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Shadowrun: Tiefling

Tieflings are one of my favorite fantasy game races and while Shadowrun offers a number of metahuman options, none quite fit the demonic heritage of tieflings. Today’s write-up offers a rare metavariant for Shadowrun 5e to bring tieflings into your game.

Species: Homo Diabolicus

Despite their loathing and abhorrence to mortals, Shedim have used their host to copulate with the living—often to maintain the role of their host. The mystical and alien energy may not present itself in the product of the coupling, but the child will go on to carry the mystical energy of the spirit and it will eventually result in a tiefling offspring somewhere in the progeny’s genealogy.

Physical Characteristics: Tieflings are typically the same size and girth of humans, but their heritage has left a clear imprint on their body. Their skin is a reddish hue and their ears are pointed. All tieflings have horns sprouting from their head, but these horns come in many shapes; some are thick, curled horns like a ram, others have straight and tall horns like a gazelle. Tieflings also have thick tails, four to five feet long. Their eyes are solid colors, with no visible sclera or pupils. While other metavariants have similar features, none quite stands out like a tiefling.

Social Characteristics: There are not enough tieflings in the world to develop a unique culture or society. However, due to their heritage and the constant mistrust about them, most tieflings tend to be secretive and suspicious, ready to run or fight at a moment’s notice. Tieflings will often turn to violent and/or larcenous enterprises simply because that’s where they’re welcome and expected to go, making their overall treatment by others a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Magical Characteristics: Along with the physical manifestation of the shedim bloodline, tieflings also stand out in the astral world. Magic warps around them, making spells more difficult both against and for the tiefling. While tiefling magic users are not unknown, or even that uncommon amongst this uncommon race, they often must keep moving to prevent their astral haze from clouding the area.

Estimated Worldwide Population: The number of living tieflings through the world is a mere handful. Shedim-tainted bloodlines are an extreme rarity and tiefling manifestations are uncommon even within those families. Experts estimate there are fewer than 100 tieflings in existence today.

Population Centers: None. There are too few tieflings in the world and their numbers spread across the globe to be able to create any sort of cultural center.

International Status: A tiefling may be granted temporary citizenship as a reward or payment within the employ of a megacorporation. No government or nation recognizes the legal status of tieflings nor will they issue any SINs to those of obvious shedim heritage. Due to the shedim-instigated conflicts caused by the New Islamic Jihad, some governments—especially those in the Middle East—are openly hostile to tieflings and their family.

Gameplay Properties

Karma Cost: 14 (4 if Awakened)

Positive Qualities:

  • Arcane Arrester (1)
  • Prehensile Tail
  • Low-Light Vision
  • Nasty Vibe
  • Optional: Goring Horns (+5 Karma Cost)

Negative Qualities:

  • Astral Hazing
  • Striking Skin
  • Freakish