Homebrew Oni-Born Tiefling Species Details

This thing—Tsukasa had taken to calling it just that, a thing, because he had no better word for it—was no human at all. He could see it now. It was at least three heads taller than him, a hulking giant who looked to be made almost entirely of muscle, with blood-red skin and hair as dark as shadow. And the helmet—that second pair of horns wasn't part of the helmet at all, but the horns of the thing itself, like two bony blades rising from its forehead.

And then, all at once, he knew exactly what he was looking at. No—even before then, the word had come to his lips; a horrified whisper like a gasp.

Oni.

— Takagi Honoka, Devil of the Red Dusk

Every tiefling is an echo of their demonic heritage—their appearance, their temperment, sometimes even their morality. But while this inseverable link binds them together, the way in which a tiefling manifests can vary greatly from place to place. In lands far to the east, the demon-kin are descended from the oni—brutish monsters with a penchant for blood and violence. These tieflings, known as the oni-born, must learn to overcome their ancestors' vile reputation if they are to find their place in society.

Monstrous Visage

Like all tieflings, the oni-born are an unsettling mixture of human and demon. However, the demonic qualities of an oni-born are markedly more pronounced than their western counterparts, resulting in an inhuman, fiendish appearance. They average around seven feet in height, and are incredibly bulky, making them excellent bruisers or warriors. Their horns, by contrast, are relatively small, and their skin is usually a sharp red, although this can vary greatly from region to region to shades of blue or green. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple.

Because their natural appearance is often frightening to locals, many oni-born—especially those wanting to become part of society—take to wearing intricate masks, usually self-made. These masks, in addition to hiding their demonic appearance, become an extension of themselves: a form of expression to the outside world that surpasses barriers of fear.

BENEATH THE MASK

An oni-born's mask is a precious thing—a personal token crafted by their own hand, and often the only face their allies will ever know. If your oni-born will wear a mask, consider its appearance and background carefully. When did your oni-born make it, and why? What does it look like? How does your oni-born want the world to see them, and how does the mask's design help them accomplish this?

Strangers in a Strange Land

As a living reminder of horrific oni attacks, oni-born are usually shunned in human settlements, and even the most tolerant communities will be slow to accept one unless it can prove itself deserving of their trust. Subsequently, the majority form their own communities—far-removed from humans, where they cannot disturb or be disturbed by them.

Lacking a homeland, oni-born 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 an oni-born's companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, the oni-born learns to extend the same trust to them. And once a oni-born gives someone loyalty, the oni-born is a firm friend or ally for life.

Oni-Born Names

The names of oni-born are often those of the local culture: though most oni-born form their own communities, many of the first were born of human settlements, often the tragic byproducts of oni-led pillages. As a result, these human names have widely remained in use. Some oni-born, however, seek to distance themselves from humanity, adopting chosen names of their own: these are often based on an object of their pride, such as a personal quality, a weapon or fighting style, or even an animal.

Male Names: Akiari, Atsunori, Hiramoro, Hirotada, Kiyosuke, Mitsunobu, Suekuni, Toshiteru, Ujikata, Yasute

Female Names: Ai, Amako, Iriko, Katsu, Kinu, Osashi, Tsukako, Tsuneshi, Uba, Yomeshi

'Pride' Names: Steel Boar, Silver Fox, Sturdy Ox, Whirling Blade, Great Mace, Resolve

Oni-Born Tiefling Traits

Oni-born share certain racial traits as a result of their monstrous descent.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your choice of Strength or Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Oni-born mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.

Alignment

Oni-born often strive to distinguish themselves from their brutal ancestors, but the bloodlust of their heritage can still lead many to violence. Independent as they are, most oni-born are chaotic in nature, though some—in wanting to fit in with society—may seek to be lawful. Such oni-born also tend to be good, but there are always exceptions.

Size

Oni-born are much taller and bulkier than their western counterparts, averaging 7 feet tall and weighing in the area of 280 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Demonskin

Thanks to your demonic heritage, your tough skin is resistant to blows. Your Armor Class is increased by 1.

Hellish Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage.

Fiendish Legacy

You have inherited the dark magics of an oni. You can cast the magic weapon spell as a 2nd level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.

Languages

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