Homebrew Imp Species Details

Physical Description

The general description of imps are small-statured demons that are never very attractive in appearance. As lackeys, they do not have the clean or chiseled features of greater demons. Being mere minor servants to larger devils, imps usually take the shape of a small devil, with horns and pointed ears, and a pointed tail. The legs of an imp are bent backward unlike the usual humanoids. Their skin is usually a fiery red to a dull brown, with yellow glowing eyes and sharp teeth. However, imps often conduct mischief under the guise of others. Their true form is seen often when their guard is left down. In their natural state, they prefer to wear almost nothing ever.

History

Imps are, unlike the common idea of the evil demons and devils, regarded as more or less nuisances to be dealt with. They are characteristically the mischievous troublemakers throughout history, playing pranks on humans by stealing children, cursing livestock, and making life harder than it has to be. They are created in the Nine Hells, where human souls go to be torn apart for their misdeeds. From the shreds of human soul matter, a lemure is born, void of anything resembling its former shape or mind. They usually remain this way until a greater archdevil declares it as his own property, giving it purpose and finding its use. It then becomes an imp. Imps serve as the servants for all the castes of Hell, themselves being among the lowest rungs. They thus get their licks in when they can on humans.

Society

Originally promoted as battle fodder, imps who live beyond their use are often bullied by higher-level devils. Because of their ease to deal with compared to more powerful fiends, they are often summoned to the world of mortals to act as familiars for spellcasters. If the imp's summoner dies without dismissing the imp, or the summoner breaks any of the contract's rules, an imp will break the contract and psychic bond. In those cases, an imp may stay in the mortal world indefinitely and unchained, free to cause mischief. However, an imp's primary goal in contracts is to obtain the soul of a mortal, as the captured soul displays merit among other lesser devils. Some imps make contracts in exchange for souls to offer their earnings to the devils they serve, particularly any of the Lords of the Nine.

Imp Names

The true names of imps are kept as less of a secret than those of other devils, as they tend to welcome any summons to the mortal plane. Some accrue a variety of names to conceal their true name, using them to play with humans and wanna-be summoners. Their names are often derived from Infernal and are not divided by gender.

Names: Invidoo, Druzil, Cespenar

Imp Traits

A small shapechanging fiend with a barbed, stinging tail.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity and Charisma score both increase by 1.

Age

Imps reach maturity at around 5 and live until they are killed on their home plane.

Alignment

They are almost always Lawful Evil, but a true neutral Imp is not unheard of.

Size

Imps stand about 2 feet tall and average about 8 pounds in weight.

Devil's Sight

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 cannot discern color in darkness, only shades of grey.

Hellborn Skills

Choose one of the traits below:

Stinger

Your stinger is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4+ your Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike, You cannot use this trait while polymorphed.

Infernal Ancestry

Your creature type is Fiend, instead of humanoid. Therefore, spells that normally affect humanoids, such as hold person or crown of madness won't work on you. Additionally you are resistant to fire damage.

Devil on the Shoulder

You are proficient in the Stealth skill.

Languages

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