Tiefling

Tiefling

Tieflings are derived from mortal bloodlines. They take on most of the traits of their parents, whether they be humans, elves, halflings, orcs, or tieflings themselves; however, their infernal heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. 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 skin tones cover the entire spectrum of color, as can their hair.

Tiefling names fall into three broad categories. Tieflings born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations, that reflect their fiendish heritage. And some younger tieflings, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name is a noble quest. For others, it’s a grim destiny.

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

ability score increase: [+2 / +1] or [+1 / +1 / +1]

age: Tieflings age at the same rate as their parents and have similar lifespans.

Size: Medium

speed: 30 ft

Languages: Common, Infernal

race features:
Size. You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.
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 color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Hellish Resistance. You have resistance to fire damage.
Infernal Legacy. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the hellish rebuke spell as a 2nd-level spell with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal.

Tiefling Variants

Baalzebul Tiefling

The crumbling realm of Maladomini 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.
Maladominian Resistance. You have resistance to poison damage. This trait replaces the Hellish Resistance trait.

Legacy of Maladomini. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the ray of sickness spell as a 2nd-level spell with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race). This trait replaces the Infernal Legacy trait.

Dispater Tiefling

The great city of Dis 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.
Legacy of Dis. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the disguise self spell with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the detect thoughts spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race). This trait replaces the Infernal Legacy trait.

Fierna Tiefling

A master manipulator, Fierna grants tieflings tied to her forceful personalities.
Legacy of Phlegethos. You know the friends cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the charm person spell as a 2nd-level spell with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the suggestion spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race). This trait replaces the Infernal Legacy trait.

Glasya Tiefling

Glasya, Hell’s criminal mastermind, grants her tieflings magic that is useful for committing heists.
Legacy of Malbolge. You know the minor illusion cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the disguise self spell with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the invisibility spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race). This trait replaces the Infernal Legacy trait.

Levistus Tiefling

Frozen Stygia is ruled by Levistus, an archdevil known for offering bargains to those who face an inescapable doom.

Stygian Resistance. You have resistance to cold damage. This trait replaces the Hellish Resistance trait.

Legacy of Stygia. You know the ray of frost cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the armor of Agathys spell as a 2nd-level spell with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race). This trait replaces the Infernal Legacy trait.

Mammon Tiefling

The great miser Mammon loves coins above all else. Tieflings tied to him excel at gathering and safeguarding wealth.
Minauran Resistance. You have resistance to poison damage. This trait replaces the Hellish Resistance trait.

Legacy of Minauros. You know the mage hand cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the alarm spell with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the arcane lock spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race). This trait replaces the Infernal Legacy trait.

Mephistopheles Tiefling

In the frozen realm of Cania, Mephistopheles offers arcane power to those who entreat with him. Tieflings linked to him master some arcane magic.

Canian Resistance. You have resistance to cold damage. This trait replaces the Hellish Resistance trait.

Legacy of Cania. You know the mage hand cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the burning hands spell as a 2nd-level spell with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the vortex warp spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race). This trait replaces the Infernal Legacy trait.

Variant Tiefling

Devil's Tongue. You know the vicious mockery cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the charm person spell as a 2nd-level spell with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the enthrall spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race). This trait replaces the Infernal Legacy trait.
Hellfire. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the burning hands spell once per day as a 2nd-level spell. This trait replaces the hellish rebuke spell of the Infernal Legacy trait. You can also cast this spell using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).
Winged. You can use a bonus action to sprout wings for 1 minute or until you dismiss them as a bonus action. Until the transformation ends, you have a flying speed equal to your walking speed, and when a creature hits you with a weapon or spell attack, you can use your reaction to deal the attacker fire damage equal to your proficiency bonus. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest. This trait replaces the Infernal Legacy trait.

Zariel Tiefling

Tieflings with a blood tie to Zariel are stronger than the typical tiefling and receive magical abilities that aid them in battle.
Legacy of Avernus. You know the green-flame blade cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the inflict wounds spell as a 2nd-level spell with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the mirror image spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race). This trait replaces the Infernal Legacy trait.