New DM here, working on creating a world for some friends in which I'm considering using several rakshasa to pose as high nobles that act as master manipulators in a dystopian society. Since they are lawful evil fiends, who originate in the Nine Hells, would it make sense to have them arrive in the world as a unit under the command or contracted employ of an archdevil or devil lord?
Why not? Or, they could each be sent by a DIFFERENT archdevil and unaware that the others are also rakshasas...
(Rakshasas don't have truesight. They can cast true seeing once per day BUT it's a 6th-level spell, and rakshasas can't be affected by a 6th level spell or lower unless they *want* to be. So unless they wanted to reveal themselves, the others would have no way of knowing.)
According to the lore, rakshasa are the creations of devils who made a ritual to allow their essence to escape the Lower Planes, so it could be possible that one (or many) is created from a loyal servant of an archdevil to enact schemes on its behalf. They could even be vestiges of the archdukes themselves, small pieces of their essence cast adrift to undergo some malevolent plan.
One of my absolute favorite things about the Dungeon Master's Guide was that when I first read through it, I got one huge message: what Wizard of the Coast has provided us is an excellent starting point, but change as much or as little as you'd like! If you want a Rakshasha to be a servant of some greater evil, do it! I love that idea!
Or as Stardust_Strifer explained, it also fits with the canon. But also you don't have to stick to the canon. :)
Sounds like a really interesting idea to me! Gaining all that power and wealth, and in return making sure there's a steady supply of souls being corrupted to their patron devil. Maybe they work for the same devil and it's a team effort. Maybe they're competing with each other for favor. Maybe they're all from different devils and in direct competition! All three options could make for an interesting political situation and a way for your players to get involved if they want to!
Thanks everyone for your replies, I love the enthusiasm and creativity. I really dig the idea of them being bits of archdevil essence sent to do their bidding. Originally, my plan was for them to be sent as a unit to take advantage of some already corrupt lords within an empire, and as @OboeCrazy said, "making sure there's a steady supply of souls being corrupted for their patron devil," but now I'm strongly considering the idea of having them sent by different archdevils... So much diabolical fun to think about!
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New DM here, working on creating a world for some friends in which I'm considering using several rakshasa to pose as high nobles that act as master manipulators in a dystopian society. Since they are lawful evil fiends, who originate in the Nine Hells, would it make sense to have them arrive in the world as a unit under the command or contracted employ of an archdevil or devil lord?
Thanks to all that comment!
Why not? Or, they could each be sent by a DIFFERENT archdevil and unaware that the others are also rakshasas...
(Rakshasas don't have truesight. They can cast true seeing once per day BUT it's a 6th-level spell, and rakshasas can't be affected by a 6th level spell or lower unless they *want* to be. So unless they wanted to reveal themselves, the others would have no way of knowing.)
According to the lore, rakshasa are the creations of devils who made a ritual to allow their essence to escape the Lower Planes, so it could be possible that one (or many) is created from a loyal servant of an archdevil to enact schemes on its behalf. They could even be vestiges of the archdukes themselves, small pieces of their essence cast adrift to undergo some malevolent plan.
One of my absolute favorite things about the Dungeon Master's Guide was that when I first read through it, I got one huge message: what Wizard of the Coast has provided us is an excellent starting point, but change as much or as little as you'd like! If you want a Rakshasha to be a servant of some greater evil, do it! I love that idea!
Or as Stardust_Strifer explained, it also fits with the canon. But also you don't have to stick to the canon. :)
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InsiderSounds like a really interesting idea to me! Gaining all that power and wealth, and in return making sure there's a steady supply of souls being corrupted to their patron devil. Maybe they work for the same devil and it's a team effort. Maybe they're competing with each other for favor. Maybe they're all from different devils and in direct competition! All three options could make for an interesting political situation and a way for your players to get involved if they want to!
Find me on Twitter: @OboeLauren
Thanks everyone for your replies, I love the enthusiasm and creativity. I really dig the idea of them being bits of archdevil essence sent to do their bidding. Originally, my plan was for them to be sent as a unit to take advantage of some already corrupt lords within an empire, and as @OboeCrazy said, "making sure there's a steady supply of souls being corrupted for their patron devil," but now I'm strongly considering the idea of having them sent by different archdevils... So much diabolical fun to think about!