Kitsune

The children of the divine fox

Base Racial Traits

Ability Score Racial Traits: Kitsune are agile, charismatic, and companionable, but tend to be physically weak. They gain +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, and –2 Strength.
Size: Kitsune are Medium creatures and thus have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Type: Kitsune are humanoids with the Kitsune and Shapechanger subtypes.
Speed: Kitsune have a base speed of 30 feet.
Senses: Kitsune have Low-Light Vision, and can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.
Languages: Kitsune begin play speaking Common and Maeish. Kitsune with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: (Celestial, Infernal, Abyssal, Aklo, Necril, Ursi, Giant, Draconic)
Masters of Machination: Kitsune are the ruling class in the Eastern Imperium, and each and every single one of them learns the art of Politics and Machination to survive, endure, and thrive inside the cutthroat Eastern Political Machine. Kitsune gain a racial +2 on Sense Motive and Bluff checks, and one is always a class skill for them.
Lightfooted Fox: Kitsune are so supernaturally nimble that their light steps can carry them out of range of deadly traps before they can be sprung on them. Kitsune gain a racial +2 on Acrobatics Checks, and gain a +4 to any saves or checks made to avoid mechanical-based traps.
Kitsune Magic: Having been trained and raised from squalor by Tamamo long ago, Kitsune have inherited a part of their patron Goddess's talent for enchantment magics over the eons. Kitsune add +2 to the DC of any saving throws against enchantment spells that they cast. Kitsune with a Charisma score of 12 or higher gain the following spell-like ability: 3/day—dancing lights (caster level equals the kitsune’s level).
Natural Nobility: Kitsune occupy the highest strata of Eastern Society, and are treated as walking idols, nobles, and legends wherever they go. As such, they are incredibly used to getting their way and being obeyed...which makes them harder to influence or persuade through magical or nonmagical means. Kitsune gain a racial +2 to resist all mind-affecting/compulsion effects, and, 1/day, are capable of granting a touched ally a +2 on such saving throws and a -2 on all such saving throws made by effects cast by the Kitsune whom gave them the bonus for one day.
Innate Warmth: Kitsune are notoriously well-adapted to the blisteringly cold weather of the Northern Imperium, and their tails are said to constantly give off soothing warmth. Kitsune gain Cold Resistance 10, and are immune to extreme weather conditions in cold environments.
Fluid Form: Kitsune carry an innate talent for shapechanging. They gain +5 to any saves or checks made to resist a polymorph spell or similar effect that would change their appearance cast on them they did not allow, want to receive, or cast themselves. A kitsune can assume the appearance of a specific single human form of the same sex. The kitsune always takes this specific form when she uses this ability. A kitsune gains a +10 racial bonus on Disguise checks made to appear human. Changing shape is a standard action. This ability otherwise functions as alter self, except that the kitsune does not adjust her ability scores and can remain in this form indefinitely.
Tamamo's Chosen: Kitsune are said to be the blessed race that once gave birth to the Minor Goddess, Tamamo-No-Mae...and it is said Tamamo has marked her own kind forevermore as thanks to her origins. Due to Tamamo's Overwhelming divine influence on their existences, Kitsune as a race have changed immensely over the Eons to become more like their Goddess. Kitsune, thanks to Tamamo's blessing, no longer exist within time as it is known within the material plane. They have no age categories, do not age, are immune to magical aging effects(And are instead stunned for 1d8 rounds instead), and can never gain ability bonuses or penalties for age. In contrast, Kitsune measure age by the number of tails they have, with each tail measuring years of life and gathering of magical, political, social, and rarely, physical power, passing from this world into the next when they are satisfied with their lives and returning to exist within Tamamo to be reincarnated. Because of this, many Kitsune can remember several past lives. See the "Kitsune Age Categories", "Kitsune Tail Drawbacks" and "Kitsune Tail Powers" charts below for powers gained as they advance in age.

Race Flavor:

A race that long ago ascended beneath the banner of the Kitsune Queen to rule the Eastern half of Ea, the Kitsune are a race of humanoid creatures with very prominent fox-like features that manifest themselves on their bodies. Though their number of tails wildly vary, they are creatures who have learned the most intricate subtleties and nuances of the ways of Politics, Socializing, Society, and, owing to the Deity of their species which they nearly unilaterally venerate as their God-Queen, Tamamo, have become innately attuned to magic. The power of their goddess, once a Kitsune herself and now acting Matron to all her kind as the herald of her species, flows through these creatures’ veins like liquid divinity, pure magic power flooding their bodies quite often and giving birth to powerful sorcerers and mages.
The prominent ruling class of the east, they rule over the citizens of the Imperium as the elite and nobility alongside the proud, stalwart Ursini, who occupy the military arm of the frigid nation. It is a frequently believed tale told by the Kitsune that the more tails one acquires, the closer one is to Tamamo herself, the Nine-Tailed Tyrant. To Kitsune, the number of tails they possess are direct representations of their personal power, Political and Social Finesse, magical power, and overall Life Experience, and those among them with many tails are given respect and reverence, even if they may be enemies...for to the Kitsune, who live their lives as indulgent or stringent and as long as they want, after which they allow themselves to be Reincarnated by Tamamo once they have had their fill in life so their soul may be used to give birth to a new Kitsune made from their immortal image, nothing is as precious as enjoying oneself, and the accrual of power or experience, no matter what form it may come in, is a sacred thing.

Kitsune Tails and how to get them

Kitsune tails are mainly gained through age, but to balance out the system of tail powers for players who wish to play a Kitsune, Kitsune can only start in with up to two tails without taking any tail drawbacks...to start in age categories above this begins to grant drawbacks to balance out the tail powers that are gained from the higher age categories. These Tail Drawbacks apply ONLY to Kitsune starting a game in them, NOT to Kitsune who progress naturally either through aging or through other means described below. It is this way to encourage growth over time as the Kitsune gains power and continues their journey.
Aside from age categories and aging naturally, Kitsune also gain an additional tail every 4 class levels they gain, to a maximum of 5 additional tails when they hit 20th level. Additionally, by taking the Magic Tail Kitsune racial feat, kitsune can gain a tail without taking a tail drawback. Kitsune cannot exceed 8 tails no matter where they get their tails from, however, and always stop growing tails and getting powers when they reach 8 tails.

Kitsune Age Categories

Age Categories:

Benefits:

0-50 years

No tail. End of category marks full adulthood.

51-150 years

First tail. Gain 1 minor tail power.

151-250 years

Second tail. Gain 1 major tail power.

251-400 years

Third tail. Gain 1 minor tail power. Gain 1 minor tail drawback.

401-500 years

Fourth tail. Gain 1 major tail power. Gain 1 major tail drawback.

501-600 years

Fifth tail. Gain 1 minor tail power. Gain 1 minor tail drawback.

601-800 years

Sixth tail. Gain 1 major tail power. Gain 1 major tail drawback.

801-1000 years

Seventh tail. Gain 1 minor tail power. Gain 1 minor tail drawback of the GM's choice.

1001-1200 years

Eighth tail. Gain 1 major tail power. Gain 1 major tail drawback of the GM's choice.

1201 years and beyond

No additional tails. This is the end of the Kitsune age-tail cycle, and almost all Kitsune reincarnate either before reaching this point or soon afterwards.

Tail Powers

Minor Tail Powers

• +2 trait bonus to any 1 mental attribute based skill, or gain one mental attribute based skill as a class skill.


• +2 trait bonus to any 1 physical attribute based skill, or gain one physical attribute based skill as a class skill.


• Gain +5 to any movement speed you already possess.


• Gain +10 to any scent ability you already possess.


• Gain +2 to any Elemental Resistance you already possess.


• Gain a racial +2 bonus to CMB.


• Gain a racial +2 bonus to CMD.


• Gain an additional language known.


• Gain one free die reroll each day that can be used on any of your dice rolls you make OR any attack made against you, taking either result. The second time this power is taken, you can use this reroll on any rolls made by allies within 30ft, but you may still only reroll attacks made against you. If you use the roll on yourself you gain a +1 luck bonus on the roll. You cannot take this power more than twice.


• You gain +1 caster level for determining scaling damage or effects for spells whose effects or damage scale based on level(Like fireball), and when determining the total duration of a spell. This bonus can put you above the maximum bonus for these spells like fireball. This power can only be taken once.

Major Tail Powers

• Gain either Disguise Self, Charm Person, Misdirection, or Suggestion as a Spell-Like Ability 2/day. Can take this ability multiple times to get multiple SLA's, but cannot select the same spell twice.


• Gain either Invisibility(4+ Tails), Displacement(6+ Tails), Confusion(7+ Tails), or Dominate Person (8+ Tails) as a Spell-Like Ability 2/day. Can take this ability multiple times to get multiple SLA's, but cannot select the same spell twice. Must meet the tail count requirement to take each SLA.


• Gain resist 5 against an energy type you are not already resistant against(Fire, Cold, Acid, Electricity, Sonic). If you have resist 5 against them all, you may begin stacking them. This power can be taken more than once.


• Gain +10ft to any movement speed, even one you do not already possess. You gain take this power more than once.


• Gain +2 natural armor. Can be taken twice but no more times afterwards.


• Gain a racial +2 to any one ability score. Can only be taken once. Must have 4+ tails.


• Gain an extra skill rank per level. Can only be taken once. Must have 4+ tails.


• A number of times per day equal to 1 + CHAMOD as a swift action, you can teleport to unoccupied square within 30ft. Each additional time this power is taken, gain +1 use per day and +10ft to the teleport. Requires 6+ Tails.


• Gain a racial +1 to any one save of your choice. Can only be taken once, but can be taken once more at 4+ and 6+ tails.


• Gain SR equal to 13 + HD. Can only be taken once. Requires 8 tails.

Tail Drawbacks

Minor Tail Drawbacks

-2 penalty to any 1 mental attribute based skill, or lose one mental attribute based skill as a class skill.

-2 penalty to any 1 physical attribute based skill, or lose one physical attribute based skill as a class skill.

Lose +5 to any movement speed you already possess.

Lose +10 to any scent ability you already possess.

Lose 2 to any Elemental Resistance you already possess.

Take a -2 penalty to CMB.

Take a -2 penalty to CMD.

The GM gets to make you reroll any one roll and choose the worse result.

A spell or attack of the GM's choice deals minimum damage, or takes one action higher than normal to perform.

Major Tail Drawbacks

Lose 5 resistance against an energy type you are already resistant against. You cannot take this drawback if you are not resistant to an energy type. This drawback can be taken more than once.

Lose 10ft to any movement speed of the GM's choice.

Lose 2 natural armor. You cannot take this if you have no natural armor bonus, and your natural armor bonus cannot go below 0 this way.

Take a -2 penalty to any one ability score.

Lose a skill rank per level.

Take a -1 penalty to any one save.

Permanently lose 1 cantrip slot if you have spellcasting levels that give you cantrips.

The GM gets to make you reroll one roll a day and take the worse result.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Though they were once much more akin to two-legged foxes with fur covering their entire bodies, Kitsune have long since been changed through the power of the divine influence of Tamamo-No-Mae, The Kitsune Queen, changing to become much more "Humanoid" than "Animal" in response to their Matron Goddess's influence on their species. Now, they have anatomy very similar to humanity, with two normally skinned legs and arms, a central torso, and a head atop the torso.
Unlike humans, however, Kitsune have two key features that they do not: Fox Ears, which grant them vastly increased hearing, and their signature tails. Kitsune tails are giant and fluffy things that can vary wildly in color, attached to the rear of the Kitsune's body and integrating into their skeleton and musculature to allow them to control them like extensions of their own body.
Otherwise, Kitsune anatomy is fairly similar to that of humanity.

Genetics and Reproduction

Kitsune reproduce through normal sexual reproduction. Female Kitsune carry their children to term in 6-11 months once they come down with child, and Kitsune have almost an identical ability to reproduce with other races as humans do thanks to their flexible and similar biology.
However, as their lifespans have drastically increased, their sexual drive is more comprable to that of Elves, and they have an almost nonexistant sexual drive - to Kitsune, reproduction is a sacred and deeply personal thing and something done exclusively with another being either as a tool, or an important and deeply personal step along their life journey with their partner. Many rumors abound that Kitsune who have a sexual experience forced upon them might go so far as to die or become incredibly ill, as such a thing goes so contrary to the influence of Tamamo-No-Mae, The Kitsune Queen that it can run harmful to their health.

Growth Rate & Stages

See "Kitsune Age Categories".

Ecology and Habitats

Kitsune can thrive in almost any environment, but tend to avoid excessively hot ones due to their furred tails and ears.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Kitsune are omnivores and can eat a wide variety of things.

Biological Cycle

Kitsune are almost entirely unaffected by the passing of time, as the blessing of Tamamo-No-Mae, The Kitsune Queen has granted the entire Kitsune species the ability to exist outside of time, only passing away when a Kistune decides to willingly reincarnate into a new body or dies a violent and unnatural death.
The only noticable measure of the age of a Kitsune is their tails; the longer a Kitsune lives, the more tails they will sprout up to a maximum of 8 tails once they become old enough. Kitsune tails are not just a sign of age and wisdom; they contain a massive amount of magical and divine power.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Kistune are found primarily in The Eastern Imperium, but can be rarely found outside of it elsewhere on Corexus.

Average Intelligence

Kitsune are naturally cunning and charismatic, and are as intelligent as baseline humans.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Kitsune have incredibly sharp senses thanks to not only their Fox Ears, but their overall sharpened sense of smell, sight, and more. Their noses, tongues, eyes, ears, and more are highly sensitive, much moreso than humans, and allow them overall enhanced senses but also low-light vision, allowing them to see much further than humans in conditions of low light.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Due to their cold, frigid homeland so often wracked by icy blizzards, storms, and catastrophe, Kitsune generally have rich, soft fur as white as snow, though those among them who live in warmer climes to the south are known for their black, blonde, brown, and similarly earthy colored fur, with some Kitsune sprouting thick, luscious stripes of varying colors on their fur to accentuate their natural beauty. Though a rarity, some Kitsune are born with Golden or Silver/Platinum Fur regardless of their climate, a fact which is generally seen as a blessing, and a sign of Tamamo-No-Mae's influence.
Kitsune names follow an eastern/asian naming convention with no real deviation from real-world norms, though they are heavily bent towards Japanese naming conventions more than any other asian culture.
Male: Keisuke, Masa, Seki, Bensuke, Kurosuke, Akihiko, Genjiro, Daigo,  etc...
Female: Tamamo, Ui, Haru, Rekia, Kumiko, Yumiko, Asuka, Ai, Yui, etc…

Alternate Racial Trait List:
Kitsune Alternate Racial Traits⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Racial Feat List:
Kitsune Racial Feats⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Lifespan

Immortal, but they can reincarnate whenever they wish once they decide they have seen or experienced all this life has to offer and desire to start a new, more interesting life as another being.

Conservation Status

Kitsune are not an endangered species by any means, and after the blessing of Tamamo-No-Mae touched their entire species, they have only become more varied and plentiful. They are a bit more rare outside The Eastern Imperium, but can be found most anywhere in the world.

Average Height

1.6 - 2.1 Meters

Average Weight

50 - 90kg

Average Physique

Kistune are built lithely and with dexterity rather than strength. They are thin but supple most commonly, and quicker than they are strong.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Kitsune skin can vary just as wildly as that of humans can, and their fur can vary anywhere from brown, black or even snowy white or silver. White fur is seen as the most holy fur color, as it resembles that of Tamamo-No-Mae, The Kitsune Queen and thus a sign of divine favor.

The Ninth Tail

Though many know Kitsune can reach the fabled and legendary status of "Nine-Tail", only one Kitsune in living memory has attained such fabled, awesome power: Tamamo-No-Mae, The Kitsune Queen, divine matriarch of the Kitsune species and the Godqueen of The Eastern Imperium.
No other Kitsune before or since has attained the ninth tail, and in the centuries since it has come to be associated with divinity, signifying a quantitative change in a Kitsune's Nature and ascension into a demigod-esque nature...and whether Tamamo has blocked others from attaining it or there remains some special condition that must be met to grow one, no Kitsune has ever grown a ninth tail, though many have sought out the secrets of how to do so.

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