Tiefling as a core race?

[Aeric]

I noticed that the character in question had a prominent lizard-like tail.... Is it possible that she's some kind of half-dragon or dragon-blooded instead of a tiefling?

 

[Mallus]

Does every other band of heroes in the land have a demon spawn in tow?

It just comes out of left field.

No, it comes out of anime.

 

[Oryan77]

This is a game about heroes, and heroes are the exceptional ones.

I agree, but there should still be exceptions even among the heroes.

 

[Jeremy Ackerman-Yost]

"As common as"?

You mean like how Wizards are a core class, so suddenly they're as common as farmers?

This is a game about heroes, and heroes are the exceptional ones.

Cheers, -- N

Oh, come on.... no one in D&D is actually exceptional until about 4th level. Maybe if they ALSO fix that (go go gadget mook rules and competent 1st level characters!) I can stomach the implication of Tieflings in your average adventuring party.

Heck... I still have problems with the entire concept of an "average adventuring party." These people should be legendary heroes in the making, not just the latest group to come along and start dealing with the local kobold problem.

 

[Mortellan]

Besides, half demon/oni/spirit people are a fantasy staple.

Yes, but it's a staple of today's fantasy. Anime, TV shows and the like. If it was a staple of old school fantasy EGG would've had em I would think.

 

[Oryan77]

I guess they are the new drow?

That's exactly what I'm worried about. Drow are cool, but everyone claims they are "played-out" now. I hate to see such a cool race as Tieflings also become "played-out".

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

No, it comes out of anime.

yep...

 

[Remathilis]

Of course, we ARE assuming Tiefling means "spawn of a humanoid and a demon doing the horizontal mambo" and not "descendant race of a ancient race of human/demon hybrids which now breeds true"

The hardest thing to wrap my head around in Eberron was half-elves (Khorvar) are a true-breeding race and not human/elf love-children. Now that I can, tieflings (and changlings, and shifters, etc) don't seem that odd...

 

[Remathilis]

Yes, but it's a staple of today's fantasy. Anime, TV shows and the like. If it was a staple of old school fantasy EGG would've had em I would think.

Ever heard of Merlin? Or Elric of Melbourne?

 

[ashockney]

Do we even know what Tieflings are in 4th edition?

Confirmed.