Match 19609 Rakshasa (D&D) vs. Mindflayer

[Culwych1]

Once upon a time, the town of Brookridge was a beacon of happiness and community spirit. Nestled between rolling hills and a sparkling lake, it was a place where neighbours greeted each other warmly and children played in the fields until dusk. The marketplace buzzed with activity, from the blacksmith's rhythmic hammering to the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread. Fishermen cast their nets in the lake, blessed with abundant catch, while farmers boasted luscious crops that were the envy of nearby villages. Tales of goodwill and laughter filled the taverns, and the annual Harvest Festival was a spectacle that drew visitors from miles around. This was a place of peace, a sanctum far removed from the darkness that lurked beyond the boundaries of human settlements.

But even in the brightest corners of the world, shadows find a way to creep in.

Destiny can be cruel, and fate is chaotic. A town like Bookridge is not immune to disasters; war, pestilence, famine, the town had weathered them all. But nothing could prepare it for a devilish fiend with power at its fingertips and a dark desire to take over. Certainly, as fortune would have it, nothing could have prepared it for two such fiends. Each walked its own path of evil intentions, unaware of the other.

 ---

Sarah

Sarah, a young seamstress, had always been proud of her independent spirit. Lately, her nights were plagued with dreams that seemed too vivid to be mere illusions. She dreamt of Thorn Hill, of walking up the winding path to the mansion, where a demonic feline creature welcomed her. But she knew of Thorn Hill, the rich merchant named Naraka had purchased it and she had seen the countless townsfolk who had flocked there to trade and discuss business deals. He was wealthy beyond anything Sarah could possibly imagine, but she had no interest in wealth. Yet when he smiled, she felt a feeling deep within akin to the fluttering of countless butterflies.

One night, the dream became too strong to resist. She found herself walking towards the mansion, as if her feet had minds of their own.

When she arrived, the Rakshasa named Naraka dropped his illusion and greeted her with a sadistic grin. "Ah, you've come. I've been expecting you," he purred. Gone were the feelings of stirring passion and instead he was far more terrifying in reality, his eyes glowing like embers, claws sharp as razors. Yet, Sarah couldn't resist the unnatural urge to serve him. She became one of the unfortunate souls locked in Naraka’s psychological prison, her free will shattered. Her days were spent creating elegant garments imbued with dark spells, her nights forever haunted by the echoes of Naraka’s laughter.

Thomas

Thomas, a local fisherman, had sensed something was amiss when fish started disappearing from the lake. He felt a compulsion to investigate, a desire not entirely his own. Armed with a lantern and determination, he rowed towards the centre of the lake one fateful night, a strange hum resonating in his ears.

Before he knew it, his boat capsized, and he was plunged into the cold darkness. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a lair.

He saw faced around him; eyes vacant and staring into oblivion. At the same time he felt a name echoing through his mind. Xul'Nareth.

Xul'Nareth.

Xul'Nareth.

The minutes Thomas had after that were spend in abject terror. This was Xul'Nareth’s lair and his very body refused his mind’s commands. In the darkness he saw movement, and tentacles reached for him, but it was the psychic grip on his mind that was the most agonising. The Illithid fed on his intellect, each sip an unbearable violation. Thomas returned to town days later, his eyes vacant, his spirit broken. His boat was found floating aimlessly, but Thomas himself was a hollowed-out husk, doomed to wander aimlessly, babbling nonsense to anyone who would listen.

---

Slowly, the new darklords of Brookridge asserted their will.

For the villagers caught in between, life had turned into a waking nightmare. Friends and family turned against each other, puppeteered by invisible strings. The local wizard, elderly Master Elwin, had been the first to fall under Naraka's spell, now serving as a court wizard to the fiendish imposter. Meanwhile, the church's priest, Father Giles, had been mentally dominated by Xul'Nareth, leading his congregation down a path of blasphemous worship.

Both monstrous overlords sensed a rival's magic at play, but their conceit blinded them to the reality of another equally malevolent force occupying the town. For months they enacted their dark plans, each believing they were manoeuvring against some pesky human resistance. In the twisted politics of Brookridge, alliances shifted like quicksand, and nobody knew who could be trusted.

It was a small boy, Tim, who discovered the terrifying truth. Possessing an innate resistance to enchantments and mind spells, he had managed to evade the worst of the mind-control and stumbled upon the Mind Flayer's lair while hiding from the Rakshasa's goons. Escaping narrowly, he raced to Thorn Hill, for he knew the Rakshasa was the only being powerful enough to challenge the Illithid.

When Naraka sensed the boy's unique mind, he saw the opportunity for a decisive victory. Believing that Xul'Nareth was just another human mage, he prepared for a final confrontation. Oblivious of the truth, Xul'Nareth sensed the imminent battle as well and hungered for the Rakshasa's formidable intellect.

As dawn broke, both dark lords emerged from their lairs, their magical forces crackling in the air, unknowingly marching toward an epic clash of malevolent titans. The townsfolk, still trapped in a web of mental manipulation, joined their new masters but knew deep inside that the outcome would inevitably plunge them deeper into an abyss of endless horror.

And so, as the two beings glimpsed each other from across the twisted battleground of Brookridge, the air filled with electric tension. This would be a battle of malevolent minds, of dark magic and darker intentions—a battle the likes of which the world had not seen for a thousand years. Neither knew what to make of the other; but both felt a flicker of doubt for the first time.

[Callisto]

Learn More About
Rakshasa (D&D)
Read more about Rakshasa (D&D) at Wikipedia
Official Site: Wizards of the Coast Links: Wikipedia

Mindflayer
Read more about Mindflayer at Wikipedia
Official Site: Wizards of the Coast Links: Wikipedia

[patrickthekid]

I would give it to the Rakshasa. It seems to have better defenses to magic and physical forms and can do both to the Mindflayer albeit with some effort.

[Pizzaguy2995]

I admittedly haven’t played DnD in my life but if I had to choose who I think would win between Tony the Tiger and Mini Cthulhu I’d lean towards Mini Cthulhu.

[DSkillz]

Ah, very good set-up, Culwych. Effective storytelling even with little dialogue. This feels very much like something another D&D team, Vox Machina, would have to deal with. 

As for the match, after looking both monsters up, it feels like Rakshasa has the edge here. 

[Callisto]

Match Final Results

Member Ratings:
4.40 - Pizzaguy2995
4.60 - DSkillz
5.00 - Boratz
5.00 - patrickthekid
4.00 - broadwaybeyonder

FPA Calculation:
5 Total Votes cast
23.00 Total Combined Score
23.00 / 5 = 4.60 Final Rating on the match

MATCH SCORE
Rakshasa (D&D): 2
Mindflayer: 3