Rokurokubi ろくろ首

Medium humanoid (yokai), neutral evil

Armor Class 14 (natural agility)

Hit Points 66 (12d8 + 12)

Speed 30 ft.

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

Saving Throws Dex +5, Cha +4, Perception +4, Stealth +5

Skills Deception +6, Perception +4, Stealth +5

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14

Languages Yokai Speech, Common

Challenge 5

Traits

Daytime Facade. In daylight or public settings, the Rokurokubi appears human. A creature inspecting the back of her neck can attempt a DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check to spot faint scarring or stretched skin. On a success, the creature suspects her true nature.

Elongated Neck (Night Form). After dusk or at will (no action required), the Rokurokubi’s neck can stretch up to 15 feet, allowing her head to peer around corners or attack from behind partial cover. She can retract her neck as a bonus action.

Inconspicuous Approach. While her neck is not elongated, the Rokurokubi has advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks to pass as a normal human.

Actions

Multiattack. The Rokurokubi makes two attacks: one with Neck Lash and one with Ki Drain, or two Neck Lash attacks.

Neck Lash (Elongated Neck). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target.

Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 5 feet away and knocked prone as the snapping neck impact unbalances it.

Ki Drain (Recharge 5-6). The Rokurokubi targets one sleeping or incapacitated humanoid within 5 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or lose 1d4 points from its hit point maximum. The reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest, and if this reduces the target’s hit point maximum to 0, the target dies. Each time the Rokurokubi uses Ki Drain on a target, it regains 10 hit points (up to its maximum).

Optional Variation. If you want the Rokurokubi to gather small amounts of ki from awake victims, let her attempt a Grapple or Restrained scenario before using Ki Drain (though less effective).

Bonus Actions

Neck Retreat. After making a Neck Lash attack, the Rokurokubi can retract her neck immediately if she is not grappling or restrained, resuming her normal reach and possibly moving up to half her speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Reactions

Ensnaring Glare (1/Short Rest). When a creature within 10 feet attempts to cast a spell or take the Attack action, the Rokurokubi can glare with her unsettling eyes. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or lose its action (the effect ends). If the save succeeds, the target is immune to Ensnaring Glare for 24 hours.

Behavior & Lore

By day, she acts human. By night, her neck extends to seek out sleeping victims, draining small amounts of life.

Prefers isolated or dozing prey, rarely fights fair. If cornered in open combat, she uses Neck Lash and Ensnaring Glare to keep foes at bay.

Victims of repeated Ki Drain lose vitality over time, feeling lethargic and sickly.

Sometimes she truly loves or lives with humans. Her monstrous side compels her to feed on ki, complicating her private life.

Lore

Female spirit whose neck elongates at night, haunting unsuspecting people.

By day, a Rokurokubi appears to be an ordinary woman. But at night, her neck stretches to an incredible length, serpentine and uncanny. Sometimes her roaming head hunts small animals or licks lamp oil with a lengthy tongue; other times she simply delights in startling unsuspecting onlookers. Although these habits may seem relatively harmless, many believe that some Rokurokubi possess darker tendencies—attacking humans, draining their blood, or even devouring flesh. They are often accused of stealing ki (life energy), especially from male victims.

In contrast to many yokai—beings who are usually born as monsters—a Rokurokubi was once a regular human woman until cursed for some wrongdoing or sin, be it an offense against the gods, nature, or perhaps unfaithfulness to her husband. Whatever the cause, this curse only befalls women.

From Yokai Bestiary 5E, p. 116 · Fern Flower Press