Kitsune-bito (3.5e Race)

Personality

Kitsune-bito enjoy a good time as much as any one else. They love nothing more than a good, harmless practical joke. At times, they are known to be overly trusting of strangers, especially if that stranger is human. They cherish their tails so much that it is considered blasphemy to attach anything to a Kitsune's tail(s). If a character attempts such an act she looses all the benefits the tails grant until it has been removed and penance has been paid at a shrine for 1 day per tail the Kitsune Possesses.

Physical Description

A kitsune resembles a fox that stands on its hind legs, with humanoid arms. Kitsune-bito stand about 4½ feet tall to 5 ½ feet tall, and they weigh far less than humans do, due to their rather compact size. There is no clearly visible size distinction between a kitsune male and a kitsune female. The fur on a kitsune can be any shade of reddish-orange, pale-yellow, white, grey, or even silver. When a kitsune does something truly remarkable or notable, the kitsune grows an additional tail, which will then give it a +1 bonus on all Diplomacy and Gather Information, and all the tail bonuses stack. A kitsune with four or more tails is addressed by using the number of tails as a last name. For example, Iron-Claw Five-Tails. Rather than the normal snout of a fox, kitsune-bito’s face ends in a narrower version of a fox’s snout, with a more severe downward slope to it. A kitsune’s eyes are typically golden, with a rare few having blue eyes, and such individuals are considered to be touched by the spirits. A kitsune is considered an adult at age 20, and can live to be almost 200.

Relations

The kitsune-bito are an incredibly well-mannered, gracious and courteous race. They treat all except those whom they consider barbaric or crude (half-orcs and the vast majority of nezumi) with what most view as falling just short of royal treatment. And on most occasions, kitsune will even treat nezumi and half-orcs with respect. However, due to their playful nature, they often play harmless jokes on those closest to them.

Alignment

The kitsune-bito are an incredibly diverse race when it come to the outlook of the individual on structured society. The settlements and villages of kitsune-bito all have a Council of Elders and a Chieftain Elder who have the final say on matters. However, even the Chieftain Elder and Council of Elders are more likely to bend their own rules than abide by them. In addition, a great deal of kitsune are extremely militant. The kitsune are usually neutral on the lawful-chaotic axis, with a bend towards law. Kitsune are usually good.

Lands

Most kitsune-bito live in large settlements and/or villages of other kitsune in the center of densely forested areas, building their homes into the ground and trees. There are a many strongholds, citadels, and keeps of the kitsune-bito that border forest areas. There have even been reports and tales of great kitsune cities on the open grasslands.

Religion

The kitsune-bito do not venerate the same deities as the rest of the world. Instead, kitsune revere spirit deities known as kami. There is a kami spirit for virtually everything in our world.

Language

Kitsune-bito speak a language comprised of short, one to two syllable words that also incorporate subtle growls and clicks. The prayers of kitsune are almost legendary, and have been translated into every language and adapted for virtually every deity. There is no written kitsune language.

Names

Kitsune-bito take on a name after they have passed the Tests of Adulthood their Council of Elders have for their village. Before this, kitsune generally have no official name, but they have a collection of nick-names: the one that their parents use, one that their siblings use, one that their friends use, and one that their teachers use. The name of an adult kitsune usually is two words, the first being an adjective and the second usually being a body part. The only difference between male and female names is that female names usually have gem names or colors as the adjectives.

Example Kitsune Names: Golden-Tail, Iron-Claw, Pearl-Ear, Ruby-Snout, Sapphire-Eye, Sharp-Ear, Silver-Foot, Swift-Eye.

Racial Traits

• +4 to Dexterity, –4 to Constitution, +2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, and +2 to Charisma: Being descended from an ancient fox spirit gives the Kitsune-bito cunning and charm, along with an affinity for their surroundings . Their animalistic features grant them a certain nimbleness on their feet, at the price of hardiness.
• Monstrous Humanoid
• Medium Size: As medium creatures, Kitsune-bito no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Base land speed is 40 feet.
• Natural Weapons: The claws on a Kitsune-bito’s hands can deal 1d4 damage in an unarmed strike.
• Low-light Vision: A Kitsune-bito can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, or similar forms of poor illumination. Kitsune-bito retain the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
• Scent: A Kitsune-bito can detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell.
• Weapon Proficiency: Kitsune-bito receive the Martial Weapon Proficiency feats for the wakizashi (masterwork short sword) and the shortbow (including composite) as bonus feats. Kitsune-bito are also treat the jitte (pg 72 Oriental Adventures) and katana as Martial weapons.
• Additional Tails: As a Kitsune-bito grow more powerful, they begin to gain more tails to a maximum of nine. At birth they have one tail, and they gain another tail at level 3, level 5, level 7, level 9, level 11, level 13, level 15, and the final tail at level 17. The first tail you gain is always the Shifty Tail (Ex). Every additional time they gain a tail it grants them a new ability chosen from the list below. They cherish their tails so much that it is considered blasphemy to attach anything to a Kitsune's tail(s). If a character attempts such an act she looses all the benefits gained from the tails until it has been removed and penance has been paid at a shrine for 1 day per tail the Kitsune Possesses.

• Shifty Tail (Ex): Cast alter self 1/day. You can gain this tail multiple times, each time it grants you an additional usage.
• Sneaky Tail (Ex): Can become invisible 1/day as per the spell. You can gain this tail multiple times, each time it grants you an additional usage. Required Level 5.
• Changing Tail (Ex): Cast polymorph 1/week. You can gain this tail multiple times, each time it grants you an additional usage. Required Level 7.
• Charming Tail (Ex): Cast charm person 1/day. You can gain this tail multiple times, each time it grants an additional usage.
• Tricky Tail (Ex): +1 bluff for every tail you have. You can gain this tail multiple times.
• Lucky Reflex Tail (Ex): Gain 1 luck reroll per week. You can use luck rerolls to reroll a failed reflex saving throw. You cannot gain this tail multiple times.
• Lucky Fortitude Tail (Ex): Gain 1 luck reroll per week. You can use luck rerolls to reroll a failed fortitude saving throw. You cannot gain this tail multiple times.
• Lucky Will Tail (Ex): Gain 1 luck reroll per week. You can use luck rerolls to reroll a failed will saving throw. You cannot gain this tail multiple times.
• Persuasive Tail (Ex): +1 diplomacy for every tail you have. You can gain this tail multiple times.
• Stealthy Tail (Ex): +1 move silently for every tail you have. You can gain this tail multiple times.

• Automatic Languages: Common and Kitsune. Bonus Languages: Any.
• Favored Class: Any. When determining whether a multiclass Kitsune-bito takes an experience point penalty, his highest-level class does not count.
• Level Adjustment: +2

Vital Statistics

Table: Kitsune-bito Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
20 years	+1d6	+2d6	+3d6

Table: Kitsune-bito Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
62 years	93 years	125 years	+3d20 years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Kitsune-bito Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	4' 5"	+2d6	85 lb.	× (1d6) lb.
Female	4' 5"	+2d6	80 lb.	× (1d6) lb.

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