Kitsune

Fey

Humanoid

Kitsune

Kitsune are a charismatic and witty people with a connection to the Wild that grants them many magical abilities, chiefly the power to shapechange into other forms. Whether they pass unseen among other peoples or hold their tails high, kitsune are clever observers of the societies around them.

Kitsune are shapechangers with two forms: one of a multi-tailed fox and one largely depending on where they were raised. Those raised in populated areas typically have what’s called a tailless form—a humanoid body without any fox features that resembles a more common ancestry, such as an elf or a human. In remote or secluded areas, their second form is more likely to be that of a fox-headed humanoid called a hybrid form.

Though kitsune settlements exist, many live among people of other ancestries, granting them a degree of external insight into social rules or dynamics that others process only subconsciously. Kitsune enjoy subverting expectations as much as they do going along with them. Their fondness for jokes, stories, and wordplay, especially when the twist of a riddle hinges on the listener’s assumptions, reinforces their reputation as tricksters.

With dual forms and a connection to both the material and primal worlds, kitsune have diverse concepts of self and identity. Some even view their forms as separate individuals altogether, using them to explore different aspects of their personality.

If you want to play a character with innate magical talents and countless hidden facets, each revealed with a glint of the eye and a twisting grin, you should play a kitsune.

You Might…

• Studiously observe the habits of those around you, taking mental notes on how to imitate them better.
• Delight in jokes, clever wordplay, pranks, or unnecessarily complex plots.
• Present a different, but authentic, side of yourself in each new situation.

Others Probably…

• Are taken in by your magnetic personality and enigmatic nature.
• Marvel at your many supernatural abilities.
• Wonder what you aren’t telling them.

Physical Description

All kitsune possess multiple “true” forms. A form common to all kitsune is that of a multi-tailed fox, most frequently with features representative of normal foxes native to the area. Kitsune also possess at least one humanoid form, either that of an anthropomorphic fox called a hybrid form, or that of a common humanoid ancestry native to where the kitsune was raised called a tailless form. In both fox and hybrid form, a kitsune has at least two tails and as many as nine.

Society

Kitsune with tailless forms are rarely the majority in whatever communities they inhabit, and many go their whole lives without meeting another kitsune beyond their family. Their society, as much as it exists, centers primarily around the commonalities that kitsune find as they pass among other peoples. The same social perspective that helps them imitate others also makes them quick to notice signs that someone may need help or a kind word. Due to this, kitsune often form strong interpersonal relationships and tend to anchor their social circles.

The wild kitsune, those with a hybrid form, may form small communities which are exclusively composed on kitsune and are kept distant and secret from civilization. Kitsune from these communities rarely venture outside their territory unless they also possess a tailless form they can use to blend in.

When two kitsune do meet, they may find themselves exchanging light verbal repartee, enjoying the sport of trying to outwit each other. While it’s considered a grave offense to outright give away another kitsune’s shapechanging nature, kitsune relish surreptitiously forcing another to “break character,” shocking the other into disrupting their transformation through a well-placed comment.

Beliefs

Kitsune often have neutrality in their alignment from balancing their shapeshifting natures, though their instinct for stirring up trouble leads many to lean toward the mischievous. Some possess the ability to control or bend the will of others, but even among those that do, only the most malicious use these arts flippantly or selfishly. Most kitsune respect, but don’t necessarily worship, Deya, Feilona and Kairos, as each of these deities represent ideals which define kitsune culture. Those who live hidden among other ancestries may honestly adopt the prominent religion in the area or simply go through the motions in order to blend in.

Popular Edicts respect nature and the Wild, use cunning and trickery to improve the lives of others
Popular Anathema use a lie or other deception for personal gain, be needlessly cruel

Adventurers

Kitsune adventurers are a sight to behold, their cunning matched only by their playful charm. A kitsune might embark on a journey out of insatiable curiosity, seeking to unravel the world’s mysteries or witness tales spun into legend. Others are driven by a sense of responsibility, compelled to protect the delicate balance they cherish from those who would disrupt it. A kitsune with a mischievous streak might become an adventurer for the sheer thrill of it – the promise of grand deceptions, hidden treasures, and the chance to outwit even the cleverest foe. Some simply find the life of their clan too predictable, yearning to leave their mark on a wider world filled with endless possibilities.

Kitsune make excellent bards, druids, rogues and sorcerers.

Names

Kitsune often give their young names that evoke the beauty of the natural world, reflecting their deep connection to its wonders. These names often combine elements like water, wind, sky, or flora with evocative words to create a sense of poetic mystery.

Sample Names

Brightwater, Driftcloud, Frostpetal, Emberheart, Goldenleaf, Moonwillow, Nightsong, Rainshadow, Stillflower, Whisperwind

Ancestry Mechanics

Hit Points

8

Size

Medium

Speed

25 Feet

Ability Boosts

Charisma
Free

Languages

Common
Sylvan
Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it’s positive). Choose from Disirean, Estrali, Goblin, Dverga, Verdantic, and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).

Low-Light Vision

You can see in dim light as though it were bright light, and you ignore the concealed condition due to dim light.

Change Shape

As a kitsune, you gain the Change Shape ability.

You transform into a specific alternate form determined by where you were raised.

If you were raised secluded from other humanoid ancestries, in the wilderness or among a community of other kitsune, your alternate form is a hybrid form, an anthropomorphic fox with vulpine ears, pointed snouts, short, semi-retractable claws on their fingers and toes and dense countershaded fur. A hybrid form has the same number of tails as a kitsune’s fox form.

If you were raised near or within a settlement of other humanoids, or had extensive contact with other ancestries growing up, your alternate form is a tailless form, which appears as a common medium humanoid ancestry prevalent where you grew up (typically elf or human).

All of your forms are the same age and body type and have roughly analogous physical traits, such as hair color. Using Change Shape counts as creating a disguise for the Impersonate use of Deception. You lose any unarmed Strikes you gained from a kitsune heritage or ancestry feat in this form. You can remain in your alternate form indefinitely, and you can shift back to your fox form by using this action again.