Homebrew Half-Demon Species Details

Infernal or Abyssal, treated all the same

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 half-demon. Their lot in life is similar to that of their infernal brethren, the Tiefling - either cursed by powerful magics, created by power-hungry mages and/or alchemists, or brought into the world through the 'union' of demons and non-demons, usually humans. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but the result of forces outside of their control, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held accountable.

Abyssal Bloodline

Some Half-Demons are derived from human bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look human. Again, like their infernal cousins, their unholy heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. They usually don't have horns, but 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 either take on the appearance of their non-demonic parent Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple.

Self-Reliant and Suspicious

Half-Demons subsist in small minorities found mostly in human cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers, thieves, or crime lords. Sometimes they live among other minority populations with Tieflings in enclaves where they are treated with more respect.

Lacking a homeland, half-demons 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 their companions put themselves on the line for him or her, the half-demon learns to extend the same trust to them. And once a half-demon gives someone loyalty, they are a firm friend or ally for life.

 

Half-Demon Names

Half-Demon names fall into three broad categories. Those 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 heritage. And some younger Half-Demons, 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 Abyssal/Infernal Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Angrinoth, Barakas, Brozgon, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Karrolluth, Ogdris, Sazgonnez, Vog'thag

Female Abyssal/Infernal Names: Akta, Anakis, Bryseis, Criella, Damaia, Dragamer, Ea, Ozallan, Vor'an, Vurgader, Xergin, Zolgradan

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

Half-Demon Traits

Half-Demons share certain racial traits as a result of their demonic descent.

Darkvision

Thanks to your abyssal heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 90 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 Resistance

You have resistance to fire and necrotic damage.

 

Abyssal Legacy

You know the Toll The Dead cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Hex 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 Phantasmal Force 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.

Ability Score Increase

The abyssal blood in your veins grants you certain abilities. You get a +1 to either Strength or Dexterity, and your Charisma score increases by 2.

Languages

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

Age

As Half-Demons are often artificially made, they mature at a younger age than humans, and live up to 100-200 years. Half-Demons that are created through natural birth mature at the same rate as humans, and live up to 100-150 years.

Alignment

Half-demons, because of their origins, are often inclined towards evil, but some of them do strive to do good. Evil or not, an independent nature inclines many half-demons toward a chaotic alignment.

Size

Half-Demons are taller than humans on average, standing at 6 feet and higher when they reach maturity. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Blighted By The Light

The Abyssal blood in your veins, while giving you certain advantages, comes with its downsides. You have a vulnerability to radiant damage.

Tenebrous Soul

Starting at 3rd level, you can use your action to unleash the demonic energy within yourself, causing your eyes to turn into pools of darkness and two skeletal, ghostly wings to sprout from your back. The instant you transform, other creatures within 10 feet of you that can see you must each succeed on a Charisma saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier) or become frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, you have a flying speed of 30 feet, and once on each of your turns, you can deal extra necrotic damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra necrotic damage equals your level.

Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Claws

Your Abyssal Blood enhances your physical capabilities.

Your unarmed strikes deal 1d4 Slashing Damage, 2d4 at level 5, 3d4 at level 11, and 4d4 at level 16.