Homebrew Cambion Species Details

The advisor paced outside the king's study. He wasn't acting himself, but who was she to question him? She didn't have much chance to reconsider, however, as the king stepped out.

"Oh! My dear friend,” he said with an all too wide smile, "have you come to see me?"

"I need to talk with you about your recent change."

"Oh?"

"It's simply that you don't seem..." she hesitated as she saw the glow in the king's yellow eyes "... yourself."

At that moment, monsterous claws closed around her neck. The king's wild grin exposed sharp teeth as she choked on her own blood. 

"Well, to be truthful, neither do you," the false king hummed. In her final moments, she could barely see the demonic wings open behind him.

— Arthur K. Blackthorn, The Hellish Imposter

To be stuck in a constant cycle of disguise and exile is the best hope of any cambion. Whether raised in the Material Plane by their mortal parents and treated as a curse due to their appearance and behavior or in the Nine Hells by their demonic parents and treated as a lesser due to their limited magic and flight, cambion can only truly be themselves while using a false identity. Due to this lack of love in their early life, cambion struggle-- or rather, don't try-- to maintain close relationships with other humanoids. After all, in a few years, they'll be found out and forced to start over once again.

Demonic Bloodline

Cambion are the children of a humanoid and succubi, or, in rare cases, two succubi. If raised in the Nine Hells, depending on their demonic parent(s) social status, they become outcasts or respected members of society at a young age depending on their demonic parent(s) social status. Cambion are almost always rejected from general society if raised in the Material Plane, seen as products of demonic manipulation and (rightfully so) a danger themselves. To a passing observer, a cambion may be mistaken for a tiefling while in their natural form-- only truly set apart by their wings and human (although glowing) eyes. Their hair is typically black, and if raised as a noble in the Nine Hells, braided intricately. At maturity, cambion become skilled shapeshifters and blend in easily with other humanoids of their choosing.

Alluring, Ambitious, Aloof

Mature cambion blend in with other humanoids and usually choose a race to build a life within. Once within a society, they quickly climb the social ladder due to their unnatural charisma. There is even some debate that some of history's greatest leaders are cambion who either married into their position or took the place of someone with existing powers. Thus, cambion tend to live lavish, pleasure-filled lives-- as long as they can keep their secret under wraps. 

Cambion float between lovers, allies, and friends as easily as a bee goes from flower to flower. Even when helped by another in a way that other races would see as creating a debt on their part, cambion see no usefulness or need to respect others. However, they may find their eye caught by beings they find interesting or entertaining, creating a bond that is as close as cambion can come to feeling loyalty, even if-- and perhaps especially if-- unreciprocated.

Cambion Names

Cambion tend to view names in the same light as they view people-- without attachment or care. Cambion choose their names based on the race they prefer to disguise themselves as, and if they decide to create another identity, they shed their names as easily as their appearance. However, if raised by their demonic parents, a cambion will probably be granted a demon name that they will use variations of to blend in with Material Plane societies.

LIFE OF THE PARTY

Cambion are naturally magnetic to other humaniods, but they themselves are pulled towards earthly pleasures. A cambion noble will host myriad parties and keep even more paramours, even if attempting to take over another being's identity. However, the notion of a cambion imposter is looked upon as merely superstitious nonsense and is rarely taken seriously. Even past loved ones are taken in by a cambion's disguise due to their natural glamour. Cambion are in their element at festivals and celebrations and easily enchant the crowd with a stunning smile and a musical laugh.

Cambion Traits

Cambion gain unique abilities due to their demonic parentage.

Ability Score Increase

Due to your demonic parentage, your Charisma increases by 4 and your Dexterity increases by 2. However, due to your upbringing in the Nine Hells and lack of knowledge of the Material Plane, your Intelligence decreases by 3 (to a minimum of 3.)

Age

Cambion mature at a faster rate than the children of mortals but attain immortality at maturity at 13 years of age. At maturity, they maintain an equivalent appearance to a human in their mid-twenties.

Alignment

Cambion are born to be bad, with innately evil tendencies that can cause even the most devout mortal parent to abandon them leading them down a darker path. If raised by the succubi parent(s), very few obtain good alignments, mostly staying within the group of neutral, chaotic, and evil alignments. Few become lawful, and it is neigh impossible for a cambion to ever be aligned with good.

Size

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

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

Your wings are designed to carry succubi, beings with hollow bones for efficient flight. As the mutated offspring of two succubi or of a succubi and a humanoid, your body is much heavier than your wings can carry easily. At level one, you have a base flying speed of 15 feet. This is reduced to 5 feet while wearing medium armor and 0 while wearing heavy armor. Your flying speed is also reduced by 10 feet while holding a shield. While flying, you have a disadvantage on any (spell or otherwise) attacks made by you. You have advantage on Dexterity saving throws against ranged attacks. However, if you are hit with any kind of attack, you must make a Constitution saving throw to maintain concentration. The DC is equal to 12 + Damage Taken - 2(Level). (For example, if you are flying and take 10 damage at the 4th level, you must pass a CON saving throw of DC 12 + 10 - 2(4) = 14.) Upon falling, make a Dexterity saving throw of Height - 4. On failed save, take bludgeoning damage equal to .25(Height)d4, for a minimum of 1d4 damage, and half as much on a successful save.

At level 6, you can either increase your maximum flying speed to 30 feet and decrease your AC by 2 with Demonic Wingspan or decrease your maximum flying speed to 5 feet and increase your AC by 4 with Iron Scaled Wings.

Hellish Darkvision

Thanks to your succubi heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 120 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 red.

Fiery Upbringing

You have resistance to fire damage and are vulnerable to radiant damage.

Fiendish Legacy

You know the vicious mockery cantrip and can cast alter self as a cantrip using a Bonus Action. Your spell save DC is 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier.

Languages

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