Homebrew Kitsune Species Details

The kitsune, a race of fox-headed, humanoid shapechangers, are known for their trickery and love of beautiful things. Inveterate pranksters, they generally prefer harmless tricks in good fun, but these can become deadly when kitsune are angered, insulted, or fighting for their life.

Trickery Artists

Kitsune's natural bent towards trickery and pranking, along with their ability to shapeshift at will gives them a reputation of being manipulative or mistrusted.  In reality, although the more evil of the Kitsune might have nefarious intents, most kitsune are entertained by such antics and have no ill intent in their words and actions.

Cunning Seductresses

Kitsune are clever and cunning. They have been said to impersonate a person's deepest desires to convince them to do their bidding, or to lure them into a prank or joke. Impersonating a lover that a man dreams for, or the perfect soldier for another's army, they tend to play the "long con" to pull off elaborate and intricate pranks on unwitting victims, all in good fun of course.

Outcasts of the World

Little is known of kitsune as they are incredibly rare in the world. What reputation they have is quite negative, and one found in the wild in it's true form can sometimes be killed on sight. As a result, most kitsune prefer to spend a majority of time n their humanoid form as it is much safer than their true form.

Magical Infusion

Kitsune are born infused with the essence of magic. This allows them to learn to shapechange at a very young age. Most kitsune, while learning to shapechange, find they prefer a specific humanoid form, and by adulthood, they are often known as much by their humanoid form as by their vulpine form in their communities.

Along with their shapechange ability, the kitsune have tails that grow as they age. A baby kitsune only has one tail, but by adulthood most kitsune have 3 or more, and gain one approximately every 5 or so years. These tails can be used as a source of their power and an arcane focus, as they channel magical energy coursing through the kitsune's body and focus it outward towards foes.

Kitsune Names

Kitsune names are based on Japanese mythology and origin. They are assigned by parents at birth, and can be changed at the whim of the kitsune, should the need or desire arise. A kitsune's name is never considered very important, and they are willing to throw them away should it suit their fancy.

The following is a list of sample kitsune names:

Kitsune Names: Ayori, Shutoshi, Boseki, Gishige, Eidayu, Raiden (Thunder And Lightning), Michio (On The Right Path), Hitoshi (Even Tempered), Kei (Lucky), Masanori (Model Of Justice), Haisuki, Yuri, Monai, Hataru, Bemugi, Kohaku (Amber), Yasuko (Peaceful Child), Kimiko (Noble Child), Ai (Love), Kaede (Maple)

Kitsune Traits

Your kitsune character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Kitsune reach adulthood around 15, and live to be around 70 years old.

Alignment

Kitsune can be of any alignment, but tend towards neutral alignments.

Size

Kitsune are anywhere from 4 to 5 feet tall and from 80 to 150 lbs. In humanoid form, they have a similar height and weight to humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

You have a fox’s keen senses, especially in the dark. 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.

Shapeshift

The mystical energy surrounding your race allows you the ability to transform into a humanoid at will. This alternate humanoid form is as much a part of who you are as your true vulpine form.

Bite

In true form (not humanoid form), your bite is a vicious defensive weapon that deal 1d4 + STR slashing damage on a hit.

Fox's Cunning

You have proficiency in the Acrobatics and Deception skills.

Languages

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