Rakshi

"Freaks of Nature accepted over time... that is what many think of us. They do have a point, our creation was not of Gehanic means... yet it is through our oddness that we draw strength. Where Aashan struggle with the dark, a Rakshi with the influence of Tigers can keep watch at night. Where the miner Hecklin would struggle under potential cave collapses, a Rhino blessed Rakshi could take it with ease. The world shuns many, and it is those rejected Masses who will inherit it."
-Radical Rakshi Family Head: Haqoob the Baboon

"The Rakshi… Ha, let me tell you a story of my people. Once, there was a tribe of men and elves, spiritual, strong, and ever wary of change; a people that refused to adapt. So, they died a horrible, grisly death at the hands of the Demon, their bodies broken into purple, bloody dust. Then, the winds took those grains and sprinkled them deeply into the oasis of yet another tribe, unbeknownst to them, in the midst of night. The next morning, they feasted and banqueted upon a rare meal, a meal of every beast that walked the desert sands, and they sat happily, raising glasses of crystal clear waters. Deeply they drank, but foolishly they had failed to note the demon's blood in the brews, and it mingled with their pleasure feast, and the beasts they had feasted upon enacted a cursed vengeance and changed them. Their heads, their feet, their hands, replaced with the monstrous claws, talons, and paws of the beasts, birthing… THE RAKSHI! or at least that's true from a certain point of view!"
-Gotai of the Sand Shrews

The most numerous race in all of Dasht-e Zerrin, their blood tainted by The Demon's reckoning, yet having the endurance to rebound from such a horrific origin. It would be foolish to underestimate their boundless potential.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Despite the strange and various kinds of Rakshi there are, a few things remain consistent between them all. Of all Rakshi, the Torso is very much like an Aashan of their sex, only with slight differences, like scales, fur, or somewhat tinged skin. Typically the head is a mixture between the typical Hominid structure, with features being predominantly those of the animal the Rakshi has DNA of. For example, a hawk Rakshi would have a beak, eyes as sharp as a hawk, but also the slight thinness of bird bone.

Genetics and Reproduction

Capable of receiving DNA from every species, the result of such a pairing will always result in Rakshi. The only real exception is when the likes of Manticore, or Sphinxes claim a Rakshi for breeding. This results in a Lamia, a lion-centaur creature that can be quite... unpleasant.

Ecology and Habitats

Can really be found in all sorts of environments. Woe be to those Rakshi unfortunate enough to be in areas contrary to their genetics, ie: A Cheetah

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

All Cities and Areas that don't actively hunt them down.

Average Intelligence

No lesser than an Aashan, though might be lacking due to racial prejudice keeping them from schooling- this is only in lower areas/cities.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Baseline are similar to healthy Aashan of their age range, but the resultant animal can enhance specific senses, such as sight, hearing, taste, and smell... with all the drawbacks that follow.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Follows the dominant culture that the Rakshi was born in.

Major Organizations

Various Rakshi Families

History

Regardless of the various legends, what occurred was that populations of mostly Aashan found themselves ingesting corrupted essences of The Demon. Those poor fools would never be able to be proper children of their gods again, as they stole genetic information from the various species of the land- and in recent years, maybe even beyond? These people would soon split off into a diaspora- be it by choice, enslavement, or kidnapping. Their unique breeding feature being quite an issue, some areas would raise fright about replacement. In areas which would allow for merit, Rakshi end up being quite the specialized resource.

How others might see you-

• You're a mutt, a mongrel, but somewhere FAR back in your bloodline, your family was Aashan, your kin's animal traits are just a side effect, you're still a valid member of society.
• Your family undoubtedly has their claws in illicit behavior of some kind, civilized and metropolitan towns and cities aren't likely to take your words at face value.
• Well, at least you aren't some other race, otherwise you'd be a mutant freak by default, still vastly better than a Sandling though.

How you might see others-

• Everyone is a potential mark, money can't buy happiness, so you'll just make them a few phedara lighter in the purse.
• Everyone is at least a little civilized, and discovering new things about them gives you a rush of excitement.
• Just a little bit of crime and intimidation won't hurt, you aren't cruel, just very to the point.
• Where's my protection money?

Why you might have become a Strider-

• There's so much money, and so much loot in the world, just waiting to be liberated.
• The sands are limitless in their potential for discovery, why wait to figure out their secrets?
• The family could use some new wall trophies, and auntie has been asking for a new pendant, I wonder if that Noble cares about his pendant. Or has good eyes.
• There's always more people to meet, and fascinating stories to hear, time to find them!

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Aashan

Scientific Name

Chaotic Sapien

Lifespan

Depending on Circumstance, 70 years can be considered old, while 150 could be considered old for others

Average Height

5'6" or 1.67m

Rakshi Racial Table: AGE

• Add 1 to your Perception Ability


• Pick one of the following ability focuses: Willpower (Courage), Communication (Seduction)


• Your Speed is equal to 30+(dexterity*3) feet (minus armor penalty if applicable)


• You can speak and read Dasht-e and one language of your choice


• Roll 2d6 and add the dice together. The result tells you the sort of animal your Rakshi resembles and provides a handful of examples as well as a few options for benefits, choose two of the options listed in the Benefits column. Note that the benefits in italics are new and described in the following section.
  
  

Choose two of the listed benefits for the species you rolled. Alternatively, you can choose, although, for your first character, it's recommended to roll.

Armored: You have a tough hide, shell, or thick fur that protects you. Your Armor Rating is increased by 1.
Dark Sight: You have Dark Sight, which allows you to see up to 60 Feet in darkness without a light source. You see everything in shades of black and white in the dark.
Hold Breath: You cannot breathe underwater but can hold your breath for a number of minutes equal to your Constitution (minimum 1 minute) before having to make any tests relating to lack of air, drowning, or similar hazards. If you’re not engaged in combat and move no more than half your normal speed, you can triple this duration.
Regenerate: You heal a number of Health equal to your Constitution (Minimum 1) as a 2+ SP stunt. This stunt may be used multiple times in the same roll if enough SP are available, increasing the healing effect for every 2 SP. You are also able to regenerate limbs over the course of 2d6 weeks. Wounds from fire and acid cannot be regenerated. If a limb is removed and then cauterized, it will never grow back.
Slow Descent: Your wings don’t allow you to fly, but you can use them to slow yourself when falling. You take only half damage from falling if you are conscious and able to use your wings.
Sturdy: You are big, solid, and difficult to move. Knock Prone and Skirmish stunts used against you require 1 more SP than normal to work
Venom Bite: You have a bite attack that deals 1d6 damage and gain the Venomous Bite Stunt: You can inject venom into a living creature as a special stunt costing 3 SP. The poison slows and partially paralyzes the victim, who suffers an additional 1d6 of penetrating damage and a –1 penalty to Dexterity, Fighting, and Accuracy until the end of the encounter or until the victim receives magical healing

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Roll Result	Species	Benefit
2	Avian (cardinal, eagle, hawk)	+1 to Accuracy, Dark Sight, Perception (Seeing) focus, or if you already have it, gain the Observation talent at Novice rank with Perception (Seeing), Slow Descent
3	Reptile (lizard, snake, turtle)	Armored, Fighting (Bite) focus, Perception (Smelling) focus, Venomous Bite
4	Primate (ape, baboon, monkey)	Armored, Strength (Might), Strength (Climbing) focus, Sturdy
5	Rodent (beaver, mole rat, rat)	+1 Defense, Dark Sight, Dexterity (Stealth) focus, Strength (intimidation) focus
6	Feline (cat, panther, puma, tiger)	Claws (1d6+Str), Dark Sight, Dexterity (Stealth) focus, Fighting (Claws) focus
7	Canine/Vulpine (dog, fox)	+6 Speed, Perception (Smelling) focus, Perception (Tracking) focus, Strength (Intimidation) focus
8	Ungulate ( deer, goat, pig)	+6 Speed, Ram/Gore (1d6+Str), Strength (Athletics), Strength (Might)
9	Ursine (bear)	Armored, Strength (Intimidation) focus, Strength (Might) focus, Sturdy
10	Bovine/Equine (cow, bison, horse, zebra, donkey)	+6 Speed, Armored, Strength(Might) focus, Sturdy
11	Amphibian (frog, salamander)	Hold Breath, Regenerate, Strength (Climbing) focus, Swim (at your Speed)
12	Other (armadillo, bat, sloth, etc.)	Choose any two bonuses listed in the benefit entries above that reflect the abilities of the animal of your choice.