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Rakasta

The Rakasta were introduced to the world in the Module Isle of Dread There they were just a group of NPCs, that had set up a temporary camp on the Island. There they were described as “… a proud and barbaric race.” Then Ral Partha (The Miniature company) released a set of rules with their Basic Heroes Set which was reprinted in the Thunder Rift Module Rage of the Rakasta. Here they were more civilized, and the race-class was just another Fighter varient (ala Dwarf)
When Bruce Heard got ahold of the Race he placed a group of them on the Invisible moon, and modeled them after a Japanese-like society. This batch of Rakasta had Samurai and Ninja. (No other classes were mentioned, but this was not detailed as a player race here). And later he placed another group of Rakasta Near the Savage Coast, in a Victorian England-like Society. Where he gave them near Human abilities.


Rakasta

If you want me in on your little heist, I want double. You want the best; you pay for the best. Plus, I get first pick of the loot and top billing on the wanted poster.
-Neulla Marta- Acquisitions Specialist

Rakasta are a race of nomadic feline humanoids found on the Isle of Dread and in other parts of the Known World. They are a warlike race, priding themselves on their martial skills. They are also known for their artistic nature, with their pottery and art being quite collectible among the nobles of various human kingdoms. Most rakasta travel in family groups, always looking for new prey. Except for greater rakasta, they place a high value on their families. They are valued as trading partners among the Darokin and Minrothad merchant princes.

Lithe and Agile
Rakasta are as varied as lupin, but all rakasta share an almost unnatural grace. They are varied in size, from around 5 feet for the domestic rakasta to nearly 7 feet tall for the greater rakasta. Likewise, their weight can be anywhere from 90 lbs for the smaller versions, to almost 500 lbs for the largest greater rakasta.
Rakasta appear as furry humanoids with feline heads. The smaller rakasta seem to have heads of ordinary house cats, where the largest of rakasta have heads resembling lions or tigers. Their coats can be any variety of colors, though the greater rakasta often have coats similar to tigers or leopards.

Fickle Creatures
Rakasta travel in family groups usually. They are not tied down to the family group but owe allegiance to their chief. Many of the rakasta seek glory on the battlefield, but if their chief does not provide them with enough glory, they will challenge the chief or seek it for themselves.
Rakasta are known for their excellent craftsmanship; when they are not at war, they turn to making high-quality works of art. Many merchants seek them out for trade, bringing weapons in exchange for valuable furs, jewelry, and tapestries. Rakasta prefer to trade rather than steal; there is no honor for them in robbery.

Highly Curious
Rakasta are well known for their curiosity, and its ability to lead them into trouble. Many rakasta grow tired of the pack life and seek out friends to take them to more exciting places. While many rakasta return, some become devoted to adventuring and never settle down at all.

5E Rules

Rakasta Traits
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Age. Rakasta reach maturity around 12 years old. They live on average 90 years.
Alignment. Most rakasta are neutral in alignment.
Size. Rakasta are from 5-7 feet tall and weigh from 90 to 500 lbs. You are a medium creature.
Speed. Your speed is 35 feet.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Rakasta.
Darkvision. You can see in the dark 60 feet.
Fear of Water. If you are on a boat or completely wet, you have disadvantage on skill checks until you get on solid ground or dry off.
Catfall. You have resistance to damage taken from falling.
Natural Weapons. Your claws deal 1d4 slashing damage on an unarmed strike and have the finesse property.
Weapon Proficiency. You have proficiency in the kasas, a form of short sword you wear over your claws.

Domestic Rakasta

Giving up living in the wilds for the comforts of urban living, domestic rakasta are an uncommon sight in the larger cities. While they have lost some of the savageries of their kin, they are also known for their almost supernatural luck.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma increases by 1.
Nine Lives. You have advantage on death saving throws.

Greater Rakasta

The largest of the rakasta, greater rakasta are solitary hulking brutes. Unlike other rakasta, the greater rakasta live alone, hunting prey for themselves. They tend to be irritable and suspicious of outsiders. They can be found in any wilderness, often as hunters or rangers.
Ability Score Increase. Your strength increases by 1.
Roar. You can use a bonus action to Roar. All enemies within 10 feet must make a Charisma save DC 8 + proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier, becoming Frightened for 1d6+1 rounds on a failure; they can make an additional save at the end of their turns to break the effect early. You cannot use this ability again until you take a short rest.

Wild Rakasta

The most common rakasta, wild rakasta are found in packs in secluded areas or wide-open spaces. Known for their ability to leap great distances, they surprise their foes by closing faster than expected.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution increases by 1.
Pounce. You always count as moved 10 feet before you jump. You can take a bonus action to make a long or high jump. You have advantage on Dexterity checks to land in difficult terrain.

BECMI Rules

Considering the mixed background of Rakasta in BECMI, I will present both the Rage of the Rakasta Rules and the Princess Ark Rules.

Rage of the Rakasta

Ability Score Maximums

Ability ScoreStrIntWisDexConCha
Rakasta Minimum Scores933333
Rakasta Maximum Scores181818181818

Prime Requisite: The Prime Requisite of a rakasta character is Dexterity. A rakasta must also be fairly strong. If the character has a score of 13 or better in Dexterity, he or she earns an additional 5% bonus whenever experience points are gained. If the Dexterity score is 16 or better, this bonus increases to 10% . Characters with scores below 9 will suffer a — 10% penalty to earned experience ( —20% if the Dexterity score is 5 or less).

Infravision: Rakasta have infravision up to 60′

Weapons: Rakasta use a variety of weapons, but prefer their special toratsume above all others. These are leather gauntlets which have a series of sharp metal blades set on the fingers. In combat, a rakasta character can strike twice per round when using toratsume. Each attack is made with a +1 bonus to the attack roll and inflicts 1d4 points of damage. Non-rakasta characters are able to use toratsume in
combat, but they lack the training and natural agility of the rakasta. Thus, they may make only one attack per round with them.
If not using their toratsurne in combat, rakasta favor tanto (daggers), wakizashi (short swords), and katana (long swords). They never use blunt weapons like hammers or chopping weapons like axes, considering these mere tools and thus not fit for the hands of warriors.

Armor: These folk find armor to be a burden, preferring to move quickly—something impossible when burdened with heavy armor. Thus, a rakasta character cannot wear plate armor, although chain or leather are okay. Similarly, the rakasta style of fighting and codes of honor prohibit the use of a shield in combat.

Bite: As soon as they reach 2nd level, rakasta gain the ability to bite their enemies in combat. This attack may be used in addition to strikes made with toratsume, but cannot be combined with any other form of attack. A rakasta can try to bite any enemy that is not wearing armor. A successful hit inflicts 1d4 points of damage.

LevelTitleExperienceTotal Hit Dice
1Heitai01d8
2Gunso2,2002d8
3Shikisha4,4003d8
4Taisho8,8004d8
5Ciyu17,0005d8

Saving Throws

Save VersusLevel 1~3Level 4~5
Death Ray or Poison1311
Magic Wand1412
Turn to Stone1311
Dragon Breath1614
Rod, Staff, Spell1513
Princess Ark Rules

Ability Score Maximums

Ability ScoreStrIntWisDexConCha
Rakasta Minimum Scores333533
Rakasta Maximum Scores181818181818
Rakasta Ability Score Adjustments+2

Infravision: Rakasta also have infravision up to 60′

Detect Invisible: Rakasta have the ability to use their superior perception sense (a combination of smell, hearing, and Rakastas’ instinct) that allows them to detect invisible within a 10′ radius.

Hear Noise: Rakasta have hearing comparable to that of a thief of the same level. Rakasta can be surprised only on a roll of 1 on 1d6.

Natural Attack: Rakasta retain the use of their natural claw/claw/bite routine in combat (1-2/1-2/1-4) or can use one weapon other than war claws (a single attack).

LevelCleric * ExpCleric*/ Thief THAC0Fighter* / Mystic ExpFighter* / Mystic THAC0Magic User ExpMagic User THAC0Thief ExpHear Noise
0-2,20018-2,20018-2,20018-2,20025
1018018018030
22,000182,600183,300181,60035
33,900185,200186,500183,20040
47,8001810,4001713,000186,30045
515,6001720,8001726,0001812,50050
632,5001741,6001752,0001726,00054
765,0001783,20015104,0001752,00058
8130,00017156,00015195,00017104,00062
9260,00015312,00015390,00017208,00066
10390,00015468,00013585,00017364,00070
11520,00015624,00013780,00015520,00074
12650,00015780,00013975,00015676,00078
13780,00013936,000111,170,00015832,00081
14910,000131,092,000111,365,00015988,00084
151,040,000131,248,000111,560,000151,144,00087
161,170,000131,404,000**91,755,000131,300,00090
171,300,000111,560,00091,950,000131,456,00092
181,430,000111,716,00092,145,000131,612,00094
191,560,000111,872,00072,340,000131,768,00096
201,690,000112,028,00072,535,000131,924,00098
211,820,00092,184,00072,730,000112,080,000100
221,950,00092,340,00052,925,000112,236,000102
232,080,00092,496,00053,120,000112,392,000104
242,210,00092,652,00053,315,000112,548,000106
252,340,00072,808,00033,510,000112,704,000108
262,470,00072,964,00033,705,00092,860,000110
272,600,00073,120,00033,900,00093,016,000112
282,730,00073,276,00024,095,00093,172,000114
292,860,00053,432,00024,290,00093,328,000116
302,990,00053,588,00024,485,00093,484,000118
313,120,00053,744,00024,680,00073,640,000120
323,250,00053,900,00024,875,00073,796,000122
333,380,00034,056,00025,070,00073,952,000124
343,510,00034,212,00015,265,00074,108,000126
353,640,00034,368,00015,460,00074,264,000128
363,770,00024,524,00015,655,00054,420,000130
* Cleric levels include Druid Levels, Fighter Levels include Paladin/ Knight/ Avenger Levels.
** Highest level for a Mystic



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Thank you to Mr. Welch for the Lupin Writeup for 5th Ed

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