Tiefling Tables

[Li Shenron]

If I understand right that it is more a bloodline than a race... then they certainly should all be different from one another. If it's a tight-nit race then it's still an option to have them variable, and I think it would be cool. A table is a nice device, because you can always choose from it if you don't like to roll.

 

[Gloombunny]

I voted for list/table, but I don't actually want a list or table per se, I just want it to be a player's choice thing.

 

[Seeten]

Me: Ok, I'm making a Tiefling.

DM: Alright, you've rolled hooves, your face is a bloated mass of pustules, and your skin is falling off.

Me: Ok, I'm making a different Tiefling. That one died at birth.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

The table to roll for traits is more of a 2e design paradigm. But a table to choose from, or a list of suggestions, now that's something I want for 4e tieflings.

 

[Dog Moon]

your face is a bloated mass of pustules, and your skin is falling off.

Okay, who added those into the chart! I think there are some appearances which should definitely NOT be in the table.

 

[Seeten]

If its a table that I have to roll on, and I can roll stuff I dont want on my character, then it turns out to not be my character.

Therefore I recommend no tables unless they are player choice tables.

 

[Klaus]

Choose from list.

Options, not restrictions FTW!

 

[Blind Azathoth]

I wholeheartedly support the use of tables, mostly because of the fond memories I have of my friend's tiefling with hairless horse legs who smelled like garbage.

 

[senna]

IMO, in terms of racial abilities, tieflings should be identical at 1st level. Fiendish traits should be affect appearance only and have no mechanical impact. Mechanical differentiation at the racial level should be accomplished via feats.

Thats the way it got be in my opinion.

 

[Oligopsony]

Cosmetic effects should be up to the player, but I think good default assumptions are that "every Tiefling is different" and "the higher or lower the Charisma, the more pronounced the features."

Which might be a cool way to cover non-cosmetic benefits. If racial progression offers branching paths (which would fit the design philosophy) maybe you could have a "frightening, ugly" path and a "seductive, otherworldly" path. (Which works for differing heritages as well.) In my ideal world, Tieflings intimidate or seduce the physical world around them - the raindrops don't hit her because she frightens them; he serenades the lock, and it opens.