Homebrew Kitsune Species Details

Sequestered in high mountains atop peaks and sometime dwelling in temples, sometimes called Foxlike Demigods, evoke fear and wonder. Many Kitsune aren’t even native to the Material Plane. They hail from a world beyond — from the boundless vistas of the Elemental Plane of Canines

They are immigrants, refugees, scouts, and explorers, their outposts functioning as footholds in a world both strange and alien.

Claws and Fur

From below, Kitsune look much like large Multiple tailed foxes. Only when they decide to bask on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, Kitsune might reach 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that conceal sharp claws that boost their agility.

Fur covers their bodies. Their coat typically denotes membership in a tribe. Males are brightly colored, with fur of red, orange, or yellow. Females have more subdued colors, usually brown or gray. Their heads complete the Canine appearance, being something like a fox or wolf with distinct tribal variations.

Ground prowling Wardens

Nowhere are the Kitsune more comfortable than on the forest floor or climbing cliffs. They can spend hours racing through the plains, and some go as long as days.  In battle, they prove very agile and acrobatic climbers. moving with remarkable speed and grace, lunging to lash opponents with weapons or claws before turning and darting away.

Canine Mannerisms

The resemblance of Kitsune to foxes isn’t limited to physical features. Kitsune display many of the same mannerisms as ordinary foxes. They are fastidious about their coat, frequently tending their fur, cleaning and scratching away any tiny passengers they might have picked up. When they deign to dive from cliffs, they often do so near pools where they can catch fish and bathe themselves.

Many Kitsune punctuate their speech with barks, sounds they use to convey emphasis and to shade meaning, much as a human might through facial expressions and gestures. An Kitsune might become frustrated with people who fail to pick up on the nuances; an Kitsune’s threat might be taken as a jest and vice versa.

The idea of ownership baffles most Kitsune. After all, who owns the Land? Even when explained to them, they initially find the notion of ownership mystifying. As a result, Kitsune who have little interaction with other people might be a nuisance as they race across the prairie to snatch livestock or plunder harvests for fruits and grains. Shiny, glittering objects catch their eyes.

They find it hard not to pluck the treasure and bring it back to their settlement to beautify it. An Kitsune who spends years among other races can learn to inhibit these impulses.

Confinement terrifies the Kitsune. To be caged, trapped underground, or imprisoned by the cold, unyielding earth is a torment few Kitsune can withstand. Even when basking on a high cliff or at rest in their mountaintop homes, they appear alert, with eyes moving and bodies ready to take flight through the hills.

Homelands

Most Kitsune live on the Elemental Plane of Canines. Kitsune can be drawn into the Material Plane, sometimes to pursue enemies or thwart their foes’ designs there. Accident might also send a tribe of Kitsune tumbling into a world on that plane. A few find their way to such a world through portals on their own plane and establish temples in high mountains or on the outskirts of old forests.

Once tribes of Kitsune settle in an area, they share a hunting territory that extends across an area up to 100 miles on a side, with each tribe hunting in the lands nearest to their colony, ranging farther should game become scarce.

A typical colony consists of one large, open-roofed nest made of woven vines. The eldest acts as leader with the support of a shaman.  

 

KITSUNE BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds that are most appropriate for Kitsune include the outlander, the hermit, and the sage.

The small colonies of Kitsune are insular and remote, and few Kitsune live away from their homes. In the Star Mounts of the High Forest in the Forgotten Realms, no more than a few dozen Kitsune live away from the homes of their families. Those that do are usually rangers or fighters, constantly patrolling for outside threats.

Kitsune Traits

As a Kitsune, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to climb and run at high speeds starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing an Kitsune requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Kitsune reach maturity by age 3. Compared to humans, Kitsune don’t usually live longer than 60 years.

Alignment

Most Kitsune are good and rarely choose sides when it comes to law and chaos. Tribal leaders and warriors might be lawful, while explorers and adventurers might tend toward chaotic.

Size

Kitsune are about 5 to 6 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 100 and 115 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 75 feet.

Climbing

You have a climbing speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Claws

Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Kitsune, and Auran.