Library / Bestiary

Rakshasa, Raktavarna

CR 2.00 Outsider LE Tiny
What at first appears to be a bejeweled blade shimmers and writhes, transforming into a hideous, red-eyed serpent.

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.

STR
7
DEX
16
CON
15
INT
12
WIS
13
CHA
14
HP
22 (3d10+6)
AC
17, touch 15, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +2 natural, +2 size)
Speed
20 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Init
+3
Melee
bite +8 (1d4-2 plus poison)
BAB
+3
CMB
+4
CMD
12 (can't be tripped)
Fort
+3
Ref
+6
Will
+4
DR
5/good or piercing
SR
17
Racial Modifiers
+4 Bluff, +8 Disguise

Weapons: Martial, Simple

detect thoughts (DC 13)

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).

Alertness from Feat

<p class="stat-block-1"> 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.</p>

Weapon Finesse from Feat

<p class="stat-block-1"> 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.</p>

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

spell-like abilities:
Constant—Comprehend Languages, 1/day—Charm Person, 1/day—Suggestion, 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
Sources Used in This Record
6 House/Core
  • Uses feat: Alertness (Feat)
    House/Core — covered by the site's Section 15.
  • Uses feat: Weapon Finesse (Feat)
    House/Core — covered by the site's Section 15.
  • Knows spell: Comprehend Languages (Spell)
    House/Core — covered by the site's Section 15.
  • Knows spell: Charm Person (Spell)
    House/Core — covered by the site's Section 15.
  • Knows spell: Suggestion (Spell)
    House/Core — covered by the site's Section 15.
  • Knows spell: Commune (Spell)
    House/Core — covered by the site's Section 15.
OGL 1.0a Notice. Pathfinder-derived Open Game Content on this page is used under the Open Game License v1.0a and Section 15 notice.