Oni, Hitotsu

Striding forth is an enormous man clad in the robes of a priest with only a single lolling eye in the center of his forehead and elephantine ears. He clutches a staff in one hand and grinds his overlarge teeth in anticipation.

Source Demiurge113

Originally posted on Probing the Membrane of Science

Much as cyclopes are more mystically inclined than most giants, so too are their oni counterparts. The hitotsu oni are the sages and councilors of the oni race and delight in turning humanoids away from the worship of true gods towards that of the oni. Most hitotsu are skillful religious scholars, all the better to hide their false faith behind a web of lies and half-truths.

In combat, hitotsu prefer to rely on magic than brute force. They are skilled spellcasters and can channel negative energy, blasting foes with waves of destruction. Most hitotsu hide behind layers of bodyguards, trusted servants and undead minions. If forced into a direct confrontation, however, they are skilled in the use of weapons.

Unlike most oni, hitotsu have no desire to rule directly, instead preferring to manipulate events from the shadows disguised as a trusted priest, bureaucrat or functionary. They are equally at home among small or large humanoids, and may even infiltrate multiple communities within a region, enticing giants and humans to clash in
a destructive war that leaves no-one the victor save the malicious oni. A hitotsu in its natural form stands twelve feet tall and weighs 2000 pounds.

Hitotsu CR 9

XP 6,400 LE Large outsider (giant, native, oni) Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, Perception +18

DEFENSE

AC 22, touch 13, flat-footed 20 (-1 size, +2 Dexterity, +6 natural, +4 armor, +1 shield) hp 126 (11d10+66); regeneration 5 (fire or acid) Fort +13, Ref +5, Will +11 SR 20

OFFENSE

Speed 40 ft. Melee masterwork quarterstaff +15/+15/+10/+5 (1d8+6) Special Attacks channel energy (negative, 6d6, 7/day, DC 19) Spells CL 11th, concentration +15 Constant – mage armor At will – darkness, invisibility 1/day – animate dead, charm monster (DC 18), chain lightning (DC 20), divination, phantom palanquin

STATISTICS

Strength 22, Dexterity 15, Constitution 22, Intelligence 15, Wisdom 19, Charisma 18 Base Atk +11; CMB +17; CMD 28 Feats Command Undead, Double Slice, Improved Initiative, Selective Channeling, Two-Weapon Defense, Two-Weapon Fighting Skills Bluff +18, Diplomacy +15, Disguise +18, Intimidate +18, Knowledge (religion) +16, Perception +18, Ride +8, Sense Motive +12, Use Magic Device +18 Languages Common, Giant SQ change shape (Small, Medium or Large humanoid, alter self or giant form I), flash of ruin

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate forests Organization solitary or retinue (1 plus 2-5 cyclopes) Treasure double standard

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Flash of Ruin (Su) Three times per day, a hitotsu may have a burst of destructive insight as a swift action. Any time the hitotsu deals damage until the beginning of its next turn, it can roll damage twice and take the better result.   Phantom Palanquin (Sp) This spell functions as a phantom steed spell, except that the palanquin has 20 hit points + 1 per caster level (or 33 hit points for the average hitotsu) and grants any creature riding it cover.