TESSO
Lore
The legend of Tesso (“Iron Rat”) connects to the historical monk Raigo Ajari. Emperor Shirakawa requested Raigo to pray for an heir, promising a reward. After Prince Taruhito was born, rival monks pressured the emperor to renege on the promise. Feeling betrayed, Raigo declared a hunger strike and died after one hundred days, cursing the emperor and his bloodline.
His vengeful spirit transformed into a monstrous iron rat with unbreakable hide and vicious fangs. In this new form, Tesso gained dominion over swarms of rats, amassing them to annihilate the Enryaku-ji temple. The rat army laid waste to sacred scrolls and relics, attempting to erase every trace of the temple's existence.
Some say Tesso never truly vanished once the temple lay in ruins, persisting as a grim half-rat, half-human specter lurking in the shadows of the spirit world.
Stat block
Armor Class
17 (natural armor)
Hit Points
127 (15d10 + 45)
Speed
40 ft., climb 30 ft.
Saving Throws
Str +7, Cha +7
Skills
Athletics +7, Intimidation +7, Perception +5, Stealth +6
Damage Resistances
cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities
poison
Condition Immunities
poisoned
Senses
darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages
Abyssal, Common, Yokai Speech
Challenge
7
