Homebrew Kitsune Species Details

Shapeshifting Foxes

Adult kitsune have two forms. The first is their true form: the shape of a red-tailed fox. Unlike a normal fox, kitsune may possess multiple tails depending on their age and power. Up until adulthood a kitsune never has more than one tail. However, as they begin gaining in years and power, new tails will spontaneously appear. Once they've reached either the pinnacle of their power or their seven hundredth year in age, they will grow their ninth and final tail. Their fur will turn white, silver, or gold if they are zenko or black if they are nogitsune.

Most kitsune obtain their second form upon reaching 50-100 years of age. This form is human in appearance, with a narrow face with close-set eyes, thin eyebrows, high cheekbones, and softly glowing amber, golden, or blue eyes. Their hair retains the same color as their fur. A young or undisciplined kitsune may have difficulty hiding their tails, ears, fur, eyes, teeth, or other fox-like traits when they take human form. Looking for these when the kitsune becomes drunk, agitated, or scared is a common method of discerning their true nature. A particularly devout individual may in some cases even be able to see through their disguise merely by perceiving them. Shadows may also reveal their true nature -- their shadow falling on water shows their true fox-like shape.

Sociable Pranksters

Kitsune are extremely outgoing spirits who are fascinated with all other non-fey races - particularly humans. This makes them welcome with many of the younger races, unusual among the trickster fey races. Most kitsune rarely perform anything more than a harmless prank or trick, preferring not to drive away the company of those around them. Because of their social usefulness, this is usually tolerated. Kitsune are usually attracted to groups of other outgoing creatures, finding a natural place among the bards, spies, courtiers, and the occasional band of thieves.

Kitsune Names

A Kitsune will have at least two names at any time. The first is their true fey name and can be used to command the kitsune to do anything. Willing giving over their true name is a symbol of absolute trust. Their second name is a poetic or literal name that describes one of their traits, professions, or simply a cultural name that the kitsune found amusing. Although it is not unheard of to change their name, they usually keep the first name they chose.

Kitsune Traits

Your Kitsune character has the following traits.

True Form

You can transform between fox form and human form at will. In combat it takes an action. You may speak as normal and use Kitsune Magic while in fox form.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score or your Dexterity increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age

Kitsune mature slowly, achieving adulthood at around one hundred years and living up to nine hundred.

Alignment

You adhere most strongly to a neutral to chaotic alignment, and generally tend towards good. Some rare few kitsune align with evil and become nogitsune.

Size

In human form, kitsune usually range between 5 and 6 feet tall. In fox form, they are no differently sized than an average fox. The human form is Medium size and fox form is Small size.

Speed

Your human form base walking skill is 30 feet, and your fox form is 40 feet.

Kitsune Magic

You know the dancing lights cantrip and misty step. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the charm person spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the Invisibility spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvian.