Kotobuki 寿

Large celestial, lawful neutral

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)

Hit Points 136 (16d10 + 48)

Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft. (hover)

STR 20 (+5) · DEX 18 (+4) · CON 17 (+3) · INT 18 (+4) · WIS 20 (+5) · CHA 18 (+4)

Saving Throws Dex +8, Con +7, Wis +9, Cha +8

Skills Insight +9, Perception +13, Persuasion +8

Damage Resistances cold, lightning, radiant; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non-magical attacks

Damage Immunities fire, poison

Condition Immunities frightened, poisoned

Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 23

Languages all; telepathy 120 ft.

Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)

Traits

Auspicious Aura. A 20-foot-radius aura of probability distortion surrounds the Kotobuki. Hostile creatures that start their turn in the aura must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on the first attack roll or saving throw they make before the start of their next turn. If the Kotobuki begins its turn within 30 feet of a fiend, undead, or a site consecrated to evil (DM’s discretion), this aura is suppressed until the start of its next turn.

Magic Resistance. The Kotobuki has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Magic Weapons. The Kotobuki’s weapon attacks are magical.

Guardian of Harmony. The Kotobuki can’t be surprised, and it gains advantage on attack rolls against any creature that has damaged a celestial or desecrated a sacred site within the last 24 hours.

Actions

Multiattack. The Kotobuki makes three attacks: two Talon attacks and one Beak attack.

Talon. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.

Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 5) piercing damage.

Dragonfire Breath (Recharge 5–6). The Kotobuki exhales purifying flame in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 42 (12d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. Undead and fiends have disadvantage on the save and take an additional 14 (4d6) radiant damage on a failure.

Hypnotic Tail. The Kotobuki lashes its serpentine tail at one creature it can see within 30 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the Kotobuki until the end of the Kotobuki’s next turn. While charmed in this way, the creature is incapacitated and has a speed of 0.

Bonus Actions

Monkey’s Grasp. The Kotobuki manipulates a Tiny or smaller unattended object within 30 feet, moving it up to 20 feet or stowing it on its person.

Reactions

Ox-Horn Block. When a creature the Kotobuki can see hits it with a melee attack, the Kotobuki adds +4 to its AC against that attack, potentially causing it to miss.

Legendary Actions

The Kotobuki can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The Kotobuki regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Talon Attack. The Kotobuki makes one Talon attack.

Soaring Dash (Costs 2 Actions). The Kotobuki moves up to its flying speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Lore

A wise flying creature composed of parts from all twelve zodiac animals.

In Japanese mythology, the Kotobuki (寿) belongs to the special class of auspicious beings known as zui-ju—creatures whose appearance heralds prosperity and long-lasting harmony. The character itself means “longevity” and “happiness.” Central to the image is the idea that a Kotobuki’s body is made of twelve pieces, one from each animal of the Chinese-Japanese zodiac: the head of a rat, the horns of an ox, the neck of a dragon, the ears of a rabbit, the mane of a horse, the chest and belly of a tiger, the back of a boar, the forelegs of a monkey, the hind legs of a dog, the beard of a goat, the crest of a rooster, and the tail of a snake. The fusion turns the creature into a living emblem of the full earthly cycle and flawless balance. Visually it is majestic: contrasting textures meet—dragon scales against tiger or boar fur, soft rabbit ears beside solid ox horns. Each section carries the traits of its “parent” animal:

Rat head—keen sense of smell and strategic insight. Ox horns—battering defense. Dragon neck—source of elemental magic, especially fire breath. Rabbit ears—heightened hearing and attunement to ki flows. Horse mane—greater stamina and speed in magical flight. Tiger muscles—primary physical strength. Boar back—reinforced armor. Monkey forelegs—dexterity and fine manipulation. Dog hind legs—steadiness and guardian instinct. Goat beard—soothes aggressive energies. Rooster crest—able to unleash a piercing sonic burst. Snake tail—projects illusions and hypnotic waves.

From Yokai Bestiary 5E, Book Two, p. 60 · Fern Flower Press