Homebrew Firekin Species Details

Born of Flame

Firekin are a perfect blend of devil and fire elemental, either sprouting from fire pits or being born naturally. Most commonly, they arise from their fiery birthplace as a mockery of humans, in ways many which would say resemble the more traditional appearance of devils. Horns, small to medium in size and glowing a reddish orange, sprout from their foreheads, sometimes curling and twisting back around their heads, itself covered in jet black hair. Their eyes, centered by catlike pupils, seem to glow yellow or reddish orange,  similar to their horns. Their teeth are sharp, pointed, and often gnashed when snarling or grinning with fiendish delight. Their ears may appear pointed, elvish in nature. A tail, roughly 3-4 feet in length, sprouts from their abdomens, tipped with a devilish prong, also glowing with the same heat as their eyes and horn-tips, or a "tuft" of fire. Their hands and feet appear human enough, but come with sharpened, gray-to-black nails, evidently capable of causing serious damage in the wrong situations.

Coming from fire, they are completely resistant to any fire damage, but maintain an aversion to the cold, as even a single ice crystal could spell doom in the wrong situation. Upon death, firekin erupt into a ball of flame, hot enough to melt even bone, as they burn to ash. Afterwards, their soul returns to their ancestral fire pits, where they await the creation of their new body before returning with a burning vengeance.

Mischievous and Manipulative

Firekin are considered devils at a basic level. Their existence revolves around sewing chaos- either concentrated or random -throughout the planes. They serve no master other than their patron gods, and form alliances only with those who they deem worthy of their friendship. Many become slavers in their quest to wreak havoc upon the world, others fight in the names of their gods to spill innocent blood, and many simply kill for fun, just to watch their enemies die. For those they deem worthy as companions, Firekin are most excellent allies, using their skills in battle to help forward the goal(s) of their newfound compatriots. One should take caution with their words and actions, however, as a step in the wrong direction, ever small it may be, is enough to set a Firekin off- it is not just the body that is rooted in inferno. 

Pride and Prejudice

The first firekin are/were direct offspring of crossbred fire elementals and incubi/succubi. Their bodies were forged in the pure fires of the Elemental Plane of Fire. They are incredibly proud of their origins in this regard, maintaining a heightened sense of arrogance. While firekin are a fertile race, firekin that are born as a result of sexual reproduction are often looked upon as corrupted, or weakened. Firekin hierarchy revolves around this concept, regardless of gender, with "first forged" firekin often maintaining established positions as rulers, nobles, or religious and militaristic figureheads (e.g. high priests, officers), whereas "scorned", or the natural-born firekin often finding themselves as serfs, common folk, army grunts, or peasants. In extreme cases, scorned firekin may be found among the ranks of Firekin-overseen slaves. It is possible for scorned firekin to rise to positions of power, though the journey is considerably harder and faced with more obstacles than usual. Firekin seldom interbreed with other races, despite their own mixed-race heritage, as doing so is considered corruption of the race.

 

Firekin Names

Firekin names are rooted in the Abyss. Often, many Firekin use names frequented by infernals or abyssals, but may take inspiration once again from their element of origin. Rarely, some firekin may use names rooted in the Common tongue, or may adopt an ancestral name not traditionally seen in infernal or abyssal circles.

Common Male Firekin names: Argan'kor, C'mir, Kaan, Kraaloch, Oquyl, Paxir, Syir'ulq, Ta'al

Common Female Firekin names: Adu'qm, Aspkysi, C'mira, Ffyq'a, Kotar'aka, Voroyrla,

Common Neutral Firekin names: Uzt, Z'liyl

BURN NOTICE

Most people are apprehensive around firekin. As they are rarely seen, many are uneasy due to the fact that their race is less known. Those who do recognize them often do so based on their connection to devils. As such, the most law abiding of shops may choose to refuse to sell items to them, and in the most holy of cities, firekin may be closely watched by good-aligned paladins and clerics, if not outright confronted by them. The majority of firekin are evil, but some may choose a less evil path, even showing neutral traits. Those who act purely for good are an even rarer sight. All are lawful, regardless, due to their connections to deal-making devils. Allies are chosen based on each individual's discretion, even overlooking differences in alignments if it means having stronger friends on their side. 

Firekin Traits

Firekin, being the blend of fire elementals and devils, share traits of both races, with their most prominent features leaning towards the latter parent race.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Firekins are, by technicality, immortal. They may keep on living so long as their souls are not captured or vanquished. That said, their corporeal bodies remain bound by the laws of mortality. A firekin may live anywhere from 2000-3500 years before they must return to the pits to receive a new vessel, and aging occurs at a much slower rate than humans, with firekin being considered mature at age 1000.

Alignment

Firekin are devils, at the most basic of levels. Their purpose is to sew chaos and destruction either for their own pleasure, or through the direction of their gods. That being said, due to their devilish heritage, they are lawful in alignment. The majority of firekin are thus lawful evil, with clerics appearing lawful neutral; very few tend to align themselves as lawful good.

Size

Firekin are about the same size and build as humans, though may reach sizes of up to 7 feet in height. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your 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.

Born of Flame

Being born of fire, you are resistant to fire damage.

The Inferno Within

You know the produce flame cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the burning hands spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Ashes to Ashes

Upon death, and upon failure of all death saves, your body begins to smoulder, and on your next turn explodes into hellish flames in a 10 foot radius, with you at its center.  All caught within the blaze make a saving throw of 8 plus their proficiency score and charisma modifier, and take 3d10 fire damage plus your level upon failure. After one turn, your body burns to ash. Casting resurrection magic on the ash pile does not bring back the body, though it negates the 50-year wait period for a firekin to regenerate, allowing them to be reborn instantly in the Elemental Plane of Fire. Casting resurrection magic on a firekin before they burst into flames also negates the above effects. 

Languages

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