Rakshasa

A malevolent shapeshifter who devours humans. They can take on any form, though for combat they often use their native form, which is a kind of ogre or giant, often with extra heads or arms. Rakshasa are often spell-casters, and are physically very very powerful. They have a society with ranks, probably based on strength.

Ravana, the enemy of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, was the Rakshasa king, until Rama killed him along will all the other Rakshasas of Lanka. He was aided in this by Hanuman and billions of monkeys. Also, the "Rama as Vishnu" reading is a late interpolation into the Ramayana. There is very little textual support that was not inserted by Vishnu cultists rather later.

Also known as a Rakshasha.