Rhek
“Rhek Chaosgrinder” © Wizards of the Coast, by Jeremy Jarvis. Accessed at the Book of Exalted Deeds Art Gallery here
[Speaking of imperialist pachyderms... the rhek appeared once and only once, in the 3.5 Book of Exalted Deeds. That book has an... unfortunate idea of what goodness means, so the line that the rhek enforce harmony through violence does not inspire me to keep their given alignment of LG. Also unusual is the choice to illustrate the leveled specimen instead of the baseline, which wears heavy armor and carries weapons. The miniature card of the rhek is thus the only place art for the default rhek appears.]
Rhek CR 5 LN Monstrous Humanoid This grey skinned humanoid has the blunt feet of a rhinoceros, and a single horn growing from its forehead. It is clad in heavy armor, and carries a keen polearm.
The rhek are a species of planar immigrants, having traveled from their home planet to Axis in order to more fully embrace law. They enforce harmony and order through violence. Rhek are found as guards, watchmen and police in both the Eternal City and in its enclaves and embassies on other planes. They are meticulous and orderly in their behavior, and expect the same from others.
Rhek despise chaos in all its forms, but are not immediately violent towards chaotic individuals. As long as these creatures keep their heads down and mind their business, the rhek will tolerate them, although they may keep a close watch. Once any threat to social stability erupts, however, the rhek spring into action. Rank and file rhek fight with polearms and wear heavy armor, but their elite agents often train in unarmed and unarmored combat. These monks, called chaosgrinders by the rhek, are held in high esteem by even axiomites and inevitables, and may be found assisting them on missions.
