Homebrew Carminite Species Details

“You are not like them, child.”

Two coloured and glowing dots within a sea of black stared at her, the question in their eyes.

“What do you mean?” he asked. “They look like me, they have horns, just a different colour!”

“On the surface, mayhaps.” she continued. “But deep within, you are different. Special. Better.”

She smiled at his confusion.

“Their infernal blood is muddles, impure. Our blood is pure, nourished by the chaotic magic of this world. We were created by our glorious Goddess to serve, to excel, to be better than all those around us. Magic is in our blood, it is our greatest strength. Well, for some of us. Pride yourself on your herritage, son. They may compare you to those lesser fiends, but bide your time. You have a part to play in the Great Plan.”

— Carminite Lady of Envy to her son.

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. To be compared to the Tieflings of Infernal heritage is the lot of the Carminites. But it bothers them none, for their true bloodline and purpose would see them killed outright. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but the result of ''divine'' intervention by a being of pure chaos, the demon goddess Vre'Phaedra. With her guiding hand were these Tieflings created to further her influence in the mortal realms of man.

Abyssal Bloodline

Unlike regular Tieflings, the Carminite Tiefling's origins lay in pureblooded Carminite Demons. They may look more humanoid and closer to Tieflings now, but such was by design. However, their abyssal heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Carminites 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 the sclera of their eyes are black, with their pupils and irises coming in a myriad of colours that most often reflect their Clan heritage. Their skin tone is snow-white, with varying shades of red making up the markings that cover their entire bodies. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is limited mostly to white, black, or red colours and shades.

Self-Reliant and Suspicious

Carminite Tieflings exist in all layers of society and all walks of life. From the poorest, downtrodden alley rat, to the most eccentric and charismatic politician. What unites them all is their ambition, the desire to pull the strings. Either for their own vises, or that of their secretive overlords. Exceptions exist, of course, as with all things.

Lacking a homeland in this material plane, Carminites know that they have to make their own way in the world and that they have to be strong to survive, and that the odds are stacked against them if they are not born into a position of influence already. They are not quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, though those that have rejected the ways of their ancestors and Goddess are much more open to cooperation, and eventual companionship. Those that have sworn loyalty to the Abyssal depths may never fully trust others outside of their kin, their secrets too heavy on their mind.

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, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai

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

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

Carminites themselves have another layer added onto this, with strange prefixes before their name. Though these are not part of their name naturally, these are titles corresponding to various ranks and positions. Some examples are as follow:

Vre - A Holy title given to Gods and those that descend or dedicate themselves fully to the completion of the God's will. Currently only the Infernal One and the Archlord hold this title. Example: Vre'Phaedra, Vre'Aketh.

Pre - A Ascendant title held by the Carminite Demon Lords that reign over their respective Clans. Currently only Lords of a Clan can hold this title. Example: Pre'Cearsa, Pre'Tyresk

Aze - A Ascendant title bestowed upon the High Witches and Warlocks of the Coven. Only those Witches that lead the Witch Orders can hold this title. Example: Aze'Varyla, Aze'Anariel

MUTUAL MISTRUST

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

Carminite Traits

Carminites share certain racial traits as a result of their abyssal descent.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Carminite Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans and live much longer due to the excessive magic coursing through their veins with their blood.

Magic Presence

Due to the abundance of magic presence within their bodies, Carminite Tieflings may be affected by the effects of Detect Magic or similar spells.

Alignment

Carminites might not have an innate tendency toward evil, but many of them end up there through circumstance or upbringing. Evil or not, an independent nature inclines many tieflings toward a chaotic alignment.

Size

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

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your abyssal 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.

Abyssal Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage.

Abyssal Legacy

You know the fire bolt 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. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the heat metal 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.

Languages

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