Rakasta

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Rakasta
by Trevor Mellis

Type and Size:

Medium Humanoid

Hit Dice:

2d8

Initiative:

+2

Speed:

30'

AC:

16 (+2 natural, +2 Dex., +2 leather armour)

Attacks:

2 claws +1 melee or 1 weapon +1 melee

Damage:

1d4+1 (claw) or by weapon +1

Face/Reach:

5' x 5' / 10'

Special Attacks:

Leap, Rake

Special Qualities:

Darkvision

Saves:

Fort +2, Ref. +4, Will +0

Abilities:

Str. 11, Dex. 15, Con. 10, Int. 10, Wis. 10, Cha. 10

Skills:

Hide +3, Listen +1, Ride +3, Move Silently +3, Spot +1, Jump +4

Feats:

Lightning Reflexes

Climate/Terrain:

Any except aquatic or underground

Organisation:

Hunting group (1-8) or settlement (3-30 + 1-8 Sabre-tooth tiger riders)

Challenge Rating:

1

Treasure:

1/2 Standard + 2-6 mundane items

Alignment:

Any neutral

Advancement:

Tiger Rider (2 HD), Leader (4 HD)

Description:

The rakasta are a race of nomadic, catlike humanoids about the size of dwarves. They walk erect, much like humans, but are covered with soft, tawny fur and have feline heads and features. The rakasta fight with special metal "war claws" that fit over their natural claws. Without these special "claws," the rakasta claw attacks do only 1-2 points of damage each. The rakasta can use normal weapons such as swords, but generally disdain them, preferring to use their "natural" weapons (the war claws).

The rakasta often tame sabre-tooth tigers that are then ridden to the hunt or into battle. The sabre-tooth tigers are controlled with knee pressure and heavy riding crops, and are fitted with special saddles that do not hinder their fighting abilities. These saddles also allow the rakasta to leap up to 20 feet from their mounts and attack in the same round. The "tame" sabre-tooths are too ferocious to be ridden by any creature other than a rakasta.

Rakasta settlements average 3d10 rakasta and 1-8 sabre-tooths, and are made up of many colourful tents and pavilions. Although they have treasure, the rakasta have rugs and tapestries of fine workmanship, crafted bowls and drinking cups, and other bulky items of value, rather than gems and jewels.

Combat:

Rake (Ex): A rakasta that grapples an opponent may make 2 rake attacks with its clawed feet, for 1d2+1 points of damage each.

Jump (Ex): When mounted, the rakasta may leap from the mount up to 20 feet and attack in the same round, without provoking an attack of opportunity.

Rakasta Characters:

The favoured class for rakasta is the Fighter class; rakasta leaders tend to be Fighters or Fighter/Rogues. Rakasta clerics tend to worship Felpurr the Great, and may choose two of the following domains: War, Animal, and Earth.

Type and Size:	Medium Humanoid

Hit Dice:	2d8
Initiative:	+2
Speed:	30'
AC:	16 (+2 natural, +2 Dex., +2 leather armour)
Attacks:	2 claws +1 melee or 1 weapon +1 melee
Damage:	1d4+1 (claw) or by weapon +1
Face/Reach:	5' x 5' / 10'
Special Attacks:	Leap, Rake
Special Qualities:	Darkvision
Saves:	Fort +2, Ref. +4, Will +0
Abilities:	Str. 11, Dex. 15, Con. 10, Int. 10, Wis. 10, Cha. 10
Skills:	Hide +3, Listen +1, Ride +3, Move Silently +3, Spot +1, Jump +4
Feats:	Lightning Reflexes
Climate/Terrain:	Any except aquatic or underground
Organisation:	Hunting group (1-8) or settlement (3-30 + 1-8 Sabre-tooth tiger riders)
Challenge Rating:	1
Treasure:	1/2 Standard + 2-6 mundane items
Alignment:	Any neutral
Advancement:	Tiger Rider (2 HD), Leader (4 HD)

Description:	The rakasta are a race of nomadic, catlike humanoids about the size of dwarves. They walk erect, much like humans, but are covered with soft, tawny fur and have feline heads and features. The rakasta fight with special metal "war claws" that fit over their natural claws. Without these special "claws," the rakasta claw attacks do only 1-2 points of damage each. The rakasta can use normal weapons such as swords, but generally disdain them, preferring to use their "natural" weapons (the war claws). The rakasta often tame sabre-tooth tigers that are then ridden to the hunt or into battle. The sabre-tooth tigers are controlled with knee pressure and heavy riding crops, and are fitted with special saddles that do not hinder their fighting abilities. These saddles also allow the rakasta to leap up to 20 feet from their mounts and attack in the same round. The "tame" sabre-tooths are too ferocious to be ridden by any creature other than a rakasta. Rakasta settlements average 3d10 rakasta and 1-8 sabre-tooths, and are made up of many colourful tents and pavilions. Although they have treasure, the rakasta have rugs and tapestries of fine workmanship, crafted bowls and drinking cups, and other bulky items of value, rather than gems and jewels.

Combat:	Rake (Ex): A rakasta that grapples an opponent may make 2 rake attacks with its clawed feet, for 1d2+1 points of damage each. Jump (Ex): When mounted, the rakasta may leap from the mount up to 20 feet and attack in the same round, without provoking an attack of opportunity.

Rakasta Characters:	The favoured class for rakasta is the Fighter class; rakasta leaders tend to be Fighters or Fighter/Rogues. Rakasta clerics tend to worship Felpurr the Great, and may choose two of the following domains: War, Animal, and Earth.