Tiefling
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 Asmodeus, overlord of the Nine Hells, into their bloodline. A tiefling’s appearance and essence is not their fault, but the result of an ancient sin, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be victims of.
Tieflings are derived from human bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, look human-like. However, their infernal heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance: 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; thick tails, up to four or five feet long, which lash or coil around their legs when they get upset or nervous; sharply pointed canine teeth, and eyes of solid colours - black, red, white, silver or gold - with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones are somewhat akin to human coloration, but tend to have distinct shades of red, orange or purple and their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue or purple.
As humans tend to be the most tolerant of other races - in other cultures, tieflings can face anything from mild aversion to outright and overt antagonism - tieflings are mostly found in human cities or towns, in small minorities and often in the roughest quarters of those places, subsisting as thieves, swindlers and the like. If they manage to rise to prominence, it is usually still within the underclass or criminal elements. Some have managed to entrench them in enclaves, where they are treated with more respect but such individuals are rare and few of those would honestly claim to be completely trusted by their colleagues.
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.
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.
Male: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai
Female: 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
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