The Empire of the Rising Sun (3.5e Campaign Setting)/Bestiary

Overview
As with several other sections, this one will probably be short. Why? Well, new, Japanese-themed monsters was another thing that Oriental Adventures did right. Most of the new beasties that they introduced were based on myths and legends from ancient Japan, and many had Japanese names even if they weren't authentic legends.

Because of this, it is highly recommended that you get Oriental Adventures if you want to throw crazy legendary creatures at them like Oni and Hebi-no-Onna. And some of the Shadowlands Oni, while created for a Rokugan campaign, are all unique, creepy monsters that could easily crawl out of Jigoku.

However, you do not need Oriental Adventures, and even if you have it, you don't have to constantly throw Eastern creatures at them. Because of the way the history of the Empire works, it's almost like the future of any other DnD society. So while you might encounter a raging, three-eyed oni, it's plausible and possible for the PCs to run into a more classic DnD creature (like a Displacer Beast). In fact, it's possible to run a campaign without Oriental Adventures and any of its monsters, but I don't recommend it.

Creatures from Oriental Adventures
These are the creatures from Oriental Adventures that work in this setting. Or rather, the ones that actually have a root in Japanese legends.


 * Bakemono: While in traditional Japanese folklore, bakemono means any monstrous thing, the "shadowlands goblins" are still interesting, flavorful, weak monsters.


 * Dokufu: Dokufu are interesting, but in this setting they are called by their Japanese name: Jorōgumo. Also, their humanoid form is that of a young, seductive woman, not an impossibly old woman.


 * Lung: Lung dragons in this setting are called Ryū. That's it.


 * Gaki: Gaki are the denizens of Gaki-do. They often slip over into the material plane and make very good enemies.


 * Ghost: The variations for Yurei (the Japanese term for ghosts) in Oriental Adventures is very good and is used in tandem with the ghost template from the Monster Manuel.


 * Hannya: Hannya are very interesting, serpentine villains. They are based on a mask from Noh theater.


 * Hebi-no-Onna: While not an actual monster from Japanese folklore, their name is Japanese so they can work in this setting.


 * Hengeyokai: Hengeyokai are shapeshifting, intelligent creatures. They are rare, but occasionally cross over from Chikushudo.


 * Hopping Vampire: Hopping vampires are also creatures from Gaki-do. The denizens of the Empire call them kiyonshi.


 * Kappa: Kappa are creatures that are iconic in Japanese folklore, so of course they are in this setting.


 * Ki-rin: Ki-rin are holy, unicorn-like creatures that come from Tengoku.


 * Mamono: Mamono translates roughly into "devil," so the mamono can exist here. They are some of Jigoku's most insidious henchmen.


 * Oni: Oni are demons created by Jigoku.


 * Oni, Shadowlands: Shadowlands Oni are slightly more insidious then normal oni, and are the champions of Jigoku.


 * Onikage: Onikage are demonic horses that serve as mounts for some of the servants of the Dark God.


 * Rokurokubi: The Rokurokubi are dangerous humanoid monsters with the ability to stretch their necks to ridiculous lengths. They are said to be transformed by bad karma for breaking several religions laws. They prefer to prey on corrupt, highly religions men and women.


 * Shirokinu-Katsukami: Benevolent eaters of dreams. They come from Tengoku, and are often referred to as baku (which is really much easier to say and remember then shirokinu-katsukam).


 * Tako: Tako are magical, intelligent octopi-like creatures. Their name literally means "octopus" in Japanese.


 * Tengu: Another iconic Japanese monster.


 * Tsuno: Monstrous demons that come from Jigoku. Their name means "horn" in Japanese.


 * Yuki-Onna: This female ice ghost is a common threat in the mountains that separate the Empire from the froze territories.

New Names for Old Monsters
Japanese folklore already has a lot of monsters, including several hundred that were illustrated. While many of these monsters are unique to Japan, many of them have equivalents in the Monster Manuals. Below is a list of traditional Japanese monsters that were created already, with their Monster Manual names in parenthesis, as well as some variant rules to make them more authentic. Also, just because a monster isn't on this list doesn't mean you can't use it. These are just the monsters that fit in nicely with existing Japanese folklore.


 * Tsukumogami: Tsukumogami can be one of two things: Animated objects or intelligent items. In folkloric terms, they are items, objects, and artifacts that have reached their 100th birthday and thus becomes alive and aware. Magic items and regular items become intelligent, and things that cannot become intelligent items instead become animated objects. Animated Objects are considered to have an intelligence score of whatever is appropriate for the item (a sophisticated musical instrument will be more intelligent then an animated stirrup). Some tsukumogami also take class levels.


 * Kumo (Aranea): Kumo are shape-shifting animals (henge), similar to kitsune, that go from spider to human form, and a form in between. They are often portrayed in a bad light, even though they hail from Chikushudo, not Jigoku.


 * Jikininki (Ghoul): Jikininki are spirits of greedy, selfish, or impetuous individuals with an immense craving for human flesh. Well, some of them are. Jikininki have a tendency to Ghoul Fever around and turn some of those who try and stop them into jikininki (usually these people are Majo-Kari).


 * Ningyo (Merfolk): Ningyo are a race of red-hair merfolk. The only difference from the Merfolk in the Monster Manuel is that ningyo are often spellcasters.


 * Garegosu no Bakemono (Fiendish Giant Octopus): This demonic octopus is often summoned by servants of Jigoku. In addition to its normal abilities, it gains the Feed ability, similar to that of a barghest: when it devours a humanoid corpse, it gains 1 HD per HD of the victim. This destroys the body and prevents any sort of ressurection that requires part of the corpse.


 * Akkorokamui (Kraken): The Akkorokamui is said to only dwell in one bay, and isn't quite as evil as the kraken presented in the monster manual. Also, an akkorokamui's skin is red.


 * Amemasu (Leviathan): An amemasu is an awesome beast, one that sailor's legends often chronicle, but few have ever actually encountered. The Leviathan is from Monster Manual II.


 * Bakeneko (Grimalkin): Bakeneko are shapeshifting, cat-like creatures. In this setting, they are fairly sinister tricksters from Chikushudo that usually haunt one household with their shapeshifting powers. The Grimalkin is from Monster Manual II.


 * Byakko (Legendary Tiger): Byakko are extremely rare, respected white tigers. They are far more deadly then a normal tiger. The Legendary Tiger is from Monster Manual II.


 * Funayurei (Drowned): Funayurei are the spirits of those who died at sea. They are fairly dangerous. The Drowned is from Monster Manual III.


 * Hihi (Gambol): Hihi are ape-like monsters that are often encountered in the forests of the Empire. The Gambol is from Monster Manual II.


 * Hinoenma (SRD:Succubus|Succubus]]): People in the Empire call succubi hinoenma instead.


 * Ho-o (Phoenix): The ho-o is a holy bird in the Empire, and killing one is a capital offense. The phoenix is from Monster Manual II.


 * Hyakume (Beholder): The hyakume are dangerous beasts with a hundred eyes.


 * Kyuketsuki (Vampire): Kyuketsuki are just vampires with a different name.


 * Okuri-inu (Barghest): Okuri-inu are particularly fond of follower travelers at night. Before it eats them, of course.

New Monsters
Links to any new, Eastern themed monsters that I create.