Diablillos are a Devilhuman race native to Halvmen. Due to their appearance, cave-dwelling lifestyle, and several behavioral similarities, adventurers have historically compared them to Goblins and sometimes referred to them informally as "Red Goblins."
Despite this resemblance, Diablillos are a completely separate race. One of the greatest differences between the two is the importance Diablillos place on family bonds and the protection of their own descendants.
Overview
Diablillos share several habits with traditional Goblin communities. They commonly establish settlements inside caves and possess an aggressive, opportunistic culture in which strength is highly valued.
However, their internal family structure differs considerably from that of traditional Goblins. Diablillos are highly protective of their own families, particularly their daughters.
Their society is predominantly governed by males.
Appearance
Diablillos are recognizable by their reddish skin, pointed ears, horns, and other traits that distinguish them from Goblins.
The race displays considerable sexual dimorphism. Males possess a much more imposing and bestial appearance, while females are considerably more humanoid in appearance while retaining distinctive Diablillo traits.
Male Diablillos
Male Diablillos are typically powerfully built and possess more pronounced monstrous features than females.
Males traditionally hold most positions of authority within Diablillo communities and are expected to protect their families.
Female Diablillos
Female Diablillos possess a much more humanoid appearance than males. They retain recognizable racial characteristics such as reddish skin, pointed ears, horns, and a tail.
Unlike traditional Goblin society, Diablillo communities place considerable importance on protecting their female relatives.
Habitat
Like Goblins, Diablillos have a strong preference for caves and subterranean shelters.
Cave systems provide natural protection and allow communities to establish defensible settlements away from many surface threats.
Similarities to Goblins
Diablillos and Goblins possess enough similarities that outsiders have historically confused the two.
Both commonly inhabit caves, possess opportunistic tendencies, and have extremely broad reproductive compatibility with other species.
These similarities led some adventurers to describe Diablillos as "Red Goblins."
This term is biologically incorrect. Diablillos are not a Goblin variant and constitute an independent race.
Family Structure
The greatest cultural distinction between Diablillos and traditional Goblins is their approach to family.
Diablillos possess strong family bonds and are extremely protective of their own descendants.
Male children are protected and cared for while growing, although they are generally expected to become independent once they reach adulthood.
Daughters receive much longer-lasting protection from their families. This protection applies to a Diablillo's recognized daughter regardless of the ancestry of her mother.
Protection of Daughters
Diablillo fathers are particularly protective of their daughters and do not readily accept potential partners for them.
Traditionally, a prospective partner is expected to challenge and defeat the father before being considered strong enough to pursue a recognized relationship with his daughter.
This custom reflects the importance Diablillos place on strength and their belief that a daughter's partner must be capable of protecting her.
Partners and Outsiders
Traditional Diablillo society generally reserves the recognized status of partner for relationships between members of their own race.
Females of other races captured during conflicts or raids are not normally granted this familial status and may instead be kept as captives.
This distinction contributes to the sharp contrast between the intense protection Diablillos show toward their own families and their often hostile treatment of outsiders.
Reproductive Compatibility
Like Goblins, Diablillos possess unusually broad reproductive compatibility across species.
This biological characteristic is one of the reasons outsiders have historically compared the two races, although it does not indicate that they share the same ancestry or are members of the same species.
Society
Traditional Diablillo society is predominantly governed by males.
Strength is highly valued, particularly among those expected to lead or defend a community.
Despite their hostile reputation among outsiders, internal family loyalty forms an important part of Diablillo society.
Rare Racial Ability
A small number of Diablillos possess a rare Racial Ability known as Fury.
Fury causes the user to enter a state of extreme rage while greatly suppressing their perception of pain.
Contrary to what the name might suggest, Fury does not directly increase physical strength, speed, durability, or regenerative ability.
Fury
The primary advantage of Fury is that pain becomes far less capable of interrupting the Diablillo during combat.
This can allow the user to continue acting despite injuries that would normally cause considerable pain.
However, the ability does not prevent those injuries from occurring. Damage sustained while Fury is active remains real, and the user's body receives no additional protection from the ability itself.
As a result, Fury can be dangerous to its own user if the suppression of pain causes them to continue fighting beyond what their body can safely endure.
Combat
Diablillos are physically imposing combatants, particularly among males, and their culture places considerable value on personal strength.
Individuals possessing Fury can become especially difficult to stop through pain alone, although the ability provides no direct increase to their actual physical capabilities.
Their protective instincts can also make Diablillos particularly aggressive when their families are threatened.
Relationship with Goblins
Diablillos are frequently compared to Goblins because of their lifestyle and several biological similarities.
The comparison nevertheless hides one of the most important differences between the races.
Traditional Goblin society historically provided little protection or care for female Goblins, contributing to severe problems in their development and survival.
Diablillos developed almost the opposite attitude toward their own female relatives. Their daughters are heavily protected, and family relationships occupy a much more important place within their communities.
Thus, despite superficial similarities, their internal social structures developed in significantly different directions.
Historical Reputation
Diablillos possess a poor reputation among many other peoples of Halvmen.
Their raids, treatment of captives, aggressive behavior toward outsiders, and broad reproductive compatibility contributed heavily to how other races came to view them.
At the same time, this reputation does not reflect the strong loyalty and protectiveness that can exist within a Diablillo family.
Known Traits
- Devilhuman race native to Halvmen.
- Commonly inhabits caves.
- Possesses reddish skin and prominent horns.
- Strong sexual dimorphism.
- Males possess a considerably more bestial appearance.
- Females possess a considerably more humanoid appearance.
- Frequently mistaken for a type of Goblin.
- Sometimes called "Red Goblins" by adventurers.
- They are not actually Goblins.
- Possess broad reproductive compatibility with other species.
- Possess strong internal family bonds.
- Highly protective of their descendants.
- Sons are generally protected until adulthood.
- Daughters receive long-lasting family protection.
- Prospective partners may be required to defeat the father.
- Recognized partnerships traditionally occur primarily between Diablillos.
- Traditional society is predominantly governed by males.
- Some individuals possess the rare Racial Ability Fury.
- Fury suppresses pain perception and induces extreme rage.
- Fury does not increase strength or provide regeneration.
Common Misconceptions
"Diablillos are red Goblins."
Incorrect.
The nickname originates from superficial similarities in appearance, habitat, behavior, and biology. Diablillos and Goblins are nevertheless separate races.
"Fury increases a Diablillo's physical power."
Incorrect.
Fury does not increase strength, speed, durability, or regeneration. It primarily induces extreme rage and suppresses the perception of pain.
"Fury prevents injuries."
Incorrect.
A Diablillo using Fury can still be injured normally. The ability changes how pain affects the user rather than protecting the body itself.
"Diablillos treat everyone with the same protectiveness."
Incorrect.
Their intense protectiveness is primarily directed toward recognized family members. Their treatment of outsiders can be considerably harsher.
Gallery
Related Articles
Races
An overview of the peoples and species found throughout the world.
Devilhumans
The major group of races associated with Halvmen.
Halvmen
The continent inhabited by Diablillos and numerous other Devilhuman races.
Goblin
A separate cave-dwelling race frequently compared to Diablillos by outsiders.
Abilities
Information about Innate, Racial, and Acquired Abilities.