Honto Kitsune (Kitsune)

Basic Information

Alternative name(s) Fox People, Fox Folk Origin Sokoko (Destroyed, though its existence is questioned by scholars) Lifespan Unknown, though supposedly elder Kitsune can live beyond one thousand years old Diet Omnivores Subspecies Wny subspecies should be listed here

Physical description

Height ~5'5" to 6'2" Distinctive features Kitsune are able to shapeshift in a limited form. They can assume a human form that morphs traits and appearances from their natural form, but can only swap between their human appearance and fox form, though this can be done at will.

Cultural

Organisations Kitsune are largely nomadic and solitary, though clans organized around tribal elders are not uncommon. These clans are rarely permanently settled, however, though they do tend to migrate within specific regions. Languages Kitsune primarily speak Common, though formal and ancient rites are still spoken in the Kitsune mother language simply referred to as the Old Tongue. Locations Kitsune are found across the world, though most often they are solitary creatures living alone or in small bands. Kitsune naturally hide their true forms and what, precisely, they are, preferring to appear as humans.

Out-of-character information

Image source Source of the image used in the infobox

Honto Kitsune (A name given by scholars as they simply refer to themselves as Kitsune) are an ancient, dying race of shapeshifting humanoids. Able to change from fox to human and back, they are often associated with ill omen where their kind are known or distrust and aggression where the species is unknown. The Fox Folk are known for their magical abilities that strengthen and specialize with each tail they grow as they age as well as their ability to change between forms.

In human form, Kitsune appear as a regular person with their fox form influencing such things as hair color, height, etc. While in fox form, Kitsune appear as a regular, if slightly larger, fox. Kitsune are visually and, surprisingly, magically indistinguishable from other humans while in that form, though species with heightened senses of smell, like other Kitsune, can usually pinpoint a Kitsune rather quickly.

Originally, Kitsune were from a place supposedly and collectively known as Sokoko, a land which was destroyed many tens of thousands of years ago and its location lost to time. Currently Kitsune can be found anywhere humans are found, finding that human settlements are often the safest places to live and travel for their kind.

Kitsune have the ability to change between human and fox forms at will, though clothing is not carried with during the transfer. Kitsune are also more agile and dexterous than the average human. Heightened senses of smell, hearing, and sight are also well known among Kitsune and equal that of other, similar races.

Kitsune also grow tails as they age with the first appearing around one hundred years of age, though some sources state the tail grows at fifty years. Regardless of the age, Kitsune can only utilize elemental magic after the tail grows and only one element per tail. Each Kitsune can only grow nine tails, limiting even powerful, Elder Kitsune to nine elements only. While magic can be utilized in human form, Kitsune are magically stronger when in fox form. Tails lost due to accident or conflict can be regrown, but only from a Kitsune healer and such magic takes a great deal of time and effort. In the meantime, the Kitsune loses the magical abilities of the tail in question, or all magical ability if all tails are lost.

Kitsune are naturally afraid of two predators; dogs and dragons. Dogs have traditionally been used to sniff out Kitsune and due to this the Fox Folk harbor a natural aversion to such animals. Dragons were responsible for the loss of Sokoko and the devastation of the Kitsune race to the tattered remnants that wander the world in modern day. As such, Kitsune both loathe and fear Dragons whom they refer to simply as the 'Evil Ones'.

Little is known about the Kitsune's culture as much has been lost and replaced with human traditions and mannerisms. What is known, however, is Sokoko's loss and the collective memories afterward.

The fabled land of Sokoko was supposedly destroyed by a great dragon who, seeing the prospering Kitsune and their great magical power, attacked their homeland out of jealousy and malice. He burned their homes and crops to cinders, murdered millions of Kitsune, and shattered the land itself until it sank below the sea and was lost forever. Ever since, Kitsune have carried a primal hate towards dragons only tempered by the visceral fear of what such creatures are capable of.

Aside from the lost history of Sokoko and the legends of its fall and destruction, Kitsune history is much the same as human history in the regions they inhabit, albeit with a healthy dose of isolationism and secrecy.