The Inugami Witchcraft is a traditional form of witchcraft that originated in Japan. It is believed to have ancient roots and has been passed down through generations. Inugami refers to a type of deity or spirit in Japanese mythology that can possess animals, particularly dogs. The Inugami Witchcraft is centered around the belief that individuals can harness the power of Inugami to bring about various effects and outcomes. It is thought to involve rituals, spells, and charms that invoke the aid and assistance of these spirits. The practitioners of this form of witchcraft are often called Inugamisou or Inugamimochi.
Inugami are loyal to their creator, and frequently are passed between generations of a family for decades or even centuries. Families that host an inugami have notably superior luck to their rivals, seeming to have preternatural knowledge of local affairs and business opportunity, and madness or ill fate besieging their enemies. Although an inugami typically serves its hosts, they do not obey a master who did not create them unquestioningly, and a cruel or ungrateful master may be abandoned or murdered by the undead.
Families that host an inugami have notably superior luck to their rivals, seeming to have preternatural knowledge of local affairs and business opportunity, and madness or ill fate besieging their enemies. Draw a circle using visualization or a mundane action such as drawing a circle around the talisman with your finger s in order to conjure or evoke a protective circle.
The practitioners of this form of witchcraft are often called Inugamisou or Inugamimochi. One of the main purposes of practicing Inugami Witchcraft is to obtain power and control over circumstances and individuals. This can be done through the manipulation of others, such as casting spells to influence their thoughts and actions.
Creature Codex
[This is the first monster I’ve statted up using rules from Pathfinder’s Occult Adventures supplement. So, of course, I had to use material from one of the most complicated classes in that text. Hopefully I didn’t screw it up.
The ritual to create an inugami detailed here is a legitimate one, being the traditional black magic tradition to create a powerful familiar in Japanese occultism. It’s also really gruesome and cruel. So trigger warning if that’s something that makes you uncomfortable]
Inugami
If not for its elaborate robes and peaked cap, this creature would resemble an ordinary dog. Talismans, divination tools and other occult accouterments hang from cords along its body.
Although they are sometimes referred to as “familiar spirits”, inugami are far more powerful and esoteric creatures than a mere familiar. Created by a gruesome occult ritual, these undead dog-like creatures are capable assistants and repositories of arcane lore.
Inugami are loyal to their creator, and frequently are passed between generations of a family for decades or even centuries. Families that host an inugami have notably superior luck to their rivals, seeming to have preternatural knowledge of local affairs and business opportunity, and madness or ill fate besieging their enemies. Although an inugami typically serves its hosts, they do not obey a master who did not create them unquestioningly, and a cruel or ungrateful master may be abandoned or murdered by the undead.
An inugami is the size of a mid-sized dog, but it is naturally headless. The head of the animal it was created from remains in a specially desecrated shrine devoted to keeping the inugami intact—the inugami’s head is an ectoplasmic construct projected from within the creature. This ectoplasmic head can extend from its shoulders on a tether, giving it frightening reach with its bite attack. An inugami cannot change its shape, but frequently uses illusions to appear as a normal dog, a child or halfling, or even a werewolf-like creature depending on the needs of its mission.
Creating an Inugami
In order to create an inugami, a dog must first be buried up to its neck in full sight of food and water. Just before the dog starves, it must be decapitated and its head buried at the crossroads for no less than a full month. The head is then dug up, lacquered and baked and enshrined in a secret place within the home. These elaborate steps can be averted with a create undead spell at caster level 17th, but the caster must be capable of casting psychic spells or have the Psychic Sensitivity feat.
Inugami CR 8
XP 4,800
NE Small undead
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, Perception +17, scent
Defense
AC 22, touch 18, flat-footed 17 (+1 size, +5 Dex, +4 natural, +3 insight)
hp 85 (10d8+40); fast healing 3
Fort +9, Ref +10, Will +12
Defensive Abilities fated, rejuvenation
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +12 (1d4+1 plus shadow bite)
Space 5ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. with bite)
Special Abilities dog-ridden
Implements
Abjuration (amulet, 4 points)—Resonant warding talisman (+2)
Divination (planchette, 3 points)—Resonant third eye (+1, low-light vision)
Enchantment (crown, 2 points)—Resonant glorious presence (+1)
Necromancy (robe, 1 points)—Resonant necromantic focus (+2 HD)
Occultist Spells Known CL 7th, concentration +10 (+14 casting defensively)
3rd (2/day)—bestow curse (DC 16), clairaudience/clairvoyance, dispel magic, suggestion (DC 17)
2nd (4/day)—analyze aura*, false life, inflict pain (DC 16), resist energy
1st (5/day)—charm person (DC 15), comprehend languages, inflict light wounds (DC 14), shield
0th—daze (DC 14), detect magic, resistance, touch of fatigue (DC 13)
Spell-like Abilities CL 10th, concentration +14 (+18 casting defensively)
At will—veil (DC 22, self only)
1/day—animate dead, gaseous form, greater possession* (DC 22)
1/week—contact other plane
*see Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Occult Adventures
Statistics
Str 13, Dex 20, Con -, Int 16, Wis 17, Cha 18
Base Atk +7; CMB +7; CMD 25
Feats Combat Casting, Combat Reflexes, Deceitful, Spell Focus (enchantment), Weapon Finesse
Skills Bluff +19, Disguise +22, Knowledge (arcana) +16, Knowledge (planes) +16, Perception +17, Sense Motive +16, Stealth +22
Languages Abyssal, Common, Infernal
Ecology
Environment urban
Organization solitary
Treasure standard
Special Abilities
Dog-ridden (Su) A creature affected by the greater possession spell-like ability of an inugami takes 1d4 points of Wisdom damage every hour it remains possessed. If a dog-ridden creature is reduced to 0 Wisdom, it gains a random insanity (see Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Gamemastery Guide)
Fated (Su) An inugami gains an insight bonus to AC and to CMD equal to its Wisdom modifier.
Rejuvenation (Su) A inugami is not permanently destroyed in combat—it reforms within its shrine within 2d4 days. The only way to permanently destroy an inugami is to destroy its shrine. Such objects typically have hardness 5 and 10 hp. An inugami is not destroyed if its shrine is destroyed, but it can no longer rejuvenate.
Shadow Bite (Su) The bite attack of an inugami deals an extra 5d6 points of force damage. In addition, any creature bitten by an inugami must succeed a DC 19 Fortitude save or take 1d4 Str damage. The save DC is Charisma based. This is a negative energy and force effect.
Spells An inugami casts spells as a 7th level occultist. It gains implements as an occultist of its caster level and can use the resonant powers of the implements it chooses, but gains no focus powers or other occultist class abilities.
SAGITTARIUS
(November 22 - December 21)
Money is suddenly yours, through a new source of income or a recent success. Use these earnings wisely. Attention to your health is critical. Now may be the time to schedule a doctor's visit you've been putting off. Friends are eager to be in your company. Enjoy social functions but save time for seclusion and introspection as well. Work will be satisfying, allowing you to take a more active role. You will feel rewarded, noticed for your hard work and a long desired goal will finally be in sight. You are strong, energetic and motivated. With determination and confidence, you will continue on your path of professional progress!
It is also believed that practitioners can use their connection with Inugami to curse or harm enemies. The use of animal sacrifice is an integral part of Inugami Witchcraft. It is commonly believed that an individual can create their own personal Inugami by performing a ritual that involves killing a dog and burying it. The spirit of the dog is then believed to be bound to the individual, providing them with protection and power. Due to its association with animal sacrifice and manipulation of others, Inugami Witchcraft is often seen as dark and controversial. It is not widely practiced or accepted in mainstream Japanese society, and those who do practice it often do so in secret. However, there are still individuals and groups who continue to engage in this ancient form of witchcraft. In conclusion, the Inugami Witchcraft is a traditional form of witchcraft in Japan that revolves around the belief in harnessing the power of Inugami spirits. It involves rituals, spells, and animal sacrifice to manipulate and control circumstances and individuals. While it is not widely practiced or accepted, it continues to intrigue those interested in esoteric and occult practices..
Reviews for "The Inugami Witchcraft: Exploring the Sublime in Japanese Horror Fiction"
1. Alex - 1 star - I found "The Inugami Witchcraft" to be incredibly dull and confusing. The plot was disjointed and hard to follow, and the characters were two-dimensional and uninteresting. The writing style was also lackluster, with minimal descriptions and a lack of emotional depth. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating mystery.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - While "The Inugami Witchcraft" had an intriguing premise, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story dragged on unnecessarily. Additionally, I found the characters to be underdeveloped and their actions often seemed illogical or forced. The mystery itself was also predictable and failed to deliver any real suspense or surprises. Overall, I was let down by this book and didn't find it enjoyable or engaging.
3. John - 2.5 stars - I had high expectations for "The Inugami Witchcraft," but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The writing style was dry and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with the story or characters. There were also too many unnecessary subplots that added confusion rather than enhancing the overall narrative. While there were some interesting elements, such as the supernatural aspects, they weren't enough to save the book from feeling tedious and underwhelming. I wouldn't recommend this novel to those looking for a gripping mystery or well-crafted storytelling.