Library / Bestiary

Rakshasa, Raktavarna

CR 2.00 Outsider LE Tiny HD 3

What at first appears to be a bejeweled blade shimmers and writhes, transforming into a hideous, red-eyed serpent.

Description

Made up of smoke, blood, and gold, raktavarnas are the least of the rakshasas—they are born not from humanoids, but from the souls of rakshasas who failed utterly in their previous incarnation and who are thus reborn from a serpent's egg.

These terrors drift through society, passing from hand to hand as weapons or strange tokens from foreign lands, curiosities brought home by traders and emissaries and given to leaders as tribute. In this manner the raktavarnas gain entry into corridors of power throughout the world, and what they see, their foul masters know. A raktavarna's servitude to a master ends only when its master decrees, or (more commonly) upon the master's death. Little disconcerts raktavarnas more than having no master, and when they are cast adrift in this manner, they seek a replacement as soon as they can.

A 7th-level lawful evil spellcaster with the Improved Familiar feat can gain a raktavarna rakshasa as a familiar.

Combat Stats

22 (3d10+6)

17, touch 15, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +2 natural, +2 size)

Init

Speed

20 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.

Fort

Ref

Will

BAB

CMB

CMD

12 (can't be tripped)

Melee: bite +8 (1d4-2 plus poison)
DR: 5/good or piercing
SR: 17
Racial Modifiers: +4 Bluff, +8 Disguise

Ability Scores

str

-2

dex

con

int

wis

cha

Proficiencies

Weapons: Martial, Simple

Special Attacks

detect thoughts (DC 13)

Special Qualities

Change Shape — As a full-round action, a raktavarna can take the shape of a handheld object, most often an ornamental light, a one-handed weapon, or a piece of treasure. If the rakshasa remains stationary in such a form, it can attempt Stealth checks even while being observed. It can remain motionless in object form indefinitely, but reverts to its true form as soon as it takes any action.

Master's Eyes — A raktavarna can designate a single creature as its master as a standard action. If the raktavarna is a spellcaster's familiar, its master is automatically that spellcaster, and the raktavarna cannot change this. As a full-round action, a raktavarna's master can observe the world as if looking through the raktavarna's eyes. The master must concentrate to maintain this link each round. The master's visual senses are suppressed for this time, and he uses the raktavarna's darkvision, detect magic, and regular eyesight to observe the world. This ability has no limit on range, and functions even across planar boundaries. If the raktavarna is slain while its master is using this ability, the master is stunned for 1d4 rounds (no save).

Feats

Alertness, Weapon Finesse

Special Abilities

Universal Monster Rules

Change Shape Su from Universal Monster Rule

A creature with this special quality has the ability to assume the appearance of a specific creature or type of creature (usually a humanoid), but retains most of its own physical qualities. The creature cannot change shape to a form more than one size category smaller or larger than its original form. This ability functions as a polymorph spell, the type of which is listed in the creature's description, but the creature does not adjust its ability scores (although it gains any other abilities of the creature it mimics). Unless otherwise stated, it can remain in an alternate form indefinitely. Some creatures, such as lycanthropes, can transform into unique forms with special modifiers and abilities. These creatures do adjust their ability scores, as noted in their descriptions.

Poison (bite) Ex from Universal Monster Rule

A creature with this ability can poison those it attacks. The effects of the poison, including its save, frequency, and cure, are included in the creature's description. The saving throw to resist a poison is usually a Fort save (DC 10 + 1/2 the poisoning creature's racial HD + the creature's Con modifier; the exact DC is given in the creature's descriptive text). Poisons can be removed through neutralize poison and similar effects.

Special Abilities

Detect Thoughts (DC 13) from text

Master's Eyes from text

A raktavarna can designate a single creature as its master as a standard action. If the raktavarna is a spellcaster's familiar, its master is automatically that spellcaster, and the raktavarna cannot change this. As a full-round action, a raktavarna's master can observe the world as if looking through the raktavarna's eyes. The master must concentrate to maintain this link each round. The master's visual senses are suppressed for this time, and he uses the raktavarna's darkvision, detect magic, and regular eyesight to observe the world. This ability has no limit on range, and functions even across planar boundaries. If the raktavarna is slain while its master is using this ability, the master is stunned for 1d4 rounds (no save).

Feats, Traits & Items

Alertness from Feat

You get a +2 bonus on Perception and Sense Motive skill checks. If you have 10 or more ranks in one of these skills, the bonus increases to +4 for that skill.

Calculated: +2 Perception, +2 Sense Motive

Weapon Finesse from Feat

With a light weapon, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls.

Skills

Bluff +12, Climb +14, Disguise +16, Escape Artist +6, Perception +9, Sense Motive +9, Stealth +17, Swim +11

Spells

spell-like abilities:

Constant—Comprehend Languages, 1/day—Charm Person (DC 13), 1/day—Suggestion (DC 15), 1/week—Commune

Details

Type: Outsider
Alignment: LE
Size: Tiny
Environment: any
Organization: solitary, pair, or rack (3-10)
Treasure: standard
Senses: darkvision 60 ft., detect magic; Perception +9
Languages: Common, Infernal, Undercommon; comprehend languages
Source: Bestiary 3

Rules