Rakshasa

The true form of a rakshasa, though almost never seen due to their ability to assume any humanoid figure, is most commonly humanoid with the head of a tiger and luxurious fur. However, it is not unusual for them to possess the heads and features of apes, crocodiles, mantises, or hippopotami.   The eyes of a rakshasa can range from gold and black slits for felines to protruding, multifaceted spheres for insects, but always contain a fiendish glimmer of disturbing, infernal intellect. However, their most unnerving and unique feature is their reversed hands. The palms of a rakshasa face out from the body when the arms are at rest, and the finger joints bent backwards to grasp and manipulate objects.

Rakshasas are naturally adept sorcerers, able to use a wide variety of enchantment and illusion spells to beguile their victims. Most magic is of no use against rakshasas, with only some of the most powerful spells able able to affect them unless they allow it. Only potent, enchanted weapons are capable of properly harming them; most notably, piercing weapons that had been blessed, or potentially those wielded by good creatures, are particularly effective. Blessed crossbow bolts and arrows are said to instantly kill them, if piercing the heart directly; the verity of this claim is uncertain.   Rakshasas can shapeshift whenever and for as long as they desire; their new forms can not be magically dispelled, although truesight can pierce their guise. Their claws contain a magical curse that plagues the minds of those struck with nightmares and terrifying figments, preventing them from resting properly.

Rakshasas thrive on mortal cultures, and even somewhat require them; they often meddle in politics and intrigue, weaving vast webs of conspiracies and loyalties. They enjoy gathering power and influence as much as they enjoy taking it from others, and a rakshasa's end goal is as likely to be taking over a kingdom as it is letting it fall to ruin.