Tiefling
The humanoid race touched by extraplanar entities
Tieflings are a humanoid race and are born of a human lineage as a result of involvement with some extraplanar entity. Their peculiar appearance, which refers to their supernatural descent, is not the result of their actions but the consequence of a pact or plague of their ancestors, but it is still a burden that they, their children and all their lineage are forced to carry.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The appearance of a tiefling depends very much on which entity was responsible for its characteristics and which was the sealed covenant. This inheritance may remain dormant for generations, though it will usually surface in the children or the grandchildren of those who have made the pact, once outlined, it becomes dominant in all future generations. Most tieflings look like normal humans, slightly taller, measuring between 5.5 and 6.2 ft. (1.65 and 1.86 m), and heavier, weighing between 140 and 220 lbs. (70 and 110 kg), and with subtle alterations, possible to hide or to pass unnoticed. Others, however, which are very rare to meet, have several characteristics that refer to their extraplanar blood.
Most have horns, which can be of various shapes and sizes, some can be hidden with scarves and hats, while others are observed with showy antlers. Sharp canines are also a common feature, and in some cases the entire dental arcade shows itself in this way, making it harder to go unnoticed. But undoubtedly the common feature most difficult to hide is their tail, with the arrowhead tip for fiend tieflings, and furry for rakshasas’ descendants, that curls around their legs when they become upset or nervous. That is the main reason many of this breed dress up in long robes and many layers of fabric on their bodies.
The most aberrant features may include skin tone, which although generally follow human coloring, may vary to shades of red, purple, gray and dark green, and hair colors, which mimic the same behavior as the skin, may reach tones like dark blue, red and purple. Some tieflings still have solid orbs in black, red, white, silver or gold instead of normal human eyes. Other races that are close to a tiefling with these characteristics, usually become uncomfortable, regardless of whether or not they know their disgusting history with extraplanar entities.
All these features, however, are linked to the Supreme Master of the Nine Hells, Asmodeus, this because he is responsible for the lineage of the vast majority of tieflings of the present time. Other demonic features that can be found, not necessarily from Asmodeus, but from other devils and demons, are forked tongue, leathery skin, body scales, sulfur odor, and elevated body temperatures. Some tieflings usually coming from darker covenants, still have goat legs or hooves in place of the feet, or even demonic wings, being able to fly like some demons.
Other tieflings, although very rare nowadays, may present other characteristics, such as the descendants of rakshasas, which may present thick hair around the body and feline eyes. Some may even be descendants of extra-aelion deities, such as the tieflings of Beshaba who feature gaudy antlers instead of horns, and white or pale colors hair. Those descendants of Mask are known to have no reflection, or no shadow, or even neither. In Mulhorand there have already been many descendant tieflings of Sseth or Sobek, and in Thay, many were the result of sinister rituals performed by powerful wizards.
Biological Traits
Tieflings generally have better reflexes than humans and are very good at hiding and deceiving people. They are also known to be seductive and intelligent, which gives them the reputation of acting like thieves and cheaters. Despite their appearance and lineage, tieflings are recognized for being very attractive with their words, getting deals and great bargains. All these characteristics allow this race to stand out from the rest as to the accomplishment of tricks.
The demonic lineage grants tieflings a natural resistance to fire and heat, as well as a violent killing urge that usually gives this race an edge in combat. They are also able to conjure up some simple spells, because of the innate magic in their blood. A few of those who embrace even more of their origins can develop demonic wings, acquiring the ability to fly, or channel their infernal wrath to attack their enemies fiercely.
Genetics and Reproduction
Tieflings are born of human families, as a result of a pact with some extraplanar creature, whether it be a pact sealed through a simple or blood agreement, or a physical one, consummated through the sexual act. This covenant is revealed at the birth of a tiefling child, being one of the children, or grandchildren, or even a descendant far from the one who made the covenant.
There are several types of tieflings, but the vast majority are of fiend lineage, descendants of Asmodeus. These tieflings carry in their blood the so-called Diabolical Heredity. Thus, all children resulting from a relationship with an infernal tiefling are always tiefling children.
Growth Rate & Stages
Human parents who generate a tiefling child, whether on account of a recent pact or the dormant blood heritage of ancestor pacts, usually do not stay with the baby. Newborn tieflings that have very marked inhuman characteristics are generally killed, by the parents themselves or even by clerics. Of these, those lucky enough to be kept alive are abandoned at city gates, or in wild environments. Not even orphanages usually receive tiefling children, killing them or leaving them out of the city. Because of this, it is unusual today to see adult tieflings with notable infernal features, and those who have some always try to hide.
The few tieflings who are fortunate enough to reach adulthood, often have subtle characteristics or owe their rareness survival to their family and community. Either by having one of the tiefling parents or by being born in a readily accepted community. These communities, however, are very rare, usually found in enclaves of large cities or remote societies. Others are kept alive for unknown and cruel reasons, arising from the covenant that generated them or from macabre cults.
However, even after birth, a tiefling, giving the nature of the places where it is accepted, often goes through many difficulties during childhood, and even less can develop to reach adulthood. A tiefling who is lucky enough to be born and grow develops at the same rate as an ordinary human, and its life expectancy exceeds that of the human being for about 30 years, living between 90 and 110 years. However, given their reputation, most tieflings do not die for old age, but cruel and violent reasons.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
As a result of demonic activity in human lineages, tieflings do not have a land of origin. Formerly, they are more common in Mulhorand and Unther, before the nations were devastated by the Spellplague, although there are reservations about the true tiefling presence the last one. There have already been several members of this race in Thay, where they are seen as pawns, slaves fighting in the zulkirs’ conflict, serving as murderers, thieves, and spies. However, when Szass Tam took control of the region, many left the area, seeking a better life in other communities. Currently, they are most common in Narfell, where it is believed they have been present for generations, and High Imaskar.
Some tieflings still go to Tymanther, where they are welcomed thanks to the culture of the dragonborns of respect to all the races, others are listed as the genasi servants of Memnon in Calimshan, where they were an essential part in the war of the efreeti against their rival Calim. On the Sword Coast, they are present mainly in the cosmopolitan Baldur’s Gate, as well in parts of the Dragon Coast. In Aglarond, they are received and tolerated as enemy refugees of Thay. Throughout Nirmantoril, they are found as a minority in large cities, living in enclaves where they receive some respect, or in more impoverished places, where they become crooks, thieves or crime-masters.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Because of their extraplanar ancestry, tieflings can see in the dark and the twilight more easily. They have dark-vision to some extent, and although they can not distinguish colors in the total darkness, they can see in complete darkness without the need for light.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
The names of the tieflings come from the culture in which they are inserted, being generally common human names. Some, from families with pride of the demonic blood, have an infernal name, passed from generation to generation, that portrays its demonic origin. Those who do not take pride in their origin generally assume a nickname, a name that symbolizes a virtue, whether created by the tiefling itself or received from those around them. This “virtue name”, for some, indicates a noble mission to fight for, and try to incorporate what the name represents in their personality and routine, others carry the nickname as a dark burden, a burden they will be forced to carry throughout eternity.
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.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Tieflings usually speak two or three languages: — the common, essential to all the inhabitants of Nirmantoril, and, depending on where they are inserted, another language according to the community in which they are embedded. For example, it is common to find tymantheran tieflings that speak draconic, because of the proximity to the dragonborns of the region. The tieflings also usually keep in the blood the language coming from their ancestry. Thus, the vast majority of tieflings of the present time can speak, read and write in infernal.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Tieflings do not have a culture of their own, setting themselves up and following the customs of the communities in which they are inserted. Some follow the path of evil, embracing their demonic origins, while others reject their evil tendencies and seek to do good, becoming great heroes. However, being the fruit of two distinct worlds, most fall on their way between the two extremes. Anyway, a tiefling rarely trusts another of the same species, being prejudiced among themselves and propagating the misrepresented view of the race. Some, on the other hand, seek in lineage colleagues a sign of understanding, becoming partners in crime or fighting together against the evil that tries to dominate them.
Those who take pride in their fiend origins are fascinated by the dark and sinister events around the world. This fascination does not necessarily make them evil or mean that they want to keep these things going, but that their interest keeps them eager to look for these things. They often use knowledge about evil and their abilities to carry out or follow evil plans and schemes that follow this dark nature.
Some, however, fear or be ashamed of their origin, and the only thing they seek is to escape the shadows that surround them. Either through the constant accomplishment of kindly or heroic acts, to compensate for the evil burden they carry, or hiding away from the cities or in the dark streets and alleys of the poorest groups, trying to go unnoticed by the world, preferring to be ignored and forgotten.
Magic
Tieflings who seek power through magic, in general, are those who embraced their dark origins, somehow and for some reason. They usually become warlocks, adopting demonic entities as patrons, although this does not always reflect the source of their lineage. Others become wizards, seeking to become powerful diviners in search of knowledge of the lower planes, or conjurers capable of summoning evil spirits and demons to their command.Religion
As for religion, the tieflings do not possess a supreme god who represents their race, although Asmodeus approaches that definition. They usually follow the religious culture in which they are inserted, whether by the path of darkness or light. Some, coming from a divine lineage, are called by the deity that marked the beginning of their inheritance, as with the descending tieflings of Beshaba. Others channel their dark emotions to serve deities like Cyric, Gargauth, Shar or Mask, in search of power, revenge, or luck.History
There is no record of when or where the first tiefling came about, but they are children of humans, cursed with the blood of an extraplanar entity. Whether descended from covenants with devils, demons, gods or extra-aelion creatures, this race has always been surrounded by an aura of despair that frightened those around them. Some try to fight against this vision, while others take advantage of it to become great swindlers and dominate the crime scene of big cities across Nirmantoril.
Today, most tieflings come from a diabolical line, carrying in their veins the blood of the Prince of Evil himself, Asmodeus. But it was not always so. In the year 36,358 a.B., an old coven of warlocks, known as the Thirteen of Toril, performed a ritual that cursed the tieflings lineage of the region. Descendants of other bloodlines, whether demons, devils, hags, rakshasas, and others, had their original lineages marked as the blood of Asmodeus itself, and even the dormant inheritance in families that were involved with ancient covenants was affected. This ritual, dubbed the Blood of Asmodeus, was enough to make him a patron god over the tieflings race, granting him enough power to be like a god.
After the Spellplague at 36,385 a.B., when Asmodeus was finally raised to the rank of a god, the magic of the ritual performed by the Thirteen of Toril spread throughout Nirmantoril, affecting all living tieflings at that time, resulting in the large number of descendants of Asmodeus in the 5th century, all presenting a demonic appearance, concerning their lineage. At the beginning of this century, some other families began to be born again, but very few are those that do not fit the descent of the archdevil.
Along with the Spellplague, there was a phenomenon baptized as Diabolical Heredity. All the tieflings of Nirmantoril that were affected by the Blood of Asmodeus in the 4th century now carry the infernal blood forth in their lineage. Until that time, the blood could be suppressed when a tiefling related to someone of another race, giving life to a usual child. Now, however, all the children of the baptized in the Blood of Asmodeus are born as tieflings, of the lineage of Asmodeus, and the children of these children and so for all future generations, forever.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Looks and comments from other races are always constant, and a tiefling knows he is different from those around him since its childhood. Moreover, it is common a tiefling to have strange impulses and desires stemming from the malignant ancestry of this race. A tiefling does not grow with the paternal and community love that a typical child usually receives, and this makes them wait for rejection everywhere they go. To survive, they often learned early on to be independent, and they do not like to open to others, maintaining a secret nature and questionable conduct that ultimately helps spread the disreputable reputation of a displaced and unreliable race. This reclusion makes it challenging to build a friendship with a tiefling, but when it does, it rarely is broke, being reciprocal, real, and rewarding.
As for other races, tieflings do not usually get along with others and take time to trust and gain confidence. This difficulty is even more significant when it comes to an aasimar or deva, in which lack of trust is transformed into hatred and mutual fear. Of all the races, they are closer to the half-orcs, identifying with the repudiation and prejudice that they suffer from the other species.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Origin/Ancestry
Fiend, demonic, diabolical, divine, rakshasa, and others
Lifespan
100 years
Average Height
5.8 ft. (1.75 m)
Average Weight
180 lb. (90 kg)
Average Length
Their tails can be from 4 to 5 ft. (1.2 to 1.5 m) length
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