Rakashas are a kind of really nasty faerie. They are said to actually be demons and have quite a bit of ill will toward men, especially men of the church. They can shape-shift, and though they are usually in a nasty backwards-head-bull shape with nappy hair, they can be animals or even beautiful women, which is how they seduce holy men to take them home for dinner, literally. They are said to be able to bring dead people back to life and to cause nasty sicknesses if touched.