Kitsune (3rd Variant) (5e Race)

Physical Description

Kitsune are a race of fey descendant magical foxes with an unusual power. Fur colors take on a wide range of colors, from natural colors such as red, white, black, and brown to more magical, often darker blues, greens, yellows, and oranges. Markings on their belly, muzzle, legs/feet, and tips of tails accent their main fur color, commonly a brighter version. A Kitsune’s birth environment and variant type can hold sway to the color their fur takes on.

A Kitsune may also assume a humanoid appearance, often doing so when interacting with other humanoid races. Kitsune of any age often have trouble hiding their tails and ears, opting to leave them visible as a marker of their race.

Hair color tends to matches their fur color, thickening during the winter months and thinning during the summer.

Eyes cover a large range of colors but commonly match the accent color of their fur.

History

The Kitsune are a long, fulfilled race of beings that once lived in the Feywilds, villages being found between the kingdoms of the archfeys. Often built around the forest they so deeply cherished, the story and legends of the Kitsune people are written into the ever aging trees themselves. with each passing generation the trees grow taller and so that generations story can begin. This is not to say that their history is not written in books, when one of the sacred story trees falls, the elder of the village is tasked to use the wood to create new books for the story of their people to be recorded in.

Long ago a group of Kitsune sought out the material plane, both to explore and call a new home. Coming to be known as tricksters and adventurers, Kitsune as are prone to be drawn to towns and cities. Anywhere they can learn from travelers and adventures and scratch that trick loving itch. Material plane villages do exist! Deep in forests hidden in the trees and underbrush, these settlements will not be found easily if the residence do not wish to be seen. Those that earn the trust of the local foxes will find themselves in a world of long standing culture and tradition and friends for life.

Being a race originally from the Feywilds, Kitsune are sometimes sought out by evil individuals, their tails filled with power, making for excellent components to spells and potions.

Kitsune Names

A Kitsune will have at least two names at any time. The first is their true name and can be used to command the kitsune to do anything. Willing to giving over their true name is a symbol of absolute trust. Their second name is a poetic or literal name that describes one of their traits, professions, or simply a cultural name that the kitsune found amusing. Although it's not unheard of to change their name, they tend to keep the first name they choose.

Male: Han, Hiroto, Kirote, Mare, Renar, Kit, Sunny

Female: Fenro, Kimone, Rain, Sinatsu, Renar, Kit, Sunny

Kitsune Traits

Kitsune are anthropomorphic tricksters foxes originating from the Feywild and wield minor magical abilities.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma increases by 2.
Age. Kitsune reach adulthood after living for 20 years. The typical human lives to be about 100, but a kitsune lives another 100 years for every tail they possess, a maximum of 1000 years. After becoming enlightened, Kitsune are effectively immortal.
Alignment. As kitsune are natural tricksters, they tend towards gentler forms of chaos. Zenko's tend to the lawful.
Size. A kitsune is usually between 4’11" and 6 feet. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Darkvision. 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. Much like the foxes they resemble, kitsunes have heightened senses. You are proficient in the Perception skill.
Fox Tails. You are born with 1 of your potentially 9 tails and they are an extension of you. The Kitsune's tail is a highly magical part of their body. You can perform the somatic gestures for spells with your tails. If a spell requires a somatic component, the kitsune must have free use of their tails or at least one hand to perform the gestures. Every 3 levels you gain another tail up to level 12, after which every two levels you gain another tail. A kitsune's tails are a symbol of growth and realization for themselves and reflects how powerful they are.

• Tail by level: lvl 1 = 1, lvl 3 = 2, lvl 6 = 3, lvl 9 = 4, lvl 12 = 5, lvl 14 = 6, lvl 16 = 7, lvl 18 = 8, lvl 20 = 9.

Kitsune can cause all of their tails to vanish when in humanoid form, and all but one in True Form.

Furthermore the tails can be cut off / removed due to injury. Losing your tails reduces the amount of times you can use abilities associated with your tails, but not your aging. They can be regrown via the regenerate spell, or if you bath in an untainted lake under the full moon.

As all kitsunes are beings of charm and allure, your tails give you an added benefit of being resistant to charm. Without any tails, you lose this feature as well. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed.
Fox Spirit. You may, as if per the polymorph spell, turn into a fox. The fox uses the statistics of a jackal. You may shift back and forth into this form as a bonus action.
Illusion Sensitivity. Illusions are your lifeblood. You have played with them since you were a child. You have advantage on Wisdom(Perception) checks when attempting to see through the illusion.
Languages. You can read and write both Common and Sylvan.
Subrace. Kitsune's individual powers come from your origin. Choose between Zenko or Yako.

Zenko

The most are kind and helpful, seeking for knowlodge or spreading the word of their gods. These kitsune tend to have the lighter fur colors.

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom or Intelligence score increases by 1.
Knowlodge of The Ancients. Zenkos are tends to religious paths and are more natural blessed. At 1st level you learn the sacred flame cantrip and also you can cast calm emotions a number of times equal to your tails. You regain all uses after a long rest
Sentinel. Your nature is precautious and ready for everything. You gain proficiency in the Insight and Acrobatics checks.

Yako

They are known as 'evil-sunes' or 'dangerous foxes' due to the most tends to chaotics alignments. These kitsune tend to have the darker fur colors.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity or Strength score increases by 1.
Passionate Gaze. Your eyes almost sparkle as you look towards people drawing them in to believe what you say. You gain Proficiency in the Persuasion and Deception skills.
Soul's Flame. Your soul is entwined with Fire in both aggressive and charming ways. You gain the ability to cast produce flame as a cantrip. You also can cast charm person a number of times equal to your tails. You regain all uses after a long rest.

---

Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Races