Bakemono (pronounced: /bɑːkɛmoʊnoʊ/ bah-keh-mo-no[4]) were a race of goblinoid native to Kara-Tur.[2]
Description[]
The appearance of a bakemono varied by individual, but all bakemono had short, misshapen bodies. A bakemono's skin color ranged from bright orange to dark blue, and was covered in either scales or fur. The color of a bakemono's eyes varied between black, yellow, green, and grey. Some had short wings, some had tails, and some had cloven hoofs—or any combination of the above. They sometimes had large noses and large, dropping ears. They wore whatever clothing they could find, usually taken from the bodies of their victims.[2]
Bakemono spoke in a high-pitched voice and spoke three languages. They spoke Trade Tongue and whatever language spoken by humans in their area. Their natural language was similar to that spoken by oni.[2][3]
Combat[]
Bakemono fought without strategy. They preferred to ambush their target and would recklessly charge into battle. They rarely, if ever, made their own weapons or armor, using what they scavenged from previous victims or raids. What equipment they did possess was often neglected, so they often used dull and rusty weapons in battle. To fit their misshapen bodies, their armor was a patchwork of different pieces.[2]
Biology[]
Like their Faerûnian cousins, bakemono avoided daylight or strong lights. Unlike their western counterparts, they were able to tolerate being exposed to daylight. They lacked the infravision ability found in many other goblinoid species.[2][3]
History[]
In 257 DR, many bakemono were among the huge army led by Jinchin against the Shimamura samurai and at Kiroshima.[5]
Society[]
Bakemono usually lived in tribes of between 20 and 80 persons. Their tribes were often ruled by an oni or oni mage. They lacked loyalty to their tribe and would leave and join other tribes impulsively. Like most goblins, internecine combat was common, and when not fighting among themselves, bakemono would conduct raids on nearby humanoid settlements or attack travelers. Only grown males participated in these activities.[2][3]
They lived in abandoned structures, and, since they were unconcerned with hygiene, their lairs were filthy. Nearly all their possessions were stolen, and they did not engage in any sort of industry or mining. Other than the ruling oni of their tribe, bakemono loathed all humanoid races.[2][3]
Diets[]
A bakemono and his liquid meal.
Bakemono were a carnivorous species and were often known to eat their meat raw. They also were known to cherish alcoholic spirits, such as sake.[2][3]
Homelands[]
In Kara-Tur, bakemono were commonly found in Kozakura. There were large populations of bakemono in Shinkoku and the provinces of Waya and Wakinasga. On the island of Tomei, bakemono and korobokuru had a ancient rivalry, fighting over the mountainous terrain.[6]
Outside of Kara-Tur they were known to occasionally be found in the western reaches of the Hordelands, but more commonly in the forests of Hagga Shan and the Ama Basin, as well as at the lowest elevations of the Katakoro Plateau.[7]
Notable Bakemono[]
Appendix[]
Background[]
The bakemono is based on the bakemono of Japanese mythology.
Appearances[]
- Adventures
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 James Wyatt (October 2001). Oriental Adventures (3rd edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 146. ISBN 0-7869-2015-7.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 Rick Swan (July 1990). Monstrous Compendium Kara-Tur Appendix. (TSR, Inc.), p. 6. ISBN 0-88038-851-X.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 116. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
- ↑ James Wyatt (October 2001). Oriental Adventures (3rd edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 249. ISBN 0-7869-2015-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), pp. 16–17. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
- ↑ Mike Pondsmith, Jay Batista, Rick Swan, John Nephew, Deborah Christian (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume II). (TSR, Inc), p. 153. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.
- ↑ David Cook (August 1990). “Volume II”. In Steve Winter ed. The Horde (TSR, Inc.), pp. 115, 118, 122. ISBN 0-88038-868-4.
- ↑ David Cook (August 1990). “Volume II”. In Steve Winter ed. The Horde (TSR, Inc.), p. 91. ISBN 0-88038-868-4.
Connections[]
Batiri • Blue • Grodd goblin • Nilbog
Other Goblinoids
Bakemono • Bugbear • Dekanter goblin • Goblin rat • Hobgoblin • Koalinth • Norker • Snow goblin • Varag • Verdan • Vril
Goblinoid Hydrids
Butu • Half-goblin • Worghest
Related Creatures
Boggle • Dolgrim • Gremlin