Kitsune
Kitsune are a charismatic and witty people with a connection to the spiritual that grants them many magical abilities, chiefly the power to shapechange into other forms. Whether they pass unseen among other peoples or hold their tails high, kitsune are clever observers of the societies around them.
Kitsune are shapechangers with two forms: one of a fox-headed humanoid and one largely depending on where they were raised. Those raised in populated areas typically have what's called a tailless form—a humanoid body without any fox features that resembles a more common ancestry, such as an elf or a human. In wooded or rural areas, their second form is more likely to be that of a fox.
Though all-kitsune settlements exist, most live among people of other ancestries, granting them a degree of external insight into social rules or dynamics that others process only subconsciously. Kitsune enjoy subverting expectations as much as they do going along with them. Their fondness for jokes, stories, and wordplay, especially when the twist of a riddle hinges on the listener's assumptions, reinforces their reputation as tricksters.
With dual forms and a connection to both the material and spiritual worlds, kitsune have diverse concepts of self and identity. Some even view their forms as separate individuals altogether, using them to explore different aspects of their personality.
If you want to play a character with innate magical talents and countless hidden facets, each revealed with a glint of the eye and a twisting grin, you should play a kitsune.
You Might... Studiously observe the habits of those around you, taking mental notes on how to imitate them better. Delight in jokes, clever wordplay, pranks, or unnecessarily complex plots. Present a different, but authentic, side of yourself in each new situation.
Others Probably... Are taken in by your magnetic personality and enigmatic nature. Marvel at your many supernatural abilities. Wonder what you aren't telling them.
Kitsune have alert vulpine ears, pointed snouts, and short, semi-retractable claws on their fingers and toes. Their fur is dense, countershaded, and most often red, tan, black, or white in color. Kitsune have bushy tails that grow in number as they hone their innate magical abilities, to as many as nine.
Kitsune are rarely the majority in whatever communities they inhabit, and many go their whole lives without meeting another kitsune beyond their family. Their society, as much as it exists, centers primarily around the commonalities that kitsune find as they pass among other peoples. The same social perspective that helps them imitate others also makes them quick to notice signs that someone may need help or a kind word. Due to this, kitsune often form strong interpersonal relationships and tend to anchor their social circles. When two kitsune do meet, they may find themselves exchanging light verbal repartee, enjoying the sport of trying to outwit each other. While it's considered a grave offense to outright give away another kitsune's shapechanging nature, kitsune relish surreptitiously forcing another to “break character,” shocking the other into disrupting their transformation through a well-placed comment.
Kitsune often excel as rogues, investigators, and bards. Kitsune who hone their magical abilities lean more toward sorcerers or oracles, and those who forge a stronger connection to the spirits may become witches.
Sample Names Hamako, Haohiko, Kitsukou, Kon, Kwan-la, Talaro
Kitsune are shapechangers with two forms: one of a fox-headed humanoid and one largely depending on where they were raised. Those raised in populated areas typically have what's called a tailless form—a humanoid body without any fox features that resembles a more common ancestry, such as an elf or a human. In wooded or rural areas, their second form is more likely to be that of a fox.
Though all-kitsune settlements exist, most live among people of other ancestries, granting them a degree of external insight into social rules or dynamics that others process only subconsciously. Kitsune enjoy subverting expectations as much as they do going along with them. Their fondness for jokes, stories, and wordplay, especially when the twist of a riddle hinges on the listener's assumptions, reinforces their reputation as tricksters.
With dual forms and a connection to both the material and spiritual worlds, kitsune have diverse concepts of self and identity. Some even view their forms as separate individuals altogether, using them to explore different aspects of their personality.
If you want to play a character with innate magical talents and countless hidden facets, each revealed with a glint of the eye and a twisting grin, you should play a kitsune.
You Might... Studiously observe the habits of those around you, taking mental notes on how to imitate them better. Delight in jokes, clever wordplay, pranks, or unnecessarily complex plots. Present a different, but authentic, side of yourself in each new situation.
Others Probably... Are taken in by your magnetic personality and enigmatic nature. Marvel at your many supernatural abilities. Wonder what you aren't telling them.
Physical Description
Kitsune have alert vulpine ears, pointed snouts, and short, semi-retractable claws on their fingers and toes. Their fur is dense, countershaded, and most often red, tan, black, or white in color. Kitsune have bushy tails that grow in number as they hone their innate magical abilities, to as many as nine.
Society
Kitsune are rarely the majority in whatever communities they inhabit, and many go their whole lives without meeting another kitsune beyond their family. Their society, as much as it exists, centers primarily around the commonalities that kitsune find as they pass among other peoples. The same social perspective that helps them imitate others also makes them quick to notice signs that someone may need help or a kind word. Due to this, kitsune often form strong interpersonal relationships and tend to anchor their social circles. When two kitsune do meet, they may find themselves exchanging light verbal repartee, enjoying the sport of trying to outwit each other. While it's considered a grave offense to outright give away another kitsune's shapechanging nature, kitsune relish surreptitiously forcing another to “break character,” shocking the other into disrupting their transformation through a well-placed comment.
Beliefs
The patron kitsune deity is Darmon, and many believe they are descended from Ix. Though not all kitsune necessarily worship Darmon and Ix, most respect him as the purported source of their powers.Adventurers
Kitsune often excel as rogues, investigators, and bards. Kitsune who hone their magical abilities lean more toward sorcerers or oracles, and those who forge a stronger connection to the spirits may become witches.
Names
While kitsune have some traditional names, they're more likely to use names that are unremarkable in their local society, the better to pass unnoticed. Some have different names for each form: a kitsune name for their kitsune form, a regional name for a tailless form, and possibly no name at all for a fox form.Sample Names Hamako, Haohiko, Kitsukou, Kon, Kwan-la, Talaro
Heritages
Celestial Envoy Kitsune
Source Ancestry Guide pg. 123 2.0
Whether due to Ix's grace or faithful forebears, you have a strong connection to the divine, affording you certain protections. You gain the Invoke Celestial Privilege reaction. Your alternate form is a common Medium humanoid ancestry prevalent where you grew up (typically human), called a tailless form.
Dark Fields Kitsune
Source Ancestry Guide pg. 123 2.0
Note: The temporary Hit Points from Invigorating Fear last for 1 minute.
You can exert your unsettling presence to subtly Demoralize others. When you do, Demoralize loses the auditory trait and gains the visual trait, and you don't take a penalty when you attempt to Demoralize a creature that doesn't understand your language. You also gain the Invigorating Fear reaction. Your alternate form is a fox, which has the statistics of 1st-level pest form.
Earthly Wilds Kitsune
Source Ancestry Guide pg. 123 2.0
You are a creature of the material world, with an affinity closer to the wilds than urban society. You gain a jaws unarmed attack that deals 1d6 piercing damage. Your jaws are in the brawling group and have the finesse and unarmed traits. Your alternate form is a fox, which has the statistics of 1st-level pest form.
Empty Sky Kitsune
Source Ancestry Guide pg. 123 2.0
Your spirit is open to the secrets of beyond, granting you greater access to kitsune magic. You gain the Kitsune Spell Familiarity ancestry feat. Your alternate form is a common Medium humanoid ancestry prevalent where you grew up (typically human), called a tailless form.
Frozen Wind Kitsune
Source Ancestry Guide pg. 123 2.0
Your ancestors resided on snowy peaks. You gain cold resistance equal to half your level (minimum 1). You treat environmental cold effects as if they were one step less extreme (incredible cold becomes extreme, extreme cold becomes severe, and so on). Your alternate form is a common Medium humanoid ancestry prevalent where you grew up (typically human), called a tailless form.
Comments