Homebrew Nephalem Species Details

Aasimar are the descendants of celestials just as tieflings are to infernal beings. Nephalem are both. The result of the unholy union of Tiefling and Aasimar, Nephalem have both fiendish and celestial blood running through their veins. They are torn by a desire for good and justice, and resentment toward societies which shunned them. Many are rejected by one if not both parents, and forced to walk their path alone. 

Nephalem often suffer the same violence, mistrust, and fear as tieflings, but with an added layer of disgust as they appear more glorious and desirable than the average tiefling. With a lot of work some can attempt to pass as human as aasimar do, and so do their best to disguise their infernal heritage. Others do the opposite and try to pass as normal tieflings, having to accentuate their fiendish features. Those who make it to adulthood tend to live on the fringes of society, often as loners or in small groups with other outcasts. 

Appearance

Nephalem appear more human than their tiefling counterparts, but their infernal heritage leaves them clearly marked. Nephalem generally have horns in the same variety as tieflings, though they tend to be significantly smaller. Some Nephalem even grind down their horns to make themselves more human looking. Almost all are born with tails though not as long as most tieflings, usually only two to 4 feet, and much thinner almost light a whip. Most have only slightly exaggerated fangs, which appear unnaturally straight and glistening. They do not have solid color eyes but their irises tend to be metallic. Their skin tones range across all the tiefling colorations, but lighter and less concentrated. Their hair is usually light, from blond to red to more metallic gold and platinum. 

Nephalem Names

Nephalem tend to have either Celestial or Infernal names, depending on which parent was bold enough to raise them. Some Nephalem feel so abandoned by both parents they choose to reject their given name and choose one for themselves instead. 

Nephalem Traits

Nephalem share certain racial traits as a result of their infernal and celestial heritage.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Nephalem mature little slower than humans, reaching maturity around 20, and live about 150 years.

Alignment

Nephalem do not have an innate tendency towards good or evil, many of them end up somewhere in between. Given their independent and isolated nature they tend toward neutral or chaotic alignment.

Size

Nephalem are about the same size as humans, with slightly more defined build. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to both your celestial and 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.

Resistance

You have resistance to fire and radiant damage  

Infernal Arcana

You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip.

Languages

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

Scorching Soul

Starting at 3rd level, you can use your action to unleash the divine/infernal energy within yourself, causing a searing flames to radiate from you, pour out of your eyes and mouth, and two feathery, flightless wings to sprout from your back.

Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, you shed bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet, and at the end of each of your turns, you and each creature within 10 feet of you take fire damage equal to half your level (rounded up). In addition, once on each of your turns, you can deal extra fire damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra fire damage equals your level.

Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.