Homebrew Rakshasa Tiefling Species Details

“To assume all fiends look the same, is a beginner's mistake, my friend. The diversity of shapes and forms the denizens of the Nine Hells can take is to rival our own realm's, if not more intriguing. Did you, perhaps, ever imagine what a fiend with the wits and looks of a cat would be like? Chances are you have already met one... You just couldn't see past their disguise.”

— Elincia Alfargos, Scholar

 

Such is the case with Rakshasas, fiends taking the form of humanoids with feline, tiger-like heads, and inverted hands. With an incredible affinity for sorcerous magic and a tendency for evil, these beings would often wander into our realm to indulge in material luxuries and pleasures, shapeshifting into other humanoids for the purpose of deceit and binding mortals to their wicked will.

Considering Rakshasas are as ambitious and cunning as fellow fiends, it is of no surprise that some mortals carry their infernal blood in their veins, as a result of these shapeshifting being meddling with the affairs of the Material Plane.

Infernal Bloodline

Like most Tieflings, these of Rakshasa ancestry is derived from human bloodlines, and for the most part, have the appearance of one. Their most outlandish features are their feline features: tiger ears atop their skulls, sharp-clawed hands and feet, cat-like eyes, and patches of striped fur or tiger markings covering their skin. Unlike their more diabolical-looking cousins, however, they lack hooves and fully developed horns, not being able to grow anything bigger than a part of ossicones protruding from their foreheads. They also have tails, four to five feet long, which tend to follow the pattern of their markings or be covered in a short coat of fur. It is highly uncommon, but some may bear inverted hands, akin to their full-blooded ancestors. Their canine teeth are shaped like sharp fangs, and their pupils can take the shapes of almonds or slits, depending on the lighting of the environment. Their skin tones take after the range of humans, gradually changing into orange, white, or black patches, but some individuals with a higher percentage of infernal blood may be fully covered in markings or fur.

Having It Easier

Tieflings of Rakshasa heritage tend to, at least compared to diabolical tieflings, have an easier time coexisting with the other races of the Material Plane. Laking immediate visual traits that point towards their fiendish nature, most common folk tend to mistake them for beastmen or shapeshifters from the woodlands, being only identified by those with a keen sense of distinction or with means to detect their link to the Nine Hells.

Most may even find their feline appearance interesting, if not outright alluring. Those who take after their Fiendish Ancestor's tendency to indulge may bask in the gratification and benefits that come with the attention, but more cautious and paranoid individuals may find themselves uncomfortable at the prospect of others finding out about their true origins, only to get ostracized.

Tiefling Names

 

Like all Tieflings, Rakshasa-born usually bear names derivative of the culture they are born in. In very rare cases, Rakshasas who make their home in the Material Plane may raise the children they bear with mortals in the ways of the infernals, bestowing upon them a name that reflects such.

Male Infernal Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai

Female Infernal Names: Akta, Anakis, Bryseis, Criella, Damaia, Ea, Kallista, Lerissa, Makaria, Nemeia, Orianna, Phelaia, Rieta

Rakshasa Tiefling Traits

Rakshasa Tieflings share certain racial traits as a result of their infernal descent.

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those suggestions or ignore them, but you can’t raise any of your scores above 20.

Age

Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.

Darkvision

Thanks to your infernal heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Gift of Ravanna

All Rakshasa Tieflings can trace their bloodline's origins to one of the three most prominent clans of Rakshasas, each with their own specialties and sets of abilities. Choose one of the following to determine your heritage, and the effect you'll receive from this trait:

• Ravanna's Writ: You descend from the Ak'chazar, unusually powerful white tiger Rakshasa spellcasters who could easily manipulate magicks to their will. Your Intelligence Score increases by 1. You know the minor illusion cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the alter self spell once per day. When you reach 5th level, you can also cast the major image spell once per day. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
• Ravanna's Guile: You descend from the Naytian, golden-orange tiger Rakshasas with unwavering resilience and endurance, capable of withstanding even the most devastating spells or outright making them miss. Your Dexterity Score increases by 1. You have advantage on all saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
• Ravanna's Acuity: You descend from the Naztharune, black tiger-like Rakshasas with incredible martial prowess and a reputation for destroying foes with unmatched ferocity. Your Strength Score increases by 1. When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the weapon’s damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.

Hellish Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal.

Size

Tieflings are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.