Homebrew Abyssal Tiefling of Zuggtmoy Species Details

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 Devils or Demons 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.

Abyssal Bloodline

Tieflings are derived from mortal bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look humanoid. Most Tieflings of Zuggtmoy are small in stature similar to Halflings. However, their Abyssal heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Tieflings of Zuggtmoy have traits related to a variety of Mushrooms. The mushroom that the Tiefling's traits most resemble is said to be their Heritage Mushroom. Some grow caps on their heads that can appear to be a form of hat. Some have mushroom shaped growths where other Tieflings may have horns. These caps and growths resemble their Heritage Mushroom. Some have tails that are tipped with a small version of their Heritage Mushroom as well. These tails can be as long as the Tiefling is tall and will 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 will vary based upon their Heritage Mushroom as will their hair.

Self-Reliant and Suspicious

Tieflings of Zuggtmoy subsist in small minorities found mostly near Halfling and Dwarven communities. They keep to themselves, but those who do live in cities are often in the roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers, thieves, or crime lords.They can survive and thrive even in the darkest parts of cities. 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 Abyssal or Infernal language, passed down through generations, that reflect their fiendish or demonic 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. Zuggtmoy Tieflings may also adopt names based upon fungi and mushrooms of many varieties.

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

Mushroom Names: Shroom, Cap, Gill, Basidium, Cortina, Lichen, Sessile, Viscid

“Virtue” Names: Art, Carrion, Chant, Creed, Despair, Excellence, Fear, Glory, Hope, Ideal, Music, Nowhere, Open, Poetry, Quest, Random, Reverence, Sorrow, Temerity, Torment, Weary

MUTUAL MISTRUST

People tend to be suspicious of tieflings, assuming that their infernal or demonic heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. Shopkeepers keep a close eye on their goods when tieflings enter their stores, the town watch might follow a tiefling around for a while, and demagogues blame tieflings for strange happenings. The reality, though, is that a tiefling’s bloodline doesn’t affect his or her personality to any great degree. Years of dealing with mistrust does leave its mark on most tieflings, and they respond to it in different ways. Some choose to live up to the wicked stereotype, but others are virtuous. Most are simply very aware of how people respond to them. After dealing with this mistrust throughout youth, a tiefling often develops the ability to overcome prejudice through charm or intimidation.

Abyssal Tiefling of Zuggtmoy Traits

Tieflings share certain racial traits as a result of their infernal or demonic descent.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Age

Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.

Alignment

Tieflings might not have an innate tendency toward evil, but many of them end up there. Evil or not, an independent nature inclines many tieflings toward a chaotic alignment.

Size

Abyssal Tieflings of Zuggtmoy are about the same size and build as halflings. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your demonic 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.

Demonic Fungal Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage.

Heritage Spores

Through you Mushroom Heritage you have the ability to produce a cloud of spores. While the nature of the spores can vary, most Tieflings with this Heritage ability will have spores that either are harmful to others or that produce a healing effect. Those whose spores have a harmful effect typically will do either Poison, Acid, or Necrotic damage.

Languages

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