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    Konaki-Jiji 子泣き爺

    Small fey (yokai), chaotic evil

    Armor Class 14 (natural armor)

    Hit Points 66 (12d6 + 24)

    Speed 30 ft.

    STR 8 (−1) · DEX 16 (+3) · CON 14 (+2) · INT 10 (+0) · WIS 12 (+1) · CHA 15 (+2)

    Skills Deception +6, Perception +3, Stealth +5

    Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

    Condition Immunities charmed (optional), prone (only while latched, see Weighted Embrace)

    Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13

    Languages understands Yokai Speech, Common (or local tongue) but communicates mainly through wailing

    Challenge 5

    Traits

    Misleading Cry. As an action, the Konaki-Jiji can produce a pitiful wail that mimics an infant’s cry. Each creature within 60 feet that can hear the wail must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check or believe there is a genuine baby in distress. A creature that fails this check has disadvantage on its next Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check to see through the Konaki-Jiji’s disguised form (see below).

    Infant Disguise. The Konaki-Jiji can use its action to alter its posture, face, and voice to appear as a swaddled infant (mechanically similar to the disguise self spell (PHB, p. 233) but purely physical). A creature can use its action to inspect the “infant” and must succeed on a DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern the yokai’s true nature.

    Maddening Giggle. If the Konaki-Jiji’s Weighted Embrace reduces a creature to 0 hit points, the Konaki-Jiji erupts in a shrill laugh. All creatures that can hear it within 30 feet must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

    Actions

    Multiattack. The Konaki-Jiji makes two attacks: one Claw and one Claw or one Claw and uses Weighted Embrace if available.

    Claw (Natural Attack). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

    Hit: 7 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) psychic damage (as the yokai’s mocking presence gnaws at the target’s mind).

    Weighted Embrace (Recharge 5-6). The Konaki-Jiji leaps into a creature’s arms or onto its back. The target must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the Konaki-Jiji latches onto the target. While latched:

    • The Konaki-Jiji increases in weight each round, dealing 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage at the start of each of the latched creature’s turns.

    • The latched creature’s speed is reduced by 10 feet each round (cumulatively) until it reaches 0. Once the target’s speed hits 0, it becomes restrained and automatically fails Strength and Dexterity checks.

    • The target can use its action to repeat the Dexterity save or make a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check to shake off or pry away the Konaki-Jiji, ending the effect on a success.

    If the Konaki-Jiji is knocked prone, incapacitated, or forcibly moved away from the target, the Weighted Embrace ends immediately.

    Bite (Latched Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target.

    Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage. The Konaki-Jiji gnaws viciously on the pinned victim, adding to the horror.

    Reactions

    Tearful Feint. When a creature the Konaki-Jiji can see begins its turn within 10 feet, if the Konaki-Jiji is not latched, it can use its reaction to produce a louder wail, imposing disadvantage on the creature’s next attack roll against the Konaki-Jiji (if any) before the start of its next turn.

    Behavior & Lore

    The Konaki-Jiji relies on pity to lure kindhearted individuals into picking it up. Once held, it becomes crushingly heavy.

    Prefers lonely groves, mountain paths, or abandoned clearings where no one expects a child.

    Once it begins Weighted Embrace, it rarely lets go without a fight, reveling in the victim’s suffering.

    Lore

    Infant-like spirit transforming into a heavy old man, immobilizing unsuspecting victims.

    Konaki-Jiji is a yokai notorious for its sly and treacherous tactics, preying on the compassion of unsuspecting travelers. Unlike many creatures of folklore, its sole aim is to lure a kindhearted passerby into a deadly trap.

    In the most widespread tale, Konaki-Jiji masquerades as a crying infant deep within a remote woodland. The wail echoes with heart‑rending desperation— an unmistakable plea for help. But there is one glaring inconsistency: such isolated spots are highly unlikely places for infants. Anyone venturing through these woods should be instantly suspicious. Yet if a traveler, moved by sympathy, picks up the child, it grows steadily heavier until it weighs as much as stone. Before long, the victim is utterly crushed beneath the yokai’s increasing mass.

    From Yokai Bestiary 5E, p. 84 · Fern Flower Press