Tiefling

Information pertaining to anatomy and many name suggestions were taken from the Player's Handbook for Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Tieflings have 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. They have four to five foot long tails, which lash or coil around their legs when they get upset or nervous. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are solid colors—black, red, white, silver, or gold—with very faintly visible irises with no pupil.

Biological Traits

Tieflings that live north of the Golden Channel tend to have half pointed tails, while tieflings that live south of the mountains tend to have complete shovels or full pointed tails. Tieflings with point-less tails are common in both regions. Tail thickness varies as well, with some tieflings having tails with a diameter as thick as 6 inches or more, and others having tails that average around 2 inches.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

A tiefling's lack of clear pupil or iris can make their expressions difficult to decipher. Certain stereotypes have people believe that tieflings do not feel at all. During the days of the Elvish Empire, it was widely believed that tieflings were incapable of feeling pain and were completely immune to fire. Both of these things are not true and have been proven false time and time again, but there are still a shocking number of individuals who continue to believe in such falsities.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Tieflings are common south of the Varian Mountains and north of the Golden Channel, but rarely within the deserts that divide the two.

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.

Infernal Names

Male names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai
Female names: Akta, Anakis, Bryseis, Criella, Damaia, Ea, Kallista, Lerissa, Makaria, Nemeia, Orianna, Phelaia, Rieta

"Virtue" Names

Art, Carrion, Chant, Creed, Despair, Excellence, Faith, Fear, Glory, Hope, Ideal, Justice, Music, Nowhere, Open, Poetry, Quest, Random, Reverence, Sorrow, Temerity, Torment, Weary

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Certain people tend to be suspicious of tieflings, assuming that their infernal heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. Some shopkeepers may keep a close eye on their goods when tieflings enter their stores, and demagogues blame tieflings for strange happenings. The reality, though, is that a tiefling’s bloodline doesn’t affect his or her personality to any great degree.

Many of the rumors and suspicions that follow tieflings were perpetuated by the Elvish Empire. As such, prejudice against tieflings is most prevalent in areas where the Empire's influence lingers the most, particularly in Southeast Varia and parts of the desert.

In Solesia, tiefling-specific prejudice is hardly heard of. Tieflings are rare there, but that doesn't earn them more than a curious look or two.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Human

Lifespan

80 to 100 years

Average Height

5 to 6 feet

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Tieflings north of the Golden Channel are likely to have darker, cooler skin tones, such as navy blue, indigo, violet, or sea green. South of the mountains, tieflings are likely to have much brighter colored skin, such as bright red, mustard yellow, lime green, or vermilion.

Geographic Distribution

• Varia