An Otoroshi is a monster that dwells on the roofs of temples and shrines. Savants, overlooking their obvious extraMythic nature, have employed them as temple guardians for eons. Otoroshi do not eat, making them good neighbors for Savants.

The Otoroshi is large and very hairy, somewhat bigger than a Wolf. It has a broad, flat face, with large protruding fangs that do impaling damage. The body is stocky, like a small Bear, and the clawwds are long and sharp. The fur is over a foot long and serves well as armor.

An Otoroshi can sense impiety in visitors to the temple. Impiety does not mean sinfulness, but a scornful, cynical or hostile attitute towards the Religion of the Shrine. If such a person comes to the temple, it will pounce from the rooftop onto the head of the misbeliever with a shrill scream and try to tear him to pieces. It will fight to the death, and if it wins its wounds will magically heal within 24 hours.

They never sleep and are constantly alert. Though there is usually only one Otoroshi per building, there may be several in a temple complex (and completely unnoticed if it is a haven of the Faithful) and perhaps there they breed.