Hey Surbook:

[JmOz]

What is an Oni, and do you have the stats for one?

[Lord Liaden]

Can't give you stats offhand, but I can send you to a brief definition and a clickable image:
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/o/oni.html

[Captain Obvious]

1st Ed AD&D used oni as their inspiration for the ogre mage.

[JMHammer]

Hmm... I thought you were referring to the Bungie game:

http://oni.bungie.org/res/

[Sketchpad]

There are also several types of Oni ... As far as statting them out, I would imagine that they'd be covered in Mike's Asian Bestiary ... but I could be wrong

[Susano]

Oni are a form of Japanese "yokai" or monster. They are somewhat like Western ogres, and did form the basis of the AD&D Ogre Magi. Oni are servants of Yomi, the underworld, and tend go about persecuting sinners and tempting people into evil. They are covered in the The HERO System Asian Bestiary, where I give several options and the like.

[JmOz]

Did I miss Asian Beastiary? I did not think it was released yet...

[Susano]

Due out late 2005.

[JmOz]

Cool, thanks for the help

[NuSoardGraphite]

Just to interject;

Oni are nothing like western ogres. However the Japanese term "Oni" is often translated into english as "Ogre" when its more accurate to not translate it at all, or if you do, use the term "demon" which is much closer.

This mistake is often made because in old Japanese paintings and drawings, Oni often looked a lot like western Ogres. Thats where the resemblance ends. They are highly magical in nature and oftentimes exceptionally intelligent and cruel. In many legends Oni are incredibly powerful and only the strongest and most wiley of legenary samurai were able to defeat them in combat. I believe the legendary Samurai Raiko defeated many Oni.

[Susano]

I said "somewhat" only because oni and ogres are both large humanoids noted for equally large and unpleasant appetites. Both are known to kidnap women, rob, murder, and plunder, and are often fought by heroes. And yes, oni are highly magical beings, and usually, but not always, more intelligent than an ogre. But then, oni are more supernatural in origin than ogres.

[yamamura]

and lovers of good sake (one way to beat an Oni IIRC) *hic* hmm good Sake

G

[NuSoardGraphite]

I said "somewhat" only because oni and ogres are both large humanoids noted for equally large and unpleasant appetites. Both are known to kidnap women, rob, murder, and plunder, and are often fought by heroes. And yes, oni are highly magical beings, and usually, but not always, more intelligent than an ogre. But then, oni are more supernatural in origin than ogres.

Oh, I know you knew, I was simply informing the uninformed. It bugs me that supposedly professional translators make mistakes like that. I barely know any japanese at all, and I know that much.

[Lord Liaden]

and lovers of good sake (one way to beat an Oni IIRC) *hic* hmm good Sake

G

Or you can drive oni away by throwing beans at them, and have something left to wash down with good sake afterward.

[Markdoc]

Just to interject;

Oni are nothing like western ogres. However the Japanese term "Oni" is often translated into english as "Ogre" when its more accurate to not translate it at all, or if you do, use the term "demon" which is much closer.

Sort of true: but only if you make the equally common mistake of confusing "western Ogre" with "D and D Ogre": Many Ogres of original western myth had magical powers (shapeshifting was a common one, as in "I bet you can't turn into a mouse") and all the trappings - magic swords, invisible castles, etc. In this regard, they are not so different from Oni.

cheers, Mark