Homebrew Shadow Tiefling Species Details

“This life you were born into,” he stated, “there’s no easy way out.”

The silence was almost alive, like it was eating away at my very being. I knew what he was going to say, I had heard it a thousand times, but yet this time I dreaded it.

“Some people learn to live being rejected by the earth itself.” he reminded. “Some fight for whatever injustice is put up to their plate.”

He stared at me, stared into my thoughts, stared into my heart, stared into my soul.

“Some seek an easy way out.” he started. “I know you want an easy way, but those who seek it suffer a greater punishment than trying to fit in could ever get you.” “Like what happened to my brother.”

He pulled a tarp off a cage and inside a tiefling with back scales and a white glow radiating from the cracks, tail and horns with an unnatural black and white coloring, and worst of all, pure white eyes that strike fear into my soul.  

The tiefling bangs and bites at the cage, screaming with unbelievable intensity, and the threats to kill me.

He takes out a key and I back up pure fright as he reassures “This nightmare is going to be over soon.”

He turns the key and opens the cage. The tiefling launches at him and slowly turns to dust and blows away. 

I scream and run up the stairs only to end up in a dark hallway that I did not see entering the room. I realize there is no one chasing me so I have my fists at ready while slowly backing up. 

I bump into something behind me and fear runs through my body. “Hello,” a dark voice bellows.

I watch as my fingers start to stiffen then my shoulders and so on until I can’t move. The taste of saliva leaves my tongue. The smell of stone brick leaves my nose. My vision fades and the world becomes black.

I call “Hello?” but only an echo replies aside from the barely noticeable dripping of water from the ceiling.

But then, a feeling, a finger across my stomach. Then a wrenching pain as a knife stabs through my body. Then I can’t feel anything, but I can think.

’I have to stay strong’

’I have to stay strong!’

’I have to stay...’

’I have to...’

I have...’

’I h-...’

’I’

’I...’

’...’

 

 

 

Dark Corruption 

Shadow Tieflings are teiflings who sought a way out of their cruel life and made a deal with a dark entity. 

Unknown Threats

Shadow Tieflings are unknown to the outside world, blissfully unaware of the danger that subsists behind their backs.

Tiefling Names

Tiefling names fall into three broad categories. Tieflings born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations, that reflect their fiendish heritage. And some younger tieflings, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name is a noble quest. For others, it’s a grim destiny.

Male Infernal Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai

Female Infernal Names: Akta, Anakis, Bryseis, Criella, Damaia, Ea, Kallista, Lerissa, Makaria, Nemeia, Orianna, Phelaia, Rieta

“Virtue” Names: Art, Carrion, Chant, Creed, Despair, Excellence, Fear, Glory, Hope, Ideal, Music, Nowhere, Open, Poetry, Quest, Random, Reverence, Sorrow, Temerity, Torment, Weary

 

Shadow Tiefling Traits

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

Dark Essence

You are resistant to necrotic damage

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Shadow Tieflings look the same age they were corrupted for their 750 year lifespan.

Alignment

Shadow Teiflings, due to their corruption are almost all in the Evil Alignment. A chaotic nature is usually taken but not always.

Size

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

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Due to your magical corruption you have a base flying speed of 30 feet, but can only float 2 feet of the ground.

Darkvision

Thanks to your infernal heritage, and enhanced powers, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light and complete darkness within 60 feet of dark in front of you as if it were bright light.

Dark Power

At will you can cast toll the dead you can cast this once before taking a long rest.

At 4th level, you can cast darkness at will once before taking a long rest.

At 5th level, you can cast shadow blade at will once before taking a long rest.

You use your charisma modifier (+ procficancy bonus if you have the spell casting ability in your class) for these spells.

 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal, but Shadow tieflings almost always speak infernal.

Outcast Instincts

You have proficiency in Survival.