Homebrew Oni Species Details

Physical Description

In their natural form, Oni look like demonic Ogres though are slightly smaller in stature. They have skin that varies between hues of red, blue and white, and dark colored eyes with shining white pupils. They have long wild hair that is usually black or grey; however, pure white hair is not an uncommon sight, especially among the Pale Oni.

They have a pair of short ivory horns protruding out of their forehead that grow longer as they age and their teeth and claws are jet black. The length of their horns is something Oni take pride in, to the point that even the most disheveled Oni are known to polish their horns on a daily basis.

While Oni commonly take the form of other humanoid species to blend in, some Oni who live in harmony with other races, tend to take on hybrid forms, still appearing to be part of their host race, except with their horns protruding from their forehead, proudly visible to all.

History

At one time, the Oni guarded locations where the Spirit World overlapped with the Material Plane. Years on the Material Plane, however, corrupted some of the Oni splintering them into the three sub-races. The Oni corrupted by the material pleasures of the world became the Red Oni. The Oni corrupted by the power and knowledge of the world became the Blue Oni. The Oni that remained guard, resisting the temptations became the White Oni.

Society

Most Oni live solitary lives in the wilderness, only interacting with other Oni in annual revels. These revels are massive in size, sometimes containing up to two hundred Oni and the Oni are drawn to them like moths to a candle, usually sensing the event weeks in advance. Violence is forbidden during these revels, and those that violate this rule have their horns sawed short and are cast out in exile.

It is not uncommon for Oni to live among other races, whether secretly or not, due to their shapeshifting power, however, they are mostly shunned from all but the most accepting settlements in their true forms until they prove themselves to the inhabitants. Even after they are accepted, Oni rarely revert to their true form, preferring to take on their hybrid appearance to keep others at ease, out of kindness... or for their own personal benefit.

Oni Names

Oni names are granted at their first revel if they are Blue or Red Oni. Sometimes, the names are from a famous Oni, or a powerful adversary, but often they are just words of meaning fused together in a drunken stupor.

Male: Waka, Douji, Akuran, Yorozu, Ibaraki, Jizou, Hachiman, Daikoku, Akuma

Female: Hashi, Rairaku, Akane, Izami, Koyane, Sakuya, Benzen, Amematsu

Pale Oni do not have names in order to keep themselves distant from the Material Plane and usually address each other and themselves as "this one". However, when traveling with companions from other races, the Oni will often take a name that signifies a virtue or concept.

Pale Oni Taken Names: Mu (Nothingness), Jingi (Honor), Hei-on (Tranquil), Daigo (Enlightenment), Satori (Comprehension), Waraku (Harmony), Enman (Perfection), Tsutome (Duty)

 

 

 

 

Oni Traits

Oni share a number of traits in common with each other.

Darkvision

Thanks to your connection to the spirit world, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Shapechanger

Starting at 3rd level, you can use your action to unleash your true form, you become your true size, your horns and claws grow longer, and your face becomes that of a menacing ogre. The instant you transform, other creatures within 10 feet of you that can see you and have never seen your true form must each succeed on a Charisma saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier) or become frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action.

Claws

Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Yokai Resistance

Thanks to the energy of the yokai, you have resistance to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against becoming poisoned.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 1, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age

Oni reach maturity about the same time as humans do, however, their aging slows down drastically after that. Most live to about 550-800 years of age.

Alignment

Most oni are naturally evil their heightened temptations to the things of the Material Plane, usually drives them to steal, fight and manipulate to get what they want. The raucous red oni, are the most interested in simple pleasures such as drink, dance and fighting, and tend to be more slanted toward chaotic than their colder and calculating cousins, blue oni, who tend to be more lawful. Pale oni are closer to the spiritual world than the rest of their kin and continue to try and keep balance in between the spirit world and the material plane, staying lawful neutral. In some cases, a red or blue oni can overcome his or her natural tendencies and dedicate his or her life to good. Most of these oni keep strict moral codes to keep their wild nature at check.

Size

Oni are between 7 and 8 feet tall and weigh between 280 and 340 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal.