Homebrew Half-Demon Species Details

"There was only one... we tried to detain him as he resisted us. Now I am the only one that remains. Although it pains me to say it... I am only alive because I fled. I had no other choice. Run for my life, or fall victim to... whatever monster was controlling that man.

-- Frederick Altond, A wise guard.

 

A Slightly Less Broad Spectrum

Half-Demons are less physically diverse than humans, however are more diverse that most other species. Although it is nearly impossible to recognize that an individual is a Half-Demon and not a human, the one defining trait that they have is that they are ALL attractive. While some might be more attractive than others, any sane individual would not pass up a chance to bed a half demon. An individual can stand from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weigh from 125 to 250 pounds. Their skin follows the same shades of Human skin shades; from nearly black to very pale, and hair colors from black to blond (curly, kinky, or straight); males might sport facial hair that is sparse or thick. Half-Demons reach adulthood in their late teens and can live easily over a few centuries, however most don't because they end up getting themselves into some sort of trouble.

You're Not a Human?

Half-Demons are born or adopted into human families and thus take on the same ideologies as their human families have. While some might tend to be religious, others might be more reliant on nature, some more technologically advanced. Their beliefs may vary, but they all are chaotic in some way. They could be good, neutral, or bad, but they are always chaotic. This chaotic energy comes from their demonic ancestry and with a mix of demonic and human blood running through them. Some describe them as hyperactive, others as crazy, but they are still part human and that is where they fit in. As far as your concerned, any one of the hundreds of villagers that you have seen in all of your campaigns could have been a Half-Demon, and you would still have no idea.

 

"Cedric, why are you setting an unrestricted fire in your backyard?"                                                                                                                                                       -- Markus, the Ignorant Neighbor of a Half-Demon

 

 

Half-Demon Names and Ethnicities

Having so much more variety than other cultures, humans as a whole have no typical names, therefore neither do Half-Demons. Some parents give their children names from other languages, such as Dwarvish or Elvish (pronounced more or less correctly), but most parents give names that are linked to their region’s culture or to the naming traditions of their ancestors.

The material culture and physical characteristics of Half-Demons can change wildly from region to region, just as humans. In the Forgotten Realms, for example, the clothing, architecture, cuisine, music, and literature are different in the northwestern lands of the Silver Marches than in distant Turmish or Impiltur to the east—and even more distinctive in far-off Kara-Tur. Half-Demon physical characteristics, though, vary according to the ancient migrations of the earliest humans, so that the humans of the Silver Marches have every possible variation of coloration and features.

In the Forgotten Realms, nine human ethnic groups are widely recognized (thus also half-demon) though over a dozen others are found in more localized areas of Faerûn. These groups, and the typical names of their members, can be used as inspiration no matter which world your Half-Demon is in.

Calishite

Shorter and slighter in build than most other humans, Calishites have dusky brown skin, hair, and eyes. They’re found primarily in southwest Faerûn.

Calishite Names: (Male) Aseir, Bardeid, Haseid, Khemed, Mehmen, Sudeiman, Zasheir; (female) Atala, Ceidil, Hama, Jasmal, Meilil, Seipora, Yasheira, Zasheida; (surnames) Basha, Dumein, Jassan, Khalid, Mostana, Pashar, Rein

Chondathan

Chondathans are slender, tawny-skinned folk with brown hair that ranges from almost blond to almost black. Most are tall and have green or brown eyes, but these traits are hardly universal. Humans of Chondathan descent dominate the central lands of Faerûn, around the Inner Sea.

Chondathan Names: (Male) Darvin, Dorn, Evendur, Gorstag, Grim, Helm, Malark, Morn, Randal, Stedd; (female) Arveene, Esvele, Jhessail, Kerri, Lureene, Miri, Rowan, Shandri, Tessele; (surnames) Amblecrown, Buckman, Dundragon, Evenwood, Greycastle, Tallstag

Damaran

Found primarily in the northwest of Faerûn, Damarans are of moderate height and build, with skin hues ranging from tawny to fair. Their hair is usually brown or black, and their eye color varies widely, though brown is most common.

Damaran Names: (Male) Bor, Fodel, Glar, Grigor, Igan, Ivor, Kosef, Mival, Orel, Pavel, Sergor; (female) Alethra, Kara, Katernin, Mara, Natali, Olma, Tana, Zora; (surnames) Bersk, Chernin, Dotsk, Kulenov, Marsk, Nemetsk, Shemov, Starag

Illuskan

Illuskans are tall, fair-skinned folk with blue or steely gray eyes. Most have raven-black hair, but those who inhabit the extreme northwest have blond, red, or light brown hair.

Illuskan Names: (Male) Ander, Blath, Bran, Frath, Geth, Lander, Luth, Malcer, Stor, Taman, Urth; (female) Amafrey, Betha, Cefrey, Kethra, Mara, Olga, Silifrey, Westra; (surnames) Brightwood, Helder, Hornraven, Lackman, Stormwind, Windrivver

Mulan

Dominant in the eastern and southeastern shores of the Inner Sea, the Mulan are generally tall, slim, and amber-skinned, with eyes of hazel or brown. Their hair ranges from black to dark brown, but in the lands where the Mulan are most prominent, nobles and many other Mulan shave off all their hair.

Mulan Names: (Male) Aoth, Bareris, Ehput-Ki, Kethoth, Mumed, Ramas, So-Kehur, Thazar-De, Urhur; (female) Arizima, Chathi, Nephis, Nulara, Murithi, Sefris, Thola, Umara, Zolis; (surnames) Ankhalab, Anskuld, Fezim, Hahpet, Nathandem, Sepret, Uuthrakt

Rashemi

Most often found east of the Inner Sea and often intermingled with the Mulan, Rashemis tend to be short, stout, and muscular. They usually have dusky skin, dark eyes, and thick black hair.

Rashemi Names: (Male) Borivik, Faurgar, Jandar, Kanithar, Madislak, Ralmevik, Shaumar, Vladislak; (female) Fyevarra, Hulmarra, Immith, Imzel, Navarra, Shevarra, Tammith, Yuldra; (surnames) Chergoba, Dyernina, Iltazyara, Murnyethara, Stayanoga, Ulmokina

Shou

The Shou are the most numerous and powerful ethnic group in Kara-Tur, far to the east of Faerûn. They are yellowish-bronze in hue, with black hair and dark eyes. Shou surnames are usually presented before the given name.

Shou Names: (Male) An, Chen, Chi, Fai, Jiang, Jun, Lian, Long, Meng, On, Shan, Shui, Wen; (female) Bai, Chao, Jia, Lei, Mei, Qiao, Shui, Tai; (surnames) Chien, Huang, Kao, Kung, Lao, Ling, Mei, Pin, Shin, Sum, Tan, Wan

Tethyrian

Widespread along the entire Sword Coast at the western edge of Faerûn, Tethyrians are of medium build and height, with dusky skin that tends to grow fairer the farther north they dwell. Their hair and eye color varies widely, but brown hair and blue eyes are the most common. Tethyrians primarily use Chondathan names.

Turami

Native to the southern shore of the Inner Sea, the Turami people are generally tall and muscular, with dark mahogany skin, curly black hair, and dark eyes.

Turami Names: (Male) Anton, Diero, Marcon, Pieron, Rimardo, Romero, Salazar, Umbero; (female) Balama, Dona, Faila, Jalana, Luisa, Marta, Quara, Selise, Vonda; (surnames) Agosto, Astorio, Calabra, Domine, Falone, Marivaldi, Pisacar, Ramondo

Half-Demon Traits

Half-Demons are a unique race that have unique abilities.

Ability Score Increase

 Your Strength and Charisma scores increase by 3, and your Constitution decreases by 2.

Age

Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and can live a few centuries, but usually do not make it that long due to their chaotic natures.

Alignment

Half-Demons are ALWAYS chaotic, there are no exceptions. They can be Chaotic Good, Chaotic Bad, or Chaotic Neutral.

Size

Half-Demons vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Abyssal. Half-Demons are never taught abyssal, yet are born with the knowledge of it, without even knowing that they know it. 

Darkvision

You have superior vision in dark and dim Conditions. You can see in dim light and Darkness within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light.

Abyssal Bloodrage

Sometimes, the Demon part of the Half-Demon is revealed, and unfortunately it is rarely ever in a good light. When a Half-Demon undergoes immense stress/trauma is it possible for them to go into what is called an Abyssal Bloodrage. Where most other races would have adrenaline coursing through their veins in a traumatic or stressful situation, the Half-Demon produces more demonic blood as well. This causes some major changes for the Half-Demon. They become stronger, faster, more agile, resistant to magic, however, due to the increase in demon blood, they become more evil. The more that a Half-Demon undergoes this Abyssal Bloodrage, the more evil it becomes.

An Abyssal Bloodrage can last no longer than 10 minutes or it will start to destroy the Half-Demon. The Bloodrage can also be stopped by force (i.e. if the Half-Demon is knocked unconscious, is killed, or is rendered immobile in some way) or in some cases Half-Demons have been talked out of a bloodrage (however this can be dangerous). When a Half-Demon is bloodraging they gain a +5 bonus to Strength and Constitution, as well as being resistant to all magic and immune to being charmed or frightened. However, this comes at a cost, while bloodraging the alignment of the Half-Demon becomes Chaotic Evil, and the more that the Abyssal Bloodrage is used, the more that it effects the Half-Demon outside of when it is bloodraging. After a bloodrage is used 10 times it permanently changes the alignment of your character down from either Chaotic Good to Chaotic Neutral, or Chaotic Neutral to Chaotic Evil (thus 20 uses would bring it from Chaotic Good to Chaotic Neutral to Chaotic Evil). Lastly, once the bloodrage is ended, the Half-Demon takes 2 levels of Exhaustion.