Kitsune
No race is a better reminder of the long history of the Spheres than the Kitsune. These fox people are the only civilized species currently in existence which pre-dates the rise of the Alliance races. Sadly, as Mong Bal’s jungles turned to deserts, the hidden nations of the Kitsune collapsed. The Kitsune were an elusive people to begin with but now that their species faces extinction, they are an even rarer sight.
Those that have chosen to integrate with the current menagerie of races are often venerated or even worshiped for their affiliation with a culture tens of thousands of years old.
Finding the remains of one of their hidden villages, oftentimes concealed in caves, beneath the cities of other races, or even between folds in The Dream World, is said to bring great fortune even though the Kitsune’s historical indifference toward material wealth means that it’s rare to find anything of value in them. That being said, these fox people are legendary for their ability to hide things, so it’s always wise to take a careful look around if you happen to stumble upon a fox village or shrine.
Kitsune are remarkably solitary, and prefer to spend their time hidden or in conference with the spirits of their ancestors than fraternizing with Alliance officials. However, many Kitsune are sought out for Corsair positions because they are well suited as spies and have strong ties to The Dream World. Some accept such positions out of a sense of beneficence, but at times Kitsune will attempt to use the position’s influence to sway the Alliance toward or against intervening in the civil war on Mong Bal.
Physical Characteristics
Kitsune range from 3’-4’ tall and 25-60 pounds. Their fur is typically red or orange, but white or gray furred Kitsune are not unheard of. They are also known for having multiple tails, though not as many as the nine of which legends often speak.Racial Edges: Small. -1” to movement speed. Hidden Civilization Hoarder.Even in their heyday, the Kitsune thrived in places often visited but rarely seen by other races. This makes them adept at finding hiding spots. If a Kitsune is in free action they may hide any small or medium item within a 1 mile diameter of his current location. Unless they were being observed, the item is impossible to find by anyone but them. Sweeper Tails. When a Kitsune is sneaking, they may erase all or part of their footprints as a free action. This gives any pursuer a -4 penalty to tracking them assuming that they are not with another creature that leaves footprints. Ancestral Conference. When a Kitsune is on dry land they may search for a hidden fox shrine. If they find one (at the GM’s discretion) their may sleep there to visit Kitsune Ancestors in The Dream World; doing so grants the Kitsune +2 to History, Identify, and Decipher Script checks made during that dream. Scurry (Sprinting Edge).Dropping low to the ground on all fours in a flurry of tails, enemies will probably see a Kitsune coming at full speed—even if they aren’t sure exactly what is coming. Kitsune capitalize on their small frames to sprint out of enemy reach, meaning they do not invoke attacks of opportunity when sprinting.
Backgrounds
Court Kitsune
The Mong Bal’s obsession with their sphere’s lost decadence make Kitsune citizens a valuable luxury. Mong Bal warlords will often marry Kitsune to infertile or disinherited children just to have a fox in their royal courts. Often these positions are tokens or curiosities, but it does give them unfettered access to the wealth and secretive societies of the walled Mong Bal cities.Background Skills: Bluff 1d4, Sneak 1d4, Assess Person 1d4. Background Edge: Rich. Starts play with three times the amount of starting money for the campaign and receive a stipend equal to to 20% of the party’s current funds each month.
Huli Jing
Kitsune who have managed to cling to a surviving hidden village often join the Huli Jing, an honorable order of thieves who are as adept at stealing a golden lion from a coin purse as a secret from a dream. Huli Jing do not keep their spoils but instead redistribute them to unsuspecting beneficiaries. The targets of the order are often selected to punish the wicked or reward the kind, but many times they will steal and relocate valuables for sheer amusement. The superstitious often carry bits of jerked rabbit in their pockets to pacify any bored Huli Jing that happens to target them.Background Skills: Sneak 1d4, Disable 1d4 , Astral Stealth 1d4.
Background Edge: Dream Thief. At the start of play gains access to the Lucid Dream Edge and Steal Secret skill.
Comments