Homebrew Death Tiefling Species Details

To be greeted with stares and whispers, to cause panic in the streets, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the death tiefling. And to there satisfaction, death tieflings know that this is because of a gift given generations ago infused the essence of the grave into their bloodline. Their appearance and their nature are testaments to there faith, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be blessed with.

Grave Touched

Death Tieflings are derived from human bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look human. However, their dark heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Death Tieflings have large horns that take any of a variety of shapes: some have curling horns like a ram, others have short horns like a crown, and some curl backward like a goats. They have an extra thumb on both hands, that allow extra dexterity when manipulating items. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are black with colorful irises in—red, purple, silver, or blue—with a visible pupil. Their skin tones tend to range from pale grey to almost black, but also include various shades of red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually black or white but can also be dark red, blue, or purple.

Self-Reliant and Suspicious

Tieflings subsist in small minorities found mostly in crypts or tombs, often in the largest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be soldiers, necromancers, or warlocks. Sometimes they live among other macabre populations in enclaves where they are treated with respect.

Lacking a homeland, death 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 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 or undeath.

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 Infernal language, passed down through generations, that reflect their fiendish 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.

Male Infernal Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Corvis, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Lazarus, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Null, Pelaios, Samil, Therai

Female Infernal Names: Akta, Anakis, Bryseis, Criella, Damaia, Ea, Kallista, Lerissa, Makaria, Nemeia, Orianna, Phelaia, Rieta

“Virtue” Names: Arson, Carrion, Chant, Creed, Despair, Fear, Gore, Hobble, Ideal, Murder, Nowhere, Reverence, Sorrow, Temerity, Torment, Void, Weary

MUTUAL MISTRUST

People tend to be suspicious of tieflings, assuming that their dark 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.

Death Tiefling Traits

Tieflings of the grave domain possess great knowledge of death in all its many forms.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 1, and one score of your choice increases by 2.

Age

Death Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans but live considerably longer.

Alignment

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

Size

Tieflings are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Grave Sight

Thanks to your dark heritage, you have superior vision in dark conditions. You can see in darkness within 120 feet of you as if it were bright light, and magical darkness doesn't impede your darkvision.

Fearless

You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

Necrotic Resistance

You have resistance to necrotic damage.

Legacy of the Grave

You know the spare the dying cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the unseen servant 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 darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak Abyssal, Infernal and Undercommon.