Meta:Oni
Retcon
Prior to the Pathfinder Second Edition Remaster Project and the publication of Monster Core, oni were described as fiendish outsiders native to the Universe, with a shared ability of regeneration across all types. These details—as well as possession of the Fiend trait in Pathfinder Second Edition prior to the Remaster, details about their creation from kami, the role of the Laws of Golden Perfection, and the titles of yai, ogre mage, onidoshi, and oni daimyo—were retroactively changed or removed in the Pathfinder Remaster. Canon replacements for removed concepts or relationships, or resolutions to conflicts created by these changes, might not exist.
The following content was removed:
- Oni originated in Minkai in Tian Xia, where they are still most prevalent. Oni begin existence as kami, nature spirits bound by strict divine rules, the Laws of Golden Perfection. When a kami fails to live up to these laws, it is stripped of its powers and becomes a formless spirit. Most former kami simply fade away, but some are so overtaken with rage and despair that they will themselves into a physical form that mimic humanoids, becoming oni. Oni become obsessed with their new-found corporeality and revel in physical pleasures such as food, sex, and violence. Because of their origin, oni despise kami as cowards and weaklings.1
- All oni have a form based on a specific humanoid race, such as the human-derived kuwa or the giant-derived yai. Once an oni manifests on the Material Plane, it remains in that form for all time. Their continued connection to the spirit world grants them the power to regenerate wounded flesh, while their supernatural nature makes them wily shapeshifters. Because of their former incorporeal nature, oni are starved for physical sensation and revel in hedonism; individual oni often obsess over one sensation, such as the feeling of pain or a specific taste.2
- Rather than forming their own societies, oni prefer to dominate mortals who match their aspect, such as ogre mages lording over ogres. However, the powerful yai oni often subjugate their kin.
- Despite their fallen state, oni are still bound by the Laws of Golden Perfection. The most important of these strictures are a ban on open war between oni and kami and forbiddance of direct intervention in mortal affairs. However, oni may still work around these laws by employing non-oni agents.3
For the version of this article prior to the above changes, see revision 484252. -Oznogon (talk) 20:17, 15 May 2024 (UTC)
References
- ↑ . “Ecology of the Oni” in The Brinewall Legacy, 69. Paizo Inc., 2011
- ↑ . “Ecology of the Oni” in The Brinewall Legacy, 70. Paizo Inc., 2011
- ↑ . “Ecology of the Oni” in The Brinewall Legacy, 70–1. Paizo Inc., 2011
Unincorporated sources
- Haunted Heroes Handbook IFC --Fleanetha (talk) 06:28, 12 October 2016 (UTC)
- Forest of Spirits (adventure): especially Kami article --Fleanetha (talk) 21:48, 2 July 2013 (UTC)
Bestiary 3 205 --Fleanetha (talk) 23:29, 10 September 2013 (UTC)Non-canon source -Oznogon (talk) 20:17, 15 May 2024 (UTC)- The Empty Throne 63ff.: article discussing the overall oni presence in Tian Xia --Fleanetha (talk) 14:42, 13 June 2022 (UTC)
- Monster Core 252–255 former ogre mage/onidoshi now mountain oni; former ice/fire/water yai now snow/caldera/island oni -Oznogon (talk) 20:17, 15 May 2024 (UTC)
- Tian Xia World Guide many refs, particularly Chu Ye 60–68, Forest of Spirits 155–158, Yjae 190, Valash Raj 234–237 -Oznogon (talk) 20:17, 15 May 2024 (UTC)