Tiefling

cover image by Olga OK

When the last of the gods woke upon the mortal ground, they found all but the desert full with seeds of life; small particles of what one day would become the mortal folk of Garatha. They looked to the southern forests, where the elves lay within the trees. It is said the last gods fell in love with the souls laid within the sap, and wished to create something in their image, so they laid creations deep beneath the sand and the hot air. What woke was not what they had hoped for. Red skin and horned temples; but the gods did not know why. Bitter and disappointed, the last gods left their creations be; and so came the red folk, the Tieflings.

— Jensen Garrandar, Folk tales of the desert

Basic Information

Anatomy

Tieflings are born with 5 limbs; arms, legs and a tail. The tiefling tail is a muscular appendage capable of lifting small objects with some training. They tend to be thick at the base and are generally accepted to help with balance. Tieflings also often possess horns; these can range from small stubs to large curled horns or tall, dark protrusions. Some folk believe that tieflings can be born with hooves. This however is not a normal occurrence but a deformity which develops during pregnancy, causing hardening of the muscles from the knees downwards, creating a twisted, hardened structure where the legs and feet should normally be.

Genetics and Reproduction

The gestation period for a tiefling is 10 months. They can only reproduce amongst their own kind and the elven folk of Faron. It is not yet known why this is the case; post mortem studies of the two species have yielded no results, and there appears to be no immediate link between the two.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The tiefling diet is subject to much culinary discussion. This is largely due to the fact that cooked and salted meat is considered a lower class endeavour. Red folk stomachs can very easily digest raw meat without much consequence. However, because of their native habitat, meat often has to be cooked and prepared in some way to prolong its shelf life. As such, dishes including raw meats are considered a sign of status, something poorer families may indulge in perhaps once a year on a special occasion. Salt and spiced peppers are a staple of tiefling cuisine; interpreted into any meal including deserts, through inventions such as spiced chocolate and salted caramel.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

All of the tiefling species are native to Toruvaje, mostly found within the two desert cities, Farastuch and Gilnare. Whilst travel and migration is common amongst the red folk, it is much lower than it seems (estimated at around 8.4% according to the Farastuch ministry of population movement). The vast majority of tiefling migrants can be found in the country of Zoran to the south of Toruvaje, with the second most common country of migration being Faron.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Like all things native to Toruvaje, the red folk are capable of seeing perfectly in near complete darkness. Atop of this, some tieflings have shown innate aptitude for simple magical tricks, although it is not currently known why this occurs. Some of the red folk have a sensitivity to divine (both holy and profane) magic, being able to tell a cleric from a distance; this often manifests in a way similar to an allergic reaction. Small rashes, sneezing and swelling of the eyes and throat can occur in individuals sensitive to this kind of magic.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

The red folk value individuality and ingenuity. All that is different and odd, colourful and bright or mysterious and bleak is beautiful to them. Beauty standards are universal, they do not differ based on sex, race or age. To these people, beauty is not something one is born with. It is something one creates around themselves through clothes, tattoos, make-up and jewellery. The only ugly thing according to these people is an idea, an aesthetic or pattern stolen from another.

Blatantly taking someones idea; their cloth patterns or maybe the way they make jewellery or maybe even the kinds of paintings one had in their home is seen as great social faux pas Taking another's idea and building upon it, making it one's own on the other hand, is seen as a compliment, a cheerful circumstance.

Gender Ideals

In tiefling society, sex is very often a touchy subject. It can be seen as extremely confining and restrictive; two adjectives seen as extremely unbecoming. Their language does not have gendered terms, and the concept of gender itself is often very amusing, even a subject of mockery. The red folk see assigning roles and personality traits or even closing off career paths based upon circumstantial characteristics as against everything they stand for.

The tiefling language, known as Torren Tongue, does not have terms such as man or woman. They refer to folk by their aesthetic choices instead; with Uva-Khanri meaning "one who dresses in the sun" and Uva-Akhasin, "one who dresses in the night sky."

Courtship Ideals

To love someone, is to create something of yourself for them, or so a tiefling proverb claims. Gifts of handmade trinkets, poems and ballads. Anything made with effort and heart is a valid expression of ones feelings for another. Young tiefling folk often instigate a relationship with times of enjoyment and pleasure together. Going out drinking, indulging in sex and recreational drugs together is common amongst courting folk is commonplace. This is supposed to show them both what the best of life can be like together, and the decision whether to make their romance an official relationship is sealed with personalised gifts after this period of time, normally lasting about a week or two.

Relationship Ideals

A relationship is supposed to be an extension of an individual, it is not something to take over ones life. It is not uncommon for married couples to live separately, take holiday to different places etc. Being clingy and overly attached is a very ugly trait. Couples who "become one" and seem to loose their individuality are seen as a tieflings worst nightmare.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

• Decorating one's horns is a common practice amongst the red folk. Dying, piercing or even sculpting ones horns into a specific shape is an essential part of figuring out ones identity.
• Children are often left to their own devices. Groups of young ones run around, getting up to no good. Parents often have no idea where their children go and what they get up to. So long as they return home in time for supper, all s good.
• Tiefling weddings involve a brawl at the very end. Families of the groom and bride will gather in a circle and fight till last man standing, using food, clothing and jewellery. This is normally done in good spirit, and the loosing family pays for the wedding's expenses.
• Conversely, tiefling funerals are very small services, consisting of only the closest family members, who cremate the body and spread the ashes on the desert wind. After a week, a meal for the family and friends is organised, where folk are encouraged to talk through any unfinished business, physical or emotional. It's not uncommon for people to unload grievances and emotional baggage during this event.

Common Taboos

• Stealing ideas without credit is a one way ticket to exclusion from any high society. Taking someone elses idea is permitted only when re-imagined or interpreted in a new way. This does prove difficult to judge however.
• Making judgements or unwanted suggestions about ones appearance is seen as cruel and presumptuous. Such comments are only okay in situations of medical concern, and only by people with adequate knowledge to do so.

Scientific Name

Mediocris Contritum

Lifespan

300 years

Average Height

5'11"-6'5

Average Weight

160lbs - 200 lbs

Average Physique

The red folk are tall, rather slim creatures. Their metabolism often makes it actively difficult to gain 'excess' weight. Most fat on a tiefling tends to sit in the tail and legs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Tieflings tend to be, like their other name suggests; red. They do however come in different tints and markings. Black, purple and even shades of blue have been observed amongst the species. This tend to to be heavily influenced on the place of birth of the individual, or at least where the mother spent the majority of her pregnancy.