What are Rakghouls?
Rakghouls are an amphibious-mammal cross and plague the Undercity of the swamp world of Taris. The word plague is not used lightly and literally means a plague, as the Rakghoul infection can be spread between hosts and infect others. The infection form ultimately consumes the hosts body and transforms them into the carnivorous beast. Once a Rakghoul the host forgets all previous memories and is left with only a few desires: to hunt, to infect and to feast. Rakghouls are a non-sentient being that vary in height and weight depending on the original genetics of the host.
Taris was once an illustrious, but dark city. In time it became corrupt serving as home for many low-ranking cantinas, pazaak dens, duelist arenas, gang wars and xenophobe traditions. Mainly these 'xenophobic traditions' consisted of segregating non-human life forms into the lower levels with no access to the top floors of the endless city. Ultimately during the Jedi Civil War, the Sith Lord Darth Malak arrived at the city world of Taris and annihilated it. Its city was reduced to rubble and ruins and the very few survivors were forced to live like those they despised, the Undercity Refugees. The death toll was in the high billions, and those who survived soon learned of the troubles the refugees faced.
Prior to Taris' destruction the Refugees were treated as lesser and were given little to no rights. They were forced to live in small encampments below the city, on the planet's floor amongst the forests and swamplands. The refugees lived in fear, they fought and endless battle with a never ending plague, the 'Rakghoul Plague'. Soon the survivors of the planet's attack were all wiped out by the Rakghouls as they were uneducated in the dangers of the disease. Rakghouls are very dangerous. There is no possibility of death in their eyes, there is only the possibility of their next meal. They are dangerous. You have been warned.
What are Rakghouls like?
Rakghouls are extremely hostile and cannot be bargained with. Their primary goal is to feast. If one was to tame a Rakghoul, then this guide would be for you – information on Rakghoul raising is in the following chapters. Rakghouls are often found in packs, packs of four or five can often overwhelm and be extremely harmful. The best approach to take if a Rakghoul pack overwhelms a party is to kill yourself. Upon killing yourself it becomes harder for the Rakghoul plague to infect the host's body. If you are alive and the Rakghouls infect you, then the remaining survivors are susceptible to far more risks as they have lost a member of their group and have gained another beast tracking them. Rakghouls can be trained (if taming is successful, even though rare) to do a variety of tricks which will be explored further in the guide.
What type of Rakghoul should I get?
There aren't a variety of Rakghoul species. There are rumors of a Rakghoul plague in the Shadowlands of Taris known as the Nekghoul (this is made up entirely of dead hosts infected with the plague). Alternately there is also rumor of a Red Rakghoul as well as a White Rakghoul. However not only is there no proof that either exist, but judging from the graphic stories based on the myth of the Red Rakghoul it appears as though it is highly unlikely the R.R. can be tamed. In addition it may be a good idea to keep a loved one as you Rakghoul pet. It is not encouraged you intentionally infect a relative or loved one but rather capture one if he/she happens to get infected.
How do I look after my Rakghoul?
Hopefully this question will be asked over the course of this guide. It is a commonly (yet unintelligible) question. Looking after Rakghouls is no simple task and many requirements must be pursued prior to and during looking after your very first Rakghoul pet. These requirements will be listen in this handbook and will hopefully be met by the reader and Rakghoul owner.
What do Rakghouls eat?
Anything. Well, technically that is untrue. They are purely carnivorous, they eat anything with enough meat on it (with the exception of other Rakghouls). However, Rakghouls do not eat whole creatures only part, or they nibble somewhat upon the beast. The real fear should be from the way they treat you. The real danger is their talons, Rakghouls are extremely well known for their talons. With ease these talons could tear a person in two, likewise to the strengthened jaw of a Rakghoul. But to answer the question, yes they eat meat.
Should I let my Rakghoul breed?
No. Technically Rakghouls cannot breed as they do not have either the Biology or intentions to do so. They merely want to kill and infect. Exposure to the Rakghoul plague into an open wound causes infection. The infection spreads through the teeth, or talons of the Rakghoul. Once it enters the bloodstream the disease finds its way to the host's organs, muscles and brain. There the infection lies dormant, the infection by the heart begins to kill the muscle until it wastes away entirely. Then, the infection residing within the brain activates the rest of the disease and the host begins to turn lively once more. However, now the lively host is a Rakghoul. Their flesh tears upon and a mucus layering on a leathery hide reveals itself and tears through the host's original skin. Their skull shatters and deforms, teeth and nails growing at a rapid pace. Finally their bones shatter or deform to fit the habitat they are in (swamplands) so they can navigate more conveniently. Despite this, the infection of today somewhat alters. Now the infection does not kill the host before turning them into a Rakghoul, or at least it does so instantaneously. In a split second the host will die and begin the rapid transformation into a cannibalistic and carnivorous monstrosity.