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    Tanuki 狸

    Medium fey (shapechanger, yokai), chaotic neutral

    Armor Class 15 (natural agility)

    Hit Points 77 (14d8 + 14)

    Speed 30 ft.

    STR 11 (+0) · DEX 18 (+4) · CON 12 (+1) · INT 14 (+2) · WIS 12 (+1) · CHA 18 (+4)

    Saving Throws Dex +7, Cha +7

    Skills Deception +7, Perception +4, Hand +7, Stealth +7

    Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

    Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14

    Languages Common, Sylvan, Yokai Speech; plus any two languages it picks up via shapeshifting

    Challenge 5

    Traits

    Shapechanger. The Tanuki can use its action to polymorph into a specific humanoid or animal it has seen, or back into its true raccoon-dog-like form. Its statistics, other than its size, do not change. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

    Leaf Illusions. The Tanuki can transform ordinary leaves into illusory objects—coins, trinkets, or even a faux item of magic. These illusions last for 1 hour, until the Tanuki dismisses them (no action required), or they are touched by a creature that succeeds on a DC 15 Investigation check (revealing them as worthless leaves).

    Mirthful Spirit. The Tanuki has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened. When it succeeds on such a save, it can immediately use its reaction to cast a cantrip or take the Hide action.

    Innate Spellcasting. Tanuki’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

    • At will: minor illusion (PHB, p.260), prestidigitation (PHB, p.267), mage hand (PHB, p.256), thaumaturgy (PHB, p.282)

    • 3/day each: disguise self (PHB, p.233), silent image (PHB, p.276), charm person (PHB, p.221), invisibility (PHB, p.254)

    • 1/day each: major image (PHB, p.258), fear (PHB, p.239), polymorph (PHB, p.266)

    (Adjust these spells to suit your Tanuki’s personality—e.g., a more benevolent one might have calm emotions instead of fear.)

    Actions

    Multiattack. The Tanuki makes two attacks with its Claws or one Claws attack and uses Trickster’s Taunt if available.

    Claws (Raccoon-Dog Form). Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

    Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) psychic damage from illusory afterimages.

    Trickster’s Taunt (Recharge 5 - 6). The Tanuki targets a creature within 30 feet that can hear it, delivering a rapid, confusing flurry of illusions and mockery. The target must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the target takes 10 (3d6) psychic damage and is confused (as per the confusion spell, PHB p.224) until the end of its next turn. On a success, the target takes half damage and isn’t confused.

    Bonus Actions

    Flicker Shift (1/Day). The Tanuki briefly becomes intangible and darts up to 15 feet without provoking opportunity attacks. During this movement, it can move through creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. If it ends its turn inside an object, it is immediately shunted to the nearest unoccupied space, taking 5 (1d10) force damage.

    Reactions

    Dodge and Weave. When the Tanuki is targeted by an attack and can see the attacker, it can impose a disadvantage on the attack roll by briefly dissolving into a swirl of illusory leaves. The Tanuki then can move 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks. Once it uses this reaction, it can’t do so again until the start of its next turn.

    Roleplaying & Behavior

    Tanuki rarely seek deadly confrontation, preferring illusions and cunning to steal food, drink, or valuable items (often replaced by worthless leaves).

    They may initiate combat only if cornered or enraged. Otherwise, they attempt to confuse and evade foes.

    A favorite tactic is to assume the form of a friendly local or merchant, then lure adventurers into comedic mischief.

    Clever players might appease a Tanuki by offering it treats (sake, sweet potatoes, etc.) or playing along with its illusions to avoid a dangerous showdown.

    Lore

    Shape-shifting creatures with large bellies and magical leaf hats, known for playful mischief.

    Often translated as “raccoon dog” (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus), Tanuki rank among the most iconic and beloved figures in Japanese folklore. Unlike fox spirits (Kitsune, see p. 24), who are associated with guile and trickery, Tanuki are frequently portrayed as merry, naïve, and mischievous beings endowed with the power to transform themselves into virtually anything— objects, animals, or even specific people. They have no single, definitive origin legend, but ancient tales describe them as local deities (chihigami) who lost their divinity over time and became playful, yet generally harmless, magical creatures. They specialize in illusions and pranks that help them acquire good food, fine sake, or simply amuse themselves.

    Stories about Tanuki’s love of hearty meals and quality sake abound. One village legend tells of a crafty Tanuki who adored sake yet had no money. Collecting pebbles, it would magically change them into gold coins, stroll into a tavern with “pockets” full of gold, and purchase sake in grand style. After some time, however, the enchantment wore off, and the tavern owner would discover the “money” was mere stones. Once the deceit came to light, villagers in one version of the tale elected not to punish the Tanuki; it promised to use its magic to protect them from malevolent spirits, such as the troublesome Akaname (see p. 16). In another version, the Tanuki fled town and set up its revels elsewhere.

    From Yokai Bestiary 5E, p. 32 · Fern Flower Press