Curse

The undead Mesmer · Apr 10, 2006, 07:17 PM // 19:17

The Oni

In folklore there are also tales of supernatural creatures called the ‘Oni’. Artists depict the ‘Oni’ with horns and wearing tiger skins. They have no neck, but a crest of hair and a big mouth; their fingers are clawed, and their arms elevated to the shoulders. These artistic renditions of demons not only represent the supernatural, but also embodiments of the evil facets of human nature. The earth ‘Oni’, according to Buddhist belief, are responsible for disease and epidemics (they are dressed in red). The ‘Oni’ of hell (red or green bodies) hunt for sinners and taking them by chariot to Emma-Hoo, the god of hell. There are invisible demons among the ‘Oni’ whose presence can be detected because they sing or whistle. The ‘Oni’ who are women are those transformed into demons after death by jealousy or violent grief. The Buddhist ‘Oni’ demons did not always represent the forces of evil.In Buddhist lore there are tales of monks who after death became ‘Oni’ in order to protect temples from potential disasters. The belief in the ‘Oni’, reached its zenith in the 18th and 19th centuries.

how they are explained here they dont look a single bit like the oni in GW so errr discuss?

Omega X · Apr 10, 2006, 07:37 PM // 19:37

Because its called "Artistic Interpretation". Let's take Anime shows for example, "Oni" is normally used in the name of a Demon which often depicts a human looking being with supernatural powers. Others are normally a beast-like character with the same Demonic traits of supernatural powers and strenths. There is no real definite look of a Demon. Only those images that have been passed down as traditional.

Since Guild Wars like Anime or Manga is NOT real life, the Oni depict what they would look like in that type of setting. A shadow-like creature with powers to decimate your group with assassin skills. :P

Cirian · Apr 11, 2006, 11:09 AM // 11:09

Oni is the Japanese word for 'demon', and they have a myriad of appearances

Chances are good that there will be Dai-Oni too (dai = great), aka, greater demons... just literal translations to add an oriental flavour

Omega X · Apr 11, 2006, 06:37 PM // 18:37

Didn't I just say that?

Symeon · Apr 11, 2006, 07:09 PM // 19:09

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oni_%28...se_folklore%29

*toasts wikipedia*

Some nice information there. I like the part at the end about how in the Japanese version of 'tag', the person who is 'it' is called 'oni'

It's also interesting how the legends changed the Oni from 'guardians of hell' (warding off evil spirits) into evil and dumb brutes themselves, but even today costumes of them are used in parades to ward off bad luck. As well as that, it's funny that they are often depicted as 'undefeatable', but barbarians and foreigners were often called 'oni'...

Comparing the pictures:

There seems to be very little similarity here...except that they are both demons

As such, my guess would be that the word 'Oni', used as a general word for 'demon' or 'something evil' in Japanese, was simply taken and used for exactly that, a 'demonish creature' - even though there are more specific descriptions of the Oni in Japanese folklore.

Diablo™ · Apr 12, 2006, 12:10 AM // 00:10

They also come in great video games.

onilink · Apr 12, 2006, 01:33 AM // 01:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diablo™

They also come in great video games.

Dont forget my namesake:
http://students.thiel.edu/acosentino...Oni%20link.jpg

Mister Muhkuh · Apr 12, 2006, 12:04 PM // 12:04

ah, thats what the demonslaying upgrade i found is for

Witchblade · Apr 12, 2006, 07:17 PM // 19:17

this expansion sounds l5r-ish to me

onis, nagas and samurais

The undead Mesmer · Apr 12, 2006, 07:23 PM // 19:23

Hmmm dont forget Chinese dragons

EagleEye33 · Apr 12, 2006, 10:43 PM // 22:43

"Asian theme", what else would you expect?

Ninjutsu Honor Code · Apr 13, 2006, 02:36 PM // 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleEye33

"Asian theme", what else would you expect?

Ninja like armor for the assassin? oh wait it isnt THAT asian...

Omega X · Apr 15, 2006, 01:35 AM // 01:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjutsu Honor Code

Ninja like armor for the assassin? oh wait it isnt THAT asian...

So they are bound to using cliche outfits too?

Seissor · Apr 15, 2006, 11:28 AM // 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjutsu Honor Code

Ninja like armor for the assassin? oh wait it isnt THAT asian...

The class is Assassin, not Ninja. It's a fantasy class, and if it wasn't then may I complain because they aren't all bald wearing black suits with red ties and carrying piano wire?

Also the beginner "Tenderfoot" armor looks very ninja-erish. Don't forget we've also yet to see all the 15k gear and it's been said there will be FoW armor for the new classes but in a new area so it wont be called FoW armor.

Amonster666 · May 04, 2006, 10:59 PM // 22:59

maybe the Oni r just some random monsters cause GW wanted to add in a new monster but couldnt think so they looked at the game 'Oni' or maybe the Oni r a bunch of poo which evoled

ArianeB · May 05, 2006, 02:30 AM // 02:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amonster666

or maybe the Oni r a bunch of poo which evoled

I like this theory, considering when they die the sound they make sounds like a muffled version of South Park's Mr Hanky saying "heidi ho".

beanerman_99 · May 08, 2006, 03:12 AM // 03:12

The Oni can be very annoying, especially if you are henching in and a group of 5-6 spawn on you. I am getting to where I can almost tell where the Oni will show up to harrass me. I kill some standard mobs and continue on.. the path seems a little TOO deserted..hmmm...this looks like a good place to be ambushed....WHAM , the Oni attack!! What I don't like is when the spawn right when you lure a regular mob in to fight and have to deal with both groups.

Exile Of Heaven · May 08, 2006, 10:06 AM // 10:06

hehe im far in factions with my barrage ranger and always take throw dirt with me , works great against them becuz it last aroudn 10 secs, easy 2 kill a pair in that time with hench,

Still i like them becuz of their suprise, maybe there demons of earth:P

The undead Mesmer · May 08, 2006, 02:38 PM // 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by beanerman_99

The Oni can be very annoying, especially if you are henching in and a group of 5-6 spawn on you. I am getting to where I can almost tell where the Oni will show up to harrass me. I kill some standard mobs and continue on.. the path seems a little TOO deserted..hmmm...this looks like a good place to be ambushed....WHAM , the Oni attack!! What I don't like is when the spawn right when you lure a regular mob in to fight and have to deal with both groups.

a note on that Oni hate all things so if a lets say kappa gets close enough to the oni spawning point the oni/oni's jump out and kill the kappar (or the kappa kills him if he gots some bro's and sisters with him ofcourse ^^ i have seen this happen a couple of times now and it still cracks me up

Supreme Commander · May 08, 2006, 04:04 PM // 16:04

the thing is, noone ever saw an oni, it's all made up, so if u take a random person to give a description of an oni, they'll prolly not all be the same.... same for traditional asian oni's & arenanet/ncsoft oni's