Daily Art Preview

[Derren]

They should have used the traditional Rakshasa. But at least they got the hands right.

 

[Khaalis]

Then again, I have an unrelenting (and, I'll admit, unreasonable) hatred of the notion of cat-people in general. Never been entirely sure why, especially since I really like some other "beast people" (gnolls and minotaurs, f'rinstance).

You sure you aren't blocking out a bad run in with a furry?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

You sure you aren't blocking out a bad run in with a furry?

You really shouldn't open old wounds, Khaalis.

But is it really a surprise that our resident blood-sucking rodent might have a problem with cat-people?

 

[Mouseferatu]

You sure you aren't blocking out a bad run in with a furry?

Is there any such thing as a good one?

 

[Mouseferatu]

But is it really a surprise that our resident blood-sucking rodent might have a problem with cat-people?

Nah. Cats are most vulnerable from the inside.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Nah. Cats are most vulnerable from the inside.

Hmm... I think you and Bunnicula should team up against cats.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

They should have used the traditional Rakshasa.

Who says they didn't? The existence of the rakshasa assassin doesn't prevent there being a regular rakshasa - and I note that there's a rakshasa baron in the Dungeons of Dread set.

 

[Guild Goodknife]

I love Rakshasas and this one looks pretty good imho! Also, i don't have any problems with non-tiger variants, i vaguely remember Rakshasas with gorilla heads were mentioned in the 2nd edition monster manual..

 

[Klaus]

I just can't accept rakshasas as cat-folk. Can't do it. Other than an accident of art, there's nothing cat-like about them. Why should shape-shifting evil even have a default form?

Does anyone remember the elephant-headed rakshasa mini from 1st edition?

Sam

Oh, sure enough, I remember when rakshasas were described as being sometimes tiger-like, sometimes ape-like. I used "cat-folk" here mainly to described the picture's subject. Even when depicted as tiger-humanoids, I'd prefer them to have a more supernatural flair to them (glowing eyes, maybe?).

 

[Klaus]

Agreed. I love the notion of the rakshasa, and I don't even mind tiger-headed rakshasa. But that should never have become the default, and they certainly shouldn't have become "cat-people" overall. (They were, IIRC, entirely human in appearance, but for the backward hands and animal head.)

Then again, I have an unrelenting (and, I'll admit, unreasonable) hatred of the notion of cat-people in general. Never been entirely sure why, especially since I really like some other "beast people" (gnolls and minotaurs, f'rinstance).

Mouse, maybe your hatred stems from the fact that the vast majority of cat-folk designers tend to make their races either uber at everything (always fall on their feet! flawless stealth!) or too cat-like (affected by catnip! hates dogs!), whereas gnolls and minotaurs have very little in them that is hyena-like or bull-like. It's far too easy to fall into the Mary Sue trap, specially if you like cats.

E-mail me so I can show you my own cat-race, the kathos, and let's see if that steers you away from your trauma...