Kitsune

Origin

The first know place that kitsune appeared was in Indin. Their role as trickster are a part of Indian spirituality similar to Rakshasa. They came about in China and Japan around the 10th or 11th century.

Characteristics

Kitsune are mercurial creatures, from their moods, the way they treat humans, and even the abilities they possess. They are Tricksters with allegiance to no one. (With exception the myobou/inari kitsune). Kitsune are Amoral. Kitsune are akin to Eris and Loki. Female Kitsune are often seductresses. Kitsune have between 1 and 9 tails. They are almost always connected with elements or places. Kitsune are immortal and reach full maturity at age 75. Kitsune can be faithful guardians, friends, and lovers. Kitsune are mischievous. Kitsune can be self-absorbed and prideful. Many are seen as helpful. Kitsune are known for being enlightened, yet adventurous and energetic. It has been mentioned that they can have short attention spans and therefore get distracted. Both wild kitsune and nogitsune are often devious. Kitsune are and effeminate race. In fact the majority of them are said to female.

Abilities

Abilities commonly attributed to kitsune include but are not limited to possession, generating lighting or fire from their mouth and tails *this is called kitsunebi*, willful manifestations in dreams of others, flight, invisibility, and creation of illusions. Kitsune Have characteristics reminiscent of vampire or succubi and feed on the life or spirit of humans. This is often done through sexual contact. Kitsune have 3 forms, fox form, which does however portray the amount of tails they have. Youku, which is the humanoid form which retains some fox features. Then of course there is human form.

Lore

Kitsune are understood as either nature spirits or nature gods. However no one knows for sure. The distinction between each type of kitsune is in the method of witchery they used to possess or beguile humans. It is said that kitsune are notorious for seeing the weakness of others and aggravating it until others see it. To those whom are ‘immoral’ they tend to help make the person more immoral or to guide the person down the path of self-destruction. To those who are ‘moral’ they tend to be friend friendly and helpful. Though they will probably still pull pranks on them. Kitsune are known to show flaws in order to teach humility. Kitsune are not truly good or evil. Instead they pave the way of balance between the two. Each kitsune earns their tails differently. Whether it be age, goals achieved, or as a reward from another more powerful kitsune. Kitsune cannot receive or gain more than one tail until after they reach full maturity. The lady, is the mother of all kitsune and she is the only one with more than 9 tails. It’s said that there is also only one nine tailed fox at a time. Kitsune are born of one or two kitsune parents. However only the offspring of female kitsune gain the abilities in a human kitsune situation. In oriental societies human/kitsune cross breads are not looked down upon. Although rare a drifting kitsune soul can take over the fetus of an unborn child’s body. Unfortunately more often than not either the fetus or mother dies before it’s successful. When two kitsune marry they have a special ceremony called no yomeiri (a sun shower). To survive kitsune must be immersed in its element or drain chi from living beings. Kitsune can also drain the energy out of elements. When a kitsune does this for too long in one area, it can cause terrible destruction. Like killing a whole forest. Chi can be drained in many ways. With beings the two most common ways to do this are sexually or by stealing breath. Because of this kitsune have been seen as evil with intent to kill said being (mostly humans). Like many other beings knowing a kitsune’s true name can be harmful to them. This is why most kitsune have/ go by many names. Freedom is very important to kitsune. They do not accept being forced into things they do not wish. To do so is looked down upon by other kitsune. Kitsune though immortal can be killed: However the more tails one has the harder it is to do so. Kitsune are able to trade a tail for life. Kitsune are a victim of their own feelings. The sin of regret can outright kill them. They are also week to religion. Kitsune can shape shift into many forms. Like but not limited to rocks, water, and trees. It’s said that it is hard for them to hide their tails when shapeshifting into beings. It is also said that you can see a fox shaped shadow or reflection when they shapeshift. As stated Kitsune are tricksters but their motives vary from mischief to malevolence. Common goal of trickster foxes include seduction, theft of food, humiliation of the prideful or vengeance for a perceived slight. Kitsune will use gifts as rewards or payments. These include money or material wealth, part or all of the sum will usually actually be old paper, leaves, twigs or similar valued items. True kitsune gift are entangles such as protection, knowledge, or long life. Kitsune do not get into others affairs. To do so insinuates that the being could not handle their affairs. Even nogitsune find it rude. Abura-age thin slices of fried tofu with sweet soy sauce flavorings is known to be a kitsunes favorite food. To conclude this Kitsune are very mysterious and unique, No two are alike.

Types of Kitsune

Inari Foxes (Myobu) 

Often wear red scarfs, Jewels are also a common symbol of inari, and representations of sacred inari foxes without them are rare. Inari foxes are usually white. They are known for helping others. They are guardian kitsune. They are celestial foxes. Myobu are restricted from getting into mortal affairs, it is actually considered distasteful to do so unless requested to do so. Even by nogitsune. When a nogitsune starts harassing people near an inari shrine, the people can come to the shrine and request for inari to send aid. The myobu then track down the offending nogitsune and deal with it.

Nogitsune (Void/Dark Kitsune) 

are those who have no ties to Inari. They are tricksters, often malicious and mischievous. Even nogitsune find it rude to get into others matters. It insinuates that the other could not handle their own affairs. They are mischievous and sometimes even malevolent. They love to play tricks and disturb the peace.

Wild Kitsune (Low Kitsune) 

all other kitsune fall under this category. They often fall into the 13 basic elements found. Only two of those 13 are considered ‘bad”.

Elements

Wind (Kaze) 

Also known as Air or Kuko. Kuko are considered bad, due to the abundance and ease of access to the elements with which they control. With this study, they can create winds, cause tornadoes, and influence local weather patterns. This is also the element that manipulates ice and snow.

Spirit (Seishin) 

Kiko or Koryo, another or the “bad” kitsune, also called ghost foxes or demon foxes, this is the manipulation of the spirit world, demons, and other creatures. Magic of this nature does not work on mortals well, since mortals have SOULS, not spirits. As such, kitsune have to wait for someone to die, before this sort of magic will effect someone well. With this, a kitsune can bind, summon, banish, ward or trap a spirit.

Earth (Chikyu) 

They can manipulate rocks, transmute minerals and physical objects, and build things out of the world around them.

Fire (Kasai) 

They can create, control and manipulate fire in all manner of ways, and cook meals.

River (Kawa) 

This is a life-giving power. They can create water, or control the creatures that live in water. They can heal others with this element, and bring life to things around them.

Heaven (Tengoku) 

This is the power of magic, and the heavens. With this, a mage can teleport, call upon creatures of magic, and throw meteors at targets. This allows a kitsune to do most other magic’s at a reduced effect.

Thunder (Sanda) 

The cousin to Wind, a mage can throw lightning, cause storms, and create shields of energy. (Hey, in the future, this becomes quite powerful... control machines, net-run without a computer.

Mountain (Yama) 

Cousin to stone, this element allows for the control of the mountains, and those that live in it. With this, kitsune can cause earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides

Void (Kukan) 

This is the magic of the void. With this magic, kitsune can cause blights, drain life, summon creatures of darkness, slip into shadows to vanish, and drain the light from areas. Note: Kitsune do not consider this study 'evil', and about 1/4 or so of the kitsune race are Dark Kitsune.

Time (Ikan) 

This does *not* allow for time travel... now that that is out of the way, this *does* allow kitsune to speed up and slow down time, age or young targets and objects, and to *predict* future events. This is the perception and manipulation of time, not the mastery of reality...

Forest (Mori) 

This allows for the control and manipulation of wood, trees, and creatures of the forest. Those who study this element are almost druidic in their ability to survive and blend in with the woods, and can find herbs and roots to work salves with.

Ocean (Umi) 

This is a cousin to River, but to a larger scale. This is where kitsune cause very strong storms, flooding, and tsunamis. This is how mages conjure creatures from the depths.

Music (Ongaku) 

This is the control of sound and music. With this, kitsune can sing effects that are very similar to spells. This can control others through entrancement, ward off creatures of a supernatural nature, and control the moral of others. Think of banshees, bards, and shamans.

Known Kitsunes

• Knives
• Nanashi
• Stormi
• Fade
• Vixen
• Mitzunare