Otakemaru 大嶽丸

Large fiend (shapechanger), chaotic evil

Armor Class 17 (stolen divine armor)

Hit Points 135 (18d10 + 36)

Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft.

STR 20 (+5) · DEX 16 (+3) · CON 15 (+2) · INT 13 (+1) · WIS 14 (+2) · CHA 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +5, Cha +6

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

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

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned

Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 15

Languages Common, Infernal, Celestial

Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)

Traits

Shapechanger. Otakemaru can use his action to magically polymorph into a Medium or Small humanoid he has seen, or back to his true form. His statistics are the same in each form; equipment doesn’t transform.

Stormlord’s Mantle. Difficult terrain caused by rain, mud, or wind never slows Otakemaru, and he has advantage on concentration checks to maintain spells that deal lightning or thunder damage.

Relic-Fed Vitality. If a creature within 5 feet of Otakemaru is wearing or wielding a magic item, Otakemaru’s weapon attacks deal an extra 4 (1d8) necrotic damage to that creature.

Actions

Multiattack. Otakemaru makes three attacks: two with his Nodachi and one with Lash of Lightning.

Nodachi (Oni Blade). Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.

Lash of Lightning. Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) lightning damage.

Tempest Roar (Recharge 5–6). Otakemaru gathers storm energy, then releases it in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on himself. Each creature of his choice in the area must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) thunder damage and being pushed 10 feet away on a failed save, or half as much damage on a success.

Bonus Actions

Sudden Shift. Otakemaru changes shape or teleports up to 20 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.

Reactions

Uncanny Helm. When Otakemaru would take damage from a critical hit, he can halve that damage.

Legendary Actions

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

Move. Otakemaru moves up to half his speed.

Lash. Otakemaru makes one Lash of Lightning attack.

Tempest Surge (Costs 2 Actions). Otakemaru casts the cantrip gust of wind (no components; PHB, p. 248 / 282).

Lore

The great warrior demon of Mount Sugo, famed for unmatched strength and cunning.

Otakemaru isn’t an ordinary yokai or man-eating oni; he is a demonic demigod. His legend is inseparable from the historical general Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, who fought in the early ninth century and is said to be the only person ever to destroy this mountain demon.

According to the tales, Otakemaru settled on Mount Suzuka, a key overland corridor that cut through the range. There he ambushed caravans, robbed them, murdered travelers, and abducted women. Being part divine, Otakemaru also stole sacred artifacts from the gods, storing them in his lair. He wielded these trophies during his raids to further his own evil ends and tighten his grip on the mountain. Each relic amplified his power and granted him unique abilities. His birth is described as the union of a human and a demon, giving him a humanoid form with destructive might.

From Yokai Bestiary 5E, Book Two, p. 78 · Fern Flower Press