Kitsune
A race of anthropomorphic fox people who have magic in their blood and light shape-changing capabilities.
All Kitsune begin their existence as ordinary, non-magical foxes called Aishirei (阿紫霊 あしれい). As they age and gain experience, they ascend through various ranks, each with unique traits and powers. The transition from Aishirei to Kitsune is the equivalent of a human child's transition from infant to toddler.
1. Magical Foxes (50 Years Old)
- Age: 50 years
- Status: Begin to acquire magical abilities
- Rank: Lowest among Kitsune; power is weaker than that of humans
2. Chiko (地狐 ちこ) — Low-Rank Magical Foxes (100 Years Old)
- Age: 100 years
- Traits:
— Possess stronger powers than Aishirei
— Start sprouting additional tails based on age
— Can be benevolent (Zenko 善狐 ぜんこ), malevolent (Nogitsune/Yako 野狐 のぎつね), or indifferent
3. Kiko (気狐 きこ) — Middle-Ranking Fox Spirits (500 Years Old)
- Age: 500 years (for Zenko)
- Traits:
— Serve as messengers of Inari Ōkami, the deity of rice, foxes, and fertility
— Typically appear in white, black, silver, or gold colors
- Note:
Nogitsune/Yako** (evil foxes) generally cannot ascend beyond the rank of Chiko, regardless of age. However, after 300 years, they are known as Yōko (妖狐), gaining more power but remaining malevolent.
4. Kyūbi no Kitsune (九尾の狐) — The Nine-Tailed Fox
- Description: Kitsune grow additional tails as they age and gain wisdom, up to a maximum of nine tails. A Kitsune with nine tails is called a Kyūbi no Kitsune.
- Significance:
— Represents immense power and wisdom
— Attaining nine tails is a significant milestone, often occurring at or after 1,000 years of age
- Paths:
—Zenko (Good Kitsune): Upon reaching nine tails, they are poised to ascend to higher ranks like Tenko
— Nogitsune/Yako (Evil Kitsune): Some may also attain nine tails but remain malevolent. An infamous example is Tamamo no Mae, a nine-tailed fox over 1,000 years old who nearly brought down the Japanese government.
Redemption Path: If a Nogitsune/Yako practices good deeds for 500 years, it can ascend to the rank of Kiko and potentially progress further.
5. Tenko (天狐 てんこ) — Celestial Foxes (1,000 Years Old)
- Age: 1,000 to 2,999 years
- Transformation: A Kiko that reaches 1,000 years and gains its ninth tail turns golden and becomes a Tenko.
- Traits:
— Divine Appearance: Tenko are often depicted with shimmering golden fur, symbolizing their elevated status and purity.
— Celestial Ascension: They ascend to the heavens, residing in the celestial realm alongside deities.
— Immense Power: Tenko embody incredible strength and possess supernatural abilities that can influence both the mortal and spiritual worlds.
— Wisdom and Enlightenment: They are revered for their profound knowledge and are often sought after for guidance and insight.
— Guardianship: Tenko act as protectors of sacred places and are known to watch over humans who have earned their favor.
— Benevolent Nature: As divine beings, they are inherently good and work to maintain balance and harmony in the world.
— Spiritual Influence: Tenko can communicate with spirits and deities, serving as intermediaries between the celestial and mortal realms.
— Miracle Workers: They are capable of performing miracles, healing the sick, and bringing prosperity.
6. Kūko (空狐 くう) — Void Foxes (3,000+ Years Old)
- Age: Over 3,000 years
- Rank: Highest in the Kitsune hierarchy
- Traits:
— Transcendence: Lose their tails entirely, symbolizing their release from physical limitations and material desires.
— Wisdom Keepers: Serve as wise elders and mentors to the Tenko, imparting ancient knowledge and spiritual truths.
— Invisible Presence: They exist beyond the physical plane and are often unseen by mortal eyes, perceived only by those with heightened spiritual awareness.
— Cosmic Understanding: Possess profound insight into the workings of the universe, time, and existence.
— Guiding Spirits: Occasionally wander into the human world to guide lost souls and offer enlightenment to seekers of truth.
— Altruistic Acts: Reward kindness and virtue, often leaving blessings or protection for those who exhibit genuine compassion.
— Harmony with Nature: Embody the pure essence of nature and the cosmos, maintaining equilibrium between all realms.
— Subtle Influence: While they have immense power, they rarely intervene directly, preferring to nudge events subtly towards a harmonious outcome.
Playable Information
Ability Score Increase: Your charisma score increases by 2
Age: Kitsune reach adulthood at sixteen, cease physical aging in their early twenties and live to be over nine-hundred.
Alignment: Due to their nature of being a bit mischievous, Kitsune are often chaotic. Even the most disciplined of Kitsune find it difficult to suppress their trickster nature, but they tend to approach the trick in a much more planned out and guided manner. Kitsune are known to be both good and evil.
Size: Medium (Base height range of 4'5" to 6'8") .
Speed Your base walking speed is 30 feet. While not carrying anything in your hands you can drop to all fours and increase your movement speed to 40 feet.
Darkvision: Due to your Fox heritage, you have the ability to see normally in darkness out to 60 feet as if the area was in dim light and in dim light as if the area was bright light.
Fey Ancestry: Being of fey blood means you get advantage against being charmed. and magic can't put you to sleep
Nimble Foxes: The lithe build and somewhat sleek build of the kitsune makes them quite adept at moving in some fantastical of ways and as such, kitsune are proficient in Acrobatics
Faerie Tails: Kitsune begin their lives with one tail around 3 feet long. At 4th level and every four levels afterwards, you grow an additional tail as you increase in age and worldly experience. Enlightening, uplifting or incredible events may also result in the growth of an additional tail, at the discretion of the DM, up to a maximum total of 9. Note: Kitsune are capable of hiding just how many tail they have...even appearing to have none if they so choose... (This is mainly a mechanic for gaining tails that can be used if desired and serves no other purpose unless paired with the 'Magical Tails' Optional Feat Below.)
Kitsune Trickery: You can appear as a human of the same sex indefinitely using a very simple illusion magic. However, on a DC 10 + proficiency bonus + Charisma Modifier Investigation check, a person looking directly at you can tell that you are not what you appear, though they still cannot tell your true form. This magic is detectable and dispelled in an anti-magic field or by dispel magic (your character level divided by 2 rounded down is the level of this spell for the sake of dispel magic). If your illusion is dispelled you cannot use the effect again until after a long rest. A kitsune also always assumes the appearance of a specific humanoid (Player can choose, only 1). The abilty functioning as alter self (change of appearance only).
Kitsune Awareness Kitsune have a Keen sense regarding magic. Upon passing either an Investigation check or Perception check (Your choice) versus an opposing magically disguised creatures performance or Deception check, Kitsune can ascertain the true nature of said creature or even other kitsune upon passing said check by over 5. As if by True Sight (Only effects the opposing creature/creatures)
Shape changer: A kitsune takes naturally to shapeshifting and develop that gift allowing them to change themselves into a fox indefinitely using a natural transmutation magic. But, on a DC 8 + proficiency bonus + Charisma Modifier Investigation check, a person looking directly at you can tell that you are not what you appear, though they still cannot tell your true form. (I.E. They may know you have sentience/can understand them.) This magic is detectable and dispelled in an anti-magic field or by dispel magic (your character level divided by 2 rounded down is the level of this spell for the sake of dispel magic). If this Magic is dispelled or you revert to normal willingly, you cannot use the effect again until after a long rest. You lose the ability to speak in Fox form, but you still understand the languages you know. Upon casting this ability to become a fox your equipment merges with you, your AC is set to 14, Your HP becomes 6 (1d8+1) your size becomes small and your max movement speed is 35 feet You gain a +4 to stealth while in this form due to your small size You also gain a 1d4 bite attack. This ability functioning as a druid's Wild Shape (Save the fact a kitsune may only become a fox.) If the Faerie tails trait has been taken or your kitsune has a set number of tails, you may choose to display your current number of tails in this form or just a single tail.
Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common, Sylvan and Vulpine.
Vulpine Language: This language is known to foxes and consists of mainly geckkering, growls, barks, yelping and howls and allows those who know it to communicate with wild foxes. Written, it looks like oddly scratched marks, made quick yet precise.
Subraces: You may choose one of the following Subraces.
Zenko
They are the Celestial Kitsune, most are benevolent and kind. These Kitsune tend to have the lighter fur colors, white, golden brown, grey, etc. (Fur colors are merely a suggestion.)
Ability score increase: Your wisdom score increases by 1
Kitsune Divinity: At level 1 you are able to use the dancing lights cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Color spray spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can cast the Calm Emotions spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Yako
They are known as Trickster Kitsune, since they are the ones more prone to their prankster heritage. These Kitsune tend to have the darker fur colors, black, reddish brown, dark grey, etc. (Fur colors are merely a suggestion.)
Ability score increase: Your dexterity score increases by 1
Kitsune Arcana: At level 1 you are able to use the Produce Flame cantrip, with the exception that your flame is blue. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Charm Person spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can cast the Phantasmal force spell once a day with this trait, and you regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Kitsune Racial Feat
Kitsune Tail Spell Levels
Spells must be of the Illusion, Enchantment or transmutation schools
| Number of tails | Character Level acquired | Tail Spell level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | One 1st level Spell |
| 2 | 4 | One 2nd level Spell |
| 3 | 8 | One 3rd level Spell |
| 4 | 12 | One 4th level Spell |
| 5 | 16 | One 5th level Spell |
| 6 | 20 | One 6th level Spell |
| 7 | DM awarded | One 7th level Spell |
| 8 | DM awarded | One 8th level Spell |
| 9 | DM awarded | One 9th level Spell |
Magical tails
Prerequisite: Kitsune race
This feat pairs with the Faerie Tails trait.
Starting at level four, you gain an extra tail and another tail every four levels after. With each new tail, you gain one new spell that can be cast once, a long rest being required to cast again. When you gain a new tail, you gain a spell of that level as shown on the Kitsune tail table above.
While this feat will only gain you magic for five tails through leveling, as with the Faerie tails trait your DM may award you extra tails at their discretion. Such as through Enlightening, uplifting, incredible or even distressing/traumatic events. As said earlier, upon gaining a new tail you may choose a spell of corresponding level, it must be either from the Illusion, enchantment or transmutation schools.
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for attained spells
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier
Spell Attack Modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Charisma Modifier
Ryoko's Guide Kitsune
With cautious, padded steps and charcoal nose raised to the air, a kitsune slinks through a twilight forest, indistinguishable from a common fox. The kitsune’s powers of transformation are legendary, being able to assume a fox’s form in a fashion similar to a druid’s mastery of wild shape. Even in their humanoid body, kitsune retain the tail, ears, and clawed feet of their canine cousins, along with a fox’s nimble gait and inquisitive mind. As comfortable in humanoidform as they are as a fox, it is only for the love of interacting with other folk that so many kitsune live their lives almost entirely in their true, bipedal shape, finding it easier to integrate into communities and explore the world in this way.Visual Linguists
Kitsune communication incorporates nonverbal cues innate to beasts and other beings of the natural world. A swish of the tail or a tilt of the head carries great significance; a subtle gesture can be the difference between playful jibe and deadly threat. Kitsune grow an additional tail for each century they live, and so they complain more and more frequently of the blundering unsophistication of purely verbal languages; each swirling tail adds a subtle layer of meaning, granting elders the power to express that which is inexpressible to those limited by the spoken word.Revered Travellers
Long lives, innate curiosity, and a restless drive to understand others lead ancient kitsune to be revered for their wisdom and knowledge. Many act as wandering counsellors and justicars, drawing on a millennium of experience to right the wrongs of the world according to their own perspective. Others focus on a particular branch of research,gaining and spreading knowledge as they travel, or plying their trade as merchants. Such kitsune are able to observe the ebb and flow of supply and demand across generations, wielding their experience and long lives as tools in the acquisition of incredible wealth.Kitsune Traits
As a kitsune, you have the following traits:- Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
- Age. Kitsune mature at the same rate as humans, reaching adulthood at around 20. They can go on to live up to a
- millennium.
- Anatomy. You have two arms, two legs, and between oneand nine tails.
- Size. You are Medium. Fully grown kitsune stand between 5 and 7 feet tall.
- Speed. Your walking speed is 35 feet.
- Creature Type. You are a Fey.
- Ascendant Form. You have the power to take on a magical, ascendant form. As an action, you can radiate bright, white light for 1 hour or until you end the effect as a bonus action. This light penetrates magical darkness, shedding bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet. Creatures of your choice in the light can add 1d4 to their Intimidation, Perception, and Persuasion ability checks. While in this form, when a creature within 10 feet of you misses an attack roll or fails a saving throw, you can use your reaction to add 1d4 to the result, potentially turning a miss into a hit or a failure into a success. Once you use this trait, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.
- Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dimlight. You can’t discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey.
- Fox’s Wedding. You know the druidcraft and produce flame cantrips. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the disguise self spell once with this trait as a 1st-level spell, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells (choose when you select this race).
- Kitsune Guile. You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Deception, Persuasion, or Stealth.
- Language of Motion. You can articulate ideas through motion, as well as speech. If you spend 1 minute moving your tails and ears, you can communicate a simple message, which can be contrary to any words you may be speaking aloud. This communication is undetectable to any creature that doesn’t speak Kitsune. A creature within 60 feet of you that can see you and speaks Kitsune can understand this message.
- Shapeshifter. As an action, you can transform into the shape of a fox. When you do, your clothing and equipment meld into your form, and you gain no benefits from them while transformed. You determine the specifics of your appearance in fox form, including your colouration and size (choosing from Tiny or Small when you transform). All your other game statistics remain the same. You can’t cast spells that require material or somatic components while in this form, but you can still concentrate on spells and speak as normal. You remain in this form until you use an action to revert to your true form or you die.
- Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common,Kitsune, and one other language that you and your GM agree is appropriate for your character.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Kitsune have a size that's near same to that of an elf, being slightly shorter, and lithe than a typical human of the same stature. In their natural form they are much like anthropomorphic foxes. They usually have light coloured fur, Orange, reddish brown, golden brown, though it isn't completely unheard of for them to posses black, white, silver or golden fur covering their entire body. Some may have multiple colors in their fur such as being mostly reddish brown with white gloves and socks. Their eyes range in colour as well, though most have blue, green, or brown eyes. Albeit uncommon they may also have orange, purple, yellow, or even red eyes. They have mostly human-like hands though they do possess dark black claws at the ends of their fingers. A kitsune is born with a single tail, but gain more tails as they grow older. A Kitsune's age is very difficult to tell since they appear to stop aging in their early twenties and commonly live to be a few years past nine-hundred, some for a full millennium.
Genetics and Reproduction
Civilization and Culture
History
Kitsune are a race of fox people that are quite rare. They tend to hide their heritage while dealing with those of other races as a way to keep away from the discrimination and hatred built up in the legends of some of their most powerful brethren. There are many legends floating around the world relating to powerful nine-tailed Kitsune. Powerful and wise, a nine-tailed Kitsune has white or golden fur, tending to be powerful sorcerers. It is said in legend that Kitsune are born tricksters and have nigh infinite power by the time they are fully matured. Supposedly, the only way to kill a Kitsune is to cut off all of its tails, where it's power is stored, but that is simply a tall tale to scare young children. Due to the legend stating that a Kitsune's tail contains power, the Kitsune were nearly wiped out for their tails and most of them went into hiding. Only just getting back into the world after centuries of hiding, it is still the practice of some races to sever a Kitsune's tail in hopes of obtaining power.
Mythological information found at --> https://medium.com/@0x8tails/hidden-hierarchy-system-of-the-magical-japanese-foxes-kitsune-d1e9cc352d01
Playable Information for Race found on GM Binder--> Kitsune Race made by Arron https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-LGaoRrAdYAzYD1Xzccq
Content from: Ryoko’s Guide to the Yokai Realms by Loot Tavern Publishing and D\&D Shorts
