Akaname 垢嘗

Small fey (yokai), neutral

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)

Hit Points 27 (5d6 + 12)

Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.

STR 8 (−1) · DEX 15 (+2) · CON 12 (+1) · INT 6 (−2) · WIS 12 (+1) · CHA 8 (−1)

Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4

Damage Immunities poison, disease

Condition Immunities poisoned

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13

Languages Sylvan, Yokai Speech, understands Common, but can’t speak

Challenge 2

Traits

Filth Feeder. The Akaname regains 5 hit points whenever it starts its turn in a heavily soiled or grimy area (GM’s discretion, e.g., a filthy bathhouse corner). It can’t regain hit points beyond its hit point maximum with this trait.

Filth Dweller. The Akaname prefers to remain unseen by daylight. It has an advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks in dim light or darkness.

Sticky Residue. The Akaname leaves behind unpleasant streaks of slime wherever it goes. Any creature that starts its turn sharing a space with the Akaname’s fresh slime (within the last minute) must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or contract a mild supernatural infection. While infected in this way, the creature’s speed is reduced by 5 feet. The infection ends after finishing a long rest or by any magical healing.

Actions

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.

Tongue Lash. Melee Spell Attack: +4 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature.

Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be diseased. Until cured, the target has disadvantage on ability checks and saving throws to resist or recover from natural illnesses (such as real-world infections), as well as yokai-related diseases. A lesser restoration or similar magic ends this disease.

Skitter Away. The Akaname takes the Disengage action and moves up to its speed. If used in dim light or darkness, it can also attempt a Stealth check as part of the same bonus action (DC determined by surroundings).

Lore & Behavior

The Akaname enters bathhouses, washrooms, or other humid, unclean areas at night, licking up grime with its disproportionately long tongue.

While not outright hostile, its presence can spread unsettling slime or mild infections. Neglecting to clean your bath regularly is the surest way to attract one.

An Akaname rarely seeks combat—if disturbed, it may lash out in panic, but usually flees soon after.

Some believe the Akaname fears or dislikes badgers. A tame badger in your bathhouse might drive it away for good.

Lore

A small monster that licks filth.

Among the earliest depictions of Akaname, it appears as a small creature with a long, sticky tongue and clawed fingers. Although the term furo ( 風呂 , “bath”) already existed, Japanese baths and toilets of the time differed greatly from modern ones. While bathing was always culturally significant, the design of the bath—be it a wooden tub or a stone setup— varied by social class and region:

• O-furo ( お風呂 ) - a traditional wooden tub or small square basin filled with hot water.

• Stone or wooden furo - in wealthier homes, water might be heated by a fire underneath, and the tub itself could be made of stone.

From Yokai Bestiary 5E, p. 16 · Fern Flower Press