Takamo

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〚Name:〛 Takamo 〚Age:〛 357 〚Gender:〛 Male 〚Species:〛 Ao Oni (Blue Oni)

〚Height:〛 8' 〚Weight:〛 300lbs 〚Home:〛 Mountain Cave 〚Voice:〛 Leonard Cohen

〚On Oni:〛
Takamo is an oni. A demon of Japanese and Buddhist folklore. They are not born, they are created. Usually from one of four ways. From a soul of a dead human, cruel and damned. Twisted into demons to protect the entrance to hell and torture their fellow damned souls. But sometimes a living human can be so cruel and damned that they transform into a demon without dying. Further terrorizing the land of the living. Until they are banished, sealed, or leave the mortal plane of their own accord.

Though not all Oni are created from damned souls. Some become twisted or damned by their surrounding. Often by being surrounded by the damned and by death. A soldier that becomes desensitized to the battlefield. A child wandering the wreckage of a masacre or natural disaster. These Oni often become mischievous protectors. Not completely free of their nature but able to use their power for good to banish evil spirits.

Whatever their origin, Oni forget whoever they may have been before upon creation. Their bodies changing into large hulking troll-like figures. Often with horns that grant them magic and the cunning to use it. Terrorizing as they see fit, shape shifting and becoming invisible in order to go wherever they please. And disappearing in a wisp of smoke to escape ire. They feast on beasts and fruit, though they often find the flesh of man as the most gratifying.


〚About Takamo:〛
An Oni's name is often a thing of great importance. For they are not born with names, so more often than not there is a story behind their names. In Takamo's case it was given to him.

Since his creation he had done what all Oni do. Carved a place to live out of the mountainside and terrorized the local villages. Destroying and devouring as he saw fit and disappearing in a puff of smoke. The locals could do nothing to fight him off so they called for help from wherever it would come. And many did answer, seeking fame, glory, or power from defeating the Oni. But each one in turn only became food for the beast. And then one warrior in particular came. No one knew if he was a samurai, Ronin, warrior monk, or even sent by the gods. But he proved himself able to hold his own with the Oni. Despite his strength and power.

For three days they fought, each one gaining the upper hand but neither able to keep hold of it. But on the third day the Oni got cocky, and the warrior took his chance, cutting off the Oni's horn which held his magic. Leaving him powerless to stop the warrior from taking the fallen horn and using it to seal the Oni with a curse.

The Oni could no longer harm those who have not first harmed him. No longer could he terrorize the innoscent. But neither was he entirely helpless. The warrior gave him his name, returning time again since their fight. Teaching Takamo how to speak. How to weave fibers into rope and rope into nets for fishing. How to carve wood into figures and items of use. How to hunt as men do and dress their prey. At first Takamo reacted to hear lessons with disdain and hostility. And though he was never kind to the old warrior, with time he lost that hostility. Almost becoming agreeable.

The warrior was hoping to reform the Oni, but such a creature cannot be so easily changed. He could not terrorize the villages, but any human that passed through territories he claimed as his own could be considered trespassing. And thus not protected by the curse, leading to a swift meal for the Oni. But still the warrior tried.

Eventually the warrior stopped coming. And the Oni faded into myth. Remembered only by a local superstition. A practice of leaving offerings before entering the Oni's territory. Few ever learn why, save for those who forget, and are often never seen again.

〚Skills:〛

• Hunting
• Wittling (with claws)
• Skinning

〚Strengths:〛

• Physical strength
• Speed
• Intelligence
• Intimidating

〚Weaknessess:〛

• Unarmored
• Isolated/out of touch with the surrounding world
• Large size/easily stands out/unable to hide or blend in
• Lost ability to use previously relied on magic