View source for Rakasta (5e Race)

{{ambiguous|term=Rakasta}}
{{author
|author_name= Rlyehable
|date_created= 2015.08.13
|status= Complete. Comments welcome.
}}Conversion from the [[D&D Next]] monster into a 5e playable race[[Summary:: Conversion from the D&D Next monster into a 5e playable race| ]]

''(not to be confused with '''[[Rakshasa]]''')''

=== Physical Description ===
Rakasta are {{srd5lc|Medium}} height, usually between 5-6 feet tall, slightly shorter than {{srd5lc|Human}}s. They appear as anthropomorphic cats. Fur covers their body, except for the palms of their hands and feet. The fur can be a solid color, stripes, spots, or patched and is usually black, brown, orange, yellow, gray, white or a combination of these. They have long tails that are about the 1/3<sup>rd</sup> the length of their bodies. When open, their mouth displays a row of sharp teeth including short fangs, but they also possess molars (as they are omnivores). They possess sharp, retractable nails on both hands and feet.

Males and females are roughly the same size. All are lithe and usually slim.

Females have two larger breasts approximately where human breasts would be located and four smaller breasts slightly below, for a total of six. All of which are small compared to human breasts. When pregnant or nursing these will engorge in pairs depending on the number of offsping, and will return to normal size when the kits are weaned.

Males will sometimes have a ruff or mane around the face and/or down the back.
{{5e Height Weight|Race|4' 11"|1d12|120|1d4|5' 7" 141 lbs.}}

=== Society ===
Rakasta are social animals, but usually keep to their own family group, or Pride. These are usually led by the strongest, but the wisdom of the old is revered. The oldest breeding female also has a special role (sometimes it is the same individual) {see below}.

Prides share a territory with other prides to the mutual benefit of all. This grouping is called a Colony. 

All non-pregnant adults will defend the pride and colony's territory, but some individuals specialize as scouts, warriors, and cavalry. The cavalry is often mounted on great cats (tigers, lions, sabre-tooths, etc.)

=== Habitats and Dwellings ===
Rakasta have a remarkable ability to adapt to their environment. The oldest breeding female has a (psychic? magical?) ability to guide the expression of genes in her pride. Within two generations, the Rakasta's fur and other minor features can change to blend with and better adapt to their environment (i.e. stripes in grasslands, larger, more furry feet to better walk in snow-heavy areas, etc.). This ability to adapt has led some to mistakenly believe that the most common Rakasta (found on tropical planes) are the only Rakasta.

Rakasta will make use of their environment to construct structures to live in. These are usually huts or caves. But occasionally they will live in tents or more traditional buildings.

=== Rakasta Traits ===
{{5e Racial Traits
|abilityscores= Your {{SRD5|Dexterity}} score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.
|abilitynote=One other of choice increased by +1 and 
|str=
|dex=+2
|con=
|int=
|wis=
|cha=
|age= The average lifespan for the Rakasta races is around 60 years of age, reaching puberty around 7, and fully maturing at about 15. Around 55, they begin to show signs of old age. 
|size= {{SRD5|Medium}}
|speed= 30
|alignment= Rakasta tend toward good.
|darkvisionfluff= Your crepuscular heritage gives your excellent night vision.
|darkvisiondist= 60
|trait1name= Pounce
|trait1desc= While not wearing {{srd5lc|Heavy Armor}} nor wielding a {{srd5lc|Two-Handed}} weapon, you may extend the {{srd5lc|Reach}} of your {{srd5lc|Melee Weapon}} by 5 feet (usually to 10 feet). This represents the Rakasta's ability to pounce in, make an attack, and pounce back out before the opponent can {{srd5lc|Reaction|react}}.
|trait2name= Claws
|trait2desc= You have retractable claws on your hands and feet. When making an {{srd5lc|Unarmed Strike}}, you may choose to do {{srd5lc|Slashing}} damage instead of {{srd5lc|Bludgeoning}} damage. In addition, your unarmed strikes have the {{srd5lc|Finesse}} property.
|trait3name= Rakasta Weapon Training
|trait3desc= You are proficient with the {{SRD5|Javelin}}, [[Atlatl (5e Weapon)|Atlatl]], and [[Kasa (5e Weapon)|Kasa]]. For Rakdasta the javelin has the {{srd5lc|Finesse}} property. If you are a {{srd5lc|Monk}}, both the javelin and kasa are {{srd5lc|Monk Weapon}}s for you.
|trait4name= Skills and Tools
|trait4desc= You are {{srd5lc|Proficient}} with one of the following {{srd5lc|Skill}}s: {{SRD5|Animal Handling}}, {{SRD5|Acrobatics}}, {{SRD5|Perception}}, or {{SRD5|Stealth}} skills. You are also proficient with {{SRD5|Mounts}} (land).
|trait5name= Feline Empathy
|trait5desc= Rakasta, when dealing with cat-like (feline) creatures, may add their {{srd5lc|Proficiency}} bonus to social interactions ({{SRD5|Animal Handling}}, {{SRD5|Insight}}, {{SRD5|Deception}}, {{SRD5|Intimidation}}, and {{SRD5|Persuasion}}) {{srd5lc|Check}}s, if not already proficient in these skills. 
|languages= {{SRD5|Common}} and one other {{srd5lc|Language}} of your choice.
|subrace= 
}}

=== Exotic Weapons ===
Rakasta use two [[Exotic Weapon (5e Variant Rule)|Exotic Weapon]]s:
* [[Atlatl (5e Weapon)]] — A weapon that increases the range and damage of Javelins.
* [[Kasa (5e Weapon)]] — The traditional melee weapon of the Rakasta.

==Notes==
If you are looking for an official cat-like race, you may wish to look at the '''{{5ep|Tabaxi}}''' from {{pub|Volo's Guide to Monsters}}.
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[[Category:5e]]
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{{Navboxes}}
Ability Mods	One other of choice increased by +1 and + and Dex +2 +
Author	Rlyehable +
Canon	true +
Dexterity	+2 +
Features	Darkvision 60 +, Pounce +, Claws +, Rakasta Weapon Training +, Skills and Tools +, Feline Empathy +, Age +, Alignment +, Size +, Speed + and Languages +
Identifier	5e Race +
Is Race	true +
Race Name	Rakasta (5e Race) +
Rated By	Aarnott + and Dingobabee +
Rating	Rating Pending +
Size	Medium +
Summary	Conversion from the D&D Next monster into a 5e playable race +
Title	Rakasta +
Type	Humanoid +