The Warrior Races of the Dark Lords

Kappa

The Kappa has the body of a tortoise [although this is not always the depiction], the head of a monkey and limbs that are lined with scales. Some believe that the kappa is descended from the monkey messenger of the River god. They are approximately the same size as a ten-year-old child, yellow-green in colour and with an indentation on the top of the head, which is their main distinguishing mark. If the water in the hollow is spilled, that kappa immediately loses its powers. They live in rivers, ponds or lakes and are vampires. Horse and cattle blood satisfies them as well as does human blood.

Apart from blood, they have a liking for cucumbers and one way of pleasing them is to throw cucumbers with the names and ages of the family into the water where the Kappa live. They will then not entice these people into their clutches. Another feature of the Kappa is their ability to keep a promise and hold a bargain.

In spite of their many bad habits, they are strangely polite, and if treated with courtesy, this river dwelling creature is harmless and completely trustworthy. Many times, in order to be polite they bow, and spill the water from their heads. However, if it is ill-treated, it will prey on humans.