I am planning on creating a tiefling build for an upcoming game and I am wondering if there is any feasible way for a level 5 tiefling cleric to permanently have an ivory white skin tone?
I've talked with my GM and in the end he will allow it, but we would both prefer to have something that is supported by the rules.
According to the PHB, not all tieflings are red; quite the opposite, their skin might have "the full range of human coloration":
Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red.
5e low-level magic can only change your appearance temporarily, so it would be easier for you as a player just to say you that you were with the ivory white skin tone (probably rare, but a possible case).
The DnD world supports examples of various curses.
So your Tiefling could have came across a cursed artifact (either by stealing it, or receiving it, knowingly or not, as stolen property). It could have been a necklace, ring, knife, etc. Upon touching the object, it changed their skin tone as a punishment (to mark them as a thief).
Because the magic used has an anti-dispel effect, this is an in-game mechanic that would justify why it can't be easily removed: and thus why the tieflings skin color remains changed.
The game mechanics also support giving your character physical traits as part of a backstory. The official Basic Rules on Personality and Background states the following:
You choose your character’s age and the color of his or her hair, eyes, and skin. To add a touch of distinctiveness, you might want to give your character an unusual or memorable physical characteristic, such as a scar, a limp, or a tattoo.
So, explaining that your character is the victim of a purely cosmetic curse is legitimate, especially as it doesn't affect the core game mechanics.
