Homebrew Foxfolk Vulpi Species Details

Deep within the sylvan wilderness lies a race of creatures commonly called Foxfolk. With thin frames, lean muscles, and sharp senses, they are a peaceful race that hunts their territories for fresh meat to bring home to their tightly-knit clans.

Lithe Hunters

An elegant and respected race, a Foxfolk resembles a fox with a lean, elongated body that stands on its hind legs, with fox-like forearms. Their forepaws have five fingers, while their feet have only four toes and lack dewclaws. There is no clearly visible size distinction between a Foxfolk male and a Foxfolk female. Rather than the normal snout of a fox, Foxfolk’s face ends in a narrower version of a fox’s snout, with a more severe downward slope to it. A Foxfolk’s eyes are typically green, with a rare few having blue eyes, with pupils that are oval and vertically oriented. Their tail, which is longer than half their body length, is fluffy and reaches the ground when in a standing position. The fur on a Foxfolk can be any shade of reddish-orange, pale-yellow, white, grey, or even silver. A Foxfolk is considered an adult at age 20 and can live to be almost 600. They are very agile, often outpacing other races of similar size.

Diplomacy First

Conflict between Foxfolk and their neighboring races almost never occur, as they are very agreeable as a society and have a tendency to live full lives within their forests, untroubled by the burdens of urban life. They often cooperate with other races when necessary, trading fruits of the deep woods for meat when the need becomes dire.

However, an affront to their woodlands can result in conflict between Foxfolk and other races, if the cities begin cutting down too much of the forest or heavily pollute the natural water sources. A diplomatic approach is always the first option, but for Foxfolk, it is not the only option. In this way, they can act as guardians of the wilderness, routing their foes with relentless organized guerilla assaults from multiple allied clans.

While other races such as Orcs or Elves have bred with Humans to produce half-breed progeny, no instance of this practice is known among Foxfolk—they find the bulkier build of other races as unattractive, as they are considered horribly overweight by Foxfolk standards. Humans see Foxfolk as too similar to other animals for such a prospect to cross any decent person's mind.

Tradition and Etiquette

Most aspects of Foxfolk society are structured and traditional. Though clans of Foxfolk usually only consist of between ten to twenty members, they operate within a hierarchical society, where dominance is established early in life. Dominant clanmates receive more food and are subsequently larger.

Excellent Hosts

While encounters with Foxfolk are something most people never experience, they are universally known for their diplomacy among outsiders.

The Foxfolk are an incredibly well-mannered, gracious, and courteous race. They treat all those whom they do not consider barbaric or crude with respect and cordiality that falls just short of royal treatment. On most occasions, Foxfolk will even treat Nezumi and Orcs with this respect, initially, as an offer of goodwill.

In spite of this, Foxfolk sometimes fall into the same trappings of haughtiness that afflicts Elves, and for similar reasons—with a lifespan of upwards of 500 years, the conflicts that trouble those of shorter-lived races can seem insignificant.

If a dispute in the hierarchy occurs, dominance is determined by way of a formal duel. The loser may be subjected to rejection from its social group, as well as serious injuries, but never death.

Foxfolk are usually nocturnal but do occasionally hunt and scavenge in daylight when meat becomes scarce, such as during winter.

Foxfolk are meticulous about maintaining excellent hygiene, especially when it concerns their fur. They can often be found brushing their fur to keep it completely clear of debris, as unkempt fur is a mark of great shame among their society. It is common practice for the Foxfolk who return from a hunt to groom the bramble out of their coats while the others prepare the food for consumption.

Foxfolk names

Names in Foxfolk society are often passed down through generations. Surnames are common among all members born to the same clan, and clans often trade members in order to prevent undesired effects on offspring.

Male Names: Aldan, Cairbre, Dermot, Eamon, Keiron, Malachy, Padraig, Ronan, Teague, Ultan, Akihiko, Daiki, Jirou, Kei, Osamu, Takeo, Yuudai

Female Names: Blythe, Deirdre, Eithne, Keeva, Muiran, Onora, Rosheen, Rowan, Sybil, Tara, Aya, Chinatsu, Eri, Mana, Ritsuko, Sachiko, Tsukiko

Clan Names: Black-Tail, Creeping-Shadow, Far-Hunter, Howling-Wind, Golden-Coat, Night-Arrow, Silver-Fang, Twin-Blade, Water-Strider.

Foxfolk Vulpi Traits

A Foxfolk character receives many inborn abilities from their natural origins among tightly-knit tribes

Ability score increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2. Your Dexterity score increases By 1

Age

Foxfolk mature at the same rate as humans but are rumored to live up to 700 years old

Alignment

Foxfolk tend toward Good, and though they may be tricksters at heart, they usually lean more toward Lawful or Neutral than Chaotic.

Darkvision

Thanks to your heritage in thick forests with treetops covering the sun, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in dark light as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray

Keen senses

Foxfolk are known for a strong sense of smell and hearing. You gain advantage on perception checks that rely on a smell or sound

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Fey

Size

Vulpi are around the same height as taller humans, usually ranging between 5 to well over 6 feet tall. They are considerably lighter, though, due to their lean muscle and much narrower frame, usually weighing between 115 lbs. to 140 lbs. Your size is Medium

Speed

Your base walking Speed is 35 feet

Quick Wits

Vulpi are able to process the world more quickly than others when the need arises, a trait that can result in more sucessful hunts. This ability to think faster can also lend itself to social situations, where they may correct a blunder with another interjection before the insult is ever recognized. When you fail a skill check that uses Dexterity or Charisma, you may reroll it instead. You can't use this ability again until you finish a short rest

Natural Athleticism

 Vulpi Foxfolk have better adaptions for leaping, grasping, and climbing. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill