Homebrew Kumiho Species Details

“Sometimes mortals can be more horrible than monsters.”

— Rick Riordan

These fey creatures are innately connected to otherwordly magic. Fox Spirits are feared for their mischievous behavior. They live in places that are mostly filled with magic, in the midst of ancient forests or high up in the mountains where they harness magical energy. These nine-tailed foxes like to interact and take the form of humans. They are known to be shapeshifters, enchanters, and secretive by nature.  

Fox Form

At first glance, a Kumiho's appearance is identical to a fox in every way, with the exception of long slender legs and angled bodies that rival the size of a large dog and most have 9 tails by the time they reach full adulthood. Their fur can come in different colors,  Their coat can be any color, though red, gold, and white are the most common. Their eyes illuminate with vibrant colors, making their iris have a faint glow in the darkness. . Kumihos that live in colder environments usually have thicker, fluffier ears and tails. Their colors tend to be on the lighter side, often being white or tan. Kumihos that live in warmer climates tend to have shorter, less fluffy ears and tails. Their colors are normally a light brown or sandy color. Finally, Kumihos that live in-between these two kinds of weather can be a mix of either fur lengths and their colors can even be silver or red.

When in this form, they can’t speak but can communicate telepathically with creatures close to them. They can shift between this shape and their humanoid one at will, the appearance of which becomes fixed when they reach 8 years old, and ages with them until they reach maturity.

Humanoid Form

Many kumiho like to travel in a humanoid form that displays their claws, ears, and tail(s). When a kumiho takes the form of a humanoid, they take the appearance of how their subconscious believes they would look like a human, but they always take the same appearance. Though their true form has no gender, most kumihos seem to identify as female in their humanoid forms. Somewhat vain creatures by nature, they often adopt the shape of elves as their primary identities, as they enjoy the lithe, ethereal beauty these races possess, which mirrors their true forms. Half-elf and human shapes are common as well, allowing kumihos to move through society without being noticed.

Kumihos look very young for their actual age. One that is 100 years of age might look like a teenager. Around 150 years, their appearance halts around a human’s mid 20's until they reach 1000 years. In the course of a millennium, they begin to age into late adulthood and finally their senior years prior to dying of old age.

Outcast Origins

Much of the history of kumiho remains unknown, even to themselves. What little is known is that they originate from the Feywild, but long ago were cast out, and have been barred from returning. It is believed that the ancestors of modern kumiho committed a great crime in their homeland and that their persecution by the people of the Material Plane is punishment for past transgressions.

Feelings are mixed among kumiho regarding their species’ past. Many see no reason to explore the past, spending their energy to secure their family’s or race’s future in their new home. Others see the Feywild as their only hope of salvation, praying for forgiveness, and the chance to return home. Still, others seek to take matters into their own hands and return to the Feywild under their own power.

 

Kumiho Names

Kumiho often adopts names common to the form they choose as their main humanoid shape, in order to more effectively avoid being outed due to an unintentional misnaming. They place little importance on these spoken names, regarding their true names as a subtle combination of head postures, ear positions, and telepathically communicated sensations and images that are impossible to speak aloud. They rarely take family names, seeing little use for them.

Kumiho Traits

Your kumiho character has the following traits, common to all members of their species.

Ability Score Increase

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

Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Darkvision

Accustomed to thick forests and the night sky, 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 darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Fox Spirit

As an action, you can polymorph into a fox as per the polymorph spell. The fox uses the statistics of a jackal/wolf. You can only use this spell twice per long rest.

 

Fox Charm

Kumihos are known to seduce humans and take out their life essence. You know the Charm Person spell and can cast it as a bonus action.

Age

Kumihos look very young for their actual age. One that is 100 years of age might look like a teenager. Around 150 years, their appearance halts around a human’s mid 20's until they reach 1000 years. In the course of a millennium, they begin to age into late adulthood and finally their senior years prior to dying of old age.

Alignment

Kitsune are beings of a chaotic nature. Whether they are good, evil, or somewhere in between is defined by how they choose to live.

Size

Kumihos range from barely under 5 to over 6 feet tall. Humanoid Form, your size is Medium. When in Fox Form, your size is small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. When in Fox Form, your base walking speed is 40 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Sylvan, and one other language of your choice.