Half-fiend
- This article is about the offspring of a fiend and a mortal. For offspring of a fiend and a nymph, see forlarren. For creatures with a fiendish template, see fiendish creature.
A half-fiend is the direct offspring of an evil outsider and a mortal; children of a half-fiend may be tieflings or seemingly normal mortals.12 However, in 4610 AR, Areelu Vorlesh, the Demon Witch of Undarin, performed the final steps of a ritual that transformed her into a half-succubus (see below) suggesting that birth is not the only way half-fiends are created.3 Half-fiends can arise from any species, although only those from humanoid species may go on to have tiefling children; the children of those born among other species will typically be either half-fiends themselves or normal members of their kind.4
Half-fiends should not be confused with fiendish creatures, which are native to the lower planes but otherwise similar to their mortal counterparts.4
Variants
There are many types of half-fiend dependent on the progenitor fiend. Most unions between mortals and fiends will produce a generic half-fiend, except in a few rare cases that result in a specific sub-category of half-fiends, like half-demons. Most such specific half-fiends are half-humanoid (it is very rare for non-humanoids to give birth to them), and share their fiendish parent's alignment. Their birth can be ensured by certain rituals usually practiced by fiend-worshipping cults, or these fiends themselves when they need to sire a child.5
Half-daemons
Half-erodaemon
- Further information: erodaemon
Half-erodaemons are blue-skinned and possess protruding, stub-like horns. Half-erodaemon urdefhans have black ram horns and white, instead of blue, blood.6
Half-demons
Half-babau
- Further information: babau
A half-babau is crimson-skinned and skeletally thin, commonly having pointy ears, a single horn, and sharp, jagged teeth. Half-babaus often become sadistic murderers or soldiers.7
Half-balor
- Further information: balor
A half-balor is muscular and usually at least a foot taller than its progenitor race's average height. Half-balors have massive wings, great horns, hooves, and scales, and can blast fire at enemies. They often become great arch-villains.8
Half-glabrezu
- Further information: glabrezu
Half-glabrezus gain the pincer arms of a glabrezu in addition to their own arms, as well as numerous horns, legs that bend in three places, and scaly green ridges on their back and shoulders. They usually advise others in undermining the status quo.9
Half-hezrou
- Further information: hezrou
A half-hezrou is bulky and obese, with rubbery skin, webbed hands and feet, hanging jowls, and bulging eyes. Crusty scales constantly grow and are shed from its shoulders and back. Most half-hezrous are loners, involved in shady alchemy or drug-dealing, or guarding swamp-dwelling masters.10
Half-invidiak
- Further information: invidiak
Half-invidiaks are the rarest half-demons, as their progenitors are incorporeal and rarely have the opportunity to sire children. Half-invidiaks are often gaunt, with dark grey skin, red eyes, sharp talons and fangs, and large shadowy wings. Their jealousy and obsessiveness in trying to exceed their associates are legendary, and they excel in commanding many minions.11
Half-marilith
- Further information: marilith
A half-marilith has pale eyes, four arms, the lower body of a snake, and a short row of horns running along the top of her head. Half-mariliths are arrogant, and usually work as army commanders or assassins.12
Half-nabasu
- Further information: nabasu
Half-nabasus have thick fur on their shoulders and back, taloned fingers, fanged mouths, and bat-like ears and wings. Their eyes are red and sunken, and glow when they are hungry. Half-nabasus are always ravenous, preferring the flesh of those that share the heritage of its non-demonic side. They often become lone serial killers.13
Half-nalfeshnee
- Further information: nalfeshnee
Half-nalfeshnees are typically tall, with sharp nails, small feathered wings, and bristly fur on their back and limbs. Their porcine face has jutting lower teeth and tiny beady eyes. Half-nalfeshnees are greedy and often lead guilds of thieves or merchants.14
Half-succubus
- Further information: succubus
The half-succubus is the most humanoid of all half-demons, looking almost identical to a succubus. Most half-succubi work in roles that allow them to satisfy their lust, but some manage to control it and become spies or assassins.15
Half-vrock
- Further information: vrock
Half-vrocks are hairless, and have sharp talons, a long, thin tail, the hideous, hooked face of a vulture, and large black feathered wings. Half-vrocks react to any perceived slight with violence, and often work in similarly violent jobs.16
Half-devils
References
For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.
- ↑ Jason Bulmahn. (2009). Bestiary (First Edition), p. 171. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-183-1
- ↑ Hal Maclean and Colin McComb. (2012). Blood of Fiends, p. 3, 4. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-423-8
- ↑ James Jacobs, Jonathan H. Keith, Jason Nelson, Amber Stewart, and Tanith Tyrr. (2013). The Worldwound, p. IBC. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-532-7
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Hal Maclean and Colin McComb. (2012). Blood of Fiends, p. 4. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-423-8
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2013). Demons Revisited, p. 3. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-552-5
- ↑ Thurston Hillman. (2016). Urdefhan. Darklands Revisited, p. 55. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-819-9
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2013). Demons Revisited, p. 6. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-552-5
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2013). Demons Revisited, p. 12. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-552-5
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2013). Demons Revisited, p. 19. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-552-5
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2013). Demons Revisited, p. 24. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-552-5
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2013). Demons Revisited, p. 30. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-552-5
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2013). Demons Revisited, p. 36. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-552-5
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2013). Demons Revisited, p. 42. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-552-5
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2013). Demons Revisited, p. 48. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-552-5
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2013). Demons Revisited, p. 54. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-552-5
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2013). Demons Revisited, p. 60. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-552-5