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Kitsune
Kitsune
Homeland: Kitahmasune Island
Territory of Caelum - located equal distances from Fiore, Caelum, and Minstrel - they operate as an independent territory.
Born with two tails, all Kitsune are born with the ability to transform between fox and humanoid form. They first gain control of when they switch forms as young as a year old - though many begin to consciously choose to change forms around two at the earliest. When they first start, it can be tiring - so it tends to be longer before they switch from one to another after the initial change - and with practice and time, they gain more control until it is a seamless transformation that takes very little energy. They possess heightened senses beyond that of what their humanoid body may suggest - able to see further, hear better, and have a more sensitive olfactory abilities. Both forms can perform physical tasks beyond that of their more mundane counterparts, with strength and agility beyond what one would expect; humanoid forms can lift 2x their weight without much training or effort as well as jump up to 20 feet up if they prepared for it, and their fox form maintains similar limits.
Most Kitsune living on Kitahmasune Island do not wear clothing. It is not simply because they live in a warm environment that rarely sees even a cold snap, nor is it truly because they have no inherent sense of modesty or desire to cover up their bodies. It is mostly a byproduct of the fact they shift freely between fox and humanoid forms and clothing only shifts with them given enough time and experience. Many see no point in learning to do this, though, as villagers from infancy are raised without clothing. Some, in their travels, develop a taste for clothing, however and choose to wear them while on the island.
Though not always true, many Kitsune have the same hair color patterns in their humanoid form as they do fur color patterns in their fox form, as is their eye color and dilation. The same is true of tail count; however many tails a Kitsune in their humanoid form has, is the same number of tails they have in their fox form. They do not possess human-like ears on the sides of their heads in humanoid form though, instead keeping their fox form ears and location atop their head. In their humanoid form, Kitsune fingernails and toenails will eventually grow to be tough as diamonds and, if left to grow, will end up growing to a claw-like point after only an inch by the time they are adults; despite their toughness, their nails cannot cut through just anything but will make quick work of cloth and flesh, and can cut/etch glass with ease.
Many believe one can tell a Kitsune’s age by the number of tails they have, but this is not the case. All Kitsune have a natural affinity for magic, aside from their ability to shift between fox and humanoid form. Their tails are an extension of that magic, and the more control over the magic they possess, and the more they practice, the more tails they have naturally. Over time, some have even taken to studies that allowed them to naturally grow more tails than they actually would normally possess for their magical capability. This can lead people that have learned about Kitsune to overestimate their capability, or underestimate the danger of an individual, based only only guessing based on tail quantity.
Kitsune find a natural affinity toward magic in general, but find some magic easier to learn than others. This natural affinity toward magic makes it easier for them to evade and resist effects of spells targeting them, though it does not give them an actual immunity to it. Kitsune are more apt to taking a full on hit from a powerful spell and keep standing - albeit injured - than many powerful mages; this ability scales with magical aptitude, but even C-Class Kitsune could take a hit that might knock down an B-Class Human and still fight for a bit longer.
The magics they have a natural affinity toward are: air, dance, earth, fire, green, illusion, lightning, plant, smoke, storm, totem, water, wind, wood, and variations of these magics. While these are magics they most readily learn and are trained with since early age, Kitsune seem to be interested in magics in general - especially those they have no natural affinity toward. Ventures to learn other magics, while not impossible, do come with a bit more difficulty than learning the above listed magics.
Telepathy, while a magic for many, is a natural ability for the Kitsune. They only have access to it while in fox form, to communicate with others not Kitsune. According to the Kitsune history, this is from millenia of development from the early times of them being more well connected to Caelum. It was vital to be able to communicate with non-Kitsune and the continued teaching and use of telepathy became a natural part of their race. They can choose to simply communicate as a fox, or actually try to speak with their telepathy, though; when they do speak using telepathy, they can only be heard as if they are normally speaking - by the people in their general vicinity - and can use it to shout to be heard by more. Unlike most telepathy, it doesn’t seem to be directed straight into the mind, and can be blocked by covering one’s ears or even being deafened. If a Kitsune is mute, or silenced, they cannot speak telepathically as well.
In addition to their general telepathy, Kitsune also seem to have an affinity to understand, and be understood, by animals like wolves, bears, foxes, raccoons, and other creatures like them - generally speaking, non-retractable claws (Caniformia family). When they communicate with the creatures, they use similar vocal patterns to that of the creature. This can only be done in their humanoid form. While in fox form, they can only communicate with foxes.
While Kitsune live much longer lives, they age roughly at the same pace as humans until they reach puberty. Puberty hits at about 14-17 for both male and female Kitsune. At which point, their aging slows immensely. Even in old age, Kitsune rarely look as old as their human equivalents (that is to say, late age humans and late age Kitsune don’t share many similarities) aside from Kitsune hearing and sight starting to fade with late age. The average life span is roughly 700 years old, though Kitsune with immense magical prowess have been noted to live upward of 900 years.
As an island race with rare interactions with the outside as a whole, they focus on fishing as their main source of meat with wild boar and birds being occasional sources of meat more typical of large feasts. They cultivated farmland for crops, growing vegetables, fruits, and grains as well. Because of this, many never really venture away from their typical diets to consume beef or even eat pig or chicken more often or ever try dairy or sweets.
Inquisitive by nature, taught to be from a young age, many come off as tricksters with their playful sense of whimsy in how they explore the greater world. Tricks - from an outsider’s perspective - are common as a way to help Kitsune understand how others may react, perceive, and hold boundaries with the world around them. Most seek to gain knowledge while outside the tribe, while others simply wish to enjoy the freedoms of living without a social structure dependent on their productivity. It’s also common to see Kitsune be viewed as criminals, either for misunderstanding the fact that the world around them is a barter system at the very least - trading goods for services - and simply taking a piece of food from a vendor if hungry, or in naively offering to help and being manipulated into criminal ventures. Each individual is different, but the world tends to see them in these generalized lights.
Kitsune are a bit more open regarding sex and sexuality, bearing no stigmas toward those that wish to explore their sexuality freely. Children born from such unions are housed in a communal home, tended to by those that choose it or are older children assigned to work there for a while. When Kitsune do find a partner they wish to stay with for the rest of their life, they conduct a hand-fasting ceremony. Though seen as unofficial by many mainland religions, with no real material possessions and an open community they see no reason for anything more than tying themselves together metaphysically. The ceremony is performed in the presence of all Kitsune present in the village, and uses various colored cords or cloths tied around the pair’s hands to signify various commitments this bond brings. When Kitsune unite in such a means, children born of this pair generally are kept to house with the parents rather than in the community home with other children; it is not uncommon for children to wish to stay in the community home as they grow older, nor is it completely rare for couples to decide to simply have their children housed in such homes from the start. There is no negative connotation for such choices, as the community feels the group children home is better suited to instill the sense of community with these children, just as there is nothing wrong with the parent choosing to keep their child with them instead.
On the island, both males and females share tasks across the island. They are raised to spend a year of time assisting in tasks from hunting/fishing, to gathering/farming, to building, or cooking, or even weaving and crafting. This system of switching jobs on a yearly basis helps young Kitsune experience the job and find what roles they would like to assist with should they come back from their journey away from the village. While they hold little value in currency, the village elders hold currency from returned Kitsune and gift it out to the individuals leaving for the first time. Kitsune that do return generally return to take on a full time role in a particular section of the village.
Though they remain self sustained, with no desire or need to trade with larger locations, they are not isolationists. They simply do not wish to be involved with any outside cultures or countries. Over 1,500 years ago, they actually worked closely with the capital as part of the country of Caelum. They disliked the way the government wished to use them and their resources, seeking to use their natural gifts to the kingdom’s advantage to help wage wars on other countries. After a firm refusal and negotiating their stance, they negotiated governing independence under the agreement that should war come to the lands of Caelum.
While they have mostly stayed on their island, Kitsune have continued a ritual since the days of required service to the Caelum government of allowing their young to travel outside their island to experience other cultures. When a Kitsune reaches 16 years of age, they are brought to a mainland of their choice (Minstrel, Fiore, or Caelum) and given instructions both how to signal a request for someone to transport them home, as well as a bit of a guide to other races and their cultures that the younger Kitsune had not properly had without visual sights of others; this guidance from an older Kitsune includes the face many other races are not accustomed to nude forms as readily as Kitsune are as well as explaining the point of money.
Not many outsiders have gotten the privilege of seeing Kitahmasune Island in the past 1,500 years. They aren’t forbidden, but the village elders frown upon outsiders being brought in by the young Kitsune returning, or sailors that have gone to deliver the young Kitsune returning with wayward ‘outsiders’ seeking to understand their people. Elders have long memories after all, and have handed down the memories of those before them - offering the guidance of when their mainland tried to use them, and that their ways are seen as unusual to many unaccustomed eyes. There has been times of these so called ‘innocent observers’ that have sought to manipulate the Kitsune’s natural abilities for their own end, outsiders that have met swift justice at the hands of avenging Kitsune.
In the present day, there are not many Kitsune that wander the lands of Ishgar. The village is hardly 2,000 large, including the young, and Kitsune young that are brought to the mainlands are not done in large numbers. Not all Kitsune that leave decide to return, but many do, and many prefer the comforts of home over the confusing whirlwind of large world life. There are, at most, 50 Kitsune that are known to be traveling across all the countries of Ishgar and beyond at this point. The exact number is uncertain, however, as only ten to fifteen young travel out each year and almost all return within a year or two.
The Kitsune pantheon is based around elements personified more than it is around aspects. These are broken down by type. As they are an island dwelling people, their deities focus more on the elements they experience.
Their pantheon is separated into two categories: The Creators - who are responsible for overseeing everything - and The Keepers - who are responsible for specific aspects of the world.
While they are viewed as generally a spiritual people, they don't tend to 'pray' to the spirits like others may pray to gods. They communicate openly and freely with them, and do thank them for being able to have a good harvest or for their homes surviving a storm. They do not provide offerings to appease the spirits, either, and instead simply sustain on their belief to communicate to the spirits as a one sided conversation and to live clean and sustainably; ensuring they do not abuse the lands granted them by only taking what is needed to maintain a comfortable life on the island.
Here are brief overviews of them. Deeper legends can be written out as well, but when asked these are the basics of what all Kitsune know.
It is said that once every few decades, the Keepers bless some Kitsune with more gifts than others and allow them to call upon more than one of them. This is how they come to be able to use Totem magic.
Totem magic is seen as a combination of imbuing objects with power, and utilizing herbs and elements to cast spells. It can also be seen as a form of spirit magic, as it calls upon the powers of the spirits to help make spells work. It can hex and dispel hexes in the hands of skilled casters.
Shylivermo has been known to gift people that have already been touched by another, and it is not a rare occurrence for this to happen.
Their pantheon is separated into two categories: The Creators - who are responsible for overseeing everything - and The Keepers - who are responsible for specific aspects of the world.
While they are viewed as generally a spiritual people, they don't tend to 'pray' to the spirits like others may pray to gods. They communicate openly and freely with them, and do thank them for being able to have a good harvest or for their homes surviving a storm. They do not provide offerings to appease the spirits, either, and instead simply sustain on their belief to communicate to the spirits as a one sided conversation and to live clean and sustainably; ensuring they do not abuse the lands granted them by only taking what is needed to maintain a comfortable life on the island.
Here are brief overviews of them. Deeper legends can be written out as well, but when asked these are the basics of what all Kitsune know.
Haetymi - The Heavens - Personified as a woman with hair and skin a neutral grey that appears black at night and cloudy grey during the day. She wears a flowing robe black as night painted with the stars.
She is accepted as the one responsible for commanding the elements involving the sky. In the beginning, she is the one to have protected the world from the evils beyond, so that the others could create the world.
Wylasute - The Oceans - Personified as a woman with hair frothy and white as foaming water and skin as dark as the deepest oceans. She wears flowing robes that move and shift like waves.
She is accepted as the one responsible for commanding the elements of the water. In the beginning, she tamed the tempers of Fzetit and Eticoum to help shape the world as it is today; it was from her grace that life became possible.
Fzetit - The Heat - Personified as a man with blazing hair and crimson skin. He wears robes of wispy smoke.
He is accepted as the one responsible for commanding the elements that involve heat - fire, lightning - as well as that of light and shadow. In the beginning, he quarreled with Eticoum over what would be his domain until Wylasute negotiated the peace; it was from his passion that life became possible.
Eticoum - The Lands - Personified as a man with moss like hair, and cracking and crumbling skin of varying browns. He wears robes of moss and flowers and vines.
He is accepted as the one responsible for commanding the elements of earth and plants. In the beginning, he was unmoving in his desire to obtain space for himself, until Wylasute negotiated the peace; it was from his resilience that life became possible.
Lei’mahote - The Spirit - Personified as a 12 tailed fox with fur luminescent of the rainbow, and an ever shifting design in black and gray. Lei’mahote is genderfluid and may be referred to by whichever pronoun the speaker feels attributes per the tale.
They are the child of Fzetit, Eticoum, and Wylasute, and responsible for life and all aspects of it. It was after Wylasute negotiated the peace between Eticoum and Fzetit that Lei’mahote came to be; it is from them all life is possible.
She is accepted as the one responsible for commanding the elements involving the sky. In the beginning, she is the one to have protected the world from the evils beyond, so that the others could create the world.
Wylasute - The Oceans - Personified as a woman with hair frothy and white as foaming water and skin as dark as the deepest oceans. She wears flowing robes that move and shift like waves.
She is accepted as the one responsible for commanding the elements of the water. In the beginning, she tamed the tempers of Fzetit and Eticoum to help shape the world as it is today; it was from her grace that life became possible.
Fzetit - The Heat - Personified as a man with blazing hair and crimson skin. He wears robes of wispy smoke.
He is accepted as the one responsible for commanding the elements that involve heat - fire, lightning - as well as that of light and shadow. In the beginning, he quarreled with Eticoum over what would be his domain until Wylasute negotiated the peace; it was from his passion that life became possible.
Eticoum - The Lands - Personified as a man with moss like hair, and cracking and crumbling skin of varying browns. He wears robes of moss and flowers and vines.
He is accepted as the one responsible for commanding the elements of earth and plants. In the beginning, he was unmoving in his desire to obtain space for himself, until Wylasute negotiated the peace; it was from his resilience that life became possible.
Lei’mahote - The Spirit - Personified as a 12 tailed fox with fur luminescent of the rainbow, and an ever shifting design in black and gray. Lei’mahote is genderfluid and may be referred to by whichever pronoun the speaker feels attributes per the tale.
They are the child of Fzetit, Eticoum, and Wylasute, and responsible for life and all aspects of it. It was after Wylasute negotiated the peace between Eticoum and Fzetit that Lei’mahote came to be; it is from them all life is possible.
Lalazamo - Lightning - Personified as a humanoid made up entirely of lightning.
Responsible for controlling when and where lightning happens. Is said to gift magical lightning abilities to people.
Pholvi - Fire - Personified as a giant lizard made entirely of fire.
Responsible for controlling when and where fire happens. Is said to gift magical fire abilities to people.
Subelxe - Storm - Personified as an enormous eagle made entirely of clouds.
Responsible for controlling when and where storms happen. Is said to gift magical storm abilities to people.
Aeqowuth - Air - Personified as a nearly invisible humanoid, though may be a more visible translucent humanoid if air quality is poor.
Responsible for controlling basic air functions and the quality of air. Is said to gift magical air abilities to people.
Wvopeltui - Wind - Personified as swirling gusts of wind that take the form of a large owl.
Responsible for controlling when and where wind occurs, and how strong it is. Is said to gift magical wind abilities to people.
Eapomiv - Earth - Personified as a bull made of stone.
Responsible for controlling the earth and when tremors or mountains occur. Is said to gift magical earth abilities to people.
Nanacokim - Plant/Wood - Personified as a chipmunk made entirely of wood.
Responsible for ensuring plant health and prosperity. Is said to gift magical plant or wood abilities to people.
Rinir - River/Lakes/Rain - Personified as a small otter made entirely of nearly clear water.
Responsible for controlling the pathways of fresh water. Is said to gift magical water abilities akin to that of fresh water to people.
Secime - Sea/Bogs - Personified as a giant otter made entirely of dark, translucent water.
Responsible for controlling the tides and how salt water converts to fresh water. Is said to gift magical water abilities akin to that of the sea/ocean to people.
Scurimon - Smoke - Personified as a humanoid made entirely of wispy black smoke.
Responsible for controlling how smoke travels and how quickly it dissipates when sourced. Is said to gift magical smoke abilities to people.
Liretotoie - Light - Personified as a butterfly made entirely of light.
Responsible for how well people can see and navigate their surroundings. Is said to gift magical dance abilities to people.
Shylivermo - Shadow - Personified as a moth made entirely of darkness.
Responsible for how people interact with one another. Is said to gift magical illusion abilities to people.
Responsible for controlling when and where lightning happens. Is said to gift magical lightning abilities to people.
Pholvi - Fire - Personified as a giant lizard made entirely of fire.
Responsible for controlling when and where fire happens. Is said to gift magical fire abilities to people.
Subelxe - Storm - Personified as an enormous eagle made entirely of clouds.
Responsible for controlling when and where storms happen. Is said to gift magical storm abilities to people.
Aeqowuth - Air - Personified as a nearly invisible humanoid, though may be a more visible translucent humanoid if air quality is poor.
Responsible for controlling basic air functions and the quality of air. Is said to gift magical air abilities to people.
Wvopeltui - Wind - Personified as swirling gusts of wind that take the form of a large owl.
Responsible for controlling when and where wind occurs, and how strong it is. Is said to gift magical wind abilities to people.
Eapomiv - Earth - Personified as a bull made of stone.
Responsible for controlling the earth and when tremors or mountains occur. Is said to gift magical earth abilities to people.
Nanacokim - Plant/Wood - Personified as a chipmunk made entirely of wood.
Responsible for ensuring plant health and prosperity. Is said to gift magical plant or wood abilities to people.
Rinir - River/Lakes/Rain - Personified as a small otter made entirely of nearly clear water.
Responsible for controlling the pathways of fresh water. Is said to gift magical water abilities akin to that of fresh water to people.
Secime - Sea/Bogs - Personified as a giant otter made entirely of dark, translucent water.
Responsible for controlling the tides and how salt water converts to fresh water. Is said to gift magical water abilities akin to that of the sea/ocean to people.
Scurimon - Smoke - Personified as a humanoid made entirely of wispy black smoke.
Responsible for controlling how smoke travels and how quickly it dissipates when sourced. Is said to gift magical smoke abilities to people.
Liretotoie - Light - Personified as a butterfly made entirely of light.
Responsible for how well people can see and navigate their surroundings. Is said to gift magical dance abilities to people.
Shylivermo - Shadow - Personified as a moth made entirely of darkness.
Responsible for how people interact with one another. Is said to gift magical illusion abilities to people.
It is said that once every few decades, the Keepers bless some Kitsune with more gifts than others and allow them to call upon more than one of them. This is how they come to be able to use Totem magic.
Totem magic is seen as a combination of imbuing objects with power, and utilizing herbs and elements to cast spells. It can also be seen as a form of spirit magic, as it calls upon the powers of the spirits to help make spells work. It can hex and dispel hexes in the hands of skilled casters.
Shylivermo has been known to gift people that have already been touched by another, and it is not a rare occurrence for this to happen.
