evil or good believe strongly in the side they have chosen. Neutral tieflings are often resigned, wishing to exist in obscurity away from public ridicule and never amounting to much. Tieflings are typically chaotic, though others, usually from their resentment of their bloodthirsty brethren, are lawful, able to integrate into a society or order.

Size

Tieflings are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

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.

Devil's Sight

Magical darkness doesn't impede your darkvision.

Hellish Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage.

Infernal Legacy

You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the fear 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 Common, and you can speak and read Infernal.