Shokasura
Level 1Attacks
Abilities
The shokasura takes on the appearance of a Small humanoid. This doesn't change the shokasura's Speed or their attack and damage modifers with their Strikes, but it might change the damage type their Strikes deal (typically to bludgeoning). The asura typically loses their thorn Strike unless the humanoid form has a similar unarmed attack. This alternate form has a specifc, persistent appearance, which the shokasura can change by performing a 1-hour ritual.
Saving Throw DC 17 will
Maximum Duration 4 rounds
Stage 1 1d4 poison damage and Enfeebled 1 (1 round)
Stage 2 1d4 poison damage, and Enfeebled 2 (1 round)
Stage 3 1d4 poison damage, Slowed 1, and the creature cannot use reactions (1 round)
Shokasuras are tragic, wretched beings, broken by their despair at the cruel truths of reality. Many were not originally asuras but instead began as other spiritual beings who realized all of their efforts only served to propagate an unjust and unsalvageable existence. Not yet willing to admit how deep the rot lies and not yet willing to commit themselves to unmaking all they once held dear, shokasuras instead constantly test mortals and force them to prove themselves, desperately trying to assuage themselves that there are people and things still worth saving within their present circumstances. These attempts inevitably lead to disaster, as mortals either fail the shokasura's impossible expectations, or the shokasura tests their chosen mortal to ruin.