Kitsune

*"I thought my eyes were deceiving me*

*on that night, but it seems I was wrong.*

*In the following nights I heard rumors*

*among the taverns I frequented of the*

*same thing I saw - A demon! I swear to*

*you with Hastur as my witness, I saw a*

*demonic woman morph and twist her*

*way into the body of a fox! I was so*

*shocked I could not move or speak*

*as this fox used her magic to steal*

*various goods from my own tables!"*

  *- Durron Gavelste, Vortagan Witchery*

## Veiled Majesty

The Kitsune are sentient race of magickal beasts who resemble common foxes. These foxes can be various shades of colors including (listed from most common to least common:) red, brown, black, white, and gold. Their tails are usually tipped in another one of these colors - most often black or white. The eyes of the foxes vary in color, usually following "normal" human eye colors like brown, green, or blue. Kitsune can assume a human-like form, and often cling to this appearance in order to hide their true nature. These human forms are completely indistinguishable from real humans, and they can only be revealed as disguises by other Shapeshifters. These human forms can consist of any combination of skin color, hair color, hair type, and all other visual discrepancies which differentiate regular humans.

## An Ancient Grace

Kitsune in their human form are usually much, much older than they look. They physically stop aging around the age of 25, but can potentially reach an age of 1000 years or even more. Starting at their 200th year, kitsune grow a new tail in their fox form every 100 years, growing a maximum of 9. Any additional tails are identical to the initial tail the kitsune was born with. Kitsune are generally reclusive and overall do not interact much with other races on a political scale. The only exception being the Jaizumi, due to their shared history, but even this is uncommon. Little is known about their culture by the other races, and many don't even know if kitsune are real. Most races who believe in kitsune have an antagonistic stance on them, demonizing and/or fearing them. Kitsune are incredibly superstitious, and most other races are superstitious of them, seeing kitsune as a bad omen. On Souzjai, the continent from which the Kitsune migrated from, they were revered and worshiped by other races for many centuries. Many Kitsune on Akharal are often left spiteful by their new position in the societal hierarchy being what they would consider lowly. This sentiment of lowliness - though not hatred - is held against most other races in the eyes of the average kitsune.

## Deduced From Grandeur

Most Kitsune settlements are not very structure-oriented and tend to be slightly above that of regular foxes in quality. Their past perception as Gods spoiled many to living within grand temples and other such structures built by their servants, but truthfully Kitsune are content with simply sleeping in burrows they themselves dig, especially among the younger Kitsune. That being said, some choose to stick to their human-like form, more than their natural fox form - this is sometimes out of a wish to return to a more traditional, temple and other structure-based settlements. More often though, this is because some Kitsune enjoy living as if they are human, and will live in other races' settlements while disguised as such. Despite their lack of formal architectural structure - as well as a lack of much formal governmental or militaristic structure - Kitsune are extremely territorial, and often will kill anyone or thing they perceive as intruding on their land. This is what has lead to the modern day isolationism across Xiliti, the provincial islands on which most Akharalian Kitsune are found.

## Tricksters & The Accursed

Kitsune do not often travel far from their birthplace. Those who do often do so in an attempt to meld into human cultures, living their life as humans. Some do the opposite - born in human civilization, they have a thirst for living in the wild, among other beasts and kitsune. Many Kitsune are tricksters, and choose to disguise themselves among humans in order to play their tricks on them. These "tricks" range from harmless pranks and mischief to manipulation and murder. Those who are Dithtouched (see: *Fall of Morkata*) are judged by the superstitious Kitsune, as the curse is passed through bloodlines. These Kitsune are often exiled or choose to live in isolation, either out of spite for their judgemental kin, or out of a desire to stop their curse from spreading.

## Kitsune Racial Traits

***Ability Score Increase:*** The Kitsune are agile, both in and out of their fox forms. (+1 Dex)

***Age:*** Kitsune can live as long as 1000 years. They reach physical maturity around age 25; They are considered adults by other Kitsune at age 100.

***Alignment:*** The average Kitsune would align with ***Egoistic Passion;*** many are somewhat selfish or tricksters, regardless of if they are good or evil.

***Size:*** Kitsune (when not in a fox form) are anywhere from 4ft. to 6ft. tall. Your size is Medium.

***Speed:*** Your walking speed is 30ft.

***Magick Minds:*** The minds of the Kitsune aren't influenced by magickal means; You are Immune to all Enchantment Spells which target you, unless you willingly allow them to affect you.

***Culture of Artistry:*** Kitsune culture is built around art - particularly dance: You are proficient in the Performance Skill, and when dancing take advantage on any performance checks.

***Silver Tongued:*** Kitsune are skilled manipulators; you are proficient in one of the following: Deception, Intimidation, Persuasion

***Languages:*** You can speak, read, and write Common and Souzi.

## Subraces

### Majesty Kitsune

The majority of Kitsune are born as foxes and are able to shapeshift into a human-like form. These Kitsune are called Majesties.

***Ability Score Increase:*** Shapeshifting Kitsune radiate a magickal aura, charming those around them. (+2 Cha)

***Shapechange:*** A shapeshifter kitsune can assume a fox or humanoid form as an action. This can be done an amount of times equal to your level in a day. When in a fox form, there is no way for any non-shapeshifter to determine that you are any different from a common fox. Shapeshifter creatures can recognize you are a shapeshifter. When in a fox form, you cannot speak except to beasts and other shapeshifters. When speaking to a shapeshifter you are able to recognize that they are a shapeshifter - you cannot determine it's true form, or if it is in it, though. You are considered a Beast and Shapeshifter type creature. All equipment you are carrying vanishes and is restored when you revert to your humanoid form. You cannot equip any items while in a fox form. Your AC is 8 + your Proficiency Bonus, and your size becomes small. While in your fox form, you take advantage on all Dexterity skill checks and saving throws, you have Darkvision up to 120 ft., a walking speed of 40ft., a digging speed of 10ft., and you can perform a bite attack which does 1d4 damage + your Proficiency Bonus. While in a Fox form, you are able to cast spells with a Exposure Rating of 5 or lower.

***Foxcharm:*** You know the spell *Charm Person*. Once a day, you may cast this spell with no Exposure Cost.

### Dithtouched Kitsune

Dithtouched Kitsune are of rare bloodlines which have suffered a curse by the God Dith. The Dithtouched are humanoid foxes who cannot shapeshift and have stunted magickal abilities compared to other Kitsune - the Dithtouched are often seen as lowly by other kitsune.

***Ability Score Increase:*** The Dithtouched have a hard time performing Magickal tasks - meaning they often focus more on their physical traits. (+2 Dex)

***Speed:*** Your walking speed is 35ft.

***Cursed Shape:*** The humanoid-fox form that the Dithtouched are forced into allows you to speak to beasts and shapeshifters as well as anyone who understands your normal languages.

***Form Agility:*** Your humanoid-fox form heightens your reflexes; You take advantage on Acrobatics checks and saving throws.

***Natural Weapons:*** You may attack using your open claws for 2d4 + your proficiency bonus damage, or a bite attack for 1d4 + your proficiency bonus damage.