Monster Mash: I is for Imugi

IMUGI

Loong dragons don't reproduce naturally.

Instead, loong dragons are usually born one of two ways: when a carp swims upstream, to the top of a waterfall, and over the dragon gate, they are transformed into a dragon as a reward for their perseverance or when a natural landmark, such as a mountain or river, becomes important enough for its spirit to materialize as an imugi.

Lesser But Still Superior. Imugi are flightless loong dragons, about 15 to 20 feet long, with a long reptillian head, carp-like scales, horns of a bull or stag, whiskers of a catfish, powerful body of a giant python with short limbs, and a mane of fur and/or feathers. They are extremely powerful creatures that are remarkably stealthy and fast for their size. Imugi may not have the magical powers of their greater dragon kin but they can breathe gouts of boiling steam that are a serious deterrent against most creatures that could threaten the imugi.

Natural Spirits. Imugi guard their home against those that would spoil it. They are born fully fluent in celestial, draconic and the common tongue of mortals around their home territory. They give fair warning to most peoples that would disrespect them but have little patience for those that earn their wrath. They have been known to destroy farmsteads and villages that do not heed their warnings but they can be appeased with gifts and apologies. The common folk often give offerings to the young dragons out of respect, which the imugi may return by warding off more malicious monsters. These arrangements are mutually beneficial as the teach the dragon duty and the people respect but some humans take it to far by building cults to the dragon.

Future Dragons. To ascend to their true form, imugi must obtain a yeoiju or "wish jewel". The yeoiju is a round orb that are stored in the celestial heavens and are a valued commodity among celestials, dieties and lung dragons. They have incredible powers and the number of yeojiu that a lung dragon has represents their station. Occasionally, a yeoiju is accidentally dropped by a lung dragon or one of the jewels is rewarded to an imugi who commits a great deed. When an imugi receives the jewel, they make a wish, and metamorphize into the form of a true dragon to serve as part of the celestial bureaucracy.

This is the dream of all imugi.