Homebrew Zenko Kitsune Species Details

Kitsune, outside of the groups they grow up in which they call “Clans”, aren’t viewed with much trust in society. Cunning, charismatic and beholden to powerful illusion magic, kitsune are viewed as tricksters at best and monsters at their worst. Perhaps it is their trickster nature that causes them to often live in disguise, or maybe kitsune have learned the hard way that suspicion often leads to pain. Whatever the case may be, they are a long-lived people that rival creatures with incredible lifespans and keep their kin carefully guarded. Not many outsiders get the privilege of visiting a kitsune’s Clan and it is said those that do often can’t remember having been there at all. The number of tails reflects a kitsune’s age, splitting into two when they reach two hundred years of age and continuing to add another tail every hundred years it ages thereafter.

Good Spirits

With a name meaning translated literally from “good foxes”, Zenko kitsune are often characterized by a tendency more toward nature than their Yako brethren. They’re often seen as benevolent, and their Clans frequently take on the task of protecting old forests and keeping balance. Zenko kitsune are still known for their playful nature, but there are even some tales of them saving lost people and guiding them to safety. Zenko are extremely graceful, and one traveler once claimed that their Clans put on beautiful dances. Their pelts tend toward softer and more natural colors, but there have been the odd colorful Zenko before.

Zenko Kitsune Traits

Your racial traits are as follows.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma Score increases by +2, your Dexterity increases by +1

Darkvision

You can see in dim light up to 60 ft as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You cannot discern color in darkness.

Shapeshifter

While there are rumors of a third, for now you have two forms, that of a bipedal fox and that of a creature strongly resembling a human. There is one caveat—Kitsune retain their ears, tail and the color of their eyes and fur (ie; their hair will be the color of their fur) in their "human" form. Due to this, Kitsune often wear items that can cover their tails and ears to avoid ill-treatment or suspicion. That, or they learn magic that can aid them in disguises. Kitsune believe that they have a "true" form, that of a more bestial fox, but if you can do that you certainly don't know how to.

Foxfire

As a bonus action you can cast Dancing Lights to summon wisps of fire of a specific color (up to you). You do not need to concentration to maintain them and they last for up to an hour so long as you are conscious. Otherwise, the spell works exactly as Dancing Lights normally does.

Languages

You can speak, read and write Common and Sylvan

Spirit of Nature

You know the Fire Bolt cantrip. When you reach 3rd level you may cast the Bless spell. You regain the ability to use this spell when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level you may cast the spell Healing Spirit (the spirit always takes the form of a fox). You regain the use of this spell after finishing a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting modifier for these spells.

Like the Wind

Zenko are speedy and sure-footed, they have a +10 bonus to their base speed (giving them 40 ft walk speed).