Tiefling

Tieflings are either born in the Lower Planes or have fiendish ancestors who originated there.

Tieflings are human-based planetouched, native outsiders that were infused with the touch of the fiendish planes, most often through descent from fiends—demons, Yugoloths, devils, evil deities, and others who had bred with humans. Tieflings were known for their cunning and personal allure, which made them excellent deceivers as well as inspiring leaders when prejudices were laid aside. Although their evil ancestors could be many generations removed, the taint lingered. Unlike half-fiends, tieflings were not predisposed to evil alignments and varied in alignment nearly as widely as full humans, though tieflings were certainly devious. The celestial counterparts of tieflings were called aasimar.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Many tieflings are very charismatic and are also quite intelligent. Due to their devilish ancestry, tieflings are resistant to fire and can see in dim light and darkness. Their infernal legacy grants them a small number of magically abilities, including amplifying their voice, changing their eye color, and minor manipulation of fire. More powerful tieflings can wreath their enemies in fire if they are attacked and can create pockets of magical darkness.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

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.

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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

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Tieflings, in general, didn't get along well with the other races of the world and were slow to trust others of any race, even their own. This animosity that tieflings had for others was taken to its extreme in the case of aasimar, whom tieflings instinctively feared or loathed. Devas often had a similar reaction, making it difficult for members of either race to successfully interact with each other. Of all the common races, tieflings felt the most kinship with half-orcs, who were similarly a target of revulsion and hate.

Scientific Name

Homo Sapiens Diablicus

Lifespan

90–150 years

Average Height

4'11"–6' (1.50–1.83 m)

Average Weight

114–238 lb (51.7–108 kg)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Same as humans, plus shades of red.

Geographic Distribution

• Ardullearic Highlands
• Djerad Sikta
• Dragon Coast
• Dralio
• Euron
• Mekisr Altiui
• Merdun
• Muktown
• Naghron
• Orogan
• Raihun Wastes
• Sea of Sabres
• Shaarif River
• Takatbar
• Ternosear
• The Greyhorn Mounts
• Thrakos
• Z'ar Rilark

Related Organizations

• Clan Yhl-Maccal
• The Duryad Imperial Royal Navy
• The Duryadi Imperial Army
• The Imperial Qyzharate of Duryad
• The Nympharum Concord
• Tzardom of Mekrashov

Related Ethnicities

• Duryadi | Durish
• Gholdahar
• Krashuk
• Nymphar
• Preuman | Preumish
• Shaa'douin
• Shaladar
• Yuèguāng

Tiefling

ability score increase: Charisma +2

age: Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.

Size: Medium

speed: 30ft

Languages: Common, Infernal

sub races:
[blocklink:

Bloodline of Asmodeus

The tieflings connected to Nessus command the power of fire and darkness, guided by a keener than normal intellect, as befits those linked to Asmodeus himself.

ability score increase: Intelligence +1

age:

Size: Medium

speed:

Languages:

parent race: ]

race features:
Infernal Legacy. You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Hellish Rebuke spell once as a 2nd-level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Darkness spell once. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

]
[blocklink:

Bloodline of Baalzebub

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.

ability score increase: Intelligence +1

age:

Size: Medium

speed:

Languages:

parent race: ]

race features:
Legacy of Maladomini. You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Ray of Sickness spell once 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 cast the Crown of Madness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

]
[blocklink:

Bloodline of Dispater

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.

ability score increase: Dexterity +1

age:

Size: Medium

speed:

Languages:

parent race: ]

race features:
Legacy of Dis. You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Disguise Self spell once 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. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

]
[blocklink:

Bloodline of Glasya

Glasya, Hell's criminal mastermind, grants her tiefiings magic that is useful for committing heists.

ability score increase: Dexterity +1

age:

Size: Medium

speed:

Languages:

parent race: ]

race features:
Legacy of Malbolge. You know the Minor Illusion cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Disguise Self spell once 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. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

]
[blocklink:

Bloodline of Levistus

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

ability score increase: Constitution +1

age:

Size: Tiny

speed:

Languages:

parent race: ]

race features:
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 once 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. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

]
[blocklink:

Bloodline of Mammon

The great miser Mammon loves coins above all else. Tieflings tied to him excel at gathering and safeguarding wealth.

ability score increase: Intelligence +1

age:

Size: Medium

speed:

Languages:

parent race: ]

race features:
Legacy of Minauros. You know the Mage Hand cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Tenser's Floating Disk spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a short or long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the Arcane Lock spell once with this trait, requiring no material component, and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

]
[blocklink:

Bloodline of Mephistopheles

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

ability score increase: Intelligence +1

age:

Size: Medium

speed:

Languages:

parent race: ]

race features:
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 once 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 Flame Blade spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

]
[blocklink:

Bloodline of Zariel

Tieflings with a blood tie to Zariel are stronger than the typical tiefling and receive magical abilities that aid them in battle.

ability score increase: Strength +1

age:

Size: Medium

speed:

Languages:

parent race: ]

race features:
Legacy of Avernus. You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Searing Smite spell as a 2nd-level spell once 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 Branding Smite spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

]

race features:
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.