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Biwa boku-boku

Taken from Japanese mythology by way of Nioh, suitable for an Oriental Adventure campaign.  


BIWA BOKU-BOKU

Small undead (yokai), chaotic evil

Armor Class 16 (song of anguish)
Hit Points 44 (8d8 + 8)
Speed 0 ft., see ethereal jaunt
STR 11 (+0)       DEX 14 (+2)       CON 12 (+1)
INT 11 (+0)        WIS 13 (+1)       CHA 14 (+2)
Skills Perception +5, Performance +6
Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from weapons that are not crystal
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Poisoned
Senses Passive Perception 15
Languages Spirit Tongue but does not speak
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Spellcasting. The yokai is a 4th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). Any bard spells the yokai has prepared only require somatic components to cast. It has the following bard spells prepared:

Ethereal Jaunt. As a bonus action, the yokai can magically shift from the Material Plane to the Ethereal Plane, or vice versa. While on the ethereal plane it gains a speed of 30 ft.

Ethereal Sight. The yokai can see 60 feet into the Ethereal Plane when she is on the Material Plane, and vice versa.

Taunt (2/Day). The yokai can use a bonus action on its turn to target one creature within 30 feet of it. If the target can hear the yokai, the target must succeed on a DC 12 Charisma saving throw or have disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws until the start of the yokai’s next turn.

ACTIONS                      

Bitter Summons. The yokai magically summons an undead of CR 3 or lower or an oni-bi* with a 50/50 chance of either. The summoned creature appears in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of its summoner and acts as an ally of its summoner. It remains for 10 minutes, until it or its summoner dies, or until its summoner dismisses it as an action.

* Use any CR 2 or less elemental creatureto represent the oni-bi.

 

DESCRIPTION                      

Pronounced “BEE-wa BOH-koo BOH-koo.” A yokai taking the form of a monk playing a biwa lute. The biwa is the yokai itself; the “monk” is simply a reflection of Hoichi, the biwa player whose unwise dealings with restless Heike warrior spirits cost him both his ears. Lures intruders deeper into places of evil with its eerie melodies.

Heroes will hear this yokai well before they see it.

Posted in 5e, Monstrous Compendium, Oriental Adventures

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