[Definitely a more sympathetic take on them than the original story implies.]
Kerakera-onna A
towering female giant appears, her face caked in makeup and her teeth
stained black. Her face is contorted into a rictus of mirth, adding to
her strangely intimidating presence.
The immense kerakera-onna are among the rarest of the kami, devoting
their energy to guarding prostitutes and brothels. A kerakera-onna forms
from the soul of a prostitute who dies of old age—sadly a rarity in
many places—and who devoted her own life towards the betterment of her
peers. In her role as guardian of a brothel, she treats wounds and
illnesses, fights for fair pay and equal treatment, supports those who
wish to leave the trade and acts as avenger against those who would
exploit or abuse her charges. A man who merely scorns or insults a
kerakera-onna’s chosen prostitutes may only receive the scare of his
life. One who abuses or murders a prostitute may be killed or (more
likely) driven mad as a warning to others. The scornful laugh of a
kerakera-onna can linger in the heads of her victims for the rest of
their lives, filling every waking moment with hallucinations and
visions.
Most kerakera-onna are rarely-glimpsed figures, only appearing to
mete out justice. Some, however, take a more active role in managing
their wards by assuming mortal form and serving as a madam. Such madams
are beloved both by their stable of employees and by the downtrodden
folk of their community at large, as such a kerakera-onna takes an
active stance against poverty, oppression and corruption. These
communities may never know they host a kerakera-onna until a wicked
guard captain or politician ends up afflicted with the curse of cackling
wrath.
Societies that view prostitution in a favorable light are more likely to attract kerakera-onna, and Gladia certainly has its share. They are understandably more common in urban areas.
Shores of Swords 