Oni, Go-zu

Large giant (shapechanger), lawful neutral

Armor Class 17 (chain mail)
Hit Points 144 (17d10 + 51)
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
19 (+4)	12 (+1)	16 (+3)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	20 (+5)

Saving Throws Dex +7, Con +10, Str +11
Skills Deception +13, Intimidation +13, Perception +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15, see invisibility
Languages Common, Giant
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Innate Spellcasting. The go-zu oni‘s spell casting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
• Constant: see invisibility
• At will: chromatic orb, invisibility
• 3/day each: fear, gaseous form
• 1/day each: contact other plane, plane shift
• Magic Weapons. The go-zu oni‘s weapon attacks are magical.
• Regeneration. The go-zu oni regains 5 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The go-zu oni makes one attack with its gore and one attack with its greataxe.
• Gore (Oni Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) piercing damage.
• Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, 10 ft. reach, one target. Hit: 28 (7d6 + 4) slashing damage, or 18 (4d6 + 4) slashing damage in Small or Medium form.
• Spit Copper (Recharges after Long Rest). Ranged Spell Attack. +7 to hit, range 10/20 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage and 7 (2d6) fire damage. The target must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained by the molten copper as it begins to harden. The target takes 1d6 fire damage at the beginning of each of its turns until it breaks free (escape DC 16).
• Change Shape. The go-zu oni magically polymorphs into a Small or Medium humanoid or beast, into a Large giant, or back into its true form. Other than its size, its statistics are the same in each form. The only equipment that is transformed is its greataxe, which shrinks so that it can be wielded in humanoid form. If the oni magus dies, it reverts to its true form, and its greatsword reverts to its normal size.

ABOUT

Go-zu oni are outwardly similar to other oni, with powerfully built humanoid bodies of prodigious size, but with the heads of beasts. A typical go-zu oni is 9 to 10 feet tall and weighs between 500 and 1000 pounds. Their skin is typically orange, gray, purple, or brown, and they favor wearing fine robes and well-crafted armor to mark their perceived station as creatures of power, wisdom, and cleverness.

Most oni on the Material Plane pursue their plans for power in the mortal world, but the go-zu oni retain more of their connection to their ancient progenitors in the Outer Planes. They are often encountered near planar gateways, whether intentionally created by diabolists and death cults of all kinds or simply naturally occurring thin spaces in the planar fabric. They travel back and forth between worlds and often consider themselves guardians and guides of the paths of the dead. They may be the first creatures encountered by planar travelers venturing into the realms beyond, and if not precisely benevolent they can be impartial servants who simply assist with the spiritual journey.

Go-zu and Me-zu. While many mortals see beast-headed giants and flee in terror without bothering to learn more about them, there are a variety of different beast-headed giants that mortals all lump together as go-zu oni. In fact, the go-zu oni (also called niutou) specifically refer to those oni with heads like horned bulls or oxen.

Their most common kin, the me-zu oni (also called mamian) have heads like shaggy horses. Others are reported to have heads like predatory beasts, monkeys, or even insects. Whether this indicates a specific caste or rank is unclear but go-zu and me-zu oni often work together as messengers, battle leaders, guardians, and more, and their game statistics are identical.

Soul-Stealers. Many among the go-zu oni cleave more closely to their fiendish ancestors in their hellish realms, and they look for opportunities to enslave and kidnap mortals, spiriting them away into torment and judgment in the Lower Planes.