Creative D&D Characters: Neutral Tiefling Druid

Kallista, the neutral tiefling druid

By now our regular readers are no doubt familiar with our Creative D&D Characters series. But for the new reader we think it’s fair to explain one more time what this series is all about. Based almost exclusively upon 5th edition rules, we periodically create interesting characters that you can include in your campaigns whether it be as PCs, NPCs (as regularly recurring ones or as one-off hirelings), or even as minor villains if that’s what you decide. We don’t completely flesh out the characters as the focus is more on the basics of stats, personality, and background. Occasionally we do simple spell descriptions and perhaps an item or two of inventory.

We are considering completed character sheets for everyone in the lineup at a future date though. As stated in previous articles, these characters may be complex and challenging to incorporate into a campaign without some forethought and careful planning and some may not be right for your campaign at all depending on how your world is run. Our approach isn’t necessarily to seek out contrary characters like our halfling monk or gnome barbarian. But it is to show that seemingly unlikely characters can be fun and engaging. We see no reason why, generally speaking, you wouldn’t encounter a neutral neutral tiefling in your everyday travels in Faerûn.

As a final reminder:  since beginning this series we have been showing how versatile characters can be when your primary resource is the Player’s Handbook. Roleplayers, in general, want unique characters and it’s easy to go down a rabbit-hole to seek out some esoteric tome to create a compelling character. If that’s your thing, have at it. We don’t judge. We happen to enjoy going down the rabbit hole too. But to some—especially to younger players, newcomers, or casual gamers—it can be overwhelming. We encourage you to use these characters as you’d like whether they be as NPCs or PCs.

So, today we give you Kallista Hope, the neutral tiefling druid.

“Neverwinter.  A pinnacle of civilization for the entire Sword Coast.  A place where one can live in anonymity if not in acceptance.  My relationship with my home city is dichotomous.  On the one hand, I loathe the bustling streets filled with street vendors trying to encourage you to part from the last of your copper.  I detest the divided loyalties of its people.  And I hate the passers-through, mostly the tradesmen on their way to or from Luskan.

But on the other hand…it’s so easy to acquire things in Neverwinter. Mostly I’m referring to cherryfire, silkroot, and social interactions. Prior to coming to Neverwinter I’d never partaken in either cherryfire or silkroot but once I did…I fell in love! Yes, I know what they say about silkroot. I don’t have a problem with it though. I’m sure I’d know when I’ve had enough. Besides, the silkroot gives me the edge I need to survive. When your mission is to destroy a small, but growing, cult of Asmodeus-worshipping nuts you need all the edge you can get. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing against Asmodeus per se. He’s actually got a lot of admirable qualities. His intelligence is only surpassed by his cunning. But he doesn’t advise his followers to senselessly hunt animals of Faerûn to extinction. This cult seems hellbent on destroying axe beaks for no reason.

During my seclusion I stumbled across a flock of axe beaks and they were subsequently slaughtered for sport by a motley crew of kobolds and a handful of duergar.  I was too cowardly at the time to intervene but I studied the group and discovered their evil intent and their misguided notion that axe beaks’ talons have ritualistic properties.  Fools.  They have no idea that their “ritual” is simply a ceremonial order of prescribed actions and that any magic associated with them are in spite of, and not the result of, the actions they perform.  Killing the axe beaks is pointless and it is so upsetting to the ecology.  I would try to reason with them but their evil is too ingrained.  They must be destroyed.

My philosophy has earned me a reputation in Neverwinter and I’ll gladly share my learnings with anyone who will listen and who has enough coin in their purse to keep the cherryfire coming.  I could give you such wonderful insight into true rituals versus fetishization.  I could tell you why many of Asmodeus’s followers don’t really understand him…please understand, he IS evil.  I’m not trying to say otherwise.  But many of his strictest adherents simply do not understand the nature of his morality.”

 

Where can you find me?

Stats & Background Information
Kallista Hope, Neutral Tiefling Druid

So what did you think of the fifth PC/NPC in the Creative D&D Characters series? Kallista, the neutral tiefling druid, may be tricky to play since tieflings aren’t exactly known for their neutrality.  If you have questions or comments you can leave them below or on our Facebook page.  If you are still playing an older edition of D&D and are curious about if 5E is right for you and your party you can download the Basic Rules for Dungeons & Dragons 5E for no charge from Wizards of the Coast.  Happy gaming!

Please check back regularly.  Next up is an evil elf wizard…now that sounds a little more traditional, doesn’t it?

Cottage on the Long Road

If you like good teifling characters then I recommend you check out Cottage on the Long Road by Travis Legge. Criella is an entrepreneurial tiefling just trying to earn an honest living. But something is harassing her and her sheep. What she thought would be a quiet and bucolic lifestyle is proving to be a nightmare.

Other Creative D&D Characters

• Lindal Goodbarrell—Lawful Evil Halfling Monk
• Tordek Frostbeard—Chaotic Neutral Dwarf Rogue
• Gnimsh “Shinbarker” Scheppen—Neutral Evil Gnome Barbarian
• Kansif—Neutral Good Half-Orc Warlok