Homebrew Kitsune Species Details

Kitsune

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 As ancient as both dragons and giants but not as well-known,
what Kitsune lack in size and strength they make up for in
innovation and their vastly superior magical abilities. The
majority of their race reside within their far off temples,
surrounded by the surreal beauty of nature but there are a
few whose curiosity takes them to the outside world. Many
Kitsune share a similar appreciation towards the arts, music,
and trickery but all enjoy the mischief that they ensue upon
their unsuspecting targets.

Elegant, Otherworldly, Mischievous

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Possessing an unnatural elegance to go with their graceful features, other humanoids have often found themselves looking upon a Kitsune as though these creatures lived on another plane of existence. They are slightly shorter than an average human, ranging from just under 5 feet tall to just over 6 feet. They also tend to vary in size depending on their life style, weighing from 100 to well over 200 pounds. While assuming their human forms, Kitsune's skin tones match that of other humans but have some additional coloration to their hair which represent parts of their actual fur. These colors range from pure white, green, silver, to dark navy blue or pitch black and while in their true Kitsune form, these coloration actually transform into their fur’s natural color.

An Eternal Trickster Spirit

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Kitsune can live up to 1000 years, rivaling only a rare few and granting them a unique perspective towards the world that eludes other short-lived races. While most in the world would only consider the Kitsune a myth or a legend, many do not realize that they may have already had an encounter with one. For the Kitsune possess the marvelous ability to transform into a perfect human form that is indistinguishable from other humans, allowing them to travel unnoticed amongst other civilizations. Combined with their magic, this also serves as a means to fuel their tendency for mischief and trouble-making since it allows them to do whatever they want and they can get away with it easily.

A Variety of Tails

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Like dragons and Dragonborn, Kitsune have a wide variety of elemental types and personalities, although they are not bound to conflicting deities and instinctively ingrained morals. Unofficially though, they do classify themselves into three different tiers of magical power: the Primal Tier consists of the earth, fire, lightning, river, and wind Kitsune, the Aspect Tier has the forest, ghost, mountain, ocean, and sound Kitsune, and the Outer Tier are the celestial, time, and void Kitsune. When a Kitsune is born they start out with a single tail that represents their magical prowess, and these abilities only increase as time goes on.

When a Kitsune reaches 100 years they grow a second tail as their magical powers improve dramatically and this process continues every century. For those few that live up to their 800th year, they reach the pinnacle of their race and assume the mantle of the Nine-Tails, becoming both an elder and a leader of sorts to their people.

Secluded Clan Temples

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Most often, several Kitsune families of the same type will gather to form a singular clan. These clans are generally located in very remote areas that pertain to that clan's type, such as a forest Kitsune clan having a temple built around a unique tree or a fire Kitsune clan residing near an active volcano. These villages are placed as such so that very few outside the clan would be able to have access to them but are still self-sustainable.

The various clans tend to keep to themselves and follow their own rules and laws, with the one exception to this being the Grand Council, which governs the entire Kitsune race.  This council is composed of thirteen seats, each one governed by a single clan that is designated as the voice of a specific type. For a clan to be elected into the council several requirements must be made: that clan must have a Nine-Tails to lead it at the head of the clan, they must have several significant connections and trades established with the outside world, and the clan must have a certain level of strategical power to defend both the clan and their allies.
 

Kitsune Names

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Each Kitsune is given a name at birth, some having more meaning behind it than others, but each tend to follow a similar pattern within their families. Their clan name however, is what their name truly belongs to. Every choice that they make is made so as not to bring shame upon their entire clan. A Kitsune who brings dishonor upon their clan name is considered an exile and dead to their family.

   Male Names: Akira, Byakuya, Benkei, Chizome, Denki,
Enji, Genji, Gin, Hanzo, Hideo, Hiryuu, Isami, Itsuki,
Kakashi, Kenshin, Kohei, Masato, Mikado, Osamu, Reiji, Rin,
Ryuhei, Sora, Shin, Tensei, Toshinori, Tsukihiko, Yamato,
Yatsuhashi, Yosuke, Zenji

   Female Names: Ai, Ami, Azumi, Bushou, Chigusa, Chika,
Emi, Erina, Fubuki, Futaba, Haruna, Hana, Hikari, Isane,
Izayoi, Izuho, Kaede, Kazumi, Kokonoe, Megumi, Mikoto,
Momo, Nami, Nemu, Nozomi, Retsu, Ryoko, Saki, Seri,
Shiori, Tsubaki, Tsubame, Yoko, Yuri, Yukie

   Clan Names: Aizawa, Akaguro, Arashiyama, Fushimi,
Ikoma, Itagaki, Ishida, Hisui, Jun, Kayama, Kitora, Kurai,
Masaki, Masamune, Minamoto, Miwa, Nakiri, Nasu, Odagiri,
Rindo, Shinomiya, Sukehiro, Somei, Tachikawa, Takeda,
Tenmon, Usami, Yamamoto, Yoneya, Zaraki

Kitsune Traits

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Kitsune Traits

Despite the many varieties that many Kitsune have, your Kitsune character will have these traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Kitsune age fairly slowly due to their exceptionally long lifespans, which even exceeds that of the elves. A Kitsune reaches physical adulthood at 80 years old and mentally at 130 years old respectively, and can live to be 1000 years old. The only exceptions to this rule are the rare time Kitsune, whose bodies are considered immortal to the ravages of time and cannot die due to age.

Alignment

Kitsune love freedom, variety, and overall mischief. They believe the laws of man to be beneath them, and tend to toe that line quite a bit, but they are true friends and allies to those that have earned it. So most of them tend to lean towards the lighter nature of chaos. Depending on which type of Kitsune they are, their nature can be varied between good and evil and everything in between.

Size

Kitsune height and build are greatly varied due to the different natures they can be born to, but usually they are between 5 and 6 feet tall and average at 110 to 140 pounds.
Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Your eyes have the thin slits and reflective nature of a foxes. 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.

Keen Senses

Large, ambidextrous ears sit upon your head. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing, and any creature trying to sneak up on you will have disadvantage on rolls regarding stealth and sneak attack. However, any loud sounds will cause you to recoil in pain for 1d4 rounds of combat.

Agile

You gain proficiency in the Acrobatics skill.

Change Shape.

As a kitsune, you can assume the appearance of a specific human form of the same sex. You will always take this specific form when you use this ability and it requires an action to switch between forms. While you assume your human form, you have advantage on Disguise (Deception) checks, and while you are in your Kitsune form your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Innate Trickster

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, seeing through illusions, and you can always notice when an individual is being charmed or controlled.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Sylvan, and one extra language of your choice. Due to their long lives and natural curiosity of observing other races, kitsune tend to learn the language of those that interest them the most.