Kitsune
Kitsune are firey, multi-tailed fox people who live throughout the continents of Cirkea, Domeria, and Tamora. Associated with the Fire element, these faeries are rather enigmatic in nature, choosing to isolate from other races in Altairus.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Kitsune have the heads and tails of red foxes, but possess humanoid bodies covered in fur. Their front paws are structured much like that of a human, but their back paws resemble that of a fox.
As kitsune grow, they develop additional tails. These tails help them conduct their magical powers.
Genetics and Reproduction
Kitsune give birth in litters of roughly 4-6 kits at a time. These kits take about 15 years to fully mature.
Growth Rate & Stages
Kitsune age relatively quickly. Their infancy period lasts one year. At this stage, a kitsune is called a kit.
A kitsune that is one year old is called a yearling. Yearlings have the physical and mental capacity of a 3-4 year old human. At this point, the mother may or may not rear another litter of kits. If this happens, the yearlings often help with gathering food for the family while the mother tends to the younglings.
Between the ages of 2-5 years, kitsune are considered juveniles. If they haven't already begun, they will start to hunt and gather for the rest of the den.
Kitsune typically begin adolescence at 6-10 years. This is when they will begin to separate from the den and go out on their own more often. This is traditionally for the purpose of finding a mate, though in modern days kitsune use this time as an opportunity to find themselves and start building a life all their own.
A kitsune reaches adulthood at the end of puberty, at around 13-15 years. At this point, they usually start their own families, though there are exceptions.
Ecology and Habitats
Kitsune tend to live in areas where there is an abundance of Fire magic. Lava plains, tropical rainforests, and ancient temple ruins are all suitable places for kitsune to take residence in.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Kitsune are omnivorous. They usually subsist on berries, fish, and poultry. This may vary depending on individual preference and where a particular kitsune lives.
Biological Cycle
Like Earth foxes, kitsune develop a thick undercoat during the winter, which is shed in the spring. They may gain a significant amount of weight as well to keep them warm and nourished during the harsher months of the year.
Behaviour
Kitsune are dazzling yet mysterious creatures. They usually live apart from other faery races in Altairus in organized societies. These communities are close-knit yet suspicious of outsiders. When an outsider does come in, they will usually run into their dens and hide, though some may attempt to confront the intruder directly.
Even when kitsune live outside these communities, they are not usually the type for many words. They tend to be slow to warm up in social situations and keep to themselves. However, if one can earn their trust, they are valuable allies.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Kitsune, much like nekomata, have a clearly defined hierarchy in their society. Unlike nekomata, however, the hierarchy is not as strict and there is more room for social mobility via achievement.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
While they are not that physically strong, their magical abilities are superior, making them uniquely suited for roles that require a lot of magical prowess. Kitsune are most commonly called upon to be mages or scribes. Since they possess flames that allow them to burn infectious diseases away, they are also commonly healers and potion-makers.
Facial characteristics
Kitsune have the faces of foxes. They may have thicker hair atop their heads that resembles human hair.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Kitsune live all throughout Altairus, but they are most concentrated on the Domeria-Tamora-Cirkea megacontinent.
Average Intelligence
Kitsune are sapient. Despite living a lot like animals, they are some of the most educated beings in Altairus, especially when it comes to magic.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Due to their foxlike noses, kitsune have a superior sense of smell. They also possess a unique connection with Fire magic and can sense it in an area even when there are no other perceivable signs.
Civilization and Culture
Average Technological Level
Kitsune do not rely as much on technology as do Nekomata. Instead, they rely on more basic magic, which they are well-versed in. Kitsune education is very robust and focuses mainly on magical theory for this reason.
Common Etiquette Rules
Kitsune frequently use foxfire, the little embers that sometimes float around them, to communicate with one another. The way the flame flickers and dances through the air depends on the Kitsune's mood. The flame will flicker energetically when the kitsune is happy or excited, wane when they are sad or tired, and burn fiercely when they are angered. When interacting with kitsune, it is important to determine what they are trying to convey through foxfire, as it is considered a crucial part of their body language.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Kitsune invented tofu, which they introduced to humans in Japan early in Earth's history. Tofu and rice are the main staples of their diet, showing up in many an Aurutopian dish. They also tend to like mung beans, which they use frequently in curry.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Kitsune tend to have names that either reference the holy flame or sound vaguely Japanese.
Common Taboos
In Aurutopia, a city built by kitsune, there is a strong taboo against taking any of the city's riches without permission. There are signs throughout the city with the slogan, "Greed is the path to misery" written on them. This is actually a warning about what will happen if one were to take any of the riches for oneself; the gold and diamonds are cursed so that anyone who steals them will become greedy and unsatisfiable, always wanting more and more riches, food, et cetera. If the stolen item is not returned, the sufferer's greed and gluttony will grow day by day until it kills them.
Conversely, if these riches are not stolen but instead unselfishly given as a gift from one of Aurutopia's residents to an outsider (as opposed to as a form of payment), they will confer upon the recipient incredibly good fortune, especially when it comes to wealth. In this case, not taking Aurutopia's riches is foolish.
History
Most of recorded kitsune history comes from Aurutopia, the city of gold. The city was originally founded by kitsune and has remained a harbor for kitsune culture for centuries. It even managed to survive The War of the Wendigoes.
Historical Figures
Altairia of Foxfire, the original Fire Champion of Altairus, is a kitsune hailing from the Foxfire community near the Garnet Palace in the Eternal Desert. She originally served as a priest at the Temple of the Four Flames before The War of the Wendigoes. When the War started, she drove a pack of wendigoes away from the Nekomata Islands using the legendary Fragment of Fire, Yuuki. She went on to banish The Heart of Darkness to the Flipside alongside the other five Champions of Altairus, ending the War once and for all.
Common Myths and Legends
"The holy flame" or "the inner flame" is an important construct in kitsune culture. It refers to the indomitable spirit that kitsune aspire to have. There are many sayings amongst kitsune that reference this concept, and kitsune names tend to reference it.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Kitsune and Nekomata tend to fight like cats and dogs. Young kitsune are regularly told stories where nekomata are portrayed as thieves or wicked sorcerors who want to steal their magical artifacts and kits for their own selfish gain. Even Altairia was very untrusting of the nekomata just outside the Temple of the Four Flames before the War began. This animosity between the two races is likely what caused the wendigoes to find the Nekomata Islands and the Temple of the Four Flames in the first place.
While conflict between nekomata and kitsune is not nearly as bad as it used to be, neither race seems too eager to interact with one another.
Fire
Kitsune are tall and lean with sleek forms and prominent musculature. During the winter months, they may be a bit heavier due to fat storage.
There does exist a subtype of kitsune known as "fennecs" which are far shorter (averaging 3-4 ft. in height) and possess much larger ears than other kitsune. Fennecs still maintain the leanly muscled build, however.
Kitsune are most often either red with white markings or white with red markings. However, there are kitsune who have brown, grey, or even black fur. Any color that an Earth fox can be, a kitsune can be.
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