Tiefling

Existing as a description more than a specific race, tieflings are those whose family tree includes a devil on one of its branches. Some are direct descendants, others were born as a surprise, perhaps from a hidden union several generations back only now revealing itself. Often, they are abandoned by choice or raised in isolation, the stigma of bearing such a child able to ruin houses of any status.
Near universal prejudice faces them in any culture or city, driving many tieflings into solitary lives or jobs of less reputable natures, feeding the stereotype further. While their appearance may place them at the fringes of society, they are fueled by what causes it. Passion is their gift from the Hells, and it offers tools ready for the taking. Allure, wit, guile, hardiness, subtlety, tieflings seem preternaturally gifted at learning how to survive, often on their own terms with these skills at hand, carving out niches for themselves to thrive in over time.
This success and mentality has its side effects, as tieflings are fiercely territorial. Unknown to most as secrecy is their best defense, in the rare occasion two end up within the confines of the same town, they are often bitter rivals, each attempting to subvert one another through varied and ever more creative ways. This has led to impassioned artistic competitions, soaring urban development, or brutal violence, as each tiefling personifies in some way the domains of the Hells, the deadly sins.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Horns of differing lengths grow from above their brow, some flourishing, others short and easily concealed with bangs or cloth.
Tails are their second most familiar aspect and while most are simple appendages, some have been known to be unnaturally self aware and dexterous.
Their eyes lack the white that other races have, the color of their irises filling them, though they share the common colors.
A wide gamut of color comprises their skin tone, and appear to draw influences from the sin they most embody. Natural pale, tanned, and dark skin exists, but they can also be found in vibrant crimson, azure, or verdant hues.

Biological Traits

As they stem from a number of varied races, tieflings tend to have a wide range of traits and aspects, each being influenced by their lineage more than having a common height or lifespan

Genetics and Reproduction

While able to have children with most races, they almost all choose not to. Whether their innate apprehension regarding others of their race or the shame and hesitation of forcing another to live a life similar to their own plays more of a role in their rejection of the idea depends on the tiefling.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Tieflings are adept at working in the shadows, figuratively and literally, and are unhindered by dim light.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Tieflings often name themselves, leaning on or abandoning naming conventions as per their taste. Concepts as names are frequent, such as Ideal, Poetry, Ardent, Torment, Carrion, etc.

Beauty Ideals

Beauty is greatly dependent on each tiefling's primary race, as well as their prime sin. A tiefling of lust from a human's parentage may define beauty in broad strokes, seeing the world as a buffet, where one of pride from an orc clan may strictly adhere to their cultural standards.

Gender Ideals

Often forced into a lone lifestyle, tieflings as a whole lack common definitions. Their sin and circumstance define them more than gender.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

While lacking a singular culture, tieflings do share a common heritage: taking on aspects of the deadly sins. These comprise the domains of the Hells, lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Interactions towards tieflings are usually mired in some form of prejudice or mistrust, and tieflings view the people they live around with an eye for an eye mentality. Seeing fit to let people believe their rumors, they often utilize it, playing off their fear or predictable reactions for their own gain. Tieflings, however, are not known to be disloyal by those who choose to see them for who they are rather than what they are said to be, discovering the fierce protection that a wrathful can bring to bear, or the enriching career that can be found under the direction of a prideful.

Lifespan

60 - 100 years

Average Height

5' - 6'

Average Weight

130 - 250