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Complete Guide to Rakshasas

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Complete Guide to Rakshasas Sample file Sample file Sample file Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................2 Chapter One: Characters .................................................................3 Yakshas........................................................................................5 Yogi ..............................................................................................6 Hunter of the Firstborn............................................................10 New Feats ..................................................................................12 New Items..................................................................................16 Special Organizations...............................................................18 Chapter Two: The Body of the Rakshasa ....................................23 Chapter Three: Conflict..................................................................26 In Combat ..................................................................................26Sample file Out of Combat...........................................................................28 Chapter Four: Rakshasa Society...................................................32 Chapter Five: Rakshasa and their Kin.........................................43 Writer: Matt Sprengeler Cover Artist: Thomas Denmark Interior Artist: Brad McDevitt Cover Designer: Andy Hopp Editor and Graphic Designer: Joseph Goodman Special Thanks: Several people helped with this project by playtesting, consulting, or just listening to the author ramble on about corpse-eating goblinoids while they were trying to finish dinner. These brave souls include: Keith Baker, Matt Falduto, Questions or comments? Send them to us at info@good- Kate Gilbreath, Mateo Salazar, Deidre Shea, Kevin Shea, Bob man-games.com, or visit our web site at www.goodman- Sprengeler, Cathy Sprengeler, and Dieter Zimmerman. Thanks games.com to all of them. 1 Introduction Rakshasas are malicious outsiders native to the material plane. They are shapechangers, natural sorcerers, and mind readers. In their natural form, they resemble humanoid tigers with backward-facing palms. The rakshasa temperament is lordly and solitary, with a taste for decadence, and they are never happier than when they are bedeviling the mortal races. Within your game, the rakshasa makes a wily and dangerous adversary. Many of these creatures are independent troublemak- ers, spreading fear and confusion with their schemes. Others are masterminds ruling a web of mortal servants and dupes, seeking to gain power and wealth. At their most dangerous, rakshasas are powerful beings who threaten to become gods after centuries or more of reincarnation. An encounter with a rakshasa will always be a mystery story, as nothing about them is what it seems. This book is divided into five main chapters. The first chapter, Characters, presents information that players and GMs alike can use. This includes two new classes, two dozen new feats, a template for rakshasa-mortal halfbreeds, and advice on using rak- shasas as player characters. The second chapter, The Rakshasa’s Body, outlines the creature’s unusual physiology. The third chapter, Con- flict, explains how rakshasas operate both in and out of battle. It presents tactics, underly- ing strategy, and an explanation of the rak- shasa’s general style as both a PC and an NPC. The fourth chapter, Society, examines how rakshasas live and what they believe. It also contains several adventure ideas. The fifth chapter, Rakshasas And Their Kin, pro- vides game statistics for standard rakshasas and their four main subtypes, ranging from the lowly pisacha to the terrifying asura. Throughout this work we will use the term “standard rakshasa” to refer to the rakshasa found in the 3.5 MM, including the spells and Sample file feats used. Other terms refer to the different varieties presented in this work. A recap of the standard rakshasa stat block can be found on page 43. 2 Chapter One Characters Rakshasas can be used as player characters, and make an to strangers, and quite possibly not to other PCs. The only time interesting addition to a party. The native abilities of a standard a rakshasa automatically reverts to its natural form is when it rakshasa allow them to perform some of the same functions as dies, so it can keep up a deception for decades at a time. The sorcerers and rogues, while their invulnerabilities give them an other characters might never realize that the half-elven sorcer- edge in physical combat. These abilities also mean that rakshasas er/monk who has traveled with them for five years is actually a are only appropriate for high-level play, as they are the equiva- rakshasa – although the other players are probably aware. The lent of a 14th-level character. same abilities that make a rakshasa such a skilled manipulator Other rakshasa-themed options exist as well. The yogi class allow it to travel undetected among mortals if it wishes. is centered on austerities and knowledge that came from rak- Finally, a rakshasa character will be most satisfying to shasa mystics long ago. The yaksha, a half-rakshasa half-mortal, someone who enjoys playing a role. Rakshasas are fascinating is a template that can be added to any humanoid creature. A vari- personalities, given their background and their abilities. Playing ety of feats and equipment are available to help rakshasas and one is more fun when it gets to use its powers to the hilt, and that their enemies survive. won’t happen in a hack-and-slash setting. Anyone who sees the Finally, two special groups that take an interest in rakshasas creature’s damage reduction and spell resistance as its main sell- are described here. The Order of the Asthra is a mortal sect that ing points will probably be disappointed. hunts rakshasas. Worshiper of Kalki, they use stealth and martial Obviously, anyone can play a character any way they see fit. skill to find and slay their ancient enemies. The Order has a But for a rakshasa character to feel like what it is, certain person- unique prestige class, Hunter of the Firstborn, which has unique ality traits are worth keeping in mind. A rakshasa always tries to powers to help in the fight. The Shattered Gate is a loose-knit be master of its situation, and that includes when it is with a party league of spellcasters and others who seek to banish all out- of player-run characters. This doesn’t mean the rakshasa will try siders, native or otherwise, and close portals that connect the to boss everyone else around, but it will make its wishes known material plane to others. and it will be annoyed if those wishes are not followed. Given how subtle rakshasas can be, and the fact that they can detect Playing a Rakshasa thoughts, they often get their way without upsetting anyone else. A rakshasa, even one as friendly as a lamb and gentle as a kitten, has been raised in a culture filled with contempt for other The standard rakshasa is a colorful and difficult addition to beings. This can take the form of blatant insults, but that’s bound a group of characters. It excels at manipulating other thinking to annoy other players. With a rakshasa PC, disdain will likely beings, a useful knack when dealing with urban or heavily polit- make itself felt in other ways. Perhaps the creature is politely ical settings, but this can easily be used against other characters Samplepatronizing file to NPCs, always surprised when they answer diffi- as well. Its invulnerabilities are impressive, but its innate spell- cult questions or reveal impressive abilities. It could also be that casting is substantially less powerful than those of its high-level the rakshasa puts on a dour, pessimistic face when it must rely on peers who have concentrated on one class. Rakshasas are not others to get a job done. If these unfriendly traits are played for necessarily a good fit for every game. However, they thrive in their amusement value rather than used as a way to irritate oth- the right setting. ers, they can add a great deal of character. Anyone playing a rakshasa should keep several factors in Which is not to say that a rakshasa PC can’t be manipulat- mind. First, they are lawful evil creatures. A handful of excep- ing the rest of the party and plotting its downfall, of course. tions do exist, but this alignment is bred in them all the way back Given these points, the rakshasa best fits into a standard to the story of Brahman creating the universe. A rakshasa who party in the same way a bard does. They have some spellcasting, veers from evil will become a marked being, hunted by its own some stealth, and substantial charisma. With their love of art and race for what they see as its bizarre and traitorous behavior. If the performance, many rakshasas are drawn to bardic careers any- rakshasa PC remains lawful evil, all the usual problems of evil way, and the class has a spell list that covers some of the gaps in characters will come up. Fortunately, as lawful creatures they are a rakshasa’s abilities. This doesn’t mean that rakshasas should better able to cooperate with others, allowing some differences become bards automatically, just that they have the same gener- to be glossed over. Rakshasa are long-lived creatures, and one al utility. can adapt itself to almost any set of PC ethics for quite a while if In fact, the most common character class picked up by rak- it feels that doing so will further its own goals. shasas is sorcerer. Levels in this class stack with the creature’s Another potential problem is that anyone who recognizes a innate spellcasting ability, allowing them to rapidly increase rakshasa will likely view it as an evil mind-reading shapechang- their power. Sorcerers also usually stay in the rear ranks of a er with a taste for humanoid flesh. This can become awkward. fight, which is where rakshasas prefer to be anyway. Rakshasa Therefore many rakshasa characters don’t reveal their identities 3.
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