Kitsune Lore, as gathered by Foxtrot, v 2.0
By Foxtrot
The kitsune race is one filled with myth and contradictions. While I don't
claim to be an expert on it, I have been studying the race itself, and its
place in Japanese, Chinese, and Indian mythology. This thesis is an aid to
those who wish to know about the kitsune, or who wish to play one in some
RPG's. The thesis is far from complete, and I will be adding information
as I learn of it, and am at least reasonably sure of its veracity.
To explain some things: This information, for the most part, has been
gathered by debate and interview with sources from various chat areas,
discussions on the net, and through books that I have been able to come
across. The biggest source if information, so far, is from the following:
Kitsune: Japan's Fox of Mystery, Romance, and Humour
-by Kiyoshi Nozaki
This book is *filled* with legends of the kitsune. It
doesn't present any hard evidence, but it shows many of the
innate abilities of the kitsune, shows kitsune pranks in
action, and does mention the kitsune's ties to the 13
elements. Note that this book was written after three years
of extensive research. It is by no means complete.
FoxKnight (Ben Ludwig) A friend on alt.horror.werewolves
Probably the person I have spoken to the most on
kitsune, FoxKnight and I have discussed, debated, and
bandered around information on the kitsune, it's place in
the Orient's culture, and the abilities, the theological and
cultural significance, and the spiritual placement of the
kitsune. These discussions have always been enlightening,
and he will be giving more information that I will most
likely find very useful for placing in this section.
Anthony Kitsune from FurryMUCK
Anthony has done an amazing effort in collecting
information on not only the kitsune, but on the fox's role
in cultures in the West as well. Unfortunately for me, I am
biased to attempt to keep my data limited to the kitsune,
and the East, but I do suggest that others contact him if
they wish another point of view on the kitsune, and the fox.
Kij Johnson Author of the short story 'Fox Magic'
This was a wonderful short story, showing how things
could have looked from a kitsune's point of view. She has,
from what I heard, written an actual novel now that follows
in the footsteps of this short story, but I've yet to read
it.
I will admit that some information listed here is hypothesis only. I have
tried to keep to the facts that have been gathered or found, but for ease
of understanding, speculation must be used for those who are curious about
details. Most speculation has been discussed, debated, reformed, and
changed as I have learned more of the oriental way of life, and their
beliefs and culture.
Without that, this document would be next to useless.
After much consideration I have also decided, to a limited extent, to add
'game mechanics' out of this document, except where it may be essential,
and stick to the lore and to information that is good for RP format.
Where an -> is listed, I'm using 'game mechanics'. This is where I've added
information that isn't really listed anywhere, but is extrapolated and
considered after much reading and consideration. There's no real, solid
evidence on this specific information, because simply there couldn't be any.
NOTE: In most legends, the number of tails that a kitsune has is not
mentioned. This usually does not mean much, as most kitsune, in mortal
forms, do not show off their tails. (Simply because of possession,
illusion, whatever) The usual exception is for nine-tails, which are given
special attention to. If you see a legend about kitsune, tails do not come
into play often.
Also note: In legends, the word 'fox' and 'kitsune' are interchangable. For
the most part here, when the word 'fox' is used, it is referring to the
fox-spirit, unless obviously shown otherwise.
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What is the kitsune?
To start with, I'll take an excerpt from 'Kitsune', the book listed above.
'Kitsune is an animal supposed to be mysterious,
fascinating, and mischevious. And he is believed to be very
grateful for the kindness done to him, as seen in many
tales, and is also affectionate as revealed in some dramas.
He is enshrined as a god because of his supernatural power.
He is endowed with the subtle art of metamorphosis, and he
is able to bewitch men in the guise of a charming girl. An
exceedingly interesting and entertaining beast Kitsune is.'
(preface, page vii)
The Author also mentions that the kitsune, and it's idea, was introduced
from China and Korea, and went through an amazing metamorphosis once
introduced to the Japanese culture.
The word Kitsune comes from two syllables: kitsu, and ne.
Kitsue is the sound made when a fox yelps, in Japan, and ne is a word
signifying an affectionate feeling. In the ancient times, the word kitsu
meant 'fox', as well.
According to data I have collected, the kitsune that is most often
considered is the fox-spirit, also known as the Hu-Ching in China. For the
most part, I will be stepping back from the 'mortal fox with powers' aspect
of the kitsune, as that is often what the kitsune is considered at first
glance, and dig a little deeper at the roots of the entity discussed here.
LifeSpan
The kitsune are ageless, being spirits, but are not immortal. Kitsune
manifest, and can live a lifespan of 900 years, before they are likely to
leave/die, and return to the spirit world.
Kitsune older than 900 years old are rare, as the amount of essence to fuel
their existance on the physical plane would be extreme, and they would be
doing more harm than good.
The 13 Races of Kitsune
Chinese mystecism, and I believe Japanese mysticism as well, have 13 low
elements. The spirits of the orient were aligned to these elements. The
Tengu, as I've read so far, are aligned with Heaven, Mountain, and Wind
(and possibly more). The Tanuki are aligned with Forest, though I could
easily believe there's more to them than just this.
The kitsune are an aspect of the elements, meaning that they have ties and
abilities from each of these. This, incidentally, places them in the same
catagory as Dragons, but on a much, much smaller scale. (For more on
Dragons, see 'enemies'.
The elements are broken down into 13 catagories, and the kitsune are
divided into each type. (I call them Clans, but that's just me. Though
perhaps Dynasties or Houses might be more appropiate) The elements are:
Wind, Earth, Fire, River, Heaven, Thunder, Mountain, Void, Spirit, Time,
Forest, Ocean, and Music.
In the book 'Kitsune', the word Heaven is replaced with Celestial, and Void
is replaced with Dark. From what I've seen, this makes little difference.
Each kitsune has it's own strengths, based on the element that it is
aligned to. The element reflects where the kitsune's powers originate, and
what affinities it has in the elements.
For example, a Fire Kitsune would be unaffected by fire, could easily feed
from the element of fire to strengthen itself, and would use fox-fire with
ease. A kitsune of water would not use fire too well, but would be a
natural healer, and would thrive near or in water.
The most common kitsune are the Celestial kitsune, who follow Inari, then
the Wild kitsune, then the Dark kitsune.
Celestial kitsune are also called 'High Kitsune'.
Kitsune and Inari
The Inari shrine is one of the most popular temples in Japan. It is also
almost synonymous in the minds of the Japanese, with kitsune.
The symbol of the shrine, a red torii (a symbolic entrance), with the image
of two white foxes (the messangers of Inari), were found in almost every
town, village, private house, geisha house, and garden in Japan.
Inari is the god of Rice. The suffix 'ri' is used in many religious words,
and was used with the word ine (rice crop), to show the respect and
reverence that the Japanese had for the god.
To quote Kitsune (page 12)
'Some people think that the white foxes, the guardians and messengers of
the shrine, are identical with the diety Inari...'
This is not so, because..
'...the god of foxes [The Lady] has never been deified in the Inari shrine
as the object of worship, though there is a tributary shrine dedicated
exclusively to the sacred white foxes in the precinctsof the shrine...'
Another name for the white foxes of the Inari shrine is 'myobu'. Myobu is a
court-rank for ladies. The Inari shrine was supposed to have a rank in
court, (I am guessing this is where the honor-caste system of Japan would
have applied), but the foxes of the Inari shrine did not. There is a legend,
however, where a woman named Shin-no-myobu said that her luck was granted
by the foxes of Inari, and so the name Myobu was granted to them.
Another thing to note, is that the first male kitsune served the Upper
Temple, while the first female kitsune served the Lower Temple of the Inari
shrine. Their five children also served the shrine, but were not given any
roles that I have been able to determine. They did, however, each swear ten
oaths to the Shrine.
Celestial kitsune, as far as I can determine, are usually white. This is
not a hard and fast law, mind you, since I've seen exceptions. It is also
said that nine-tailed kitsune also become white, so perhaps the two kitsune
in the mark of the shrine are 'nine-tailed'.
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-> Speculation for Roleplaying Purposes Only ->
For each shrine, a male kitsune will swear fealty to the High Temple, and a
female kitsune will swear fealty to the Low Temple. These two kitsune are
the Temple Guardians. Any other kitsune who work for the shrine will swear
ten oaths to the shrine. (I'm willing to believe that the ten oaths are the
code of Bushido.) As with their forefathers, the Male Guardian would be
named Osusuki, and the Female Guardian would be called Akomachi.
These oaths allow the kitsune to gain access and live in the Inari shrine.
This also makes them do what Celestial kitsune do... they aid and comply to
the wishes of the people around the shrine, and who follow the Inari faith.
A kitsune who has not sworm fealty to the Inari shrine is called a
Nogitsune, or Wild Fox. Also note that Guardian kitsune have nothing to do
with the pranks and mischief that other kitsune are known for.
In fact, one of the roles of the Guardian kitsune is to chastice or purge
nogitsune who are causing problems in their domain.
Side note: The kitsune were so respected that in the No plays, where all
actors wear masks, forcing them to use their bodies to tell the play,
*nobody* wears masks when the play involves kitsune.
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Kistune Manifestation
The kitsune, physically, is a spirit. The Orient was filled with spirits,
in legends. The water had spirit, the forest had spirit, the mountains,
the wind, the fire. Everything had spirits of one manner or other. These
spirits were called Kami.
Animals also had their spiritual counterparts. Some of the more commonly
known ones were the Kitsune and the Tanuki. There is also the Tengu, but
this is not part of the document, as from what I've read, they have a
background and diversity to make their own thesis.
To manifest, the kitsune has a number of options. The most draining - and
direct means - is to simply appear in the physical world. This is, from
what I understand of the orient, disruptive of nature, and usually has bad
side-effects.
-> A kitsune who simply just manifests loses their innate essence faster,
meaning they must feed more often, or suffer weakness. This feeding,
depending on the strength of the kitsune, will usually mean blight on the
region around them. Though the weaker the kitsune, then less effect this
will have.
When a kitsune manifests, it has a number of choices. It can appear as a
kitsu (fox), a fox-headed person, or as a normal person of very great
attractiveness. In any case, the number of tails that the kitsune has will
be obvious, unless the kitsune takes great pains to hide them, which is
also very draining.
Note however, they can shapeshift at will.
The second option is to possess either a fox or a person.
Fox-possession, detailed later, was the most common means of kitsune
manifestation.
-> A kitsune possessing someone had to overcome their will.
Usually, the process appeared similiar to insanity, while the kitsune fed
off the person's willpower. Taking a sleeping person, however, usually was
a lot quicker, since the kitsune could invade the dreams, and take its time
to sap the will of the target. Possession is not a shared thing. Once done,
the kitsune controls the body, and once they have left, their host will not
remember the experience.
Kitsune possession was usually not long-term, unless the kitsune truly had
a reason to stick around. Possession was usually broken by a blessing or
exorcism done by someone of the Shinto or Buddhist faiths, or if someone
called in a Guardian kitsune to deal with the matter. Also note that unless
the kitsune is very powerful, shape-shifting was limited to foxform,
fox-person form, and the form of the person they're possessing.
The third option was to possess a child or a fox, either very young, or
unborn. This method was the least taxing on the kitsune, and resulted in
a hybrid of the kitsune and the person/fox possessed. If possessing a
child/fox, the full possession takes longer, but if pre-born, it's instant.
-> For simplicity's sake, I call this the 'avatar' method.
This is easily the least taxing of the methods for a kitsune to show up.
This also, incidentally, gives a kitsune a long-term physical body.
The kitsune who uses this method has no extra tails visible, and has to
eat, drink, sleep, breath, and suffer the full range of mortal life, all
900 years of it. They also bleed, and can possibly get sick. A kitsune
using this method can transform into a fox-form/human-form, and with
development, possibly other forms as well. As an additional note, a kitsune
who has an avatar can not be simply banished or exorcized.
-> One common thing, however, is that a kitsune, once here, can become
enraputed with the full range of sensations that they experience in their
physical form. This tends to turn kitsune into hedonists, willing to
experience new forms of pleasure and pain. Older kitsune, who have lived
in the physical world for a long time, may become more jaded, however.
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Kitsune Feeding
Another aspect of spirits, is that to be able to manifest and survive on a
physical level, they require sustenance. The Gaaki, for example, feed off
of many different things, depending on the type of gaaki you come across.
Some feed off of scents, some off of blood, some from pain, others from
tears, and the more dangerous type feed from souls. Kami usually require
small gifts, and prayers to sate them, or they would become hostile and
dangerous. These gifts, and the worship, 'fed' the kami.
The kitsune, on the other hand, feed from the essence of the land, it's
elements, and it's people. They are vampires, in a sense, and require
essence to sustain themselves.
-> A kitsune who has an avatar does not feed quite like other kitsune.
Instead, as long as they do not tap into the abilites they posses, they
will function more or less as normal for a human or fox. Use of their
abilites will weaken them, but if given the chance to relax, they will
recover on their own.
-> A kitsune who has possessed someone still has to feed, if they wish to
keep the body for long periods of time. Feeding for the most part will be
in the same manner as the kitsune who simply wishes to manifest. The
kitsune, however, is simply capable of draining the host they are in.
-> A kitsune who's manifested has to feed the most often. The amount of
energy that is used to stay material can be quite extreme.
To keep manifested, and to keep the use of it's ablities, the kitsune much
draw off the energy around them. This chi, or essence, is found in the
elements, fire, forest, wind, and others.
Like the Cats of China, kitsune are also capable of feeding off of
knowledge. With this, the kitsune is also capable of learning and
developing their abilities, and could possibly grow more quickly. It was
the myth that unless a person cut the tail off of a Cat, the tail would
grow, and the cat would learn, until eventually it could transform into a
human.
The other source that kitsune can feed from is the soul.
The soul has a mystical quality to it, making it the strongest source of
essence found. It is the source of inspiration and power for mortals, and
it is also a source of energy that can grow and heal. To a kitsune, this
is a resource far greater than any other.
To feed from a person or animal, the kitsune must first touch the target.
Once the kitsune has fed for the first time, this is no longer required,
as the kitsune is capable of maintaining a link with the target, and will
constantly drain the target from then on. This 'drain' can be large or
small, depending on the needs and desires of the kitsune, and can be so
minute as to not cause harm.
The soul, however is a reluctant source of nuirishent. For a kitsune to
actually benefit, the target should be willing.
Once feeding has begun, the experience become pleasant, and the more that
is taken, the more pleasure both the kitsune, and the target, will feel.
Unrestrained feeding continues this pleasant sensation, until it becomes a
searing sensation in the target, beyond their capabilities to handle. Even
after feeding, it requires being treated with soba (a balm made of
buckwheat) to remedy this.
(As a side note, I don't know if soba is drank, or if it is applied where
the kitsune focused their feeding. To this day, I have had no clue.)
The more willing the victim is to being fed from, the less harm they will
suffer from being drained, and the more the kitsune will receive from the
target. A kitsune's willing lover is much safer than a resisting victim,
and the kitsune will benefit more from a lover. It is a good guess that
this is why kitsune are more willing to seduce others than to simply take
what they wish, even if it is for reasons of trickery.
A case where a kitsune has taken from someone not willing has been listed,
though this was done because a certain lord had been trying to have an
affair with his maid, but couldn't because of a jealous wife. The kitsune,
instead, transformed into the lord, met the maid, and fed from her in the
samurai's stead.
It is also mentioned that when a Nogitsune does feed, they will tell their
partner what is needed to alleviate the pain, as a recompense for the
service the victim had provided.
This tale, and the treatment, is listed in 'Kitsune', page 167-8 (the
treatment was listed as 'decocted buckwheat', but I've since learned, from
a book called 'Kwaiden', that this mixture is called soba, and was usually
peddled at the side of many roads as a remedy.)
Kitsune are capable of not feeding during intimacy, though there is still
some side effect from doing so. Kitsune should always be careful.
Kitsune can also feed from the elements, or from knowledge.
The side effect if a kitsune feeding is by the essence of the element being
removed from whatever it is feeding from. The after-effect is an ash.
As a note: the after-effect is mostly speculation, from what has been heard
in other legends regarding spirits. The presence of a spirit often left a
residue behind, similar to ash, though of a consistance unidentifiable. In
fact, this residue still appears in the orient today.
Living things that are fed from, over time, begin to wither, in a manner
similar to aging. It isn't aging par-se, but the person or animal becomes
weak, pale, and sickly, as their essence fades.
This usually will not happen to people in just one feeding, but there are
many examples of nine-tails who take human lovers, who waste away to death
over time.
Kitsune can also draw on the by-products of their elements.
A kitsune could drain the wood from a fireplace, along with the fire. They
can drain from the stones of a home. They could feed from the music of a
singer, or the knowledge written in a book.
Whatever they draw from does not have to be destroyed, though it will most
certainly be weakened by the experience.
-> From what I can guess, kitsune are more adept at feeding from their own
element than from outside it, and most adept at feeding from people. This
is a rundown, based on the elements.
Wind - Feeding from the wind would leave stale, unhealthy
air. This would be hard to breath, and would be sort of a
'pocket', remaining in an area until a stronger, fresh wind
could disappate it. Think of more of a 'dead zone' in the
spirit world, that needed to be swept away. This would tie
in well with the legend of Tamamo-no-Mae, where when she
transformed into a stone, anything that approached her died
or withered.
Earth - Feeding from the earth would allow kitsune to draw
from the stones, and from the soil. This would more than
likely kill most crops, as the land becomes cracked and
blighted.
Fire - Feeding from fire would snuff the flames. As part of
RP, I've envisioned the flames cirling towards the kitsune
as it draws on the fire, the flames leaving the source of
their creation, and vanishing into the kitsune. Note that
most kitsune create fox-fire, so this most likely would be a
common form of feeding.
Ocean - The kitsune could draw nuirishment from the oceans,
the waves, and from the sea creatures found there. This
would leave behind still, flat water, with no wind or
sealife to be found in the vicinity.
River - The river kitsune would feed from the riverside and
brook, leaving tainted water, dead fish, and possibly a dry
riverbed at the most extreme.
Forest - These kitsune would wither trees, feeding from the
wood and the plants around them. Animals in the vicinity
would weaken.
Time - Time kitsune would feed on the lifespan of the things
around them, aging them at an unnatural rate. Time might
seem to slow around them as they feed, making tasks seem
longer and harder than expected.
Void - These kitsune could feed from the marshes and swamps,
leaving stagnant, poisoned waters and dead creatures. They
could also feed from the shadows around them, stealing the
shadow of people, or making the darkness seem more bleak.
Heaven - These kitsune feed from the essence of magic and the
heavens. This includes drawing from sorcerers if they can,
or ley lines, or the Temple. They would also feed from
knowledge, like books or from stories told. This would make
the books harder to read or remove the words, or could cause
a person to forget what had been said, or what they were
saying. (And this does seem to be a trick some kitsune do..)
These kitsune would also feed from starlight, or if
bold enough, from the warmth of the sun. These kitsune are
more adept at feeding 'outside their element' than other
kitsune are, and could take from other areas without less
hassle. (Heaven is the 'Prime' element)
Mountain - These kitsune can feed from rocks and stones and
precious metals and gems. Such things would crumble or
become fragile after. The mountain ranges and hills the
kitsune fed from could transform into barren wastelands and
jagged rocks.
Thunder - These kitsune feed from the storms and harsh weather
around them. This quells the storm eventually, after
producing a stale, lifeless rain. (As a further
speculation, these kitsune could theoretically live on
electricity, later. ;)
Spirit - These kitsune feed on other spirits, hunting them and
devouring them. They would leave weak, lifeless spirits in
their wake, if anything at all. These are also the ones
most likely to harm people they fed from.
Music - The kitsune can feed from music, poetry, and the
feelings connected to this. It can leave a musician without
inspiration or skill, or leave the music lifeless and dull.
These examples are at varying shades of extreme. A kitsune doesn't *have*
to take away all the essence of its feeding ground. A younger kitsune most
certainly doesn't need to strip the essence out of everything it comes
across, though an older kitsune most certianly will, to maintain themselves.
-> As a side note, kitsune, with the correct understanding, could also
drain the essence from magic, enchantments, and places of power. Celestial
kitsune (Heaven) are most likely to do this, as this is their 'element'.
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Kitsune Names
Kitsune are spirits, and spirits have names. A kitsune's name is it's mark
on the land, and it's heritage. Many kitsune are listed in legend by their
names.
Any kitsune with 'ri' as a suffix is more than likely a celestial kitsune.
Common 'holy' words are as such.
Ikari - Anger of god
Okori - Origin (also means 'power of Mother Nature') Hikari - Holy Light
Akari - Light of god, Power of god Inori - Prayer
Mamori - Protection
Minori - Crops
The above words are all good names for a Celestial kitsune, or Guardian
Kitsune.
Kuzu-no-ha (Arrowroot-leaf) was a kitsune in a 5-part play of the same
name. She fled her family when her son learned of her true nature. Her
son, once he had tracker her down, was rewarded with the ability to speak
with all creatures.
Tamamo-no-mae, also went by the name Hua-yang. She was a nine-tailed
kitsune, and was responsible for the destruction of the king Pan-Tsu, in
India, and has over a thousand innocent people killed by him.
-> Side note: Kitsune, overall, are not seen as good or evil. They are
truly amoral. The deaths done are not by Hua- yang, but by the emperor,
trying to please her. More than likely, their deaths also fed her, since
she's a nine-tail, and were part of the reason the emporer, and his
kingdom, fell. (To a nine-tail, destroying a kingdom because of a poor
ruler would be considered a good thing, in the very long run. Remember,
kitsune live to be 900+, they have to see things in the long view.)
Later, Hua-yang fled to China, calling herself Pau-ssu. She joins the harem
of Yu, king of the Chou dynasty. She eventually becomes his queen, and just
to see her smile, Yu goes through unspeakable acts of cruelty. Under her
guidance, the Chou dynasty falls.
Pau-ssu eventually fades/dies, only to be reborn in Japan, calling herself
Tamamo-no-Mae. She joins the emperor's court, and the deaths continue. When
she is discovered, she takes her true form, a golden kitsune with nine tails.
-> As an amazing coincidence, she is discovered by Abe- Yasuchika, a
decendant of Abe-Seimei, who was the son of Kuzu-no- ha, the kitsune listed
earlier. ;) Kuzu-no-ha was more than likely a Guardian kitsune, and her
child, of course, would be the Guardian of the emperor, as would his
decendants.
She flees after she is discovered, and transforms into a large rock in the
moor of Nasuno. In this form, she kills anything that approaches. Birds,
people, and plants wither and die around her. It takes a priest with a
magic hammer to kill her.
-> For purposes of understanding, kitsune exploit the weaknesses seen in
others. This is a natural side effect of being spirits, being amoral, and
needing to sustain themselves.
Tamamo-no-Mae was a nogitsune. Abe-Yasuchika was a Guardian kitsune. Since
he was protecting the emperor, it was his place to see that she was exposed
and driven out. Even kitsune have politics. ;)
Genkuro is a kitsune, who's parents were 1000 years old (!), and were
hunted to form a magical drum (called a tsuzumi), and were used to seduce
the God of rain into producing rain at the sound of it. It is through a
play about Genkuro that it is learned that kitsune are feminine in nature.
Koan (buddhist priest) was a kitsune, who would wander around, telling
others he was a Buddhist Priest. He would be invited into homes, were he
would tell sermons, and be treated as a proper guest. When he wrote his
name for others, he would write his name, age, signature, and seal, along
with the character of LONGEVITY.
Jingoro (enshrined) was recored as possessing someone when he thought the
man was going to try to kill him. The man, to escape possession and not
come to harm, had a shrine built to Jingoro, calling it Jingoro-Inari.
Gengoro (express messenger) was a kitsune known for having the strength,
speed, and vitality of three people, and was known to do farmwork, and send
messenges for the people he protected.
He was later killed by a wild dog.
Genkuro (hair-cutter) was a kitsune who made a habit of tracking down women
in Tokyo (then called Edo), and cutting off their hair and breaking pans.
Hakuzo (learned) took the form of a Buddhist scholar, and would talk and
answer religious dialogues in the temples. He was seen as very wise, and
very scholarly. When he was discovered to be kitsune, he vanished, but
would later be seen hanging around outside the temple, preaching the
doctrine of Buddha in the dark.
Later, the temple was renamed Hakuzo Inari.
Kojoro (little maid) was the mate of Gengoro, and appeared to be a young
maid of around 12 to 14. She would do duties for the temple she lived in,
and seemed to be quite popular among the children of the region. She
vanished after four years.
As is seen, kitsune do not use their real names when among mortals. The
true name of a kitsune can be used to bind the kitsune, banish it, or work
spirit magic on it. For the most part, the kitsune will take a name
appropiate to the task at hand, or as a joke.
Kitsune are spirits, and can be controlled or manipulated as such, though
the stronger the kitsune, the more dangerous it is to try this without
their name.
-> A kitsune, who is attacked with magic, and who's true name is used
against them, loses their innate resistance to the magic.
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Kitsune Tails and Ranks
Kitsune are most often recognized by the fact they have more than one tail.
This does not have to be the case, however, as kitsune who have possessed
someone, or who have taken an avatar, do not necessarily show their tails.
Be that as it may, a kitsune gains power and stronger magics as it ages.
The kitsune gains a tail once every hundred years, until they become a
nine-tail. At this time, most kitsune turn silver, though there are
exceptions.
Another way a kitsune can gain their tail, is by being rewarded by another
kitsune. When one kitsune has done a service, or aided an older kitsune, it
is possible to gain a tail for their efforts. This is, of course, not to be
expected, and is not usually asked for.
Some kitsune, though, become apprentices to other kitsune, learning from
them, and eventually being called to do some form of quest or service (or
two, or three). When the teacher is satisfied, he may grant a tail for
these services. The more tails a kitsune has, the more tasks and longer the
tenureship will be.
-> As a note, if a kitsune is to gain tails early, for some reason, the
length of tenure should be one to two months for every tail the kitsune
already has. (Or even longer)
The number of tasks, or the severity of them, could also depend on the
number of tails the kitsune already possesses.
Most tasks are dependant on the type of kitsune who is teaching.
A Guardian kitsune might request the student see a shrine built, or track
down and scold a wayward nogitsune.
The easiest way to know how strong a kitsune is, is to look at their tails.
This is not always true, mind you, as it also depends on the manner in
which the kitsune has appeared.
Kitsune, as they age, can become quite powerful. A kitsune's strength of
magic depends on the number of tails it has.
-> There is no real way to calculate how strong a kitsune is.
It isn't like there is any solid record of kitsune, and how strong they
could be. A good idea, however, is that a two-tail is twice as strong as a
one-tail, a three tail is twice that of a two-tail, a four tail is twice as
strong as a three tail...etc.
It may seem scarey, but consider.. a nine-tail required *thousands* of
deaths to fuel herself. She was capable of destroying anything that came
near her, even weakened.
This is different from my original idea of kitsune strength, after giving
it much thought. Partially for balance, and partially because I missed a
lot of other details. Kitsune, being vampiric, can potentially draw on *
hug* amounts of energy, and don't need to necessarily weaken themselves to
do their magics.
Based on how the kitsune is in the material plane, they need to draw on
resources for sustaining themselved at different rates. A kitsune who
cheats reality, and just *is*, needs to feed more often than a kitsune
possessing someone, who needs to feed less than a kitsune who's taken an
avatar.
-> To put it simple, lets use a point-based system, just to make things
clear. The numbers are scetchy, mind you.
For note: Chi is the strength of the soul. The soul recovers from harm on
it's own accord. ( This is, obviously, all speculation, but it's something
to go by for purposes of using kitsune in an RP environment, and helps
explain some of what happens and why, with kitsune.) Kitsune need to feed
depending on the number of tails they have, and how much they've been using
their innate abilities. For the most part, a younger kitsune needs to feed
more often, but takes less than a kitsune who's older.
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Kitsune Damage and Death
Kitsune, depending on how they have manifested, can be harmed in different
ways. A kitsune who just manifests is capable of rapid regeneration,
healing most wounds in almost no time, and developing resistances to most
normal weaponry. The exception to this is if the kitsune is struck by a
blessed object, or a magical object. Such attacks can cripple or outright
slay a manifested kitsune, driving it into the spirit realm, or, if
powerful enough, destroying it permanently.
Kitsune who are possessing someone are in a better position.
The physical body can be attacked or killed, but the kitsune can simply
leave the body at any time, leaving the hapless victim to suffer whatever
fate was meant for the kitsune. To harm the kitsune requires a blessed or
magickal weapon, meant to harm spirits.
Kitsune who have taken avatars are very vulnerable to physical harm.
Anything that can harm a mortal can harm the kitsune. These kitsune do not
regenerate like other kitsune, and must either spend their resources to
heal, or heal at a natural rate. Magical weapons and faith can harm these
kitsune far less than other kitsune, because they are accepted as more
'natural' to the physical world, having attuned to it some. These kitsune,
once killed, re-animate in the spiritual world, much weaker than any other
of their brethren.
-> When a kitsune wishes to heal, they must expend energy. If things are
very desperate, they can sacrifice one of their tails to gain a huge influx
of chi for fuelling themselves. A kitsune who's spend energy to heal
becomes more desperate for essence, and has to feed much sooner.
When a kitsune as been killed, unless their spirit has been destroyed, they
have a number of options. Depending on how recently and how much they have
fed, they can re-manifest in any of the listed ways, or they can sacrifice
a tail for a sudden large influx of chi to allow for the manifestation.
If they do not, or can not, remanifest, they can just wander the spirit
worlds, biding their time and waiting for the most convenient time to do it.
While in the spirit world, the kitsune is very vulnerable to spirit attacks
or magicks.
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Kitsune behaviour
Kitsune, being spirits, are amoral. They have only a basic understanding of
right and wrong, and make decisions according to what they think will aid
them the most.
-> A kitsune's core personality is dependant on the type of kitsune they
are. The beliefs in the elemental forces, and the kami which possess them
also apply to the kitsune.
Wind - Flighty, these kitsune are wanderers, never staying in one place
for long.
Earth - Solid and unyielding, these kitsune are rooted in history, and
resistant to change.
Fire - Quick-tempered and reactionary, Fire kitsune are constantly moving,
and very emotional.
River - Natural healers, these kitsune are quiet and peaceful.
Ocean - Furious and tempestous, these kitsune are natural warriors.
Time - Contemplative and quiet. These kitsune are seers, being oracles.
Void - Dark and brooding, these kitsune are more malicious and very
protective of their domains.
Mountain - Distant, these kitsune are withdrawn, silent, and prefer to
observe before acting.
Forest - Quiet and serene, these kitsune watch those around them. Once
satisfied with what they see, they become playful and mischevious.
Music - Pleasant and polite, these kitsune enjoy company and experiences.
Thunder - These kitsune are loud and arrogant, filled with pride.
Celestial - Protective and noble, these kitsune believe they must guard
all under their domain.
These aspects of a kitsune are less likely to change than other aspects of
their personality. As a kitsune becomes involved with those around them,
parts of their personality may change. Kitsune are naturally mecurial, but
are most often true to their element than to anything else.
Kitsune follow their own code of ethics, though they adapt the morals of
those around them, more for the sake of being accepted than for any other
reason. Unless they are Guardian kitsune, they can be both allies and
enemies to the mortals around them. If someone offends what a kitsune
considers 'correct', they can become evil, malicious, and disruptive. If
someone behaves according to their ethics, they will become polite, kind,
and helpful.
This contradiction is evident in the sheer number of legends of kitsune,
how they were feared and hunted on one hand, and revered and worshipped on
the other. There are legends of kitsune guarding samurai for a favour done,
while there are others of kitsune taking the desired lover of another
samurai.
There are legends of kitsune aiding the peasantry, while there is another
of a kitsune stealing food from a lowly traveler.
Some things that kitsune believe in.
1) Kitsune aid each other, helping their clan and showing a united front.
Even Guardian kitsune will prefer to drive out a nogitsune, instead of
killing them.
2) Kitsune respond to what they see around them. When a kitsune sees what
they consider an act against their code of ethics, they will aggravate the
situation. They will respond favourably to what they consider a 'moral'
act. If a kitsune is treated well, they will respond in kind, and may even
go out of their way to aid their friend, while if they are treated poorly,
they become extremely spiteful.
3) Kitsune try to follow their promises and personal word of honor. If a
kitsune breaks their word, or somehow dishonors themselves, they become
very self-distructive.
A kitsune's emotions are a weapon against a kitsune. Sorrow or guilt can
paralyze them, and in the most extreme, it can kill them.
A kitsune can be blinded from the darker side of a person by being treated
well, and will be loathe to harm or work against those they have declared
friends.
4) Kitsune are will not accept unwilling charity. Those who wish to help
kitsune must do so of their own free will. Kitsune are loath to ask for
help, and will not accept help that is not freely given.
5) Kitsune are emotional and very vengeful. Kitsune will lose their temper
at the slightest provocation. Once someone has earned a kitsune's enmity,
the kitsune will begin enacting revenge that can become quite extreme. On
the other hand, those who have earned a kitsune's trust and loyalty will
see a friendship that can last through many trials.
6) Freedom is very important to the kitsune. They do not accept being
forced into something they do not wish, and do not like being bound or
trapped. Doing so weakens the kitsune, and is frowned upon by other kitsune.
If a kitsune is to be in a position of servitude, this requires that the
kitsune has either been bound spiritually, or owes someone a dept or
favour. Otherwise, other kitsune may appear to torment the 'owner', or if
the kitsune is unwilling to gaint their freedom, punish the kitsune.
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Kitsune Reproduction
The offspring of a kitsune is always another kitsune. These children are
often fox-kits, though human children can also be born. These children are
automatically 'avatars', and gain the strengths and weaknesses of such
manifestation.
Kitsune can control their fertility, if they are manifested, otherwise
reproduction is as normal. A possessed person is not a kitsune per-se, so
the offspring will not be kitsune, but can potentially have innate magical
talents.
-> The second way for a kitsune to produce offspring, is by transforming
someone into a kitsune. This process requires feeding from a willing target
until they have almost died. The faint spark of their soul is then
surrounded by the kitsune, who invests a portion of their own spirit into
the soul, and lets the fragment merge and combine with the soul, then feed
from the soul until only the spirit remains. This turns the target into a
kitsune, though very weak. These kitsune are considered avatars.
A new kitsune learns quickly. They are very intelligent, and develop their
innate abilities in very short periods of times, since to them, their
innate abilities are as natural as breathing is to someone else. A kitsune,
after transforming someone, is very weak, and has to recuperate.
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Kitsune Weaknesses
Kitsune have a number of inherent weaknesses. This section is mostly for
those who are playing kitsune, since most kitsune will not tell others
about this, and it is not common knowlege.
Religion
Those of certain faiths who actually possess faith (read: Clerics, Priests,
Monks, Healers) do not see kitsune illusion.
In fact, if they touch an illusion made by a kitsune, the illusion will
dissolve. The distruction of a kitsune's illusions by faith is a traumatic
event to a kitsune, as their concept of reality gets destroyed. This is a
psionic attack of sorts, and can drive the weaker kitsune mad.
(Opposing Faiths: Christianity and Buddhism are both good examples)
Continuing on this vein, members who have faith can also remove the
connection a kitsune has with someone who has been fed from, preventing the
kitsune from being able to drain them again.
They can also ward themselved from a kitsune's innate abilities, or protect
someone from said abilities.
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Enemies and the Kitsune
The kitsune have many allies and enemies. Their interaction with the
oriental cultures have given them a diversity that is truly amazing.
ENEMIES
Dragons - The dragon is *the* symbol of the elements of the orient, and as
such, the kitsune are a lesser creature under them. The dragon is capable
of tearing away the spirit of a kitsune, robbing them of the source of
their existance. The kitsune and the dragon are naturally hostile to each
other, and while they rarely come face to face, the kitsune are known to
attempt tricks on the dragons. The only advantage a kitsune has against a
dragon is the kitsune's innate cunning.
Oni - There is little that could produce such a reaction of fear in kitsune
than the Oni. The oni are oriental demons, creatures that feed from the
land and the spirit world much like a kitsune feeds from the elements. The
oni are powerful, and can drain a kitsune to a withered husk. Most kitsune,
when seeing an oni, will either flee in terror, or curl up and whimper,
hoping for either mercy, or a quick death.
Oni who practice magic (common), are even more of a threat, as their
sorceries are stronger than all but the strongest of kitsune.
'Men of the Cloth' - Shinto, Buddhist, and other faiths are a bane to the
kitsune, as many faiths have developed wards and symbols that can harm,
bind, or ward a kitsune. To the holy men, a kitsune's illusions, and their
very reality, does not exist. A kitsune's innate magics can not harm a holy
man, but the reverse is not true.
Sites of faith also harm kitsune, though a kitsune is capable of entering
such places. Kitsune make a practice of trying to change the faith of a
temple to that of Inari, giving the kitsune access and power at the shrine.
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Kitsune magic
Kitsune are *not* innate sorcerers. They do, however, have innate abilities
that fall under the concept of magic. This is called 'Fox-magic', and is as
follows:
Illusion
Kitsune are innate illusionists. To them, illusion is as real as anything
else around them. A kitsune who uses illusion to appear human *is* human,
and can talk, act, make love, and sire children while the illusion exists.
A kitsune who transforms a staff into a snake, creates a snake who can
crawl, bite, and kill.
The kitsune, using this glamour, can make objects, weapons, people, homes,
and even manipulate the landscape to suite their needs. More often than
not, the illusions are biased towards the element the kitsune is connected
to.
One kitsune is capable of creating illusions and manipulating the landscape
in a small vicinity, but when kitsune gather their collective resources,
whole cities can be made.
Realms
Kitsune can make pockets in reality. They can make an entire castle under
someone's floorboard, and populate it with people. This world is real, but
made from the spiritworld. As such, there can be a time-dilation. This time
dilation, on average is: 1 day on Earth = 7 Years in the Realm.
These realms are usually just homes, and forests, and are not whole worlds.
It usually takes about three to five kitsune to make a whole realm and
populate it.
Mind Control
Kitsune can dominate those around them. This is a form of enchantment, and
using this, a kitsune can cause someone to see anything the kitsune wishes,
or overlook things the kitsune wants them to. Once control has been
established, the victim is held until someone can break the magic.
Foxfire (Kitsune-bi)
Kitsune can produce lightning or fire by rubbing their tails. This becomes
a melee weapon. Kitsune can also breath fire, to a limited range, about
five feet or less. Kitsune can also create small balls of fire, and use
these as lights, thrown weapons, or as playtoys.
Possession
Kitsune can possess targets, taking over their minds and bodies. This is
sometimes out of sheer necessity. Possession lasts until the next sunrise
or sunset unless the kitsune is using this as a form of manifestation. They
have no access to the abilities or memories of their target.
Shapeshifting
A kitsune can transform into anything covered by the 13 Elements. This
means they can turn into trees, forests, rocks, water, or other people.
The limits are that the transformation does not give them the innate
abilities of the form they have taken, and they are vulnerable to what can
harm that form.
Kitsune who are possessing someone can not use this form of transformation,
unless they are doing it through illusions.
Kitsune Ball
Kitsune can create small balls of focused power. These balls look like
small, white spheres that can easily be mistaken for a child's toy. These
balls are a focus for kitsune abilities, and also houses their spirit,
usually when they have taken an avatar, or have possessed someone.
Kitsune enjoy playing with this ball, and use it as a focus for some of
their magics. If anyone else can get their hands on it, they can sometimes
coerce the kitsune into helping them.
Kitsune and Magic
Kitsune can study any normal field of magic. A drawback they possess however is that to use any form of magic requires them to either draw the energy from a source of power, or draw it from themselves. Unlike mortals, though, they weaken when they draw off their own energies, which does not replenish under its own power. A kitsune who casts magic too often will eventually become weak, and starved.
These are examples of oriental magic.
Akasic
This is the magic of chi, or essence. With it, a mage can see auras and
sites of power, and can manipulate, draw on, or expel chi. (Yes, for those
of you who play Streetfighter II, this is where you get to throw
chi-bolts...) Akasic magic is not powerful, however, unless it is combined
with other magics. It is good to draw in energy for things like healing,
regeneration, and reversing the loss of essence that a kitsune causes by
feeding.
Elemental Magic
Kitsune follow the oriental Elements, and as such are tied to the elements
they represent. A kitsune can, to a limited extent, already influence the
elements they are a part of, and if they study elemental magic, can become
very dangerous in their field of study.
1) Wind - Simple enough. With this study, they can create winds, cause
tornadoes, and influence local weather patterns. This is also the element
that manipulates ice and snow.
2) Earth - They can move rocks, transmute minerals and physical objects,
and build things.
3) Fire - This is a kitsune's specialty. They can create fire, control
fire, and cook meals. ;)
4) River - 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.
5) Ocean - 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.
6) Forest - 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.
7) Mountain - 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.
8) Thunder - The cousin to Wind, a mage can thow lightning, cause storms,
and create shields of energy. (Hey, in the future, this becomes quite
powerful... control machines, net-run without a computer, etc, etc...)
9) Celestial - 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 magics at a
very reduced effect.
10) Dark - 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.
11) Time - 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
youthen targets and objects, and to *predict* future events. This is the
perception and manipulation of time, not the mastery of reality...
12) Music - This is the control of sound and music. With this, kitsune can
sing effects that are very similiar 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. This is where the 'power words' of streetfighters come
in... (I think)
13) Spirit - 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.
Feng Shui
This is the study of Geomancy. Sites of power, and ley lines are a large
part of this magic. With this, a person can find out the best way to build
on a site, creating a location of power, or a means to tap into a leyline
or a nexus. This allows someone to travel the Dragon Lines (ley lines) to
get from location to location, and also allows them to tap the line for
power.
Ju-Fo
This is runic magic. With this, a mage can write the words of power, or call
them out to create magic effects. These are also good for warding places,
banishing or controlling spirits, and binding sites.
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