Homebrew Kumiho Species Details
Kumiho are a conniving, agile, and reclusive race of illusionists and tricksters. They are the spirits of foxes who have lived for over a century and have over that time developed supernatural abilities. They use their powers of shapeshifting and enchantment to lure sentient creatures to their dens and seduce them with their enticing fantasies made manifest. Some will even feed off of the life-force of their victims or kill them and eat their organs. But many are not malevolent, and will instead use their great powers to bring happiness to others. Unfortunately however, many humanoids do not understand their motives and assume that they are dangerous and violent. Nevertheless, many cautionary tales are written about the Kumiho and some (but not all) may be unwarranted.
Alluring Shape-changers
The Kumiho have two forms. One is that of a fox with anywhere between 2-9 tails, and is their true form. The second is that of a humanoid who can appear however they want, but will always possess the same hair and eye color as in their true form. Kumihos often chose to take on exceptionally beautiful or handsome forms in order to attract humanoids and seduce them. However, a Kumiho's humanoid form however is not always a perfect imitation, and sometimes will appear with foxlike features, one or several fox tails, or even fox ears. Their humanoid forms, are often quite varied in skin color as well as height, but are usually built slenderly. In fox form however, the Kumiho will most often have red, brown, grey, or white fur, and will range from around 2-3 feet in length.
Ancient & Reclusive Spirits
Kumiho are not born as Kumiho, but rather as regular foxes. Whereas most foxes will die of starvation, disease, injury, or just of old age, some do not experience the passage of time on their bodies and will continue to live for at least 100 years. After that hundred years, the Kumiho will undergo a change in which they will grow a second tail and will discover that they have acquired a whole host of new abilities. Once they have reached this milestone, they will continue to grow new tails periodically as they grow older and more powerful. Most will live to over a thousand years old before they begin to feel the effects of old age. Due to the rarity of the conditions that lead to the transformation of a fox into a Kumiho, they often live alone. Despite this, there are some old Kumiho bloodlines which nearly every member of the family reaches the age of transformation. These families generally build complex dens and live together, rarely venturing into civilization. In addition, due to the fact that many choose to live away from civilized society and their incredibly long lifespans they are often unconcerned with the affairs and customs of other races. Because of this isolation they also have developed a very unique world view and moral system which is not shared by any other race.
Secluded Woodland Dens
Most Kumiho live alone, only interacting with one another to mate and to give birth. Once a mother has given birth, they will raise their cubs in a den while they hunt for their fox cubs, but unfortunately most Kumiho that breed with regular foxes will not see any of their children live past a decade at the very longest. Only when two fully realized Kumiho mate is it likely that the offspring will live to the age of transformation. As a result of this, many Kumiho live very isolated lives, but some who cannot live in isolation, choose to venture into society to live amongst humanoids.
Seeking Humanity
The motivations of a Kumiho are often mysterious, with their actions often being unpredictable, but one theme that is often exhibited by Kumiho who have interacted with humanoids is the desire to become human. For this reason, many drain other humanoids life force as well as consume humanoid hearts and livers as these things allow them to remain in human form longer. Some stories even imply that if a Kumiho eats enough organs or feed on enough humanoid's lifeforces they can become fully human. Other stories imply that by marrying a humanoid can also lead a Kumiho to become fully human, and so many use their powers to seduce humanoids and marry them without revealing their true form.
Kumiho Traits
Kumiho have a variety of different supernatural abilities which they develop over the course of their very long lifespans.Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma score increases by 1, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age
Kumiho first reach maturity at 10 months, but can live for over a thousand years. However for the first 100 years they are indistinguishable from a regular fox. At this time they then go through a metamorphosis where where they grow another tail and are granted supernatural powers, among them the ability to transform into a human. After their first hundred years a Kumiho will continue to grow up to 9 tails throughout their lifetime depending on their power.
Alignment
Kumiho are usually chaotic in nature, having little concern for the laws or societal norms of other races. In addition their sense of morality is very different from most others and thus they can be viewed as either good, neutral, or evil.
Size
All Kumiho over the age of 100 possess two different forms, their true form is that of a fox, and they also have the ability to shapeshift into a humanoid form. In humanoid form most range from barely 5 feet tall to over 6 feet tall, their size being medium. However in fox form a Kumiho ranges from just under 2 feet to around 3 feet in length, and is classified as small.
Speed
When in humanoid form, 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 and Sylvan when in humanoid form. Sylvan is most often spoken by fey and other nature spirits. It is said to be an ancestor of the modern elvish language and likewise it is a very fluid language with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. When in fox form you can understand and read both but can neither speak nor read.
Darkvision
Accustomed to nocturnal hunting, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions in either humanoid or fox form. 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.
Shapeshifting
At the age of 100 a Kumiho gains the ability to transform into a humanoid. This form can appear however the Kumiho wants it too aside from a few immutable characteristics such as hair color and eye color. The Kumiho can remain in this form only for a limited amount of time, but as they grow more tails they are able to hold the form for longer. In addition every time that they take a humanoid form they must roll a d20 determine how accurate their form is. Any time the Kumiho is frightened or drops below half hit points, they must reroll to retain their form. in addition, if the Kumiho drops to 0 hit points they will revert back into fox form. Upon reverting back to fox form, all clothing and equipment you are carrying will drop to the ground. While in fox form you have the ability to cast spells without their verbal or somatic components.
|
Tails |
Max. Time in Humanoid Form |
|
2 |
1 hour |
|
3 |
6 hours |
|
4 |
12 hours |
|
5 |
1 day |
|
6 |
10 days |
|
7 |
100 days |
|
8 |
1000 days |
|
9 |
Infinitely |
|
d20 |
Level of Transformation |
|
1 |
Reverts to Fox Form |
|
2-3 |
Fox-like Features, Full # of Tails, Fox Ears |
|
4-5 |
Fox-like Features, Full # of Tails |
|
6-10 |
Fox-like Features, 1 Tail |
|
11-15 |
Subtle Fox-like Facial Features |
|
16-20 |
Perfect Humanoid Form |
Many Tails
After a Kumiho's first hundred years they grow a second tail. Beyond that, they continue to grow more tails as they grow more powerful, as shown in the table.
|
Level |
Tails |
|
1-2 |
2 |
|
3-4 |
3 |
|
5-6 |
4 |
|
7-9 |
5 |
|
10-12 |
6 |
|
13-15 |
7 |
|
16-19 |
8 |
|
20 |
9 |
Fox-Fire
In both humanoid and fox form, you have the ability to create an orb of fire as a bonus action from your mouth or your tails. The orb can hover in the air and shed a bright light in a 10 foot radius and a dim light for an additional 10 feet. Anyone that stands in the floating orb's square or touches it will take 1d8 fire damage and the orb will dissipate. Otherwise the orb will naturally burn out after 10 minutes.
Alternately, you are able to hurl the orb at a creature within 30 feet of you, making a ranged attack roll. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 fire damage.
This attack's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).
Fox's Seduction
You gain the ability to innately use the spell Charm Person when in humanoid form.
Consume Life
All Kumiho have an orb of life energy which they keep in their mouth called a Fox Bead. As a result, if you kiss a humanoid creature, while you are in humanoid form, you have the ability to siphon a part of the creatures life energy through the kiss. Stealing a creatures life force will permanently decrease it's maximum health by 1d6 points, and give you the same number in temporary HP as well as add your maximum time in human form to current time remaining until you revert to fox form. These effects last until you next return to your fox form. In addition consuming the heart or liver of any creature which possesses such organs will grant the same effects as siphoning a creatures life force.
Fox Claws
While in humanoid form, you have the ability to make two unarmed strikes with your claws. Your claws act as a melee weapon attack with finesse. On hit, they deal 1d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage
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