Difference between revisions of "Rakshasa"
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== About Race == | == About Race == | ||
| − | + | The rakshasa is an evil spirit that cloaks itself in the guise of a humanoid creature that it might walk unseen among its prey. They embody what is taboo among most societies, and in the shape of those it seeks to defile, a rakshasa gorges itself on these hideous acts. Were they human, these acts of cannibalism, blasphemy, and worse would mark them as criminals condemned to the cruelest of hells. | |
==== Physical Description ==== | ==== Physical Description ==== | ||
| − | + | When not disguised as a humanoid, the otherwise humanoid rakshasa has the head of an animal. Often, they possess the heads of great cats (such as a tiger or panther) or a snake (like a cobra or viper), yet other heads are not unknown—apes, jackals, vultures, elephants, mantises, lizards, rhinos, boars, and more are possible. In most cases, the type of head a rakshasa possesses speaks in some way to its personality—a tiger-headed rakshasa is stealthy and ravenous, while a boar-headed one might be gluttonous and crude. These changes rarely impact the rakshasa's base statistics, although there are more powerful variants of the standard rakshasa that possess multiple heads, more potent spellcasting powers, and additional deadly and unusual special abilities. | |
==== Society ==== | ==== Society ==== | ||
| − | + | There are seven castes in rakshasa society (from lowest to greatest): pagala (traitors), goshta (food), adhura (novices), darshaka (servants), paradeshi (rakshasa-kin), hakima (lords), and samrata (lords oflords). The rakshasa caste system encompasses not just all of rakshasa society, but all of life—although only rakshasas can attain the stations of darshaka and above. | |
==== Relations ==== | ==== Relations ==== | ||
| − | + | Rakshasas believe that each and every creature in the universe has a proper role to play, and that success comes from understanding one's position and working to improve it. Rakshasas don't see castes as good or evil, but rather as purely pragmatic. Creatures of higher caste should be respected for their great power, and those of lower caste should be pressed into willing service to expand the holdings of those of higher castes as their betters seek greater wealth and influence. | |
==== Alignment and Faith ==== | ==== Alignment and Faith ==== | ||
| − | + | Rakshasas scoff at religion—they understand the power of the divine, but see themselves as the only thing worthy of worship from the mortal races. Rakshasa clerics are thus quite rare. Although rakshasas are outsiders, they are also very much creatures of the Material Plane, and many believe the first rakshasas chose this exile over some other role offered them by a long-forgotten god. Although they usually work alone, it isn't unheard of to find extended families of rakshasas working together to ruin a mortal civilization from the inside out over the course of many generations. A rakshasa is 6 feet tall and weighs 180 lbs. | |
| − | ==== | + | ==== The Ten Pirate Kings ==== |
| − | + | *Bundha the Singing Butcher | |
| − | + | *Caera the Blood Bather | |
| − | + | *Hudima the Kinslayer | |
| − | + | *Kunkarna the Dream Warrior | |
| − | + | *Mursha the Beastmaster | |
| + | *Otikaya the Spirit Archer | ||
| + | *Ravana, The First and Last | ||
| + | *Surpa the Avenger | ||
| + | *Vibhishah the Seeker | ||
| + | *Zabha the Desecrator | ||
== Racial Traits (19 RP) == | == Racial Traits (19 RP) == | ||
| − | * '''Ability Scores:''' +2 Con, +2 Cha | + | * '''Ability Scores:''' +2 Str, +4 Dex, +2 Con, +2 Cha |
| − | * '''Type:''' Outsider ( | + | * '''Type:''' Outsider (Native, Shapechanger) |
* '''Size:''' Medium | * '''Size:''' Medium | ||
| − | * '''Speed:''' | + | * '''Speed:''' Fast 40 feet. |
* '''Languages:''' Common, Infernal. Rakshasa with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Aklo, Aquan, Elven, Goblin, Orc, Sylvan, and Undercommon. | * '''Languages:''' Common, Infernal. Rakshasa with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Aklo, Aquan, Elven, Goblin, Orc, Sylvan, and Undercommon. | ||
==== Feat and Skill Traits ==== | ==== Feat and Skill Traits ==== | ||
* '''Beguiling Liar:''' +4 Bluff checks | * '''Beguiling Liar:''' +4 Bluff checks | ||
| + | * '''Skill Training:''' Bluff and Disguise are always considered class skills | ||
| + | * '''Skill Bonus:''' +4 Disguise | ||
| + | * '''Nimble Attacks:''' Weapon Finesse bonus feat | ||
| + | * '''Quick Reactions:''' Improved Initiative bonus feat | ||
==== Magical Traits ==== | ==== Magical Traits ==== | ||
* '''Change Shape, Greater:''' Rakshasa can assume the appearance of a Small or Medium humanoid as the ''alter self'' spell, save that it does not adjust its ability scores. | * '''Change Shape, Greater:''' Rakshasa can assume the appearance of a Small or Medium humanoid as the ''alter self'' spell, save that it does not adjust its ability scores. | ||
| − | * '''Spell-Like | + | * '''Spell-Like Abilities, At-Will:''' Rakshasa can use ''dancing lights'', ''detect thoughts'', ''mage hand'', ''mending'', and ''prestidigitation'' as a at-will spell-like abilities. The caster level of the spell is equal to the user's character level. |
| + | * '''Spell-Like Abilities, Greater:''' Rakshasa can use ''charm person'' and ''silent image'' 3/day and ''invisibility'' and ''suggestion'' 2/day as spell-like abilities. The caster level of the spell is equal to the user's character level. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Offense Traits ==== | ||
| + | * '''Bite:''' Rakshasa have a 1d6 bite attack. | ||
| + | * '''Claws:''' Rakshasa have two 1d4 claw attacks. | ||
==== Senses Traits ==== | ==== Senses Traits ==== | ||
Revision as of 11:41, 19 November 2014
Contents
About Race
The rakshasa is an evil spirit that cloaks itself in the guise of a humanoid creature that it might walk unseen among its prey. They embody what is taboo among most societies, and in the shape of those it seeks to defile, a rakshasa gorges itself on these hideous acts. Were they human, these acts of cannibalism, blasphemy, and worse would mark them as criminals condemned to the cruelest of hells.
Physical Description
When not disguised as a humanoid, the otherwise humanoid rakshasa has the head of an animal. Often, they possess the heads of great cats (such as a tiger or panther) or a snake (like a cobra or viper), yet other heads are not unknown—apes, jackals, vultures, elephants, mantises, lizards, rhinos, boars, and more are possible. In most cases, the type of head a rakshasa possesses speaks in some way to its personality—a tiger-headed rakshasa is stealthy and ravenous, while a boar-headed one might be gluttonous and crude. These changes rarely impact the rakshasa's base statistics, although there are more powerful variants of the standard rakshasa that possess multiple heads, more potent spellcasting powers, and additional deadly and unusual special abilities.
Society
There are seven castes in rakshasa society (from lowest to greatest): pagala (traitors), goshta (food), adhura (novices), darshaka (servants), paradeshi (rakshasa-kin), hakima (lords), and samrata (lords oflords). The rakshasa caste system encompasses not just all of rakshasa society, but all of life—although only rakshasas can attain the stations of darshaka and above.
Relations
Rakshasas believe that each and every creature in the universe has a proper role to play, and that success comes from understanding one's position and working to improve it. Rakshasas don't see castes as good or evil, but rather as purely pragmatic. Creatures of higher caste should be respected for their great power, and those of lower caste should be pressed into willing service to expand the holdings of those of higher castes as their betters seek greater wealth and influence.
Alignment and Faith
Rakshasas scoff at religion—they understand the power of the divine, but see themselves as the only thing worthy of worship from the mortal races. Rakshasa clerics are thus quite rare. Although rakshasas are outsiders, they are also very much creatures of the Material Plane, and many believe the first rakshasas chose this exile over some other role offered them by a long-forgotten god. Although they usually work alone, it isn't unheard of to find extended families of rakshasas working together to ruin a mortal civilization from the inside out over the course of many generations. A rakshasa is 6 feet tall and weighs 180 lbs.
The Ten Pirate Kings
- Bundha the Singing Butcher
- Caera the Blood Bather
- Hudima the Kinslayer
- Kunkarna the Dream Warrior
- Mursha the Beastmaster
- Otikaya the Spirit Archer
- Ravana, The First and Last
- Surpa the Avenger
- Vibhishah the Seeker
- Zabha the Desecrator
Racial Traits (19 RP)
- Ability Scores: +2 Str, +4 Dex, +2 Con, +2 Cha
- Type: Outsider (Native, Shapechanger)
- Size: Medium
- Speed: Fast 40 feet.
- Languages: Common, Infernal. Rakshasa with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Aklo, Aquan, Elven, Goblin, Orc, Sylvan, and Undercommon.
Feat and Skill Traits
- Beguiling Liar: +4 Bluff checks
- Skill Training: Bluff and Disguise are always considered class skills
- Skill Bonus: +4 Disguise
- Nimble Attacks: Weapon Finesse bonus feat
- Quick Reactions: Improved Initiative bonus feat
Magical Traits
- Change Shape, Greater: Rakshasa can assume the appearance of a Small or Medium humanoid as the alter self spell, save that it does not adjust its ability scores.
- Spell-Like Abilities, At-Will: Rakshasa can use dancing lights, detect thoughts, mage hand, mending, and prestidigitation as a at-will spell-like abilities. The caster level of the spell is equal to the user's character level.
- Spell-Like Abilities, Greater: Rakshasa can use charm person and silent image 3/day and invisibility and suggestion 2/day as spell-like abilities. The caster level of the spell is equal to the user's character level.
Offense Traits
- Bite: Rakshasa have a 1d6 bite attack.
- Claws: Rakshasa have two 1d4 claw attacks.
Senses Traits
- Darkvision: 60 feet
