Homebrew Bloodmoon Tiefling Species Details
“But you do see the way people look at you, devil’s child.”
Those black eyes, cold as a winter storm, were staring right into her heart and the sudden seriousness in his voice jolted her.
“What is it they say?” he asked. “One’s a curiosity, two’s a conspiracy—”
“Three’s a curse,” she finished. “You think I haven’t heard that rubbish before?”
“I know you have.” When she glared at him, he added, “It’s not as if I’m plumbing the depths of your mind, dear girl. That is the burden of every tiefling. Some break under it, some make it the millstone around their neck, some revel in it.” He tilted his head again, scrutinizing her, with that wicked glint in his eyes. “You fight it, don’t you? Like a little wildcat, I wager. Every little jab and comment just sharpens your claws.”
To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the Tiefling. And to twist the knife, Tieflings know that this is because a pact struck generations ago infused the essence of Asmodeus—overlord of the Nine Hells—into their bloodline. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but the result of an ancient sin, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held accountable.
a Bloodmoon Tiefling is a unique and intriguing character that results from the convergence of two distinct supernatural bloodlines: the infernal heritage of the Tieflings and the vampiric curse associated with traditional vampires.
Appearance: Bloodmoon Tieflings possess the distinct physical features of both their Tiefling and vampire lineages. They typically have the signature horned head, but their horns might resemble those of a bat or a more sinister shape. Their skin can range from deep shades of crimson to onyx black, often with a slightly unnatural sheen. Their eyes are commonly a captivating shade of blood-red or an intense, glowing crimson. This though does not affect other skin colors and even eye color (other colors will just seem a little unnatural to other Bloodmoon Tieflings). Some Bloodmoon Tieflings might have subtle bat-like wings that grant them limited flight or gliding abilities, adding to their mystique. Additionally, they may exhibit elongated canines and a certain air of allure, reflecting their vampiric nature.
Powers and Abilities: The union of infernal and vampiric bloodlines grants vampire Tieflings a unique blend of powers. They often possess a mesmeric charm that can sway minds and manipulate emotions, allowing them to influence those around them. Some might also have the power to transform into mist or even a bat, echoing the shapeshifting abilities of traditional vampires. Enhanced strength, agility, and resilience are common traits as well, along with a heightened sense of perception, especially in low-light conditions.
Vampiric Traits: The most defining aspect of Bloodmoon Tieflings is their connection to the vampiric curse. They possess the thirst for blood, needing to regularly consume the life essence of living creatures to sustain themselves. This thirst can be both a source of power and a curse, as it challenges their morality and relationships with others. They might be able to gain sustenance through more controlled methods, such as consuming small amounts of blood or using their charm to persuade willing donors.
Struggles and Roleplaying: Bloodmoon Tieflings are often complex characters torn between their infernal lineage, vampiric instincts, and personal goals. They may seek redemption for their cursed nature, attempting to use their powers for good while combating the darker aspects of their heritage. Alternatively, some might embrace their vampiric tendencies, reveling in the thrill of the hunt and the allure of the night. Roleplaying a vampire Tiefling can involve themes of identity, morality, and the constant struggle to control their primal urges.
Overall, a Bloodmoon Tiefling is a captivating fusion of infernal and vampiric traits, offering players a rich canvas for character development, intrigue, and dramatic storytelling within the world of Dungeons & Dragons.
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.
Self-Reliant and Suspicious
Tieflings subsist in small minorities found mostly in human cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers, thieves, or crime lords. Sometimes they live among other minority populations in enclaves where they are treated with more respect.
Lacking a homeland, tieflings know that they have to make their own way in the world and that they have to be strong to survive. They are not quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, but when a tiefling’s companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, the tiefling learns to extend the same trust to them. And once a tiefling gives someone loyalty, the tiefling is a firm friend or ally for life.
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
MET WITH MISTRUST
Ignorant people tend to be suspicious of tieflings, assuming that their infernal heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. The reality is that a tiefling’s bloodline doesn’t affect their personality. They are gifted with magic from the infernal realms but chart their own course in life.
Bloodmoon Tiefling Traits
Tieflings share certain racial traits as a result of their infernal descent.Mesmeric Charm
Your supernatural lineage grants you an uncanny ability to sway minds and manipulate emotions. This charm is not only a reflection of your vampiric heritage but also the infernal allure inherent to all Tieflings. You have an inherent proficiency in the Persuasion skill, allowing you to expertly navigate social interactions and influence others with your captivating presence.
Furthermore, your unique connection to both vampirism and infernal power empowers you to cast the Charm Person spell once per day. This spell draws upon your Charisma, a trait enhanced by your vampiric bloodline, as your spellcasting ability. By channeling your compelling aura, you can subtly bend the will of a creature, making them regard you with warmth and openness. This spell represents your ability to weave enchantments that make others more receptive to your suggestions and wishes.
However, this potent ability is not without its limitations. The exertion required to harness such mesmerizing magic leaves you in need of a period of rest and rejuvenation. After casting the Charm Person spell, you must take the time to recover and regain your focus during a long rest before you can once again tap into this beguiling power.
Your Mesmeric Charm skill and spellcasting ability are not just tools; they reflect the intricacies of your character's persona. This combination of infernal charisma and vampiric allure makes you a captivating presence in any situation, a diplomat with the power to bend the perceptions and decisions of others to your advantage. Use this unique trait wisely, for it embodies the complex nature of your existence as a Bloodmoon Tiefling.
Vampiric thirst
A fundamental aspect of your Bloodmoon Tiefling nature is your unending need for sustenance in the form of blood. This primal thirst, inherited from the vampiric bloodline intertwined with your own, is both a source of power and a constant challenge. Unlike most creatures, you do not require traditional food to survive. Instead, you must consume a small amount of fresh blood each day to stave off the effects of this insatiable hunger.
The connection between blood and life force is deeply ingrained in your being. The consumption of blood is not just a physical necessity but a metaphysical link that maintains your vitality. Should you neglect this essential requirement, the consequences are dire. Without feeding, your body begins to weaken, and your energy wanes. This depletion of life force manifests as exhaustion, a reflection of the precarious balance you must uphold between your vampiric needs and your day-to-day activities.
To satisfy your Vampiric Thirst, you have developed two methods. Firstly, you can engage in a controlled act of feeding through an unarmed attack against a willing or incapacitated creature. This method of feeding is precise and minimally invasive, causing minimal damage (1 point) as you draw forth a small amount of blood. This action allows you to maintain your vitality without causing harm.
Alternatively, you possess a natural bite attack, an ancestral legacy that allows you to drain the life force of your opponents. When you use this bite attack to deal damage, you can choose to regain hit points equal to half the damage dealt. This symbiotic relationship with violence and sustenance echoes the predatory nature of traditional vampires.
Roleplaying Note: Your Vampiric Thirst serves as a constant reminder of your dual nature. It presents you with a unique moral challenge, forcing you to balance your need for blood against your ethical code and relationships. As you navigate the world, your approach to feeding will define your character's journey: whether you embrace the darkness fully or strive to find a way to coexist with your hunger while maintaining your humanity.
Feeding Note: If your character has a romantic encounter with the person, they are trying to feed from the 1 hit point does not apply. If your Bloodmoon Tiefling feeds during a sexual encounter, then this may lead to a permanent bond with the person they have feed from. Though if the Bloodmoon Tiefling completely drains the person they are feeding from and does not have the romantic of sexual encounter the person will turn into a mindless humanoid. If though they have the encounter it will become a power share between them and some shared physical and racial traits will be obtained.
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.
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.
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.
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