Planar Scion

Many kinds of extraplanar beings can infuse humanoids’ bloodlines, whether as a side effect of powerful magic or the result of a tryst; those in whom extraplanar traits surface strongly are known as planar scions. Aasimars and tieflings, the mortal offspring of celestials and fiends, respectively, are the most common of these. Though planar scions resemble their humanoid kin, their appearance and demeanor bear supernatural touches. Tieflings might have horns, vestigial wings, or cloven hooves, while aasimars may have glowing eyes or a metallic sheen to their hair and skin. Because of their innate curiosity, humans are more likely to dally with outsiders, and as a consequence, a significant percentage of planar scions living in The Pact Worlds are descended from humans. However, because humans are far less populous than in The Gap eras, planar scions descended from other humanoid races are now far more numerous. A planar scion might pass for a member of the humanoid parent’s species, or the scion’s otherworldly features could make their origin obvious to those who are familiar with the species’ normal characteristics. Those whose outsider blood is evident still find acceptance in most major settlements across the Pact Worlds, where diverse beings coexist in peace. On Absalom Station, the hub of interspecies relations, few people bat an eye when they meet an aasimar or tiefling. However, in insular or tradition-bound communities, any signs of plane-touched heritage can be a blessing—or a death sentence—depending on the dominant traditions. The demon-worshiping Drow of Apostae see tieflings as a favor from demonic patrons, while the Elves of Sovyrian on Castrovel are likely to banish children who bear such fiendish heritage. The Radiant Cathedral, on the other hand, trains aasimars to become beacons of the Sarenite faith, and also guides tieflings to a brighter future than their heritage suggests. Formian, Shobhad, Vesk, and other species with flexible morality view aasimars and tieflings, particularly those descended from their own kind, with both admiration and suspicion. Planar scions are often outliers in their community, either put on a pedestal or ostracized because of their ancestry. The potent blood that courses through the veins of aasimars and tieflings also makes them ambitious; many choose a dangerous but rewarding profession, such as explorer, mercenary, spy, or pilot.

Civilization and Culture

History

Aasimar

More imposing and beautiful than their mundane kin, an aasimar has celestial ancestry.

Ifrit

Ifrits are the descendants of mortal species and creatures from The Plane of Fire, usually @Efreet. These native outsiders are fiercely independent and many see even their friends as tools to be used.

Oread

Oreads are humanoids whose bloodline is infused with power from the Plane of Earth, such as from a Shaitan. Oreads usually have skin of a dark neutral tone, and some have features that appear to be made of stone, crystal, or packed earth. Oreads are generally calm to the point of stoicism.

Suli

Also called suli-jann, sulis are often the descendants of plane-hopping jann and mortal beings, although some sulis have elemental origins that are more mysterious. Sulis are difficult to recognize by sight, since they resemble ordinary humanoids with, perhaps, an occasional flash of elemental light in their eyes. Most manifest their otherworldly heritage at adolescence. Strong of body and personality, sulis readily survive and assimilate, making them one of the most widespread planar scions.

Sylph

Slyphs are descendants of species and creatures from the Material Plane that have strong connections to the Plane of Air, such as djinn. They can also arise in areas that have strong influences from the Plane of Air. Though sylphs can pass for other kinds of humanoids, they tend to be slender, and all have complex blue markings swirling across their skin. Sylphs are naturally reserved and they avoid attention.

Tiefling

Fiendish blood grants a tiefling their supernatural defenses and abilities.

Undine

Undines are the descendants of humanoids and beings who hail from the Plane of Water. Through they don’t require water to live, undines tend to settle near water and make ideal underwater explorers.