Tiefling

Tieflings in Novus

Tieflings have been a part of life on Vespala since the beginning of time, when various Elder Evils sought to corrupt the world and form it into their own image. Those born with a hint of their demonic lineage were the first tieflings and passed their lineage on through the ages.

After the fall, the names of these elder evils were largely lost -- and with it many of the superstitions and prejudices associated with tieflings.

Today, Tieflings in Novus are given the same sense of dignity that any other race is given. Occasionally, a tiefling is born to non tiefling parents, touched somehow by the forces darkness. most of these show the typical visual distinctiveness of tieflings - red skin, horns and devil tail.

Dark Forces of Vespala and Novus

While the planar Hells are somewhat unknown and unexplored to the denizens of Vespala, the extraplanar forces of darkness identified by the The Council of the Hallowed Abbey can occasionally effect the fabric of the material plane, resulting in the birth or formation of tieflings. This outcome is rare. These tieflings bear unique resemblances -- atypical of the tieflings of infernal origin. These are:

• Of Kasm - a patchwork of flesh of different qualities and shades. This patchwork extends to their internal biology, which (if functional at all) tends to defy convention medical knowledge. They may have horns, but never a matching pair of them.
• Of Darktide - blacker than black flesh, including the sclera of their eyes. They have horns, but no tails.
• Of Torpor - green skin and crooked horns. Tieflings of Torpor are also known for having increased appetites and metabolism.
• Of Null - unknown. Certain renderings of these tieflings depict them with monochromed, gray tinted skin. It is speculated that tieflings born of this nature might share the reality bending ability to be forgotten, just as Null seems to effect.
• Of Malady - mutated flesh, body parts, horns, or tails. Tieflings of Malady somehow live despite bodies that have twisted features that should not otherwise exist. These tieflings have also shown moderate resistance to the effects of Miasma.

Deities and Tieflings

Some might argue what constitutes a tiefling versus an aasimar when their lineage can be sourced to deity. Indeed it might be more accurate to say that this works more like a spectrum than a harsh deliniation. Regardless, Tieflings can be born with divine origin.

Some Council theologians have hypothesized that divine purpose plays a role in the distinction. For instance, a soul destined to dispense a god's goodness, healing, and provision may be born an aasimar while a soul destined to be a defender, warrior, or influential prophet may be born a tiefling.

Regardless of the "why" behind this, divine origin tieflings do exist and often share some sort of visual resemblance linking them to their deity of origin (wether they follow that deity or not). For instance a tiefling whose origin is in Kiyoh may have pure white skin and diminished horns. The most widely known example of this is Tima Tarrozka, the highest cleric of Aylus. Tima's shimmering bronze (almost metallic appearing) skin evokes images of the weighted scales that represent the Scalebearer.