Page 80 - Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

and interfering-often violently- with any effort to build can be equally gratified by howls of laughter or howls of
a centralized concentration of authority. horror- any attention, in their minds, is good attention.
The Azorius Senate currently stands as the greatest Most Rakdos performers are fighters of the Champion
threat to the Rakdos way of life. The cult targets Azorius or Eldritch Knight archetype, barbarians of the Path
senators and arresters for ridicule, harassment, and of the Berserker, or rogues of the Thief or Assassin
occasionally assassination. The Boros Legion's zeal- archetype. Spellcasting performers are often bards of
ous pursuit of order and justice poses a similar threat. the College of Valor or warlocks of the fiend {the demon
Although Boros's attention is focused on the Gruul at lord Rakdos).
the moment, Rakdos cultists are well aware that any
sufficiently disruptive performance with a high enough BACKGROUND: RAKDOS CULTIST
body count could bring the wrath of the legion down on You're an entertainer at heart. a performer with a Hair
their heads. The overreaching of the Azorius and the for the dramatic and a love of the spotlight. You've spent
self-righteous wrath of the Boros engender true fear in years honing your craft, mastering a demanding set
the anarchic Rakdos cultists, and the Rakdos respond of skills so you can perform them with panache and
to fear with bloodshed. make them look easy. The wild applause, the screams of
the crowds, the mayhem and terror spreading into the
R AKDOS CHARACTERS streets-this is what you live for.
You're also a member of a cult devoted to an ancient
Alignment: Usually chaotic, often evil
Suggested Races: Human, goblin demon who delights in violence and chaos. It just so
Suggested Classes: Barbarian, bard, fighter, warlock happens that Rakdos loves a good show, and your high-
est aspiration is to please the Defiler, the Lord of Riots,
You might enjoy playing a Rakdos character if any of the with your own performance.
following sentences describe you:
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Performance
• You enjoy mayhem. Languages: Choose either Abyssal or Giant
• You like playing showy, dramatic characters who are Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument
often the center of attention. Equipment: A Rakdos insignia, a musical instrument
• You're drawn to bards or warlocks. (one of your choice), a costume, a hooded lantern
• The idea of finding a heroic way to participate in a made of wrought iron, a 10-foot length of chain with
demonic cult sounds like a fun chaJlenge. sharply spiked links, a tinderbox, 10 torches, a set
of common clothes, a belt pouch containing 10 gp (a
j OINING THE CULT OF R AKDOS mix of Azorius and Boros 1-zino coins), and a bottle of
The Cult of Rakdos attracts misfits and malcontents, sweet, red juice
who can't abide the civilized norms of Ravnica, as well
as wayward souls eager to idolize an ancient demon lord A FLAIR FOR THE DRAMATIC
and partake in riots. However, what Ravnicans like most Rakdos performance styles typically fuse standard cir-
about the guild is that it has evolved into a roving circus cus-style acrobatics with fire, wrought-iron spikes and
that attracts hedonistic, anything-goes performers who hooks, and monsters. You can roll a d8 or choose from
really know how to put on a show. the options in the Performance Options table to deter-
By the time you start your adventuring career, you no mine your preferred style of performance.
doubt have a great act ready to go, and you're champing
at the spike-studded bit to get out there and show the PERFORMANCE OPTIONS
world what you've got. But you must earn a place on the d8 Type of Performer
stage or in the ring, and that means first doing your part 1 Spikewheel acrobat
backstage to keep the show running. "Backstage" can 2 Lampooning satirist
also mean "out in the city," carrying out a variety of er-
rands for people who have more pull than you. And with 3 Fire juggler
the Rakdos, such errands tend to look more like adven- 4 Marionette puppeteer
tures than like shopping trips. 5 Pain artist
What does your chosen form of performance look 6 Noise musician
like? What skills do you aspire to learn? Spikewheel 7 Nightmare clown
acrobats, lampooners, fire jugglers, puppeteers, pain 8 Master of ceremonies
artists, noise musicians, and hellbeast riders form the
heart of the cult's bizarre entertainments, putting on FEATURE: FEARSOME REPUTATION
shows in guild-owned dark speakeasies and on portable People recognize you as a member of the Cult of Rak-
stages in the streets. Performers called uncagers tend- dos, and they're careful not to draw your anger or
and unleash-the variety of beasts and horrors used in ridicule. You can get away with minor criminal offenses,
Rakdos shows. such as refusing to pay for food at a restaurant or break-
Other Rakdos performers are spellcasters of spec- ing down a door at a local shop, if no legal authorities
tacular sort, using expressive, free-wheeling, and witness the crime. Most people are too daunted by you
dangerous magic. These mages find inspiration in the to report your wrongdoing to the Azorius.
responses expressed by witnesses of their magic. They

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