Tiefling

This race has displaced the Fey of Talamh, reigning over its Eastern half with a system of Clans. Their origins are unknown, but their influence is undeniable.

"It is said that they came on silver ships long ago from beyond the stars... silver ships, as wide as they were tall... silver."

Unknown

Tieflings are a humanoid, sapient species found on Talamh with unknown origins. Over the past three millennia, they have usurped the Fey of Talamh and pushed them West, claiming the continent's Eastern reaches for themselves and binding it under a League of Clans with their transformation of Fey faith known as The Faith of The Spire. The nobility of Talamh consists entirely of Tieflings.
Despite their mysterious appearance, Tieflings have come to create one of the most powerful cultures and systems of governance in the known world. Legend states that they appeared one day from beyond the sky and that the world has never been the same since.

Description

Tieflings are just as varied in appearance as they are complicated, which is to say 'very much so'. There is no such thing as 'average' for a Tiefling, but transcribed here are ranges of measurements and characteristics that the race tends to share.
The typical adult Tiefling stands between 5 and 7 feet tall, weighing between 120 and 300 pounds. They are categorically more 'dense' than other races, exuding more power where they walk. Despite this fact, Tieflings tend to appear more gaunt than their neighbors, with an almost sunken look to their eyes that can be off-putting to foreigners and outsiders alike. Tiefling skin color and texture is not uniform - some Tieflings are known to be bright shades of white while others are deep purple. Still more have soft, baby-like skin while others are decorated with scales, patched with thin fur, or even sport quills. Their hair is just as varied in hue and texture - Tiefling skin and hair color does appear to be somewhat hereditary, with certain family lines preserving a palette of colors in their descendants. Eye pupil shape, sclera color, and general color are also highly variable. Some Tiefling eyes even glow.
While similar to other humanoids in body plan, Tieflings are differentiated by the presence of horns and tails. These vary heavily in shape, size, and even function. Some Tiefling horns are large and broad like those of goats or sheep while others are more akin to antlers. These are typically adorned with ringlets, bangles, and chains by the upper class. They bare little function in modern society, but it is postulated that they may betray a more primal origin of this species than originally believed. Some Tiefling tails do still serve a function, acting as semi-prehensile and taking on many different forms. While these are typically fleshy and scaled with a pointed end, some end in hair or growths. Tiefling tails akin to those of birds and scorpions have even been rarely recorded, as well as the lack of a tail.

Clan Lines

The Tiefling Clan system of East Talamh is incredibly important to Tiefling culture. It is believed to be a holdover from their previous forms of organization, but this is not entirely confirmed. Regardless, Clans often have cultural features that they use to trace ancestry, relationships, and parentage. These may manifest as skin colors, persistent hereditary scarring, birth marks, horn shape, and a host of other features. Not all Tieflings belong to Clans, but all are believed to be descended from them. Physical markers can usually corroborate this in some way.

Ecology

Tieflings eat a varied diet but seem to require meat in some form in their diets. They also do not tire as quickly as other races might, needing to sleep only 5 hours per night. Most choose to sleep more, however.

History and Culture

Origins

As stated, the origin of the Tiefling is unknown. They seemingly appeared one day in this land - there are a multitude of ancient Fey who remember when they were not here but have refrained to confirm or deny any speculation. Some theories claim them to be a failed Fey experiment, while others believe them to have come from another world entirely. The general idea within Tiefling culture is that they were created by the Gods of Talamh as a people meant to change Talamh, but this belief has seen rapid decline over the past century.

Culture

For the Tiefling raised in Talish nobility, nothing is said to matter more than rank, status, and relationships. The circumstances of one's birth are seen to be highly important down to minutia. Even birthplace is important, resulting in very specific practices for individuals going into labor. For this reason, great faith is placed in star-telling, also known as astrology, by the Faith of The Spire. Raised in conditions where birth is everything, many Tieflings find themselves in roles befitting their family's station. Clan status and positions of power tend to be passed from parent to firstborn heir. Some systems are merit-based, but these tend to be higher-level governmental and religious positions.
When raised among a people that may see you as no more than your heritage and a name, many Tieflings desire to break out of this system. Those that do so are identified as Clanless, perhaps establishing their own families and even Clans one day. This used to be extremely taboo, but the past two centuries have opened the general cultural conscience to the idea of Clanless as more than deserters. Some of the oldest Tieflings still do hold prejudices and high court gossip will look down upon Clanless individuals without hesitation.

Religion

Most Tieflings worship The Gods of Talamh. It is widely known that these are the gods of the Fey as well, but this is seen as a conflict of interest rather than a point of inflammation. Some critical differences in the interpretation of the divines do occur between East and West, however.
Western scholars whose work has not been censored label the Tiefling interpretation of the gods as akin to a death cult with the Fey interpretation serving as a foil, a life cult.

Magic

Magic is encouraged at all levels of Tiefling societies. Multiple schools exist for its teaching, and it is considered a very high form of art. Tiefling magic arts differ slightly from other magical systems - it does not typically rely on artifice, but instead channeling energy through the body. These are able to be learned by anyone, but Tieflings are predisposed to their own success with these abilities.

East and West

The events of the past three millennia have continually pitted Tieflings against the Fey. Because the Tieflings pushed the Fey westward in an event they righteous call The Conquest, their culture has become ubiquitous with power in East Talamh. The other races under Tiefling rule have mostly accepted this, but some conflicts have occurred in the past, particularly with the Dwarves.

Relations with Other Races

As stated, many conflicts between the Tieflings and Dwarves have occurred. Many of the other East Talish races actually revere or at least respect their Tiefling rulers, with the Goliath for example having a great cultural debt to the race itself. Tieflings do not crush races that come to them with open arms, but they are notoriously prejudiced against Fey races and individuals. Stories of the 'evil', 'child-snatching' Fey are still told to Tiefling children in the modern era. Many Fey refer to Tieflings as 'Conquerors' and 'Invaders' for this reason and the perpetuated belief that their past Conquest was righteous. The current heads of the League and the Spire actively encourage this while other countries across the seas look on in disappointment and perhaps even fear.

Aoife Faolchain, a young Tiefling noble.

Proper Species Name
Tiefling
Classifications
Humanoid
Non-Fey
Semi-Magical
Species Aliases
Tief, Horned Ones, Descendants, Conquerors, Travelers, The Stained Palms
Homeland
Unknown
Rangeland
East Talamh
Age
Up to 120 years old with the oldest living to 200
Height and Size
Anywhere from 5' to 7' tall
Adults weighing between 120 and 300 lbs
Eyes
Two, varying colors and pupil shapes
Horns
Extremely distinctive
Semi-hereditary
Pigmentation
Highly variable skin and hair color/texture
Semi-hereditary

Ronald Riagain, ex-heir to Clan Riagain. Bears hereditary violet-scaled skin and leonine tail.

Conalt Finroe, heir to Clan Finroe. Unique horn and tail shape.