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. Tieflings are derived from human bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look human. But nothing can hide their fiendish lineage from the public.
Tieflings 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 their eyes are solid colors—black, red, white, silver, or gold—with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones cover the full range of human colouration, but also include various shades of red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple.
Tieflings subsist in small minorities found mostly in human cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers, thieves, or crime lords. Sometimes they live among other minority populations in enclaves where they are treated with more respect. 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.
Lacking a 'true' homeland, 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 a Tiefling’s 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.
The closest thing to a homeland that the Tieflings once had, was a dark kingdom and a dark past that many wish to have expunged... many innocent and guilty have faced the consequences of mistrust in their race. However, this has further been complicated by the amalgamation of the great powers within the
Bond Exchange of Isla Bahatoor, the great banking families that have risen from the chaff and become the leading economic powers within the world. Their word is their bond, and their influence is near worldwide. But beware, they will take your word as an oath, and oaths cannot be broken unless you wish to face the consequences, ignorance or misfortune be damned. No one breaks a deal with the Bond Exchange.
RACIAL SKILLS, ABILITIES & FEATURES
- Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by +2.
- Age. Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.
- Alignment. Tieflings might not have an innate tendency toward evil, but many of them end up there. 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 infernal 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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.
- Hellish Resistance. You have resistance to fire damage.
- Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal.
RACIAL BLOODLINES
Despite being seen as children of Asmodeus, not all Tieflings owe their lineages to the Lord of the Nine Hells - some owe their bloodlines to one of the many Archdevils of Baator. As a Tiefling character, you may choose one of these bloodlines to suit your Tiefling character.
Bloodline of Asmodeus
Source: Dungeons and Dragons
Player's Handbook (PHB)
The tieflings connected to Nessus (9th layer of Baator) command the power of fire and darkness, guided by a keener than normal intellect, as befits those linked to Asmodeus himself.
- Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by +1.
- Infernal Legacy of Nessus. You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Hellish Rebuke spell once as a 2nd-level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Darkness spell once. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Bloodline of Baalzebul
Source:
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (MtoF)
The crumbling realm of Maladomini (7th layer of Baator) is ruled by Baalzebul, who excels at corrupting those whose minor sins can be transformed into acts of damnation. Tieflings linked to this archdevil can corrupt others both physically and psychically.
- Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by +1.
- Legacy of Maladomini. You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Ray of Sickness spell once as a 2nd-level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Crown of Madness spell once. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Bloodline of Dispater
Source:
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (
MToF)
The great city of Dis (2nd layer of Baator) occupies most of Hell's second layer. It is a place where secrets are uncovered and shared with the highest bidder, making tieflings tied to Dispater excellent spies and infiltrators.
- Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by +1.
- Legacy of Dis. You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Disguise Self spell once as a 2nd-level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Detect Thoughts spell once. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Bloodline of Fierna
Source:
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (MToF)
A master manipulator, Fierna grants tieflings tied to her forceful personalities from Phlegethos (4th layer of Baator).
- Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by +1.
- Legacy of Phlegethos. You know the Friends cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Charm Person spell once as a 2nd-level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Suggestion spell once. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Bloodline of Glasya
Source:
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (MToF)
Glasya, Hell's criminal mastermind, grants her tiefiing's magic that is useful for committing heists - from Malbolge (6th layer of Baator).
- Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by +1.
- Legacy of Malbolge. You know the Minor Illusion cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Disguise Self spell once as a 2nd-level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Invisibility spell once as a 2nd-level spell. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Bloodline of Levistus
Source:
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (MToF)
Frozen Stygia (5th layer of Baator) is ruled by Levistus, an archdevil known for offering bargains to those who face an inescapable doom.
- Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by +1.
- Legacy of Stygia. You know the Ray of Frost cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Armor of Agathys spell once as a 2nd-level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Darkness spell once. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Bloodline of Mammon
Source:
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (
MToF)
The great miser Mammon loves coins above all else. Tieflings tied to him excel at gathering and safeguarding wealth. Reveling in his protected layer of Minauros (3rd layer of Baator).
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by +1.
Legacy of Minauros. You know the
Mage Hand cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the
Tenser's Floating Disk spell once as a 2nd-level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the
Arcane Lock spell once. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Bloodline of Mephistopheles
Source:
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (
MToF)
In the frozen realm of Cania (8th layer of Baator), Mephistopheles offers arcane power to those who entreat with him. Tieflings linked to him master some arcane magic.
- Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by +1.
- Legacy of Cania. You know the Mage Hand cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Burning Hands spell once as a 2nd-level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Flame Blade spell once as a 3rd-level spell. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Bloodline of Zariel
Source:
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (
MToF)
Tieflings with a blood tie to Zariel are stronger than the typical tiefling and receive magical abilities that aid them in battle. Residing in the realm of Avernus (1st layer of Baator).
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by +1.
Legacy of Avernus. You know the
Thaumaturgy cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the
Searing Smite spell once as a 2nd-level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the
Branding Smite spell once as a 3rd-level spell. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT TABLE
| GENDER |
BASE HEIGHT |
HEIGHT MODIFIER |
HEIGHT RANGE |
AVERAGE HEIGHT |
| MALE |
4'9'' |
+(2d8) |
4'11''-6'1' |
5'6'' |
| FEMALE |
4'9'' |
+(2d8) |
4'11-6'1'' |
5'6'' |
| GENDER |
BASE WEIGHT |
WEIGHT MODIFIER |
WEIGHT RANGE |
AVERAGE WEIGHT |
| MALE |
110 LBS |
x(2d4) |
114-238 lbs |
155 lbs |
| FEMALE |
110 LBS |
x(2d4) |
114-238 lbs |
155 lbs |
