Seto Taisho 瀬戸大将

Small fey (construct, yokai), chaotic neutral

Armor Class 13 (natural)

Hit Points 30 (4d8 + 12)

Speed 20 ft.

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

Skills Stealth +4, Perception +3

Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13

Languages understands Yokai Speech, Common (or local dialect), but doesn’t speak

Challenge 2

Traits

Ceramic Construction. Being composed of stacked dishware, Seto Taisho has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects that cause it to fall prone (such as grease or being shoved). If it falls from 10 feet or higher onto a hard surface, it automatically takes 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage from the impact.

Reassemble (1/Short Rest). If Seto Taisho is reduced to 0 hit points but at least half of its ceramic body (by weight) remains nearby and undispersed, it can reform over 1 minute, returning to 1 hit point. If creatures scatter the shards widely or remove them from the area, Seto Taisho cannot reassemble.

Clattering Stealth. When motionless, Seto Taisho can appear to be a stack of old dishes, requiring a DC 13 Wisdom (Perception) check to detect it’s anything more. However, it has disadvantage on Stealth checks while moving if it’s not taking the Hide action, due to the clink and rattle of dishware.

Actions

Multiattack. Seto Taisho makes two Chopstick Strikes.

Chopstick Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage, plus 3 (1d6) thunder damage from the loud rattling. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be deafened until the start of its next turn.

Smash & Scatter (Recharge 5-6). Seto Taisho hops up and crashes down, flinging shards. Each creature in a 10-foot cone must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 9 (2d8) slashing damage and be knocked prone. On a success, the creature takes half damage and isn’t knocked prone.

Bonus Actions

Bash with Bowl (1/Turn). Seto Taisho slams an overturned ceramic bowl into a creature within 5 ft. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.

Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage.

Behavior & Lore

Forms when old plates, bowls, and cups languish unwashed or tossed aside, unappreciated.

Quick to attack if it senses threat or just wants to vent frustration. Tends to knock over anything fragile in the kitchen.

Communicates only via chattering dishware, but displays emotion in how violently it rattles or clangs.

Simple physical force can crack its ceramic body. Yet be prepared for the possibility it might reassemble later—unless you sweep the shards away.

Lore

Malevolent spirit of a warrior doll from the Seto region, capable of stirring wars.

Seto Taisho is a small yet illtempered yokai formed from old pottery. Miscellaneous clay items— teacups, bowls, bottles, and other kitchenware—mysteriously fuse together, creating a humanoid shape that abruptly comes alive. You might spot this creature in kitchens, pottery shops, or ottery workshops—anywhere large amounts of earthenware accumulate. In an old yokai illustration, it appears as follows: a sake bottle or clay jug serves as the “head,” an overturned bowl becomes a makeshift “skirt,” a kettle makes up the torso, a stack of saucers forms its arms, and tiny sauce dishes or plates become its legs. The end result is a bizarre ceramic “monster.”

True to the spirit of ancient, castoff objects harboring resentment toward humans, Seto Taisho behaves with surprising hostility. Unlike harmless or prankish tsukumogami, it acts like a genuine “general,” in some stories even commanding other tsukumogami like troops. In an abandoned kitchen, shop, or workshop, it can spontaneously assemble from old shards and launch a rampage— smashing pristine plates, cups, and bowls as it goes. Should any human be nearby, Seto Taisho might attack immediately, accompanied by the clattering of its own ceramic pieces. While it may lack the size to pose a true mortal threat, its temperament is such that it can cause real damage or at least a significant fright.

From Yokai Bestiary 5E, p. 50 · Fern Flower Press