Onis
Onis are nightmarish ogres that have been transformed with the dreadful power of the Lower Planes, such as the Abyss, Nine Hells, Shadowfell and beyond. Depending on the source of their corruption, onis can take on different appearances and possess various abilities. Due to their extraplanar corruption, these ogres are often granted the ability to cast spells, often causing them to be referred to as ogre mages. Regardless of their origin, most onis seem to view most humanoids as a source of food or tools to use at their disposal.
Oni Appearance
Regardless of their origin, onis tend to share the same physical features. They typically are characterized by jagged claws and teeth as well as a set of horns originating from their heads. Their skin color often reflects that of their respective plane. For example, an oni from the Nine Hells may possess crimson skin. These horns often reflect their extraplanar origins as a dread oni may sport a pair of curled horns similar to that a fiend, an oni heralding from the Feywild may possess jagged horns similar to that of an antler. However, their most prominent feature are their numerous eyes. Most onis at least possess a third central eye originating from their forehead; however, some have been known to grow up to a dozen.
Dread Onis
Dread onis are some of the most common variants of oni. These ogres have been corrupted by the chaotic magics of the Abyss. Because of their demonic nature, dread onis are notoriously aggressive, even by oni standards. They possess a natural malevolence for all other creatures and relishes the presence of fear.
Dread Oni Goals
Although dread onis are driven by a natural hunger and violence towards most living creatures; what makes them extremely terrifying is their cruel intelligence. Onis are not foolish enough embark on violent bloody rampages as that will eventually lead to a swift demise. Onis prefers to work in the shadows, often right under the nose of their very prey. Thanks to their ability to change into humanoid forms and other giants, they are gain the allegiance of other creatures, whether by deceit or by fear. From its position of power, the dread oni will have a much easier time hunting to its delight, as it can choose to make those whom it desires disappear with little consequence.
Battle Tactics
Despite their incredible strength and brutality, dread onis are incredibly elusive opponents. The dread oni relish the aura of terror their prey gives off and attempts to turn any combat into a deadly game of tag. When it chooses its prey, its first goal is to generate a sense of fear in as many creatures as possible. In combat, the oni's primary tactics is to build up its opponent’s paranoia by limiting its prey ability to perceive their opponent using spells such as Invisibility or Darkness. Once their prey is disoriented enough, the dread oni enters into a bloody rampage cleaving through its opponents with its supernatural might. Thanks to their demonic heritage, onis are quite resilient shrugging off all but the most powerful of weapons and spells.
Oni Weaknesses
Despite their terrible power, dread onis do possess an inherent weakness to sunlight as it hinders their regenerative abilities. Additionally, if their prey has protective measures against fear-inducing magic, the oni's effectiveness in battle become extremely limited. In fact, if the dread oni is unable to frighten its opponent, they quickly begin to lose interest as the one of the primary purposes of their hunt has been squandered.
Dread Oni
Large Giant, varies
- Armor Class 18 (Plate Armor)
- Hit Points 115 (12d10+60)
- Speed 30ft., fly 30ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 19 (+4) 11 (+0) 21 (+5) 19 (+4) 17 (+3) 20 (+5)
- Saving Throws Str +8, Dex +4, Con +9, Wis +7, Cha +9
- Skills Arcana +8, Deception+9, Perception +7, Stealth +8
- Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks, psychic
- Senses darkvision 120ft., passive Perception 17
- Languages Abyssal, Giant
- Proficiency Bonus +4
- Challenge 11 (7200 xp)
Brutality When the dread oni deals a critical hit or reduces a creature to 0 hitpoints, creatures of the dread oni's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened by the dread oni until the end of its next turn.
Devil Sight The dread oni's vision is not obscured by magical darkness.
Fearmonger When the dread oni takes the Attack action against a creature that is frightened, the dread oni can make one additional attack with its Oni Greatclub
Frightful Presence Any creature within 30 feet of the dread oni must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw, unless the dread oni is incapacitated. On a failed save, the creature is frightened until the start of its next turn. If a creature's saving throw is successful, the creature is immune to the dread oni's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Magic Resistance The dread oni has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Magic Weapons The dread oni's weapon attacks are magical.
Regeneration The dread oni regains 10 hitpoints at the start of its turn if it has at least one hitpoint. If the dread oni takes radiant damage, this trait doesn't function at the start of the dread oni's next turn.
Innate Spellcasting
The dread oni's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17). The dread oni can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
At Will Charm Person, Darkness, Invisibility
3/day each Blink, Fear, Gaseous Form
3/ day Phantasmal Killer
Actions
Multiattack. The dread oni makes two attacks with its Oni Greatclub
Oni Greatclub. Melee Weapon Attack +8 to hit, reach 10ft., one target, Hit 11(2d6+4) bludgeoning damage +7(2d6)piercing damage. If the dread oni attacks a frightened creature, the target takes an additional 9(2d8) psychic damage.
Change Shape The dread oni can magical polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid, into a Large giant, or back to its true form. Other than its size, its statistics remain the same in each form. If the oni dies, it reverts to its true form. Its weapons and gear can transform to match its appropriate size.
Bonus Actions
Aggressive The dread oni can use its bonus action to move up to its movement speed towards a hostile creature it can see. It can only use this movement to move closer to a hostile creature
Reactions
Rampage If the dread oni reduces a creature to 0 hitpoints, the dread oni can move up to half its movement speed and make a weapon attack against a creature a creature within range.