Mythic India?

[tarchon]

Yeah, the D&D rakshasa is a little odd with respect to the original. I think some of it came from a Night Stalker episode. I have a suspicion that the backward hand thing is some garbling of the idea that tigers (cats generally) have backwards "knees" and "elbows," which is of course completely wrong, but I've noticed it's a fairly common belief among the somewhat undereducated.
Obviously, since human wrists are capable of 180 degree rotation, it's not so clear what it means for a palm to be upside down. I guess it must rotate in the opposite sense... or something like that. I have some recollection that some folklore somewhere refers to thumbs on the wrong side of the hand being typical of some human-like beastie, so that's another possibility.

 

[shilsen]

Yeah, the D&D rakshasa is a little odd with respect to the original. I think some of it came from a Night Stalker episode. I have a suspicion that the backward hand thing is some garbling of the idea that tigers (cats generally) have backwards "knees" and "elbows," which is of course completely wrong, but I've noticed it's a fairly common belief among the somewhat undereducated.

There are actually a number of Indian traditions about supernatural creatures (almost always referring to ghosts, not rakshasas) having their hands or feet backwards, so that's another possible source.

 

[Psion]

FWIW, goodman has a Complete Guide out for Rakshasa, which features variants that aren't catlike. They also have a Yogi core class, though I can't speak to how faithful it is (like most gaming products, probably not very). It fits my mental image of the Yogi, at least.

 

[fusangite]

It seems to me that the much tougher thing to adapt to D&D than any technological or magical differences is fitting the caste system into the game. I therefore recommend that more important than gaming material is a basic grounding in the fundamentally different system of relationships between people.

Oddly, in terms of religion, D&D is practically a Hindu system that requires no adaptation whatsoever.

 

[talinthas]

The caste system isnt *that* hard, really. it's a matter of just adding social heirarchy to the existing classes, and creating a table of reaction encounters for each group. Obviously clerics would be most respected, but in an advisory capacity, while fighters would rule and rogues/experts/commoners make up the populace.
etc.

As for the religion, it's very easy to transport old Vedic hinduism to D&D, given the affinities for portfolios and aspects and such, as long as it isnt done in the style of the old Dieties and Demigods trash. Agni, CE? no way in hell =)

 

[gweinel]

Reviving this old thread... after 10+ years have we any good indian isnpired dnd supplement? Or a 3rd party book (like Green Ronins Mindshadows) that draws from Indian culture? I am interested in weapons/armors/equipment, etc.

Thank you

 

[Bluenose]

Arrows of Indra is a retroclone, not strictly a supplement, but D&D based. Against the Dark Yogi isn't based on D&D, but I think it 'feels' more suitable. Somebody has done a Gurps India sourcebook which you can download, and they're usually quality products. I think there's an Indian-inspired setting for 3e, but I can't remember the name (Socastra?) and couldn't tell you if it was any good.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

I did a Sahasra PDF on Indian character classes based on Indian religions. One follower of Jainism was more powerful in healing than a cleric, but practiced non-violence, so the class may make for a better NPC than PC.

I also wrote another Sahasra product for ancient Indian weapons, but unfortunately I was in the transition from 3rd edition to 3.5, so the product information may need some tweaking and updating. Still, I found the weapons to be pretty unique culturally, and there are some decent descriptions of them in the PDF.

Check out Sahasra in RPG Now or my sig for the link if curious.

 

[Celebrim]

PC: "There is NO WAY I'm going to fight a Swami!!!"

Smart player.

 

[trancejeremy]

Reviving this old thread... after 10+ years have we any good indian isnpired dnd supplement? Or a 3rd party book (like Green Ronins Mindshadows) that draws from Indian culture? I am interested in weapons/armors/equipment, etc.

Thank you

Arrows of Indra is basically OD&D set in Mythic India. It's not bad, but most of the existing D&D things are simply given Indian names.