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    Tsukumogami 付喪神

    Medium construct (yokai), neutral

    Armor Class 13 (natural armor)

    Hit Points 45 (7d8 + 14)

    Speed 25 ft.

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

    Saving Throws Dex +4, Cha +5

    Skills Deception +5, Perception +3, Stealth +4

    Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

    Damage Immunities poison, psychic

    Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, petrified, poisoned

    Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13

    Languages Common, Yokai Speech

    Challenge 3

    Traits

    Awakened Object. The Tsukumogami began life as a mundane item that has surpassed 99 years of use and become sentient. It retains the shape or structure of that item, though it may sport exaggerated features (like a large eye or a mouth) or move in improbable ways.

    Resentful Memories. When making Charisma (Deception) or Charisma (Intimidation) checks against a creature that has personally mistreated or destroyed objects in the past (at the GM’s discretion), the Tsukumogami has advantage. Centuries of neglect have taught it how to prey on guilt or material attachment.

    Mischief Made Manifest. The Tsukumogami can cast the following spells innately (Charisma is its spellcasting ability, spell save DC 13), requiring no material components:

    • At will: minor illusion (PHB p. 260), prestidigitation (PHB p. 267)

    • 3/day: silent image (PHB p. 276)

    (Adjust these spells to fit the item’s nature—for example, an old shamisen might emphasize auditory illusions.)

    Actions

    Multiattack. The Tsukumogami makes two Slam attacks.

    Slam (Batter). Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

    Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the Tsukumogami is in a form with a protruding handle, limb, or rim (e.g., an umbrella), this attack might look like a swift whack or jab.

    Startling Apparition (Recharge 5 - 6). The Tsukumogami momentarily distorts its shape—eyes popping open, a mouth gaping wide—accompanied by a loud shriek or sudden clang. Each creature of its choice within 15 feet that can see and hear it must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of the Tsukumogami for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

    Reactions

    Dodge & Clatter. When a creature the Tsukumogami can see targets it with a melee attack, the Tsukumogami can momentarily flatten or bend away with a sudden rattle. It gains a +2 bonus to AC against that attack, potentially causing it to miss. The Tsukumogami must be on a solid surface for this reaction (it needs something to bang or scrape against).

    Lore & Behavior

    Though rarely lethal, Tsukumogami love to spook travelers, use illusions to cause confusion, or make off with random trinkets. Some harbor deeper resentments if they were treated poorly in their former life.

    Tsukumogami may gather for raucous “parades” or midnight revels, particularly in abandoned structures. They pose little danger to anyone who doesn’t disturb them, but frightened outsiders often run at the first sign of an inanimate object dancing about with a ghostly grin.

    Tsukumogami

    Household Items. 家庭用品 (Katei Yohin)

    • Umbrella – 傘 (かさ, Kasa)

    • Kettle – 鉄瓶 (てつびん, Tetsubin)

    • Lamp/Lantern – 灯籠 (とうろう, Toro)

    • Candle – 蝋燭 (ろうそく, Rosoku)

    • Folding Fan – 扇子 (せんす, Sensu)

    • Hand Fan – 団扇 (うちわ, Uchiwa)

    • Tatami Mat – 畳 (たたみ, Tatami)

    • Drum – 太鼓 (たいこ, Taiko)

    • Small Gong – 鉦鼓 (しょうこ, Shoko)

    • Temple Bell – 梵鐘 (ぼんしょう, Bonsho)

    • Mirror – 鏡 (かがみ, Kagami)

    • Pillow – 枕 (まくら, Makura)

    • Blanket – 毛布 (もうふ, Mofu)

    • Cabinet – 箪笥 (たんす, Tansu)

    • Wash Basin – 手水鉢 (ちょうずばち, Chozubachi)

    • Shoji Doors – 障子 (しょうじ, Shoji)

    Musical Instruments. 楽器 (Gakki)

    • Biwa Lute – 琵琶 (びわ, Biwa)

    • Shamisen – 三味線 (しゃみせん, Shamisen)

    • Shakuhachi Flute – 尺八 (しゃくはち, Shakuhachi)

    • Gong – 鑼 (ら, Ra)

    • Ritual Cymbals – 神楽鈴 (かぐらすず, Kagurasuzu)

    Kitchenware. 台所用品 (Daidokoro Yohin)

    • Teacup – 茶碗 (ちゃわん, Chawan)

    • Porcelain Plate – 皿 (さら, Sara)

    • Chopsticks – 箸 (はし, Hashi)

    • Kitchen Knife – 包丁 (ほうちょう, Hocho)

    • Cooking Pot – 桶 (おけ, Oke)

    • Ladle – 柄杓 (ひしゃく, Hishaku)

    Writing Tools. 書道用品 (Shodo Yohin)

    • Calligraphy Brush – 筆 (ふで, Fude)

    • Japanese Paper – 和紙 (わし, Washi)

    • Hanging Scroll – 掛軸 (かけじく, Kakejiku)

    • Inkstone – 硯 (すずり, Suzuri)

    Religious Items. 宗教用品 (Shukyo Yohin)

    • Prayer Beads – 数珠 (じゅず, Juzu)

    • Temple Banner – 幡 (ばん, Ban)

    • Amulet – 御守 (おまもり, Omamori)

    • Sacred Bell – 神鈴 (しんれい, Shinrei)

    Toys & Leisure. おもちゃ (Omocha)

    • Daruma Doll – 達磨 (だるま, Daruma)

    • Spinning Top – 独楽 (こま, Koma)

    • Kite – 凧 (たこ, Tako)

    Rare & Mystical Items. 珍しいもの (Mezurashi Mono)

    • Old Book Spirit – 文人の神 (ふみひとのかみ, Fumihito no Kami)

    • Old Clock – 古い時計 (ふるいとけい, Furui Tokei)

    • Medical Tools – 医療器具 (いりょうきぐ, Iryo Kigu)

    Lore

    Household objects gaining sentience after a century, mischievous or vengeful toward owners.

    Typically, when speaking of monsters, one begins by describing their appearance or recounting a dramatic tale. Yet in this case, we start with some general observations before delving into the most fascinating members of this uncanny group. We are dealing with old objects—very old, in fact. Tsukumogami are “spirited” items that develop awareness and will after 100 years of existence. No one truly knows the precise mechanism: perhaps they absorb magic or energy across a century, or maybe they simply grow tired of being mundane and decide to rebel.

    Practically anything can become such a yokai. Ancient Buddhist texts, with their notion of “all beings suffer,” suggested that even inanimate objects experience emotion. Hence the belief that discarded or neglected items might return as vengeful spirits. Some attribute this phenomenon to tsukimono—wandering spirits that can inhabit objects. Over time, a tool or ornament, deeply infused with a user’s energy, may gain a sort of soul. And indeed, how you treated that item could determine its disposition: a polished sword might transform into a benevolent entity, while a threadbare kimono you flung into a dusty corner could come back brimming with spite.

    From Yokai Bestiary 5E, p. 36 · Fern Flower Press