The Race of Oni

The focus of all Oni life extends only as far as their village. It is akin to Greek city states, thus there can be many different villages; however, there is still a larger overarching common "Oni" culture. With this in mind it is crucial to understand, there is no "Oni nation." This is the major reason Oni's are considered a "lesser race." Because they have no allegiance to a larger Oni state or strong solidarity among others of their race, they are considered lesser by the more statist races such as elves or dwarves.

Culture: The most prolific aspect of all Oni culture is to remain strong and not to be dishonored. In a similar vein as the bushido of Japanese samurai, they cannot and will not take disrespect. They have no respect for those that sneak around or make backroom deals to solve their problems.

Thanks to their pseudo-bushido morality. Oni will often settle fights with small duels. They will brawl or wrestle. If an Oni challenges you to a fight, you must fight. Because the severity of rejecting a fight will damage your social standing in the community. But what is more important than fighting is to make up with each other after. Any grudges leading up to a fight must be solved in the immediate aftermath. This means eating and drinking together of course. Often Oni can be seen viciously brawling in the streets, but what many miss is how they embrace each other after and often go to then talk out their differences. If you do not do this, it is seen on the level of walking out on a child.

Celebration is a common occurrence. Oni will celebrate nearly anything. It can be anything from a good harvest to the end of the week. This means heavy drinking and feasting, as well as strong hospitality to strangers and other Oni. If one were to ever reject an Oni's offer to celebrate or to eat and drink together it is an act on the level of spitting in somebody's face. Do not confuse this with the dwarven culture of eating and drinking. Oni are more dignified and have no respect for gluttons or disruptive drunks. Being drunk is perfectly fine, but being a disturbance to others is a major social crime. Thus Oni celebrations are akin to birthdays or a party in a small pub. Not boisterous and over the top, but loud and warm.

The village culture is not to be confused with communes or coops. Private ownership of property is still preserved. But because the foci of Oni life is the village, it is like the stereotype of small town 1950s America. This does come with the sometimes overbearing moral culture that is strictly enforced by those living in the village. To be a member of the village and to contribute more than you take out is crucial. A "quiet" life in an Oni village is not common. Neighbors will often come to visit and invite you to celebrations or to social events. Many humans used to modern life can find it overbearing and tiring.

The system of honor in Oni culture is focused on mutual respect. Brown nosers will not get far. You must respect Oni, and they will respect you. Their mannerisms are very hands on, they see grabbing and touching as normal. "Personal space" isn't a very familiar concept.

Fighting Style: The doctrine of Oni combat centers around ambushes and defense, while not guerillas. Oni prize themselves on skillful scouting and knowledge of the area. If you wander into Oni territory expect to stumble upon scouts and/or traps. As long as you make it clear you are not there to fight, but are proud and welcoming they will often let you pass without issue. Do not show weakness or attempt to bargain your way out of a fight.

Weapons: It is recommended not to touch an Oni's weapon without explicit permission. It is treated as an extension of themselves. A common arm across all Oni villages is a unique interpretation of the Pedersen rifle. Thompson Submachine guns are employed regularly. They will come with a heat shielded barrel and somehow made lighter. Another common weapon are flamethrowers, because of their natural immunity to fire. They are favorites of Oni. It fills the role a machine gun would in a human squad. Nearly all Oni carry some kind of fire weapon. Let it be incendiary grenades or their more unique tube flamethrowers. The disposable tube flamethrowers appear like M72s, but instead of rockets they are single use flamethrowers that can be activated with the trigger. The reusable flamethrowers can appear either as the traditional flamethrower or as a strange combination bazooka and panzerfaust. A unique attribute is that these flame weapons lack any flammable fuel in the traditional sense. Rather they use small flame runes that have been carved into small marbles of ceramic by oni craftsmen. It is then activated by a magic fuse inside the weapon. This also is used in their bullets. Utilizing tiny marbles of ceramic covered in runes rather then powder. As well as a magic fuse instead of primers. Allowing Oni to utilize larger bullets that still weigh less than their traditional equivalents. Though this comes at a cost, they have strong muzzle blast and flash, visible even in the day. A byproduct of the magic "powder." This is a major reason why Oni prefer flamethrowers and ambush tactics. Machine guns would immediately draw too much attention to be effective. Oni metallurgy is nowhere near the quality of elves, humans, and especially not dwarves. Thus the metal required for their flamethrowers are heavier to compensate for less strength. As an example, if you were to compare the amount of magic Oni .30-06 an Oni carries compared to regular .30-06 it is only marginally greater. As any weight advantage is consumed by their flamethrowers. Where as rifle squads may carry machine gun belts, Oni rifle squads will carry their tanks of ceramic runes. The secret of creating Oni weapons such as their unique Pedersen rifles, heat shielded Thompsons, flamethrower launchers, and their ceramic marble runes are closely guarded. Each village has a different blend. Ammunition standardization is common, but each village has their own preferred bullet. Like how there are many kinds of 5.56, but it's still 5.56 at the end of the day.

Uniforms: Thanks to their large horns Oni prefer to wear hats. Often garrison or side caps. With holes for their horns where the ensignia would have been. Symbols are usually placed on the sides. Their aesthetic matches the 1920s, 1930s aesthetic of many western militaries.

Biology: Oni are much larger than humans, often taller than most orcs, yet slightly smaller than ogres. They have facial features and overall body structure somewhat like humans or elves. A word to the wise is to never compare an oni to an orc or ogre. This has led many biologists to consider two leading theories of their evolution. Theory A states that because Oni, orcs, and ogres are so physically similar that they must share a common ancient ancestor whose name also starts with an "O" sound like theirs do. Then that elves descended from the oni. Theory B states that because features are shared between elves and Oni, such as intelligence. Oni and elves are actually descended from a common ancestor that is an offshoot of the ancient ancestor shared by both orcs and ogres. Oni occupy a strange position compared to the major races. They have the strength, vigor, and athleticism of orcs and ogres. As well as the muscular structure. But their bodies appear somewhat like a very strong elf or human, their faces even look more like elves and humans as well. Keeping only the stronger jawline of ogres and orcs. A unique point of Oni is their extremely fast recovery. They can heal extremely fast. Likely a result of generations of regular brawling.

Subraces: There are three subraces of Oni. Blue, red, and white. As one would expect their behavior actually corresponds to the connotation of their colors. Blue Oni are calm and collected, often a strong silent type. Stoic in their conversation. Red Oni are aggressive but jolly. White is the medium between the two. There aren't many subrace grudges as like with high elves, dark elves, wood elves, and etc. Because each subrace often has their own village, but also because if a subrace were to move to the village of the other(s). They are expected to assimilate to the overall pattern of life of the village.

They live about as long as humans do. Though their aging almost pauses so a majority of Oni appear to be in their 20s or early to mid 30s. Before the last quarter of their life where they appear to be in their 70s or 80s. This odd aspect of Oni life means many die when they hit this "wall." Elders are extremely prized and respected. The social hiearchy means that elders are a source of wisdom.