Mu

Mu
--

*'If Albion brings sea fae militaries to land battles, what will you have us do? I can poison a single lake, even a section of river with the right poisons to disarm a military before a campaign even becomes its most effective. But I cannot poison the ocean. Sea fae – especially those shifters who shoal – they have the hive mind that we do not. What will you do once your debts run out?'*

## Introduction

Mu is an Unseelie kitsune and swordmaster from the fae side of Japan, who serves on Gwyn ap Nudd's council of War Generals during *The Court of Five Thrones*. Mu uses they/them pronouns.

## Appearance

Mu has fox ears and fox eyes, as well as clawed fingers and fox-furred hands. They are physically slender, delicate and graceful. Mu wears silk pants.

## Personality

Mu is graceful, wise, measured, and prefers to generally work independently on the fringes of Gwyn's team of War Generals. Mu has a strategic personality, and was diplomatic towards all of the Unseelie War Generals. When Gwyn threatened Mu and the others who didn't pick a side during Ifir's mutiny, Mu was the only one who bowed to him in acknowledgement.

## Life

Mu is well-suited to stealth operations, along with Gulvi Dubna Vajat and Prince Vane. They provided good counsel to Gwyn during *The Court of Five Thrones*, advising on various plans.

During Ifir's mutiny, Mu didn't take a side. When Vane betrayed the Unseelie Court and attempted to assassinate Gwyn, Mu and Zudanna sent teams after the remaining fie ellyllon at the Unseelie Court, indicating their allegiance. Mu also took the forefront on military plans afterward for Gwyn to approve.

## Relationships

#### Zudanna

Zudanna and Mu seem to have an accord, and work well together.

## Trivia

* During a discussion with Gwyn, Mu revealed that the Seelie and Unseelie kitsune used to live together.
* It's possible Mu commands a group of hu-hsien.

## Folklore/Mythology

'In Japanese folklore, *Kitsune* (狐, キツネ, IPA: [ki̥tsɯꜜne], literally the Japanese word for fox) are intelligent foxes that possess paranormal abilities that increase as they get older and wiser. According to *yōkai* folklore, all foxes have the ability to shapeshift into human form. While some folktales speak of *kitsune* employing this ability to trick others – as foxes in folklore often do – other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, and lovers.

Foxes and humans lived close together in ancient Japan; this companionship gave rise to legends about the creatures. *Kitsune* have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto *kami* or spirit, and serve as its messengers. This role has reinforced the fox's supernatural significance. The more tails a *kitsune* has – they may have as many as nine – the older, wiser, and more powerful it is. Because of their potential power and influence, some people make sacrifices to them as to a deity.

Conversely foxes were often seen as "witch animals", especially during the superstitious Edo period (1603–1867), and were thought of as goblins who could not be trusted (similar to some badgers and cats).'

## References

1. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 26 December 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/6404462. Chapter 23: Confrontation.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 18 June 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/4283271. Chapter 4: Suspicions.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 27 March 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/8003448. Chapter 37: Explosion.
4. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 31 July 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/10152347. Chapter 54: Fraught.
5. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 7 August 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/10279800. Chapter 55: Refuge.
6. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 8 May 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/8723191. Chapter 42: Heartsong.
7. ↑ "Kitsune". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsune. Accessed 17 May 2021.