Zashiki-Warashi 座敷童子

Small fey (yokai), neutral good

Armor Class 10

Hit Points 7 (3d4 + 0)

Speed 20 ft.

STR 4 (−3) · DEX 10 (+0) · CON 10 (+0) · INT 12 (+1) · WIS 12 (+1) · CHA 16 (+3)

Skills Perception +3, Stealth +2, Insight +3

Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities frightened

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13

Languages understands Yokai Speech, Common (or local dialect) and can convey emotions through childlike whispers or laughter, but doesn’t typically speak openly

Challenge 0

Traits

Household Spirit. The Zashiki-Warashi will not attack creatures except in the most extraordinary circumstances. When it resides in a home, that household experiences uncanny good fortune—slightly better harvests, minor windfalls, fewer accidents, etc.

Friendly Presence. Creatures that complete a long rest in the same building as a welcoming Zashiki-Warashi may roll one additional d20 per day and replace one attack roll, saving throw, or ability check result with that roll (similar to a weaker version of portent). This minor boon resets at dawn.

Shy Child. If confronted aggressively, the Zashiki-Warashi disappears. As an action, it can become invisible until it moves or chooses to end the effect (no concentration required).

Goodwill Dependent. If the household (or hero) mistreats the Zashiki-Warashi or commits grave acts of cruelty, the spirit leaves permanently. Upon its departure, misfortune may soon visit the household (GM’s discretion—bad harvests, minor curses, etc.).

Actions

Gentle Fade (1/Day). The Zashiki-Warashi can teleport to an unoccupied space within 100 feet that it has seen in the past hour. Its movement there is unseen, accompanied only by a soft giggle. It leaves no trace of its passage.

Comforting Laughter (Recharge 5-6). The Zashiki-Warashi emits a soft laugh. Each friendly creature of its choice within 10 feet that can hear it gains 3 (1d6) temporary hit points and has advantage on its next saving throw within 1 minute. The Zashiki-Warashi itself doesn’t benefit from this effect.

Bonus Actions

Innocent Surprise. Whenever the Zashiki-Warashi unexpectedly appears to a creature for the first time in a day, that creature must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become charmed by the spirit until the end of its next turn, simply feeling mild wonder rather than alarm.

Behavior & Lore

Enjoys playing minor pranks (moving items, leaving tiny footprints) and giggling softly.

Typically remains invisible or hides in corners, rarely showing itself unless the household is friendly.

Absolutely avoids harming creatures, fleeing or going invisible if attacked or frightened.

Lore

Childlike household spirit bringing good fortune, mischievously playing pranks.

AZashiki-warashi—is a household spirit said to dwell in living rooms or storage areas. Its name reflects both its regional origins. In the northeast of Japan, warashi means “child,” while jasiki refers to the quiet tatamifloored chambers behind the master’s bedroom—private spaces often found at the rear of the house. These spirits are beloved and revered by many, for they are believed to bring prosperity and good fortune to the families whose homes they inhabit. Direct sightings are rare, and most who glimpse them describe nothing more than a hazy, childlike figure.

Yet on those fortunate occasions when people do manage a closer look, Zashikiwarashi usually appears as a child of about five or six years old, with rosy cheeks and unbound hair. However, the child’s apparent age can vary, from as young as three to as old as fifteen, depending on the home. Sometimes the spirit’s hair is cut in a short bob; other times it’s disheveled. More than one Zashiki-warashi can live in the same house—for instance, a boy and a girl. Boys may sport miniature warrior armor, while girls wear ornate kimono.

From Yokai Bestiary 5E, p. 96 · Fern Flower Press