Azuki-Arai 小豆洗い

Small fey (yokai), neutral

Armor Class 13 (natural)

Hit Points 52 (8d6 + 16)

Speed 25 ft., climb 15 ft.

STR 10 (+0) · DEX 16 (+3) · CON 14 (+2) · INT 8 (−1) · WIS 14 (+2) · CHA 10 (+0)

Skills Perception +4, Stealth +5, Survival +4

Damage Resistances bludgeoning and piercing from nonmagical attacks (optional)

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14

Languages Yokai Speech, understands Common, typically nonverbal with murmurs and hums

Challenge 3

Traits

Forest Stream Dweller. Adzuki-Arai has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks and Wisdom (Survival) checks made in forest or streamside terrain. It can move through nonmagical difficult terrain in these areas without extra movement cost.

Timid Disappearance. When a creature approaches within 30 feet, Adzuki-Arai attempts to hide as a bonus action. If it fails or senses immediate danger, it can take the Disengage action (PHB, p. 192) as a free action once per short rest, representing a frightened leap or scurry into underbrush or shallow water.

Trickster Echoes (1/Short or Long Rest). As an action, Adzuki-Arai conjures misleading murmurs in a 30-foot radius around itself for up to 1 minute (concentration). These drifting whispers seem to come from random directions, making it appear the creature (or a second creature) is “washing beans” far away. Each hostile creature in the area must make a DC 13 Wisdom (Insight) check at the start of its turn or have disadvantage on Perception checks and Wisdom saving throws until the start of its next turn.

Actions

Bean Rattle (Ranged Spell Attack). +5 to hit, range 30 ft., one target.

Hit: The target must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become distracted by bizarre rattling. While distracted, it has disadvantage on the next attack roll or ability check it makes before the end of its next turn. On a success, the target is immune to Bean Rattle for 24 hours.

Slippery Splash (Recharge 5-6). If adjacent to a shallow stream or puddle, Adzuki-Arai flings water at one creature within 10 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or slip, moving 5 feet in a random direction (roll d8) and falling prone. If the 5-foot shift would push it into deeper water, it lands in that water area (potentially submerged if the water is deep enough).

Bonus Actions

Fleeting Hide. Adzuki-Arai may use the Hide action (PHB, p. 192) as a bonus action if it is within 5 feet of foliage, rocky cover, or a stream bank.

Reactions

Nimble Dodg e. When Adzuki-Arai is targeted by an attack it can see, it imposes disadvantage on the attack roll if it is within 5 feet of a shallow water area or thick vegetation. After the attack resolves, it can move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Behavior & Lore

Adzuki-Arai flees rather than fights. It only uses illusions or watery pranks to drive intruders away.

Investigating the murmurs often leads travelers to slip into streams or get soaked. Adzuki-Arai sees them flail and scampers off giggling (softly).

Should you hear the same chant on a foggy night, it may not be this gentle spirit but the dreaded Adzuki-Baba (a more lethal variant).

Lore

Mysterious spirit washing azuki beans near rivers, frightening listeners with eerie sounds.

Azuki-Arai is a yokai said to wash red azuki beans near streams and rivers, all the while repeating a soft, rhythmic “shoki-shoki” sound. Legend has it that these entities dwell deep in forests and mountainous regions where small creeks wind among the trees.

Depending on the story, Azuki-Arai may be completely invisible, revealing its presence only through eerie, beanwashing noises. Actual sightings are exceedingly rare, yet those who claim to have encountered this yokai describe a short, stocky figure with large, round eyes. It bears a passing resemblance to a Buddhist monk, often wearing a silly grin and having only three fingers on each large hand. Far from seeking out humans, it actively avoids them.

From Yokai Bestiary 5E, p. 112 · Fern Flower Press