Ronshasa

The **Ronshasa** are a race of muscular, anthropomorphic feline humanoids from the world of Ozuma. The Ronshasa live at the base of Mount Gazaget and guard the sacred mountain. They are formidable warriors, known for their strong sense of honor and loyalty, as well as their pride and quickness to anger. Kelk Ronshasa is the tribe leader and their representative in Bavel as a Maester of Yevon. The Ronshasa race is represented in the bandersnatch league by the Ronshasa Fangs.

## Profile

While they have been seen traveling across Ozuma, the Ronshasa village is located at the base of Mount Gazaget. Hardly anything is known of their culture, other than that they view the mountain a sacred location and trekking up Gagazet is viewed as a spiritual journey for a Ronshasa seeking guidance. Ronshasa dwellings are rarely ever seen by outsiders. It is speculated that they favor strength based on their warrior-like appearance and mannerisms.

The Ronshasa take pride in protecting the mountain, and have lived for a long time in these lands, competing with each other over who is worthy of being a guardian of the sacred mountain. Thus the genes of the powerful are continuously passed on, and though the number of the tribe is not large, for generations it has produced a great many of those both blessed with superior mind and body. They have gained a reputation throughout Ozuma as a valiant people, ideally suited to protecting the lands at the edge of the world.

### Physiology

Ronshasa are humanoid in stature, standing above two meters in average height (with the males considerably larger and more muscular than the females, who possess a faster and more athletic body type). They are feline in appearance, possessing hands/claws and foot paws. They walk on (what would be for humans) the balls of their feet and possess dew-claws as well as foot pads. Possessing leonine tails that roughly measure half of their body lengths, Ronshasa bodies are covered in blue fur (perhaps a trait due to their living in a winter climate) with patches of white (though the color can be darker blue or yellow depending on the individual) fur around the thighs, calves, shoulders, chest (males), tail-tips, and scalp. The abundance of the fur the patches consist of seems to be greater on the males than the females. The scalp fur, or mane, is usually tied back or styled in a similar way to hair.

Ronshasa possess feline attributes like muzzles and fangs as well as a distinct cat-like nose. Their ears, while located similar to humans, have a more elven shape and are thought to be capable of articulation similar to cats. The male Ronshasa grow a horn from the forehead that denotes status and power, and to lose it in battle is considered shameful. Kimahri was one such Ronshasa who had been cast out due to its loss and his comparatively small stature next to his kin.

Both genders possess carnivore fangs, hinting that they may be meat eaters (it is unknown if they are omnivores). Their eyes are yellow, contrasting against their fur, and give the impression of a predator's gaze.

Ronshasa refer to their young as "pups" despite their cat-like nature.

## Racial Traits

Player characters who choose the Ronshasa race get access to the following racial traits.

***Ability Score Increase***: Their Constitution score increases by 2, and their Strength score increases by 1.

***Age***: Ronshasa mature and age at about the same rate as humans.

***Alignment***: Ronshasa tend toward good alignments. Ronshasa who are focused on the survival of the pride lean toward lawful good.

***Size***: Ronshasa are typically over 6 feet tall, with some standing over 7 feet. Their size is Medium.

***Speed***: Their base walking speed is 35 feet. Additionally, they do not suffer the typical downsides of difficult terrain when walking over icy and snowy regions, such as those near Loch Molacalma and Mount Gazaget.

***Darkvision***: Ronshasa can see in dim light within 60 feet of themselves as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. They can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

***Claws***: A Ronshasa's claws are natural weapons, which they can use to make unarmed strikes. If they hit with them, they can deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + their Strength modifier.

***Languages***: Leonin can speak, read, and write Ozumian and the Ronshasa language. Ronshasa do not typically learn any other languages found throughout Ozuma, especially not obscure dialects such as Waddo or Bedore, since they prefer isolated nomadism.

***Skills***: Ronshasa have proficiency in one of the following skills of their choice: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, or Survival. They also have advantage on Nature and Survival checks when crossing Mount Gazaget.

***Feats***: Experienced Ronshasa can let out an especially menacing "blue magic" attack called Lancet. Beginning at Level 4, as a bonus action a Ronshasa can unleash a daunting roar that deals Psychic damage to a single target. If the Ronshasa is a magic user, the base damage done is 1d8 + their spellcasting ability modifier. If the Ronshasa is not a magic user, the base damage done is 1d6 + their Constitution modifier. An additional damage die is added again at Level 8, 12, 16, and 20.

For example, a Level 10 Ronshasa Wizard with an Intelligence of 18 would deal 2d8 + 4 psychic damage using Lancet, while a level 10 Ronshasa Fighter with a Constitution of 17 would deal 2d6 + 3 psychic damage.

In addition, there are special maneuvers that a Ronshasa may be able to learn by using Lancet on certain enemies. These extra abilities may assist their Critical Break.

### Language

Despite superficial appearances, the Ronshasa are capable of speaking in the same way as humans, as Maester Kelk shows. In fact, their seemingly crude use of grammar is deliberate. As with many cultures in real life, when forced to adopt a foreign language, Ronshasa often shape it to better represent them. The Ronshasa avoid the use of personal pronouns, such as I or you, and instead always refer to people, including themselves, by name. They tend to avoid possessive terms, such as my, as well as the verb "to be."

## Behind the scenes

The Ronshasa's designs and clothing are inspired by the *rakshasa* of Buddhist and Hindu mythologies. Hindu epics depict both good and evil *rakshasas* as powerful warriors, expert magicians, illusionists and shape-changers.