Description
Komainu
With the agility of a hunting hound and the ferocious maw of a lion, these stone-skinned yokai are the dormant guardians of shrines and holy places. If a long-abandoned temple hasn't yet been plundered of its treasure, these ever-vigilant protectors are the likely explanation; should a would-be thief defile a site guarded by komainu, the petrified statues spring to life, their spectral manes igniting with a rumble that rings deep into the ancient stones of the temple. Screams of pain usually follow.
Artisanal Guardians
In the folktales of many races, komainu have simply "always been"—where a shrine exists, komainu are there to guard it. Celestial yokai spirits, attracted to areas of intense devotion, find a home in these painstakingly carved statues. Channelling the magic of the yokai soul they house, these stoic Fey elicit a variety of magical effects based on the material from which they are crafted. Though typically made of stone or jade, some mighty komainu—those who keep watch over treasure beyond imagination—are purported to be cast from precious metals like adamantine and gold.
The Beginning and the End
Komainu are commonly found in pairs, with each creature's maw displaying one of two syllables: "Un" or "Ah". These sounds represent the beginning and end of all things, respectively. Komainu displaying a snarling, closed-mouthed "Un" might manifest powers of healing, growth, and light, while those showing a roaring, open-mouthed "Ah" can unleash devastating waves of necrotic energy or banish interlopers to a distant plane of existence.
Traits
Radiant Mane
Any creature grappling the komainu takes 5 (2d4) radiant damage at the start of the komainu's turn. The komainu's weapon attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistances and immunity to nonmagical attacks.
Statue Form
While the komainu's Radiant Mane is not active (see Fortification of Stone) and it remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from an ordinary statue and it has advantage on initiative rolls. Moreover, if a creature hasn't observed the komainu move or act, that creature must succeed on a DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern that the komainu isn't an object.
Actions
Multiattack
The komainu makes one Claw attack and one Divine Mace attack.
Claw
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage.
Divine Mace
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage plus 3 (1d6) radiant damage.
Manifestation (Recharge 6)
The komainu manifests the following effect accoridng to its form.
- Duskbringer (Ah Form).
- Shrineward (Un Form).
Actions Bonus
Beginning and End
The komainu switches between its Ah and Un forms.
Fortification of Stone
The komainu's spirit retreats back into its body. It loses its Radiant Mane trait, can't use or recharge its Manifestation action, has its speed reduced by 10 feet, and gains resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. This effect lasts until the komainu ends it as a bonus action, reigniting its Radiant Mane