Tieflings are derived from humanoid bloodlines, whose fiendish appearance come from a disruption in their family bloodline. The disruption may come as a result of a variety of different situations, for example an older relative may have made dealings with a devil or fiend, or might have had relations with a fiend or devil. In some cases it is unknown what caused the disruption, either due to it laying dormant for many years, or due to outside influence. Tieflings may also come as a result of one of the parents being one themselves. If a tiefling has a child(no matter which sex), there is a 50% chance the child also is born a tiefling, and if both parents are of tiefling descent the child has a 90% chance of being born as a tiefling.
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 thick tails, four to five feet long, which lash or coil around their legs when they get upset or nervous. Their skin can by almost any color though it usually looks fairly matt and dull. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes have a solid colored iris without pupil, the iris is usually black, red, white, silver, or gold. Their horns and tails change shape and size to adapt to their virtue. And even without a dedicated virtue, they will develop accordingly. A tiefling will sprout horns around 1-2 years of age, and by the time they are teenagers they will have grown to be about 10 centimeters long, the horns continue to grow for most of their life and slow down to a halt around the age of 70-80.
Unlike half-fiends, tieflings are not predisposed to evil alignments and varied in alignment nearly as widely as full humans, though tieflings could certainly become devious just how a human would. They are generally known for their cunning and personal allure, which make them excellent deceivers as well as inspiring leaders when prejudices are laid aside. Some consider Aasimar to be the celestial counterparts to tieflings.
In the early years tieflings were seen as devilish and evil, and many were ostracized from society. This lead to bands of tieflings forming and living as nomads, though this is ancient history to most inhabitants of Ylvestra. However a remnant of those early days is their virtue culture. Those who were allowed in society still had a hard time being included in it due to people mistrusting and judging them, this resulted in many tieflings developing vitues. A virtue is something which represents what they consider the most important concept, skill, or profession in life, something they will attempt to embody. A tiefling will often use a name derived from their virtue.
Virtues
Strength
Tieflings who value martial prowess or just pure strength. These may be workers or soldiers alike.
Names
Tieflings of this virtue may use names such as: Strike, Vengeance, Battle, or Fray.
Horns
Tieflings of this virtue will grow thick and solid horns much like that of a bull. Many also put steel rings and caps, and studs on their horns as to make them stronger and more resilient.
Tails
Tieflings of this virtue see their tails grow to have spiked tips like that of a sword or the head of an arrow or spear. The base of the tail is also very thick, emphasizing the sharp tip.
Nature
Tieflings who make it their mission to protect and uphold the orders of nature, or dedicate their lives to take care of animals and land as farmers.
Names
Tieflings of this virtue may use names such as: Wild, Season, Life, World, or Primal.
Horns
Tieflings of this virtue will grow to liken animal horns, some may grow wide antlers like those of a deer or stubby curling horns like those of a ram. Some may decorate their horns by weaving flowers into them or adorning them in moss.
Tails
Tieflings of this virtue grow small tufts of hair resembling a bulls tail. The color of the hair of often the same as the hair on their head, though it may be slightly darker or lighter.
Study
Names
Tieflings of this virtue may use names such as: Arcana, Reason, Intellect, Cognition, or Sage.
Horns
Tieflings of this virtue will grow asymmetrical horns with a twisting pattern. The horns may be asymmetrical in length, thickness, or a combination of the two(a thin short horn and a thick longer horn for example). At later ages(around 30 years old) they usually grow a second set of horns with similar characteristics.
Tails
Tieflings of this virtue see their tails grow to look like a two pronged fork, though like the horns the lengths of the prongs will usually differ. In some cases the tail grows to a straight point but then it is instead twist at the tip.
Religion
Names
Tieflings of this virtue may use names such as: Piety, Repentance, Forgiveness, Prayer, or Miracle.
Horns
Tieflings of this virtue will grow horns in a wide arch above their head, the horns will then eventually grow into themselves at the peak(usually at 30 years old) forming a full circle and creating a halo above their head. Some tieflings engrave their horns with religious text when they grow into a full circle to celebrate the occasion. Those with fully grown horns will usually carry great respect within clergy circles and similar gatherings.
Tails
Tieflings of this virtue see their tails grow into circle or oval shapes at the tip, they are usually decorated with rings made out of precious metals.
Social
Names
Tieflings of this virtue may use names such as: Poise, Cheer, Eloquence, Fanfare, Mesmer, or Bargain
Horns
Tieflings of this virtue will grow smooth and upwards, some may grow wavy but never curl on themselves. Giving their silhouette a tall and regal look. They are often adorned with chains made of precious metals, gems, and laces and rings.
Tails
Tieflings of this virtue see their tails grow slightly longer than normal and end at either a curly point or a wide fan-like tip. Just like their horns, their tails are often adorned with chains made of precious metals, gems, and laces and rings.
Complex nature
Due to an increased acceptance of tieflings over the years, they no longer need to present as one thing only and while some find their calling in life, others don't. The virtue culture adapts but doesn't undo, therefore you may see a tiefling whose virtues are a balance of Social and Religion grow horns into a full halo at the top but do not fully connect and instead the curly tips weave together. Or you may see a tiefling whose virtues are aligned with both strength and study grow two sets of solid thick horns. Few tieflings are the same, and even those who are vary by alot.
