Homebrew Dark Tieflings (Diabhal) Species Details

Dark Tieflings (Diabhal)

The Diabhal are tieflings that reside in the underdark. They are wicked, cruel, and vengeful, holding a distaste for anyone but their own. Wicked and cunning, they lean heavily towards evil alignments. They live their lives on guard, fending for themselves. Because of this, Diabhal do not have nobility or royalty. Instead, whoever is the smartest and strongest will be on top of the pile. 

Diabhal are slighter than their overworld cousins - almost never exceeding six feet in height, and typically having more slender builds. Their skin comes in shades of dark gray and blue - alabaster families exist, but are rare. Diabhal have pale eyes in shades of blue, gold, silver, or red. Very, very occasionally one will be born with bright green eyes. Hair comes in shades of silver, gold, or red. Eye color and hair color tend to correlate, but not always. Diabhal have long tails that end in thin, whiplike tips. 

A subdivision of the Diabhal retreated further underground to study the magic of the world. These tieflings have more magical affinity, but with sensitive eyes and skin. Many on blind. Their skin and eyes are both incredibly pale, with bioluminescent spots. Their hair is either white, silver, or blue. 

 

Descent Underground

Tieflings, hated and mistrusted, have a tendency to lash out at those around them. Long ago, a group of these tieflings took to attacking those around them before they could be persecuted. These particular tieflings were driven deep underground, to the realm of the drow and duergar. Over time, these tieflings adapted to their environment, retaining their festering rage for those that drove them underground. Diabhal hold a particular dislike for humans, believing them to be wicked and savage. Any Diabhal found consorting with humankind is killed without second thought. 

Very few Diabhal ever see the light of day, and if they leave their underdark home, they are usually cast out from their own society, wandering endlessly. They are able to disguise themselves as normal tieflings and escape even greater discrimination, though their sensitivity to sunlight and slightly different physiology can be picked out. 

 

 

Dark Tieflings (Diabhal) 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

Diabhal tend to lean towards an evil alignment, with a penchant for chaos

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 and underground dwelling ancestors, 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 gray.

Hellish Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage.

Underground Adaptations

You know the Minor Illusion cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Cause Fear 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, Infernal, and Undercommon