Kitsune
Trickster Spirit
Our name has been long tarnished by the First Empress's crimes, and I doubt that mortals would ever forgive us with the tricksters still running amock. But sure, try fighting the centuries old fox lady.
Known as fox folk or fox spirits, Kitsune are one of the more common Yokai found in Zipangu. Both known as benevolent messengers and malevolent tricksters, their history goes far back with the continent of Tai. And even today, presence is still felt across the east of Fabulae.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Kitsune have two forms they change between: a Human and their true form. As a Human, their beauty is way above normal standards, with alluring eyes or fox ears showing their vulpine nature. Their true form is that of an anthropomorphic fox with anywhere from one to nine tails.
Biological Traits
Kitsune Magic
Kitsune are adept spellcasters, excelling at both illusionary and enchantment magic. Even from a young age, many known how to make Foxfire, small dancing lights used to see in the dark.
Alongside that, many know how to shapeshift, using it to disguise themselves amongst others. While at first they can only take a Human form, older ones know how to become anything or anyone. The only thing that shows their true nature is either their tail or their eyes.
Subgroups
Amongst Kitsune-kind, there are two distinct subgroups:
- Nogitsune: Making up most of the Kitsune population, these mischievous tricksters like to use their newfound magic to prank and deceive mortals. Few care about the higher duties of gods and kami alike, instead going around entertaining themselves on mortal pleasures.
- Zenko: Also known as good foxes, they often are the messengers of gods and kami alike. In their enlightenment, they seek to improve and hone their skills, ascending the ranks of Kitsune. While many act as mere scouts and servants, those with enough dedication soon sit alongside the greater deities of pantheons.
Genetics and Reproduction
While Kitsune are capable of reproducing with other races, their children always appear like their partner. The only thing their children share from them is their magic potential and some vulpine traits like eyes or ears.
Kitsune rarely mate with one another, instead having normal foxes grow up into becoming more Kitsune. As such, it's rare for one to be born naturally.
Growth Rate & Stages
Kitsune begin their life as regular foxes, over time developing higher forms of intelligence and magic potential. At first they are indistinguishable from regular foxes, but over time their Yokai nature leaks through.
Every century that a Kitsune lives, their body grows turns more Human and they gain another tail. The older one gets, the more enlightened they also become, achieving power and understanding close to that of a god. Although few achieve the rank of godhood in their lifetime.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Kitsune have an hierarchal social structure meant to determine the age, power and status of each one. As of today, following ranks exist:
- Ashireoko: The lowest rank of Kitsune, indistinguishable from most foxes. They make up the vast majority of all Kitsune kind.
- Chiko: Kitsune who are at least 100 years old. By now they have begun sprouting more tails as well as master their spellcasting. For most Nogitsune, this is the highest rank possible.
- Kiko: Kitsune who have lived between 500 to 1.000 years. By now they have begun shedding their mortal coil, working in service of gods as messengers and helpers of humanity. As such, many appear as spectral entities, capable of taking on any form.
- Tenko: The highest possible rank for a Kitsune to achieve, on par with gods and kami alike. Only a few ever achieve this rank, as it takes millenia worth of dedication to even reach this level of power and ascension.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Kitsune live all across Tai, having been reported all around Zipangu and as deep land inwards as western Hua Xia. Some cultures also report similar fox entities to exist elsewhere too, although records are more scarce.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Seeing as Kitsune are foxes, they are nocturnal creatures and are capable of seeing in low light environments such as moonlit nights.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
The Kitsune Sisters
The Kitsune Sisters are the granddaughters of the First Empress, who have sworn to ensure she never breaks free from her prison. Each owning a bit of land around the rock she is sealed inside, the trio consists of Tamamo, Yakumo and Inari.
Cult of the Nine-Tailed Fox
The Cult of the Nine-Tailed Fox is a small group still devoted to the First Empress found in eastern Fabulae. Determined to break her free once more, they seek to find a way to break her seal and give back her power.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Kitsunetsuki
Many Kitsune enjoy possessing the bodies of other beings to use them as vessels for festivals and entertainment. Hijacking a mortal's body, they go around to dance and party until their body is tired, only to leave the person with the headaches and exhaustion.
Kitsune no Yomeiri
When Kitsune marry, they like to do it in a traditional ways of Zipangu. However, to avoid interference of any mortal, they cause it to rain in the area, even if the sun might be out. Should the wedding be held at night though, they instead use Foxfire lights to scare off anyone interrupting their wedding.
History
Origins
Little is known where or how the first Kitsune was born. Some believe them to be once gods now imprisoned in bestial forms, others as monsters from prehistoric pasts. All across Tai their imagery has bee found in caves and shrines alike, making the first ones eons old at best.
Rise & Fall of the First Empress
The sun shines when I demand it, the rice grows when I require it. Mortal and Kami shall obey my word, or die daring to defy it.
One of the most notorious historical events involving Kitsune is the rise and fall of the First Empress. Said to have come from inland Hua Xia, she conquered early Zipangu civilisation and ruled it with an iron fist.
Her reign lasted for decades, destroying any rebellions as she seemed fit and seeding fear into the hearts of mortals. A tormentor that toyed with her subjects and saw almost everyone as less than her. Many tried to best her but inevitably failed to stop her, in her twisted amusement.
That was, until her encounter with Sun Wukong at the coast of Hua Xia during an invasion. After a humiliating defeat, she returned back home to be only met with the Titan Daidarabotchi and her own folk seeking to end her tyranny. Enraged, she prompted to slay man and god alike, fighting like the beast she was.
With losses counting in the hundred thousands, eventually they were able to strip her power and seal her away... At a price. Without her to control said power, it tore loose the Ethereal Veil across Zipangu, spilling out Yokai from what became known as the Kimon.
The Second generation of Kitsune
From the leaking of the Ethereal Veil, Yokai flooded Zipangu's mainland. And with it, new Kitsune were born from the foxes living there. As such, nowadays the island nation has become the most densely populated area of Kitsune.Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Kitsune have a long and conveluted history with other species, both as wicked spirits and benevolent messengers of the gods. Depending on who you ask, their interactions with the fox folk either is welcomed or hated by the natives. Although rarely are many seen as truly malevolent.
They're seen as one of the major three of Yokai-kind, alongside Oni and Tengu. As such, many Yokai respect them to some extension. Whether that be as servants of the gods, or as cunning masters of sorcery. Although many have rivalries with the fellow tricksters known as Tanukis.
Amongst other races, their supernatural nature makes them a bit of an outcast, but also a great arcane ally. Thanks to their shapeshifting, many hire them for infiltration and espionage, using their human disguise to blend in.
Kitsune Players
Kitsune revel in trickery but have an affinity for culture. As such, they always seek to explore the arts and traditions of society, whether it be from the shadows or in the open. For some they only do this for their own amusement, while others see it as a way to enlighten themselves with a better undersanding of things. Some just do both.
1.35 m - 1.88 m
39 kg - 81 kg
Incredible detailed and very well written. I especially like your use of so much BBCode for the layout.