Devilborn

Devilborn, sometimes called tieflings, were a rare lineage of Planetouched Mortalkind in Somnum. They could be born as "purebred" to a male and female devilborn parent, but just as often appeared in the households of non-Fiendish families without any warning. No consistent cause had ever been found for their births; some scholars claimed they were the result of dormant Devilish bloodlines resurfacing after many generations, while others suspected the lingering mark of a Curse or the hidden price of a dark bargain made by an ancestor. Such theories remained unproven, and no record or testimony had ever fully explained which pattern persisted.

Physically, most devilborn were similar in stature to Humans, standing between five to seven feet tall and weighing between 100 to 250 pounds, but would resemble the structure of their parents if born of another lineage. They tended to live somewhat shorter lives than their parentage, and those born to true tiefling parents rarely outlived a century. Their skin could be of typical tones as well as reds, purples, or muted blues; similarly, their hair could range from ordinary browns and blacks to white, crimson, or even metallic hues. Their eyes often glowed a solid shade without visible pupils. Most bore horns that grew in varied shapes and had long, whip-like tails ending in pointed tips; a few even possessed cloven hooves instead of feet, though this was far less common. These traits varied greatly depending on the strength and nature of their fiendish heritage, with some looking only faintly touched by the Lower Realms while others appeared wholly otherworldly.

In Somnum, devilborn were treated with a mixture of caution and reluctant acceptance, though their reception varied widely depending on local custom. Even amongst cultures familiar with their kind, the arrival of a devilborn child to unsuspecting parents was often seen as a bad omen, prompting many families to send the child away to distant relatives, to the care of a temple, or to fend for themselves on the streets. These rejections shaped much of their upbringing; many grew into adulthood with a hardened sense of self-reliance, wanting to prove wrong those who doubted them.

They formed close bonds with others like them when chance allowed, finding kinship in their physical marking. In larger towns and cities, such groups often gathered into gangs or hidden districts, turning to theft, smuggling, or mercenary work when more respectable opportunities were closed to them. As a result, the perception of devilborn in most societies was negative; whether by nature or nurture, they were considered untrustworthy by many, especially if their appearance was noticeably different than the surrounding smallfolk.

Devilborn inherited certain abilities that reflected their connection to the lower planes, possessing a darkvision that let them see without light. Their bodies could be unusually resilient to heat, cold, or poison, a trait that allowed them to survive conditions that would quickly harm others. Each devilborn carried a spark of innate magic, often manifesting as minor Spellcraft or harmless display of power that reflected the temperament or nature of their heritage. Those who trained these gifts could deepen their connection to the lower planes, unlocking greater magical abilities and learning to wield powers beyond those they had possessed in childhood.

In language, devilborn spoke whatever local tongues were most typical in their place of upbringing. They had no language that was truly their own, yet many made an effort to learn Infernal or Abyssal, the respective languages of devils and demons. Mastery of these tongues allowed them to speak with others who shared their heritage, to commune with beings from the lower planes, and to claim a cultural connection to the forces that had shaped their bloodlines. For some, learning such a language was a matter of pride and self-definition, while for others it was a practical skill born of necessity.

Names among devilborn reflected their personal histories. Those who were accepted and raised within non-tefling families often kept their given names and surnames, carrying them as a sign of connection to their kin. Ones with devilborn parentage were often given names reflecting their infernal heritage, such as Kallista, Skamos, or Asmodeus. Regardless, the majority of devilborn who were exposed to their own culture at some point chose a “virtue name,” a personal name that embodied an ideal or intended path in life. Such names could have aspirational qualities such as Valor, Solace, or Fearless; challenging intent such as Defiance, Attack, or Nowhere; or reflect an aspect of their personality such as Random, Song, or Pain. These names were a way for devilborn to claim their own identities and declare to the world who they intended to be, regardless of the prejudice or suspicion they faced.

Adventurers among the devilborn were more common than in many other lineages, yet still not the norm. The weight of their infernal heritage shaped their choice of Adventuring Classes, with many naturally possessing Sorcerer gifts, or followed arcane study into making infernal Warlock pacts. Many chose to live a life of freedom by becoming traveling Bards, but conversely, some devoted themselves to a Paladin path, embracing or defying the legacy of their blood. While these roles were most natural, devilborn were found in nearly every class, as their heritage could naturally give them advantages in any aspect of an adventurer's life.