How To Survive to level 2 with a +5 LA?

[Amor]

So, long story sort, I feel like doing something different in an online campaign by going with a Naztharune Rakshasa rather than a normal rogue (because who doesn't like being an evil panther kitty?).  As he explained it, I'll start with all of the races' stat bonuses, abilities, and what not, but be confined to one outsider hit die (and of course, 1d6 sneak attack).  This means that, for the first few levels, I'll be a beast, I'll probably quickly fall off and be rather... vulnerable until I get more than 14 Hit Points.

So, what's the best way to go about not dying until I can start taking those sweet, sweet outsider hit die?  The 15 DR Good and Piercing will probably help out a lot, but I imagine I'd be relying on a longbow and hiding until I get beefy enough to hold my own in a melee?

[littha]

Depending on how strong the DM makes your monsters you shouldn't fight anything that wont be completely neutered by DR 15 until level 10 or so.

[Ithamar]

Is this a solo game, or will there be other PC's?  If there are others, what are they playing?

Honestly, with Hide in Plain Sight and max ranks in Hide you should be fine for most encounters.  Just stay out of direct sunlight of course.  And when you factor in the DR, SR, Imp. Evasion, Imp. Uncanny Dodge, Change Shape, etc.  you really have very little to fear.  You can do amazing in social situations, shadow jump away when problems arise, then hide and sneak like a master thief when needed.

[Amor]

They'll be 3-4 other PCs, so far a human paladin (I'm investing in wand or amulet of undetectable alignment as soon as I can, and will have to rely on the bluff of "I was cursed by an evil wizard, and the spell still lingers on me"), a wood elf who's probably a sorcerer or druid, and someone else we can grab to join.  That said, because of the paladin, I'll be doing my best to keep the demon kitty's true nature a secret (with perhaps only the elf being aware, depending on backgrounds between the two characters).

Although, the five levels of being stuck at 4 ranks in Hide/Move Silently suck, but the +10 Dex more than makes up for that at least (not so much for search and disable device, sadly).  Anyway, I also take it armor wouldn't be a good idea?  His starting dex is 28 (+9), but I guess a suit of padded armor would at least give him the impression of being armored and not reduce his AC.

[Ithamar]

Your Change Shape ability will let you assume the form of any humanoid.  I'd recommend going with something like Whisper Gnome.  You'll get +4 to your hide bonus for being small, +1 to hit and AC, and not really suffer any drawbacks.  Plus it will give you an in game reason (to help fool the paladin) as to why you're so good at hiding and being sneaky.  If Whisper Gnomes don't exist in your world, just go with a halfling then.

Don't forget a MW tool of Hide for only 50 GP.  Between your DEX, 4 ranks, +4 for being small, and a MW tool, your hide check will be +19.  So most things won't be able to spot you unless you roll a natural 1 and they roll a 20.

[lans]

If you can get a maximized aid, or a shadowcaster with the 5hp a level boost that should go quite a way.

[awaken_D_M_golem]

There is a normal Rakshasa racial class in Savage Species.

Level 1 is 1hd of whatever.
Level 2 is ~usually the LA+1 level
... in isolation this isn't so bad.
Probably totally playable if the progression is used.

Racial classes have the basic problem of not being good at anything sooner or later.
Frontliner with bad BAB, or Skill Monkey with dead LA levels, or Caster that loses Caster levels.
3hd + 2la is about the limit. Play-ability gets shakey without a good plan.

[Amor]

While true, Naztharune is probably one of the high LA races that are worth it.  Effectively, as a level 16, you get practically all the rogue goodies (a bit behind on sneak attack and skill points, but a nice strength and intelligence bonus to help counter this), all the bonuses of being an outsider, 20ft shadow jump, hide in plain sight, detect thoughts, and change shape.  The BAB evens out to be about the same due to outsider hit die having better BAB than rogue.  Your max rank would be 5 less compared to other rogues, but you'll have 2 more skill points per level than other rogues to help make it up, as well as the +10 dex bonus to make it up for a lot of your skills.

It can also jump right into warshaper, or telflammer shadowlord, too!