Rakhasi
In dark and forbidding jungles, predators watch among the trees. Some are ordinary jungle beasts: panthers, crocodiles, snakes. But in the darkest valleys one is surveilled by Rakhasi.
The origins of the Rakhasi are unclear, but certainly they have some common ancestry with the extraplanar rakshasas. Some believe Rakhasi to be lesser rakshasas, a subspecies trapped on the material plane and reduced over generations. Others think Rakhasi result from interbreeding with mortals, gradually producing a distinct population. A third theory still holds that Rakhasi are the product of some strange curse — though whether they are humanoids cursed to be tigers or rakshasa cursed to be mortal is unclear.
Jungle Shadows
Rakhasi almost universally dwell in remote jungles and cloud forests, far from prying eyes. These reclusive creatures stay far away from other societies and hold a deeply-ingrained distrust of outsiders. Different Rakhasi clans respond differently, though. Some are content simply to observe intruders in their jungles, noting an outsider's movements and subtly directing them away from Rakhasi settlements. Others view it as a rite of passage for a warrior to slay an outsider; dark legends even hint at Rakhasi clans that feast on unwary travelers.
Compounding the difficulty, Rakhasi (like their extraplanar cousins) are known for deception and illusion, deploying misdirection as a standard tool in nearly any circumstance. Some Rakhasi who do venture out find themselves lying as a matter of course, lying unnecessarily, or lying even when they have nothing to gain from it.
Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma score increases by 1, and your Constitution or Dexterity score increases by 1.
Type
You are a Humanoid.
Age
Rakhasi are slightly longer-lived than humans, though only slightly. They reach maturity around 20 years old and typically live to around 100.
Alignment
Rakhasi most often hold chaotic alignments, owing partly to their species's reputation for deception. Good-aligned Rakhasi may be simple isolationists, while evil-aligned Rakhasi may actively attack intruders in their jungles. An adventuring Rakhasi, though, is liable to defy any known stereotypes.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common, either Infernal or Abyssal, and one other language of your choice.
Size
Your size is Medium. Rakhasi tend to be tall and powerfully-built, rarely less than 6 feet in height and 250 pounds in weight.
Speed
Your walking speed is 30 feet.
Tiger's Tongue
You have proficiency in Deception.
Limited Magic Resistance
Before you make a saving throw against a spell or magical effect, you can choose to have advantage on the roll. You can use this ability a number of times equal to 1 + half your proficiency bonus, regaining all uses after finishing a long rest.
Claws
Your claws are a natural weapon with the finesse property, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier.
Rakhasi Subspecies
Rakhasi from varying lines have diverged substantially, affecting their appearance and abilities. Select one option for your subspecies.
Rukha
Rukha Rakhasi claim to be the closest to their rakshasa ancestors, with some even believing they may ascend to become true rakshasas again one day.
Ability Score Increase
Your Strength or Charisma score increases by 1.
Rukha Magic
Rukha have innate access to illusion magic. You know the cantrip minor illusion. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the spell disguise self once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Dreamcurse
The touch of a Rukha's claw can afflict a creature with horrific nightmares. When you damage a creature with your claws, you can force it to make a Wisdom saving throw with a DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier. On a failure, it takes 2d6 psychic damage and suffers nightmares, preventing it from gaining any benefit from its next short or long rest, after which its nightmares fade.
You can apply a Dreamcurse once, regaining the ability after finishing a short or long rest. A creature currently under the effects of a Dreamcurse succeeds on any additional saving throws against it.
Akhazar
White-furred Akhazar Rakhasi are among the most secretive, hailing from high cloud forests and sometimes even snowy slopes. Akhazar are associated with necromancy, and some reports suggest Akhazar Rakhasi have attacked travelers and taken the corpses away as spoils.
Ability Score Increase
Your Intelligence or Charisma score increases by 1.
Deathtouch
An Akhazar's claws carry an unholy energy. When you deal damage with your claws, you can choose to deal necrotic damage instead of slashing.
Akhazar Magic
Akhazars have an inborn command of necromancy. You know the cantrip spiritcraftS. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the spell grasping deadS once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the spell deathly chillS once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Grim Resolve
You have advantage on saving throws to avoid being frightened.
Nazhunar
Nazhunar Rakhasi have black fur, with their stripes in pale grey or entirely absent. They have a reputation for slinking through dark jungles undetected.
Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity or Charisma score increases by 1.
Silent Hunter
You have proficiency in Stealth and a 30-foot climbing speed.
Jungle Shadow
You can cast shadow phase if you are in a natural (not constructed) environment. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it. Once you cast the spell in this way once, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.
Species Feats
The following are options for feats which can be selected only by Rakhasi characters.
Enchanted Hide
You have developed some of the rakshasa's legendary resistance to damage. As a reaction after you take bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage from a nonmagical weapon, you can become immune to that damage type from nonmagical weapons until the end of your next turn. Once you gain immunity in this way, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
Tiger's Roar
You gain a fearsome roar to make your enemies quake in their boots. You gain the following benefits:
- Increase your Strength or Charisma score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
- As an action or in place of one attack when you take the Attack action, you can emit a terrifying roar. Creatures of your choice within a 30-foot cone in front of you must make a Wisdom saving throw with a DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier. On a failure, a creature is frightened of you until the end of your next turn. If it fails by 5 or more, a creature's speed is reduced to 0 while it is frightened in this way. Once you roar, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
Changelog
v0.2
- Renamed to Rakhasi
- "Rakshasi" actually would have just been the correct feminine plural of Rakshasa
v0.1
- Rough Draft
Credits
Rakhasi species created by somanyrobots Discord | Patreon
Detect Balance Plus maintained by somanyrobots
Art
Rakashasa Debaser, by Yigit Koroglu © Wizards of the Coast LLC
Background Stains
5E SRD Content
This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available here.
The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License available here.
Fan Content Policy
This work is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
