Tieflings

To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the tiefling. And to twist the knife, tieflings know that this is because a pact struck generations ago infused the essence of the Nine Hells into their bloodline. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but the result of an ancient sin, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held accountable. Tieflings are derived from the bloodlines of many races - though are most common among humans, and many tieflings are indistinguishable from their physical race. Others have small hints or distinguishing features related to their unusual ancestor. Some examples of these features, and the ancestors that cause them, are:

• Small horns on the head (Demon, Devil, Night Hag)
• Fangs or pointed teeth
• Forked tongue (demon, devil)
• Glowing red eyes (demon, devil, night hag)
• cat eyes (rakshasa)
• More or less than 5 fingers (demon, devil)
• Goatlike legs (devil)
• Hooves (devil, yugoloth)
• Non-prehensile tail (demon, devil)
• Furry, leathery, or scaly skin (demon, devil, rakshasa, yugoloth)
• Red skin (demon, devil)
• Bruised blue skin (night hag)
• Casts no shadow (demon, devil, yugoloth)
• Casts no reflection (demon, devil)
• Skin is hot to the touch (demon, devil)
• Smell of brimstone (demon, devil, yugoloth)

Tieflings tend to have an unsettling air about them, and most people are uncomfortable around them, whether they are aware of the tiefling’s unsavory ancestry or not. This is heightened with aasimar, who have strong adverse reactions to being around tieflings. On the reverse side, tieflings feel uncomfortable around aasimar as well, their very blood pushed back and telling them to be wary. Their skin will start to feel uncomfortably warm to them and their body is filled with adrenaline and fear. Due to this, tieflings instinctively fear and loathe aasimar. Of all the common races, tieflings feel the most kinship with half-orcs, who are similarly a target of revulsion and hate.
Tieflings subsist in small minorities found mostly in human cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers, thieves, or crime lords. Sometimes they live among other minority populations in enclaves where they are treated with more respect. Typically only tieflings who strongly resemble their physical race will live in cities among humans and other races, while those who have a more monstrous appearance such as oddly colored skin or large fiendish horns will be forced out or hunted down. Although it is not always the case, tieflings tend to have better reflexes than their human kin. This, along with their natural propensity for hiding and deceit helps to give tieflings a reputation for thievery and duplicity.
Lacking a homeland, tieflings know that they have to make their own way in the world and that they have to be strong to survive. They are not quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, but when a tiefling’s companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, the tiefling learns to extend the same trust to them. And once a tiefling gives someone loyalty, the tiefling is a firm friend or ally for life. The exception to this is aasimar, who they are never able to fully trust due to their powerful differences.

Tiefling Traits

Your tiefling character will have the following racial traits.

Ability Score Changes. Your Constitution score increases by 2.
Age. Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.
Alignment. Tieflings might not have an innate tendency toward evil, but many of them end up there. Evil or not, an independent nature inclines many tieflings toward a chaotic alignment.
Size. Tieflings are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
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.
Diabolical Aura. Due to the unsettling air about you, you have advantage on Charisma (Intimidate) checks against all creatures within 15 feet of you except for fiends.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common.
Subraces. Tieflings can trace their bloodline back to several of the layers of hell, and some exceptionally rare ones can trace it to other evil planes or creatures. Choose one of the subraces listed below.

Tiefling Names

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

Subraces

Demon-Blooded

Ability Score Changes. Your Strength score increases by 2, but your Intelligence score decreases by 2.
Demonic Legacy. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the phantasmal force 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. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Abyssal Resistance. You gain resistance to lightning damage.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Abyssal.

Devil-Blooded

Ability Score Changes. Your Wisdom score increases by 2, but your Dexterity score decreases by 2.
Devilish Legacy. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the hellish rebuke 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. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Hellish Resistance. You gain resistance to fire damage.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Infernal.

Night Hag-Blooded

Ability Score Changes. Your Intelligence score increases by 2, but your Charisma score decreases by 2.
Soul Trader's Legacy. You know the minor illusion cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the sleep 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 ray of enfeeblement spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Hag's Resistance. You gain resistance to cold damage.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write your choice of Abyssal or Infernal.

Rakshasa-Blooded

Ability Score Changes. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, but your Intelligence score decreases by 2.
Rakshasa’s Legacy. You know the minor illusion cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the charm person 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 invisibility spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Limited Magic Resistance. You have resistance to damage from spells of 2nd level or below.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Infernal.

Yugoloth-Blooded

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, but your Wisdom score decreases by 2.
Mercenary's Legacy. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the alter self 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 fear spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Yugoloth's Resistance. You gain resistance to acid damage.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write your choice of Abyssal or Infernal.