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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Psion" data-source="post: 2011661" data-attributes="member: 172">The Complete Guide to Rakshasas The Complete Guide to Rakshasas is part of Goodman Games' Complete Guide series of books adding details to various creatures, in this case, the Rakshasa. The book is written by Matt Sprengler, who contributed to the well received Complete Guide to Beholders as well as Atlas' En Route II and Penumbra Fantasy Bestiary. A First Look The Complete Guide to Rakshasas is a 48 page saddle-stitched softcover book priced at $12.99 US. The cover is decorated with a golden border, and the front cover (illustrated by Thomas Denmark) depicts a trident-wielding warrior attacking a spellcasting rakshasa. The interior is black and white. Interior art is by Brad McDevitt. The illustrations are generally well done, though I don't think that the mock "scholarly treatise" on the inside of the front cover is especially well done. A Deeper Look The Complete Guide to Rakshasa is an examination and expansion (both in terms of exposition/background and rules) of the creature known as the Rakshasa. Drawn from Hindu lore, the Rakshasa is a evil spirit (in D&D terms, an outsider) that is legendary in D&D for its deception and resistance to many forms of attack. The book is organized into chapters on characters, physiology, conflict, society, and statistics and variants. The characters chapter has a mix of new characters options and discussions of using these and previously existing options (namely, the MM character statistics for Rakshasas) to play characters. The chapter launches discussing the idea of of actually playing a MM Rakshasa (presumably as a PC, though some of the notes could be applied to NPCs). Though many possibilities are discussed, I think playing such a creature is a tough sell unless the DM is both willing to accommodate a creature of fiendish reputation and character and to allow the player many opportunities to leverage its deception abilities. However, playing a creature with only 7 HD and the casting abilities of a 7th level sorcerer in a 14th level game would be challenging with the wrong sort of DM or player. Another option introduced is the possibility of playing a Yashka, or half-Rakshasa (a template), introduced here. The yashka is not burdened with the HD and LA of the Ralshasa, weighing in with an LA of only +3, making them much more playable. The yashka has weaker versions of the Rakshasa's abilities, including shape change and detect thoughts abilities, but are free to pick up a normal class. Two sample Yashkas are presented, one using a human fighter and one using an elven rogue/bard as base creatures. The character chapter introduces a new base class, the yogi, based on the classical ascetic philosopher. I had not really thought of this book as a cultural reference, but a creature book. The author explains the connection by citing the Rakshasa as the source of the lore of the class. This is another tough sell, since the Rakshasa's typical abilities looks nothing like that of the yogi, nor am I aware of any such link in the real world lore of yogi or Rakshasa. When I saw the Yogi, I immediately conjured up an image of yet another sorcerer or cleric clone. However, the true shape of the class surprised me. In truth, the class more closely resembles the core bard, in that it has specialized spellcasting abilities up to sixth level and major class abilities based upon a skill. The major difference is that the yogi is a divine caster and it bases its class abilities on concentration instead of perform. One might note that concentration is a rather more inherently useful skill for casters than perform, but the yogi receives fewer skill points per level than a bard, so this is not likely to be a problem. A yogi's spells are primarily divinatory or protective in nature, as are the concentration based class abilities. As these are topics that are not too exciting for players, its appeal as a PC class is somewhat limited. In addition to the yogi, the book introduces the hunter of the firstborn prestige class, specialized in fighting rakshasas and dealing with their special abilities such as their shapechange ability. Character options do not stop there, however. A number of new feats and magic items are introduced, appropriate to both Rakshasas and those who hunt them, as well as some that are generally for yogis. The general feats are primarily of the latter two categories, including align attack and sense mental intrustion (obviously useful against creatures like rakshasa) There are two new categories of feats. Austerity feats are primarily for yogis, granting befefits like energy resistance upon a successful concentration roll. Shapechanger feats, which grant additional utility to shapechange abilities (like that of rakshasas).  A good proportion of the book is devoted to exposition and background information, as well as notes on methodologies of both rakshasas and the Order of the Asthra, an order which trains hunters of the firstborn. This material is steeped in the Hindu folklore from which rakshasas are drawn, though there is some authorial license and adaptations to d20 system terminology. Despite this, the depth and specific nature of some of this background information seems as if it would fit more comfortably in a dedicated India-inspired game than a generic d20 system fantasy setting. Material that would be most directly useful for general GMs is the material on adventure ideas and tactics. A final chapter, Rakshasa and their kin, repeats the basic rakshasa statistic block and provides statistics for some related creatures from Indian folklore, some of which are also considered rakshasa in the originating lore. Pisacha, pani, and graha are weaker versions of rakshasa, with differing physical forms and weaker and fewer special abilities. An asura, on the other hand, is a physically impressive rakshasa that is quite a bit more powerful than the standard rakshasa. Conclusions The Complete Guide to Rakshasas adds a nice selection of options and insights to the Rakshasa, possibly as PCs, but more likely for GMs. The rules are generally solid, though there are a few minor problems with stat blocks and a few options the GM may want to consider carefully before allowing them to enter the campaign. The biggest potential problem in the game is that many of the options, particularly the yogi, and much of the background material feels as if it belongs to a more Indian-flavored campaign, and it may take a bit of work to fit the flavor of these options to a campaign if it does not feature such a cultural tone. I wouldn't put The Complete Guide to Rakshasas on the same level as Goodman's well regarded Treant, Wererat, and Beholder books, though it is does seem to hold together better that The Complete Guide to Drow. Overall Grade: C+ -Alan D. Kohler</blockquote>

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