A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Monstrous Lair #98: Rakshasa’s Home

Monstrous Lair #98: Rakshasa’s Home by Robert Manson is a role playing game supplement published by Raging Swan Press. The supplement is stated to be system neutral, but also compatible with any version of Dungeons & Dragons, and is therefore covered by the Open Game License with some parts considered to be Open Game Content as a result.

The supplement is available as an 8-page PDF for $1.65 from DriveThruRPG but was purchased at a reduced price thanks to a special offer. The supplement comes in two versions, a plaintext file and a PDF. Two pages of the PDF are the front and rear covers, two pages are ads, about half a page the front matter and Contents and one page the Open Game License.

Using this Monstrous Lair is a standard piece of text for the series and explains what the tables are and that the supplement makes two assumptions; the GM has a map of the lair and stats for monsters and details of any treasure.

The opening paragraph has some brief details on rakshasa, evil shapechanging spirits who masquerade as others, often in positions of power. The d10 tables follow.

1: Outside the Lair has descriptions for the region outside their house.

2: What’s Going On? are what the rakshasa might be doing or what else might be happening.

3: Major Lair Features are the major features of the home.

4: Minor Lair Features are minor items of dressing.

5: Rakshasa’s Appearance has descriptions for the creature.

6: Treasure is items of value; unusually, the value is given for one.

7: Trinkets & Trash is mostly valueless items.

Monstrous Lair #98: Rakshasa’s Home in Review

The PDF is bookmarked with major and minor sections linked. The Contents are to a similar level of depth and is hyperlinked. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There is a single piece of black and white stock art. Presentation is okay.

The home of the rakshasa is assumed to be some, probably imposing and expensive, residence, which may limit the supplement’s utility. Given that rakshasas often impersonate other creatures, the home is also suitable for lots of beings who own such homes, making it more broadly useful but also less focused. Monstrous Lair #98: Rakshasa’s Home can be found by clicking here.