Oni (oh-nee)
Fearsome bogeymen, oni are creatures of myth and legend, haunting the dreams of children and adults alike. Yet they are very real and always hungry. Often called "ogre mages" because of their innate magical ability, oni are only distantly related to ogres; they are actually grouped into a seperate classification of creatures called yōkai, which in addition to oni, contains creatures such as tengu and kitsunes. Cunning creatures, oni will stop at nothing to devour their prey.
Description
Oni resemble large humanoids in build, lean and muscular. This is in stark contrast to the bulky ogre. They stand anywhere from 8 to 10 feet tall (240 to 300 centimetres), and normally weighs around 700 lbs (320 kg). They possess dark green or blue skin, either dark or white hair, massive clawed hands and feet, and a pair of ivory horns protruding from their brows similar to traditional depictions of devils. The "whites" of their eyes are very dark, with striking white pupils and irises, and their claws and sharp, pointed teeth are jet black as well.
Oni have the innate magical ability to turn invisible and cover an area in darkness, as well as take on gaseous form, temporarily charm a creature into doing its bidding, lower the temperature of an area low enough to deal physical damage to creatures, and magically put creatures to sleep. They also have powers of flight and have regeneration abilities similar to that of a troll. Possibly their most infamous and feared ability, however, is that to take on human form and walk among them unsuspected.
Oni have the innate magical ability to turn invisible and cover an area in darkness, as well as take on gaseous form, temporarily charm a creature into doing its bidding, lower the temperature of an area low enough to deal physical damage to creatures, and magically put creatures to sleep. They also have powers of flight and have regeneration abilities similar to that of a troll. Possibly their most infamous and feared ability, however, is that to take on human form and walk among them unsuspected.
Society
Oni are very intelligent and dangerous creatures. Cruel and rapacious by nature, oni often lead raids for food, slaves, and treasure. Status among oni is measured by wealth. Oni don't generally associate with their own kind, but they sometimes enact elaborate schemes in competition with each other to amass the most riches.
Behavior
By light of day, oni hide their true forms with magic, attempting to gain the trust of those they intend to betray when night falls. In humanoid form, they can pass through towns unsuspected, pretending to be travelers or frontier folk. In such a form, an oni observes the selectiom of humanoids in a settlement and devises ways to abduct and subsequently devour some of them.
Oni dwell in fortified structures or in underground lairs, either living alone or with a small group of followers. Oni view themselves as powerful lords deserving of lesser creatures' respect. An oni that feels that it has been treated with disrespect is often driven to arrange and intricate scheme of vengeance, humiliation, and comeuppance.
Oni dwell in fortified structures or in underground lairs, either living alone or with a small group of followers. Oni view themselves as powerful lords deserving of lesser creatures' respect. An oni that feels that it has been treated with disrespect is often driven to arrange and intricate scheme of vengeance, humiliation, and comeuppance.
Final Notes
Oni are unique within Jotenheim, as they do not fit neatly anywhere. They are not giants, and as said only distant relatives of trolls and ogres. Additionally, many of their abilities and behavioral traits are entirely unique to them, and fits more in line of an evil spirit then a natural creature. With this being said, it has been decided to include additional information (as noted below), which is constantly being expanded.
As noted above, oni believe themselves superior to most other creatures. Oni often have ogre or orc followers, who, quite possibly never having seen magic before, might see oni as gods worthy of respect.
They share the ogres' habit of allying with other evil creatures.
Oni rarely submit themselves to other creatures, only serving a master if doing so proves lucrative or provides it with a luxurious, well-defended home. An oni might also serve a wizard or a hag in exchange for magic items, as oni covet magic.
The oni will never see itself as inferior to such creatures, however, having served them of its own volition and having done so for its own personal gain. At best, the oni will see itself and its "master" as equals.
However, for all of their pride, oni do see one race as superior to them: giants. Oni (and other giantkin such as ettins and fomorians) occupy the lowest caste of the giants' complex social structure, known as the ordning.
As noted above, oni believe themselves superior to most other creatures. Oni often have ogre or orc followers, who, quite possibly never having seen magic before, might see oni as gods worthy of respect.
They share the ogres' habit of allying with other evil creatures.
Oni rarely submit themselves to other creatures, only serving a master if doing so proves lucrative or provides it with a luxurious, well-defended home. An oni might also serve a wizard or a hag in exchange for magic items, as oni covet magic.
The oni will never see itself as inferior to such creatures, however, having served them of its own volition and having done so for its own personal gain. At best, the oni will see itself and its "master" as equals.
However, for all of their pride, oni do see one race as superior to them: giants. Oni (and other giantkin such as ettins and fomorians) occupy the lowest caste of the giants' complex social structure, known as the ordning.
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