Pit Fiend (5e Race)

Pit Fiend

Physical Description

By Arnie Swekel

Pit fiends are fearsome looking fiends with brilliant red skin and short, gnarled horns. They appear as scaled humanoids with bestial features. Wings develop from a young fiend's back, eventually into an impressive wingspan able to wrap about their body. Their fangs drip with venom, and their tail is prehensile. They are image that usually comes to mind when mortals think of a devil.

History

Pit fiends are the most powerful beings in the infernal realms. Many are generals who command their own hordes of baatezu. In infernial hierarchy, they are considered dukes, only a step below the archdevils. This prestige has existed for them since time immemorial, a testament to their massive orchestrations of corruption and countless misdeeds. Many a foolish summoner, lured by the tales of power these beings promise, attempt to summon one and bind it to a contract. These crafty devils are as intelligent as they are deadly, and always manage to flip the script in their favor.

Society

Pit fiends are some of the highest ranked devils aside from other dukes and archdevils. They are nobility in lower courts of the devil hierarchy. Many aspire to attain higher prestige still and become an archdevil, which is simpler for them, not requiring a devilish ritual. They lead the armies of the nine hells as generals, being the most powerful of the infernal legions. Flaunting their power and magic, they love to bully lesser devils and throw around their weight. Many an adventurer has met their end by not running at the sight of these fearsome creatures.

Personality

Pit fiends are cold-hearted creatures. While a lesser devil may show weakness, these towering beings show no sympathy. They are perfectly able to feign it, however, and take great pleasure from toying with others. They are especially fond of twisting contracts which they establish with summoners. By the end of it, the devil usually has their soul quick and easy. This arrogance is not for show, however, as their strength and magic are no small feats. They can be dangerous when angered, or when their amusement turns to annoyance.

Pit Fiend Names

Pit fiends, aspiring to be archdevils, will sometimes name themselves after the infernal greats. Sometimes, they take gag names for fun, since they usually rack up a list of aliases under which they establish numerous contracts.

Male: Lucifer, Bumblebee, Baphomet, Asmeday, Ashphel

Female: Jerynek, Aashamel, Sireylausu, Erinya

Pit Fiend Traits

Design Note: Please look at the Large Player Characters variant rule before using this race.

Powerful devils, the imagery of evil
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2.
Age. Pit fiends, like other fiends, usually have an extremely long lifespan. Due to their power and prestige, it is likely they do not age nor die of it.
Alignment. While they are evil, pit fiends still abide by their infernal laws usually.
Size. Pit fiends usually stand 12-16 feet tall and weigh 700-1000 pounds. Your size is Large.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Wings. At 5th level, you gain a flying speed of 30 feet. You cannot use this speed while wearing heavy armor.
Terrifying Appearance. Due to your more frightening appearance, you are easily able to instill fear. You are proficient in the Intimidation skill.
Infernal Ancestry. Born of the infernal depths, you are highly heat resistant. You are resistant to fire damage. Your creature type is also fiend, instead of humanoid.
Poison Fang. You have sharp fangs which ooze potent, virulent venom. As an action, you may make a powerful bite with you mouth as a natural weapon. If you hit, you deal poison damage equal to 1d6 + your Constitution modifier. This damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 3rd level (2d6), 5th level (3d6), 11th level (4d6), and 17th level (5d6). You regain use of this trait when you complete a short or long rest.
Languages. You can read speak and write Common and Infernal.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
12′ 0''	+3d12	700 lb.	× (1d6) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a Pit fiend character, you can use the following table) of traits, ideals, bonds and flaws to help flesh out your character. Use these tables in addition to or in place of your background's characteristics.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I am controlling and manipulative of everyone I meet
2	I have an irresistible bloodlust that flares up randomly
3	I find it very hard to cool my temper
4	I'm only able to stay in my party because they offered me food
5	I have learned how to smile. I can't stop and it scares people. I find this hilarious.
6	I like to take and eat small animals in front of people to make them uncomfortable
7	The slightest suggestion that I'm not in charge causes me to explode with rage.
8	I expect EVERYONE to listen to me no matter what. I am a higher rank than them after all.

d6	Ideal
1	CHAOS: I enjoy causing chaos and making people confused and distressed. (Chaotic)
2	SELF: I am self-centered and only think that I matter. (Neutral)
3	RANK: Ranking is very important to me. Those who stray from their rank will be punished. (Lawful)
4	DESTRUCTION: Everything has only been created to be destroyed again. I am the one that must destroy it. (Evil)
5	ORDER: I can't bear the sight of anything out of its place. I will go to extremes to set it back to where I think it should be. (Lawful)
6	RACE: Devils are superior to the common folk in every way. I am especially superior. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	My army serves me loyally and I lead them. They matter the most, other than me of course.
2	I was given a task by my archdevil. I must execute it perfectly or I will be ashamed.
3	It is my sworn duty to purge the nine hells of devils and the like. The overworked is full of them too. I will destroy every last one.
4	I have a tome of ancient ritual I instructions to summon a powerful devil to rule us all. No one else can ever have it.
5	My archdevils is ALWAYS right. They told me my party plans to kill me, so I must kill my party first.
6	My rank was taken from me, I must gain it back.

d6	Flaw
1	I am always damaging doorways and ceilings of buildings. It's not MY fault that everyone is so small.
2	I fly into a rage over the smallest things.
3	I actively seek out people to intimidate and threaten.
4	I will lie if it is beneficial to me.
5	I use my raw strength to break things I shouldn't. Including people.
6	I regularly bully people into getting what I want from them.

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