History of Rakshasas in Fantasy
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ธ.ค. 2024
- In this Video I talk about the fictional history of Rakshasas. I also explain what a Rakhasas is, why Rakshasas have backwards hands, and how Rakshasas were added to D&D. I also go over the mythological origins of the Rakshasa. I end with a note on how Rakshasas can be used in your games or writings, plus an anecdote about my Rakshasa which was inspired by Critical Role.
Links:
First Rakshasa Appearance: www.annarchive...
Here is Gary’s Post if you want to read it: www.enworld.or...
If you look up big cats use of infrasound you can imagine why ancient people imagined them to have psychic powers
Thats super cool actually. I didnt know that and that also makes sense.
Rakshasas are, in my opinion, one of the most fun and annoying enemies you can unleash on to a party. Keep up the good work, King.
Thanks man. I agree their ability to return makes them an ever present threat and their magics are super fun.
The occurrence of backwards hands, or feet, is replete through different cautionary tales, and cultures, usually as an enticing stranger met in wild lands.
It is, which is why I think the editors just accepted it as true even though in this instance it wasn't.
Outside of D&D, the only other time I heard the name Rakshasa was an episode of Extreme Ghostbusters.
I have also seen them in some Indian Media, Might and Magic, Magic the Gathering, and Supernatural. I also talked about them with a professor in college since he was unsure of what they were when reading American Gods.
Very well researched! The backwards facing hands have precedent in European mythology. Now, its not a one-for-one, but most shapeshifters come with a Tell that gives away their nature. The huldufolk and tails, or the hallow back, or the Jinn of Arabia.
It seems like a natural evolution to apply to a shapeshifting, illusion demon, even if its not accurate to the native mythology it was pulled from.
I completely agree with this. That's why I think even though it's not In the original myth it has stuck around so long.
I was literally wondering about the history/origin of Rakshasa the other week and here ya are making a video like this. Fantastic man, severely underrated.
Thank you for the praise. I found this video very satisfying to make since I also always wondered about them.
@@kid9893 Likewise, do you by chance have a Discord server or anything of the sort? Could see some potential for like-minded world-builders talking about ideas, etc.
Love this
Thanks Madison I'm glad you liked it
In one of the settings I run, there are Tieflings based on Rakshasa bloodlines, and one of the party's allies is one of these...who *loathes* her fiendish kin, at least in part for all the discrimination she faces for...her backwards hands... It's been really fun, and I'll never forget how much their first meeting freaked out the players!
My favorite portrayal of Rakshasa was in Zelazny's Lord of Light. Also, unrelated, the MMORPG Dungeons and Dragons Online makes extensive use of them, they are instrumental in establishing the rift between the worlds of Eberron and Toril for Lolth and appear as frequent foes in Shavrath, the battlefield of eternal war between Demons, Yugoloth, and Devils.
First time i saw a Rakshasa was in heroes of might and magic 5, it was one of the Academy units. Rakshasa Rani and Rakshasa Raja
Yeah Rakshasa show up in lots of fantasy places. I always enjoy the inclusion of lesser known ones for things like units.
Another great video, Kid. This is the first one where I genuinely had almost no knowledge of the subject (I didn't finish Critcal Role C1 and don't play D&D anymore).
Always interested to learn some mythology and see the evolution of fantasy designs, though. Possible mistranslation leading to the idea of backwards hands is kinda hillarious, but you have to admit that backwards hands are pretty badass.
Oh I absolutely adore the backwards hands. Also I think I'm the first person to ever mention that so feel free to dunk on other nerds in your many Rakshasa conversations 😁
@@kid9893 I think having a trait as unique as the hands does a lot to distinguish a Rakshasa from being just a tiger-man who can use illusion magic. Seeing those hands and imagining how unnatural it would be for them to do things injects a lot of *other* into something that can otherwise seem mundane.
Indian folklore is wild
It really is. I find it wildly underutilized in fantasy.
@@kid9893 When I was taking Art History AP about ten years ago, it was when I was initially exposed to it, mainly the religious aspects in the Sanskrit. The Asura's Wrath videogame also covered a lot , but then Capcom paywalled the ending behind a DLC -_-
Rakshasas appear in Heroes of Might and Magic as part of the Academy faction.
That is true. I did not know that before. Thank you.
Thak you for sharing this intereesting information!!!! It all was actually cool.
I'm in the process of reinforcing the worldbuilding of a setting using the Fate system. And básically I have all this different species I'm creating, kind of similar to the mutants in X-men. The idea is to base the species on myths, at least in some extent. So this might be honestly helpful!!! Hadn't consider adding something similar to Rakshasas. I feel it's true that they are under the radar for most TTRPGs.
That sounds very cool actually. Rakshasas are a very open idea too, plenty of room for a new version. The idea that the races are mutants, that's neat.
@@kid9893 Thank you! I'm having a great time toying with the ideas for the different species. I just take a few ideas from some myth or folklore and pretty much make them fit with whatever other cualities or abilities they inspire in my imagination. 🤣 A new version of rakshasa sounds interesting. 🤔
@@exequielgaleano9947 I also love tinkering with different races and powers for them. I find that to be the most fun part of game design.
Amazing content, keep up!
Bless you.
Good video.
Thank you my friend.
Nice job. Knowing more about this mystical creature, I will use it in my upcoming campaign. Thanks for the research, King…
You are welcome my friend. I am glad to hear you will be using them.
So Rakshasas in actual lore are more akin to vampires than than the creatures depicted
Yes. In fact, other mythos use them as vampires.
I'm just waiting for those clowns to make Rakshasas a playable character race.
It's definitely coming. Or a tiefling bloodline for it.
There are so many jokes I can think of with these creatures that arent safe for the platform
I appreciate your safety concerns.
I'm surprised that there was no mention of the Eberron setting that elevated Rakshasa above other demons. Excellent coverage of non-D&D sources 👍
pog pog pogu
HaHa thank you man
👹👹👹👹👹👍👍👍👍💯💯💯
😈😈😈
Sorry there a game?
Tell me more
Yeah I've been designing my own game for a few years now. It's at a very playable state and I'm hoping soon to be able to open it to beta testing
i like them but the myths have racial and historical elements that still causing problems
naga, asuras too - living religions and ethic groups identified with these mythical peoples
descriptions and moral sides vary over time
ravana still has effigies burned on hindu holidays and also has temples and was a Tamil king
the dnd version is an adnd invention - the bx version feels far more removed from myths and pure dnd invention. Id possibly rename some of these indian myth creatures
the dragon article is quite good