A century ago Tieflings were the direct offspring of mortals and half-fiends like cambions, or occasionally of mortals and divine beings, such as the antlered descendants of Beshaba. As their heritage could be diluted through union with another non-Tieflings, they were fairly rare and diverse in Faerûn, but that changed when worshippers of the devil Asmodeus enacted a dark ritual: they cursed thousands of Tieflings of many different and dormant bloodlines to have the “blood of Asmodeus”, thus making Infernal Tieflings the dominant bloodline. With Asmodeus’s ascension to godhood, another change was made: the offspring of a Tiefling would always be another Tiefling.

Tieflings have 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, while others may have small, knobby horns which barely protrude above their scalps. Some have tails or sharply-pointed canines, while others do not. They may have eyes which are solid colors with no visible sclera or pupil, but Human-like eyes are equally possible. Their skin tones cover the full range of Human coloration, but also include various other hues, primarily red, orange, purple, and gray. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to deep shades of red, blue, or purple.

Tieflings of the Sword Coast

Due to the activities of the cult of the devil-god Asmodeus in and around the Sword Coast, Tieflings have become increasingly common in the last century—especially those of an infernal legacy—and have even begun to form communities of their own, safe from the suspicions of others. One or both parents of a Tiefling may be Tieflings themselves, but it’s also possible that both parents may be of another heritage, and somewhere back in their ancestry is a fiend of some kind whose magical nature abruptly manifested generations later, overwhelming the traits of the child’s parents.

Tiefling Traits

Tieflings share certain traits as a result of their fiendish ancestry; however, some of these traits manifest differently depending upon the origin of the ancestor.

Age

Tieflings mature at the same rate as Humans but live half-again as long as their base heritage.

Size

Tieflings are the same size and build as their base species. If their base species is Medium, they are Medium, and if their base heritage is Small, they are Small.

Speed

A Tiefling’s base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

A Tiefling has Darkvision to 60 feet.

Diverse Appearance

A tiefling may have up to two of the following traits:

• Brutal Claws – A Tiefling who has claws is able to use them to make Unarmed Strikes. Upon making a hit, they deal 1d4 + their Strength modifier in Slashing damage, rather than the Bludgeoning damage normal for an Unarmed Strike.
• Cloven Hooves – A Tiefling who has hooves instead of humanoid feet and walks digitigrade has a base movement speed is 35 feet.
• Prehensile Tail – A Tiefling who has a prehensile tail is able to use it to lift items weighing no more than 5 lbs.
• Ram’s Head – A Tiefling with an especially prominent horn ridge can attempt to ram an opponent within 5 feet as a Bonus Action. They are considered Proficient with this attack, and can use either their Strength or Dexterity modifier as the attack bonus. If successful, they deal 2d4 + their Strength modifier in Bludgeoning damage, but they have the Dazed condition until the start of their next turn.
• Unsettling Gaze – A Tiefling with particularly unnerving eyes—glowing, unfathomably black, etc.—has Advantage on Intimidation checks.

Fiendish Legacy

A Tiefling is the recipient of a fiendish legacy which grants them supernatural abilities. If their fiendish ancestor was a devil or otherwise from one of the Lawful Evil planes, they have an infernal legacy; if a succubus, a night hag, a yugoloth, or some other denizen of the Neutral Evil planes, they have a chthonic legacy; and if a demon or other inhabitant of the Chaotic Evil planes, they have abyssal legacy.

Otherworldly Presence

A Tiefling knows the Thaumaturgy cantrip, which can be cast a number of times equal to their Proficiency Bonus without using a cantrip slot and they regain all expended uses upon completing a Short Rest or a Long Rest. It uses the same spellcasting ability as that chosen for their Fiendish Legacy trait.