Homebrew Drow Tiefling (Drowling) Species Details

“But you do see the way people look at you, devil’s child.”

Those black eyes, cold as a winter storm, were staring right into her heart and the sudden seriousness in his voice jolted her.

“What is it they say?” he asked. “One’s the blood of hell, twos the blood of the banished-”

“Three’s a curse,” she finished. “You think I haven’t heard that rubbish before?”

“I know you have.” When she glared at him, he added, “It’s not as if I’m plumbing the depths of your mind, dear girl. That is the burden of every Drowling. Some break under it, some make it the millstone around their neck, some revel in it.” He tilted his head again, scrutinizing her, with that wicked glint in his eyes. “You fight it, don’t you? Like a little wildcat, I wager. Every little jab and comment just sharpens your claws.”

 

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 Asmodeus—overlord of the Nine Hells—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.

On top of this, the blood of the Drow, it makes for the most wickedest of mortals. Drows are the worshippers of Lolth, the Spider Queen, the deity of the drow and villain to all else. Long ago, outcasted elves began worshipping the spider queen and were banished into the underdark by their saner elvish cousins. The countless generations in the dark made them what they are now. Thriving in the Underdark they made cities paved by ego, slavery and the blood of the innocent. 

The sins of a Drowling are unparallel. Cast out with no humanity inside them, no redemption and no love. That is what people claim. The Drowling is told to be truly a devil allowed to walk on the material plane and it is up to the world to banish them before they destroy it entire. 

Infernal and Dark Elven Bloodline

Drowling are derived from demonic and Dark Elven bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look human. However, their infernal and underworld heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Drowlings have large horns that take any of a variety of shapes: some have curling horns like a ram, others have straight and tall horns like a gazelle’s, and some spiral upward like an antelopes’ horns. They have thick tails, four to five feet long, which lash or coil around their legs when they get upset or nervous. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are solid bright colors—black, red, white, silver, or gold—with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones match their drow bloodline, colouring their features various shades of blacks, purples, greys, blues and down to charcoal black. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is either dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple or bright from platinum, white and gold. On top of this, they carry Elvin features. They tend to be tall, supernaturally beautiful. They decorate their hair with pins or webbing in dedication to the spider queen. 

 

Drowling Names

Drowling names fall into three broad categories. Drowlings born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations, that reflect their fiendish heritage. Some take on the names of their Elvin heritage, to drag into the mud and claim as their own. And some younger Drowlings, 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.

Male Infernal Elven Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai, Bemril Uloavae, Fildiirn Oussath, Gulmyr Araburden, Jaezkiir Helvion'lyr, Jalynryn Zolinn, Quevryn Arabarn, Rizhrys Torval, Ruaphrin Baenreaer, Syrdar Glaurach, Zaknaston Tlin'eztice.

Female Infernal Elven Names: Akta, Anakis, Bryseis, Criella, Damaia, Ea, Kallista, Lerissa, Makaria, Nemeia, Orianna, Phelaia, Rieta, Aunrae Blundyth, Baltana Rrostarr, Felynlene Telinath, Ginbreena Despth, Laeyana Mizzruil, Larithra Baenani, Larniss Baenath, Malice Filifar, Nhilymma Baenrret, Urmesyne T'soavae.

“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 Drowlings, assuming that their infernal and dark elven heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. Shopkeepers keep a close eye on their goods when Drowlings enter their stores, the town watch might follow a Drowling  around for a while, and demagogues blame Drow tieflings for strange happenings. The reality, though, is that a Drowling's bloodline doesn’t affect his or her personality to any great degree. Years of dealing with mistrust does leave its mark on most Drowling, 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 Drowling often develops the ability to overcome prejudice through charm or intimidation.

Drow Tiefling (Drowling) Traits

Drowlings share certain racial traits as a result of their infernal and Dark Elven descent.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Drowlings mature at the same rate as humans but live an elven lifespan, typically living to the ages of 100 to 750 years if they are not hunted down before then. 

Alignment

Drowlings are notorious to lean towards evil tendency, but many of them are not born that way. The patient and forgiving of them do not become what they are feared to be, revolting against expectation to embrace a chaotic good that triumphs the evil of bias. Evil or not, an independent nature inclines many Drowlings toward a chaotic alignment. 

Size

Drowlings are about the same size and slender build as elves. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Superior Darkvision

Thanks to your infernal Dark Elven 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 gray.

Hellish Consequences

You have resistance to fire damage but due to your demonic origins, you are vulnerable to Radiant damage. 

Infernal Legacy

You know the thaumaturgy and dancing lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the hellish rebuke spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast faerie fire spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so after 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.

Sunlight Sensetivity

Those made of darkness should only thrive in darkness. 

You have disadvantage on attack rolls and wisdom (perception) check when you, the target of your attack, or what you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Elvish and/or Infernal. Elvish and Infernal is a learnt language if your Drowling spent the time in Drow or Tiefling Culture.