Tiefling
Tieflings (lit: 'things from the deep') are fiendish humanoids that may occur as a result of human interaction with infernal forces. Their presumed cruelty or corruptive influence (in light of their connection to devils) brings a note of fear to most mentions of them, deserved or otherwise.
Detecting a tiefling is difficult. A devious glint in their eye, a chill in the spine as they pass, an otherworldly whisper in the undertones of their voice; hints like this are not a trait of the tiefling, but rather a projected sensory interpretation of the instinctive mystical feeling that something dangerous is nearby. The only way to prove that feeling's source is a tiefling is to find the "infernal mark" on their body — easier said than done, considering every mark is unique and some are outright invisible.
Detecting a tiefling is difficult. A devious glint in their eye, a chill in the spine as they pass, an otherworldly whisper in the undertones of their voice; hints like this are not a trait of the tiefling, but rather a projected sensory interpretation of the instinctive mystical feeling that something dangerous is nearby. The only way to prove that feeling's source is a tiefling is to find the "infernal mark" on their body — easier said than done, considering every mark is unique and some are outright invisible.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Most tieflings are indistinguishable from humans at a glance. The only physical trait setting them apart is their infernal mark. The mark may resemble a mole, scar, or tattoo of any shape or size, or it may be imperceptible. The mark may react when a tiefling uses their innate magic, making it more obvious (or visible at all, in the case of a mark that usually isn't) to observers.
Genetics and Reproduction
In keeping with their reputation for supposedly corrupting others, tieflings impart their infernal nature to the next generation, most often either invariably or specifically to their firstborn. Rarer patterns of inheritance hit specifically younger siblings, discriminate by gender, or skip generations before resurfacing.
Behaviour
Intrusive thoughts are a natural occurance in humans, but tieflings tend to have it worse. These impulses toward harmful or antisocial action are persistent, severe, or both. Tieflings need not act on their intrusive thoughts, of course, but it's almost impossible to get rid of them.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Like all humanoids, tieflings can be used as a source of spirit filaments. This is illegal.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Tieflings have better vision in low light than humans do. Tieflings also have a sense that reacts to infernal marks; they instinctively recognize other tieflings as tieflings on sight, and they can guess the position of an unfamiliar tiefling's mark accurately enough to point it out through the target's clothing within seconds of meeting them.
Civilization and Culture
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Tieflings are plagued by a mutual fear when dealing with non-tieflings. Other races have the magical equivalent of their fight or flight response set off in the presence of a tiefling, and tieflings are rightfully wary of the chance of persecution if they are discovered.
