Kitsune

A female and male Kitsune.

***Homo Vulpes*** (literally "Fox Man") or as they are more commonly known **Kitsune**, are a species of vulpine demi-Humans originating from Japan on Earth. They’re noted for their fox-like ears and tail, along with the typically more pronounced canines commonly found in demi-Humans. They represent a good deal of the demi-Human Earthlings.

## Characteristics

### Physiology

Like most species of demi-Human, the Kitsune share a great deal of their basic physiology with Humans. They share the same basic shape of a Human and have the same circulatory, respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune system. They grow hair on the top of their head and on their legs, arms, faces, armpits and groin. Their average height hovers around 5 foot 4 inches, the same as Humans. The chief differences lie in their ears and the addition of their tails. These ears and tails function exactly as they do on foxes. The place on the head where ears would be found on Humans is smooth and featureless. Their canine teeth are longer than that of a typical Human, a common characteristic among demi-Humans. Their ears and tails are covered with fur, the color of which is genetic and is naturally the same color as their hair. As with foxes, Kitsune have a far more acute sense of smell and hearing compared to ordinary Humans. Unlike foxes however, their eyes retain the Human ability to discern all colors along with the keen sense of night vision seen in foxes.

Kitsune are generally long lived compared to Humans, living to an average age of 120.

### Sexual Dimorphism

Male and female Kitsune are different in basic stature. As with Humans, females tend to be more naturally slender than males and have less muscle mass.

### Reproduction

Like Humans, Kitsune reach sexual maturity between the ages of 10 to 16. Kitsune have the same sex organs as Humans. They’re subject to sexual desire year round, but females typically only ovulate during the winter. Kitsune birth live young, which are called “kits”. The entire gestation process takes anywhere from 45 to 50 days. Most kits are therefore born in the spring or early summer. A typical Kitsune litter is anywhere from 8 to 10 kits. Kitsune will often have several litters over the course of their lives, but many will only have one. Kitsune kits are smaller than a typical human infant. This is believed to be because the humanoid body of a Kitsune would be almost completely unmanageable gestating so many human-sized young at once.

Kitsune generally mate for life. Seven out of ten Kitsune will die while still in an intimate relationship with their first mate. However, there are still many Kitsune who have multiple mates throughout their lives, polyamorous, or are asexual. Kitsune are also capable of being of any sexual identity. Cultural norms are generally intolerant of the minority’s behavior, but Kitsune society continues to become more progressive in accepting them.

As with almost every species of demi-Human, Kitsune can reproduce with other forms of Earthlings. Hybrid kits often display ears without a tail and vise versa in combination with characteristics of the other parent.

### Behavior

Kitsune are social, living in villages and cities with many other individuals and species. Young Kitsune are somewhat skittish towards non-Kitsune, and need to socialize with other species from a young age in order to get over their natural fears.

Kitsune often have a preference for being nocturnal. Many of them will sleep through the day and only become active at night. They typically sleep anywhere from 8 to ten hours, particularly through the day and only rise at sundown at the earliest. However, a Kitsune can be just as active during the day at night if they adjust their sleep schedules accordingly.

Kitsune, as with other canine demi-Humans, can be particularly territorial and outright violent towards others, especially towards those of the same sex. Proper education from a young age generally allows Kitsune who encounter this to manage these impulses.

Psychologically speaking, Kitsune are for the most part the same as Humans, having the same capacity for love, hate, sadness and happiness that Humans do. They deal with all of the same mental illnesses like schizophrenia and depression.

### Diet

Like most demi-Humans, Kitsune are omnivorous. Kitsune can eat anything Humans can, but tend to enjoy meat more than other types of food. Traditional Kitsune cuisine features the frequent usage of small animals such as squirrels, rabbits and even mice. Their agriculture typically revolves around the growing of rice along with grain. Traditionally Kitsune do not generally practice animal husbandry, preferring to hunt their sources of meat and eating few animal products such as eggs or milk.

### Culture

Kitsune culture mirrors that of their homeland of Japan. Their traditional clothing, architecture, music and art are all reminiscent of historical Japan. Kitsune musicians are credited with popularizing traditional Japanese music in the modern age. Some of the most popular idols are Kitsune. Kitsune painters have a tradition going back centuries, and their art work adorns several museums, galleries and collections.

Kitsune society has a hierarchy, with “clans” occupying positions of authority. With the universal age, these clans have become the Kitsune upper classes. Kitsune aristocrats often times lord over villages of Kitsune that are bound to them by agreements and old dedications. Other clans have successfully transitioned to the new age, such as the case of Clan Shigemori which is at the head of the massive Shigemori Group.

Sword smithing has long been a much celebrated tradition of the Kitsune. Their katanas are prized for their craftsmanship and extreme sharpness. Most clans have a family sword, and being given ownership of it is to signify one as being the head of said clan.

Although not as celebrated, Kitsune gunsmiths have a reputation for making high quality firearms. The traditional Kitsune soldier wears steel and leather armor with a katana and an arquebus. Many Kitsune who live on sparsely populated worlds continue to use these ancient weapons for hunting and defense.

Kitsune have a strong sense of *bushido*, and Kitsune of all genders are encouraged to serve in the military, especially among members of clans. Many clan leaders personally lead cadres made up of Kitsune soldiers who are tied to their clan into battle. The Terrene Protectorate has seen several Kitsune generals, and Kitsune are among the most decorated member species.

The Kitsune have a long history practicing Shinto Buddhism, which they acquired during their joining of Japanese society. Most of the interstellar built Shinto shrines are constructed by Kitsune, who have integrated the religion into their identity.

### Arcanology

Kitsune have long been noted for their connection to elemental magic, particularly fire magic. Every Kitsune has some form of connection to fire, and can at the very least manifest their signature blue flames in their hands. But not all are capable of using this magic for anything outside of practical purposes like lighting fires or as a mobile light source. Kitsune who are more sensitive to magic can typically throw fireballs as well as manifest a shield out of flames. These Kitsune are highly sought after for recruitment by both the Protectorate and US militaries for use in their mage corps.

The most magically sensitive Kitsune are able to manifest their magical energy within themselves and temporarily assume the form of a *kyuubei* or “nine-tailed fox”. A Kitsune who has assumed this form will become faster, stronger and usually more violent. Their fire magic will intensify, to the point of being hot enough to melt steel for some individuals. This is extremely taxing physically, and once it’s passed the Kitsune will become incredibly exhausted.

Kitsune powerful enough in magic to perform the nine-tailed fox transformation are usually also capable of controlling multiple elements outside of fire, such as water, ice and earth.

## History

### Prehistory

Archaeologists at dig sites in central Japan found fossils of Kitsune dating back around 30,000 years ago. Early Kitsune appeared to have developed in a similar manner to Humans and Neko, going through their stone and then metal ages while developing tools and clothing. Kitsune did not start building shelters until around 10,000 years ago. Prior to this, they lived in the numerous caves that can be found in the mountains of Japan. The latent magical abilities of the Kitsune gave them an edge over prehistoric man and Neko, with them able to create fire through their arcane abilities and defend themselves from predators without the need of weapons.

Cave paintings made by both Kitsune and Humans suggest a limited amount of contact over the millennia. The paintings seem to tell of Kitsune meeting and then quickly fleeing man, likely following their still unconquered animal instincts. There is however, one example of painting made by Humans depicting a Kitsune creating a fire for them, and joining them for a meal. When man began to settle down and develop agriculture, some Kitsune are shown in paintings warding off foxes from small livestock.

Ancient cave paintings created by Neko, however, tell of conflict between the two species. Many painting made by both species reveal combat and violence towards one another. An image dating from around 15,000 years ago depicting a Neko and Kitsune sitting at a fire is the first known record of the two species coexisting. For reasons unknown, the prehistoric record ends at this point.

### Early History

The first actual written record of Kitsune is found in around the 8th century CE. Kitsune at this time had established villages and towns in the highest reaches of the Japanese mountains, and each of these settlements were headed by an established Kitsune clan, who lorded over these lands like the daimyo of the lower areas of Japan. At some point in the late 700s, Kitsune began to come down from their settlements to trade with the Humans and Neko that by this time were plentiful in numbers. The Kitsune had been relegated to myths and legends by this time, and many of the Humans and Neko saw them as divine beings. The Kitsune quickly dispelled that idea, and the Japanese welcomed their new neighbors. Within years of this occurring, Kitsune became more and more common in the countryside of Japan, as many Kitsune began to come down from their mountains and intermingled with the Japanese below. Many of the Japanese took and were taken by Kitsune as lovers, and the first Kitsune/Human and Kitsune/Neko hybrids were born. Kitsune began to speak Japanese, wear Japanese clothing and begin to adhere to Japanese customs. This is also when Kitsune began to first encounter Buddhism, which has long been associated with Kitsune.

In 814, each of the major Kitsune clans sent representatives in a large delegation to meet Emperor Saga, who was the reigning Emperor of Japan at the time, to request recognition as nobility in exchange for their loyalty and service to him. Their arcane abilities and martial abilities impressed the Emperor, and he accepted their request and ennobled them, making their respective settlements, and the surrounding lands their fiefs. From here, the various Kitsune clans became a normal component of Japanese feudal politics.

The Kitsune clans built large fortresses in their mountain homes, financed by their metal goods, weapons and raw materials what they got from their mines. Over time, the clans began to establish direct links with nearby Human and Neko ruling clans, through trade, military alliance and political marriages.

### Heian Period

The Kitsune clans prospered throughout the rest of the Heian Period of Japan. The clans became wealthy, and started to display their wealth by building large monasteries and lavish palaces. The clans forged alliances with both the Minamoto and Taira clans. Kitsune princesses married into these families or were taken as concubines, giving the clans influence in the Imperial courts. With the outbreak of the Genpei War, the Kitsune samurai fought each other for the first time. Great paintings of armor clad Kitsune warriors charging into battle with their swords and fire magic were made to commemorate them. The Minamoto and Taira considered the clans valuable assets, both with their magical soldiers and their access to rich deposits of weapons grade iron, and there was a constant effort to win their favor. The war ended with the Taira's defeat, and the Kitsune clans loyal to them faced potential destruction by the Minamoto. The Minamoto Kitsune clans, however, successfully argued for their forgiveness and welcoming back into the Japanese court, albeit with having much of their former power stripped from them. Those who had been loyal to the Minamoto also were rewarded with the lands of former Taira loyal clans including some of the Taira Kitsune.

### Kamakura Period

Having cemented their place as members of the newly established samurai class, the Kitsune clans integrated well into the new feudal system established by the Minamoto. As military responsibility for individual provinces now fell on their feudal lords, the Kitsune’s armies grew in power. As with the Neko, the Kitsune as a whole saw a sharp population boom as the economic prosperity of the land grew. The Minamoto Kitsune, with their now larger domains and armies became even more important to the new shogunate as it continued its war in the north with the Fujiwara clan. Kitsune nobility would receive several appointments to the shogunate’s administrative board and court. This persisted even during the Minamoto clan’s decline and the establishment of the Hojo clan’s regency.

### Mongol Invasion (1274)

When Kublai Kahn invaded Japan in 1274 CE, the Kitsune were far from the flashpoint of the conflict, specifically the northern coast of the Japanese island of Kyushu. Once the Mongols had gotten a foothold on the island of Tsushima, Kitsune samurai and ashigaru (commoner foot soldiers) were sent to aid in the defense of the country. At the Battle of Bun'ei, the Kitsune warriors with their fire magic served as the best response to the Mongol's usage of grenades. The Mongols initially had the upper hand, but the Japanese inflicted heavy casualties on the invasion force the Mongols fell back to the safety of their ships. A massive typhoon blew in and destroyed roughly half of the Mongol fleet during that night, and they were forced to withdraw.

### Second Mongol Invasion (1281)

Kitsune soldiers were garrisoned on Iki and Tsushima in anticipation for the second invasion. When it did come, the Mongols now with both their grenades and early firearms routed the Japanese forces, with hundreds of Kitsune being killed and wounded. The Mongols once again arrived on Kyushu's northern coast. Regrouped Kitsune forces launched night raids on the Mongol positions. Fighting persisted for weeks, before a typhoon once again destroyed the majority of the Mongol fleet. The Japanese executed tens of thousands of survivors, and forced over 20,000 into slavery. The Kitsune were among those who participated in these atrocities.

### Late Kamakura Period

The Kitsune clans were among those who were disgruntled by the outcome of the invasions. Samurai that were traditionally paid in land and captured riches had nothing to show for their service and sacrifice, and this led to bitterness towards the shogunate. This was combined with the high taxes implemented to maintain defense for any future invasions. Many of the Kitsune, who held strong ties to the Imperial royal family, began to resent how much the shogun exerted influence over the throne. The Kitsune clans as a whole began to become further and further diplomatically distant from the shogun, which would inevitably lead to their actions taken later.

### Genko War

In 1331 the Emperor Go-Daigo began plotting a revolt against the Kamakura Shogunate and the Hojo clan in an attempt to reclaim Imperial authority. He counted on the support of the Kitsune clans, and they actively conspired with him. However, he was betrayed by his adviser and was forced to flee from the capital of Kyoto. He then founded the Southern Court, and all of the Kitsune clans pledged loyalty to him. The shogunate responded by cutting off diplomatic ties with the clans, depriving them of a the bulk of their wealth. The clans clandestinely sent warriors to serve directly under Prince Morinaga, Go-Daigo’s son who secretly gathered support and intelligence for his father’s planned return. Small cadres of Kitsune warriors would participate in the limited actions taken against the shogunate throughout 1331 and 1332.

When Go-Daigo was able to return in 1333, the Kitsune clans immediately sent forces to serve in his army. From their mountain homes, they also dispatched raiding parties to the lower lands where they greatly disrupted the shogunate through destruction and capture of property, and the attacking of merchant convoys. Their elevated and extremely well fortified homes proved impregnable to attack by shogunate forces. The participated in several military campaigns against the Kamakura, including the Battle of Bubaigawara which saw the end of the shogunate, and the Siege of Kamakura which ended the Hojo clan's regency.

### Nanboku-chō Period

After the war, the Kitsune clan briefly rose to prominence again, but this was once again tested this time by the growing animosity between Go-Daigo and his former biggest ally, the Ashikaga clan. The Ashikaga expected power on a similar level to the Kamakura, opposite of the reason why Go-Daigo chose to revolt in the first place. Throughout this entire struggle, the Kitsune clans continued to stand by Go-Daigo. The Northern and Southern Courts were once more established, with the Northern Courts now under the leadership of the Ashikaga's puppet, Emperor Kōmyō. The country became embroiled in something akin to a cold war with limited conflict throughout. The clans proved to once again to be unpopular with the shogunate, and they actively resisted the Ashikaga's efforts to cause them to submit. When the Southern Court was finally assimilated in 1392. the Kitsune clans had part of their domains stripped from them and given to lords who were loyal to the Ashikaga.

### Early Muromachi Period

Although they were punished for their support of Go-Daigo, in the interest of keeping the peace the Ashikaga allowed the clans to continue to have a position of power albeit constantly limited. In time, the Ashikaga proved to be weak rulers and the power of local lords and dynasties began to grow to the point of the more powerful of these domains functioning as de facto states within the state. The Kitsune clans took advantage of this, and the Great Clans came to prominence at this time. Gold mines discovered in their mountains made these clans extremely rich, and the coming years would become something of a golden age for the clans as their power increased and the shogunate proved too weak to inhibit it.

### Ōnin War

When the Ashikaga clan suffered its major succession crisis in the 1460s, the clan didn’t take a formal side but they did watch the situation carefully. When war broke out in 1467 and the Ashikaga’s hold on the nation broke, the clans immediately invaded the domains that had received their stripped lands and restored their former domains. Some of the clans went even further, fully subjugating and either assimilating or vassalizing the surrounding domains outright. The clans, which had traditionally been at least diplomatic with each other, began to become hostile towards one anothet. In 1470 the first instance of Kitsune inter-clan warfare happened when the Katamune Clan invaded the domain of the Saishi Clan, causing conflict between them and the Saishi’s parent branch the Shigemori Clan.

### Early Sengoku Period

The clans would spend the Sengoku period much like all the other domains during the period, vying for power and influence as the Ashikaga sat in limbo. The Kitsune clans would fight amongst themselves and the other non-Kitsune clans surrounding them. Some of the smaller Kitsune clans would be absorbed by the larger clans. The Great Clans especially were openly hostile towards one another, with warfare happening in bursts in between cease fires.

#### Introduction of Firearms

In 1543 firearms were introduced to Japan via the island of Tanegashima south of Kyushu. Within years these arquebuses had reached central Japan. The Kitsune were greatly impressed by this new technology. Kitsune fire magic was effective but also short ranged, easily being out shot by a common archer. Many believe that the Kitsune were especially interested in them simply due to the Kitsune’s attraction to fire. The Kitsune clans bought thousands of guns over the years before learning how to produce them. This is where the Kitsune gunsmithing tradition began, and the Kitsune made tens of thousands of arquebuses. Kitsune samurai began to almost always carry a gun into battle and the arquebus became iconic of the Kitsune warrior.

#### Oda Nobunaga

When the great lord Oda Nobunaga began his conquest, the Kitsune clans were fighting amongst themselves. By the time Nobunaga reached their domains, word had traveled fast of the “devil king’s” brutal cunning and political ability. The Kitsune clans collectively agreed to halt hostilities while he remained a threat. Initially, Nobunaga was able to ally with or conquer some of the lesser Kitsune clans who lived in the foothills. When he reached the mountains of the Great Clans however, he was met with strong resistance. Any attempt to scale the mountain would mean wading into punishing Kitsune arquebus volleys and any troops who managed to reach the walls would be burned alive with fire magic. Nobunaga then attempted to starve them out. But the Kitsune’s reliance on small animals like birds and squirrels that routinely climbed the mountains meant that the siege was mostly ineffective. Finally, Nobunaga sent emissaries to negotiate. His most trusted retainers would take Kitsune princesses from the Great Clans as wives and concubines in exchange for recognizing the Kitsune clans, restoring the lesser clans’ domains, and having a military alliance with the clans. From then on, the Kitsune clans became strong and dedicated allies to Nobunaga. This also ended the period of inter-clan warfare for the Kitsune.

#### Honno-ji Incident

The Kitsune clans would be stalwart supporters of Nobunaga. When he was murdered by his vassal Akechi Mitsuhide, the clans immediately sent soldiers to join with Toyotomi Hideyoshi in enacting revenge. Once Akechi was killed during the Battle of Yamazaki, the Kitsune clans decided to continue standing behind Hideyoshi. They would send soldiers to Korea to fight in the Imjin War, and Hideyoshi would consistently count upon the Kitsune clans for their support.

### East versus West

When conflict arose between the lords Ishida Mitsunari and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Kitsune clans chose to ally with Ishida who officially was still representing the heir of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. As they had done in earlier conflicts, the isolated clans would harass Tokugawa's forces from their mountain homes. However, this time a far greater amount of troops were brought to bear against them. The Kitsune held on to their homes, but the cost was great with tens of thousands of Kitsune perishing in the conflict. Due to their isolated position the clans were unable to take part in the decisive Battle of Sekigahara. After Tokugawa's victory, the Kitsune became some of many clans who had earned the new shogunate's ire, and from then on would be treated as political outcasts in the court as they had been under the Ashikaga. This was the time where the Kitsune began to become increasingly distrustful of shogunates of any kind. This predilection would come into play later.

### Edo Period

Due to their isolated location, the clans found the Edo Period difficult. Unable to establish the lucrative maritime trade agreements that the wealthier clans of the period enjoyed, they had to continue to rely on their domestic industries, especially mining. However, with the end of the Warring States period, the demand for their biggest source of income, iron, significantly dropped with the production of weapons going with it. The great Kitsune gold mines also began to run dry, with the last of them running out of ore in 1653. The Kitsune clans would spend the next few centuries in varying states of impovershment. Some clans fared better than others, but the overall wealth of the clans suffered greatly.

As with most of the country during the Edo Period, the clans began to increasingly devote their time to academic and artistic pursuits. In the late 1600s, Kitsune musicians became very popular, with their music being played to peasants and lords alike with their music continuing to be extremely popular even to this day. A distinct culture of music, theater and painting began to arise in the Kitsune lands, and they became very prolific throughout the nation. Kitsune scholars also began to heavily study astronomy, metallurgy, physics, and of course magic. Scholarly societies rose up that were dedicated to studying the arcane, and those who were interested in fire magic would usually seek out Kitsune teachers.