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Monster: Kurote

In early December of 2019 the twitter account @41Strange posted a Japanese folklore reference about the Kurote. I immediately planned to write the creature up. For a change of pace, and because the creature’s use is so versatile, I’m including stats for 3 systems.

Header image compiled by me, with use of these images:
Bathroom 2 by en11-stock
“Jump and Reach” – Side by Null-Entitiy

Lore

Primarily found in their homeland of Japan (or similar lands in a fantasy world), tales and experiences of the kurote have begun to spread to other regions. Though they are few in number and tales are rare, it’s possible that more people have had an experience with these strange monsters than realized.

The kurote have three forms: average human; 9 foot tall, hairy biped; disconnected black and hairy forearm with hand. The last form is their most common and well known. These fiends hide in toilets and latrines in their hand form, invisible and patiently waiting to fondle the buttocks of the next individual to use the facilities. To these yokai, every butt is beautiful and worthy to be stroked, pinched, and slapped. They will play with the hindquarters of their victims for as long as that person dares to sit. If the person quickly stands and turns around, they will see the hand of the kurote grasping wantingly. A fast reaction may allow the victimized to attack before the monster becomes invisible.

Attacking a kurote is a natural tendency, but the worst thing one can do. Any physical attack, from a slap to an assault, will turn the creature from a neutral letch into a revenge-seeking monster. Unless cornered, the fiend won’t attack immediately, but will instead invisibly stalk their prey, attacking them when they’re alone. If initially attacked with a weapon, the kurote will steal the weapon and bury it along with any other weapons it may have taken in the past.

In extremely rare circumstances, a kurote will take human form, if interaction with another is neccessary to gain access to a place or thing. They cannot mimic a specific individual, but will take the form of a nondescript human, usually one with a certain ambiguous level of authority, such as a priest or military captain. The human form is uncomfortable to the creatures, so they rarely remain as a human for any longer than neccessary. They’d much rather be in their hairy forms, waiting invisibly.

These monsters heal quickly and have the ability to reattach any limb that was severed, except for their head. Though they are only immune to disease, poison, and corruption they are not invincible. Decapitation, destroying the head, or complete incineration are the best known ways to defeat these rare creatures.

References and Inspiration

@41Strange
Yokai.com
Yokai Toons


Dungeons & Dragon Stats

Medium or small fiend, neutral evil

Armor Class 16
Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20)
Speed 40 ft.

STR 22 (+6)
DEX 16 (+3)
CON 18 (+4)
INT 11 (+0)
WIS 10 (+0)
CHA human: 10 (+0) / monster or hand: 7 (-2)


Skills Perception +3, Stealth +8
Damage Immunity Immune to disease, poison, and corruption
Weakness Double damage from fire attacks
Senses Darkvision 60 ft.
Challenge 3 (700 XP)


Invisibility Can become invisible within 1 action for an indefinite period of time, the power is ended when attacking or fondling
Limited Shapechange: Can transform within 1 action into one of its three forms: average human; 9 foot tall, hairy biped; disconnected black and hairy forearm with hand
Re-Attachable Limbs: If a limb is severed the kurote can reattach it; the limb can remain away from the kurote as long as the creature lives and takes a day to be usable again

Actions


Multiattack. Can make two fist attacks
Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage.


Call of Cthulhu Stats

STR 140
CON 100
SIZ human: 60 / biped monster: 110 / hand: 1
DEX 90
INT 60
APP human: 50 / monster or hand: 0
POW 95
EDU —
SAN —
HP 26
Damage Bonus: +3
Build: human: 2 / biped monster: 4 / hand: 1
Move: 10
MP: 22
Combat: Tends to hit and run, turning invisible after fleeing; Fighting 75%, damage 2D8; Dodge 40%
Damage: Susceptible to fire and will die if its head is removed or destroyed; immune to disease, poison, and corruption
Special Abilities: Can change form at will; can reattach any limb, once regained, with 24 hours rest; can become invisible and remain invisible so long as not attacking or not fondling


Fate Core Stats

High Concept: Toilet-Dwelling Ass-Grabber
Trouble: Will Always Seek Revenge
Other Aspects: Lecherous; Patient; Prize Collector

Skills

Superb: Stealth
Great: Fight, Physique
Good: Burglary, Deceive, Notice

Powers & Stunts


Three Forms: Can instantly transform into one of its three forms: average human; 9 foot tall, hairy biped; disconnected black and hairy forearm with hand
Inhuman Strength: Actions involving Fight or Physique (when lifting) get +3 to their roll
Re-Attachable Limbs: If a limb is severed the kurote can reattach it; the limb can remain away from the kurote as long as the creature lives and takes a day to be usable again
Invisibility: Can remain invisible so long as not attacking or not fondling
Immunity: Immune to disease, poison, and corruption (natural and unnatural)

Weakness


Fire: Fire (natural and magical) does an extra +3 damage

Stress Tracks

Physical OOOO
Mental OOO