Kitsune keep to the shadows, revered as nuisances and malevolent forces of nature. Without a society, they were on the brink of extinction and isolation until an older Kitsune ascended into that of an Archfey. and granted those of his kind more knowledge than their basic beast forms. Their lives were shortened considerably as a result and growing more tails through learning and experience became a necessity to longer lives.
Millenia ago, this change has taken its course to alter their race and evolve into different types. While stigma still paints them as mischevious pranksters and untrustworthy, they are more prone to hiding among Men, Mer, and Beastfolk alike.
Fey Touched
Kitsune originally were normal foxes that eventually developed the ability to shift into humanoid forms for short stints of time. Their true form, that of red, brown, black, white, or golden canines make them more beast than Fey, but are still undeniably Fey. While having the ability to shape change, they were cunning, intelligent, and wise, but limited in their capabilities. Now, able to transform at will, they can take on further magic and skills. In a humanoid form, they retain their fox ears and tails, with fur often the color of their original beast form. Their eye colors range in a muultitude of colours of the rainbow with slit-like pupils. Some markings on face or hands denote, further, their otherworldly nature, if the ears and tails were not a dead giveaway to begin with.
However, the older a Fox gets, the more tails they possess. But, the more tails they possess, the more skilled they are with magic. And while the younger ones cannot hide their fox imagery even in a humanoid form, the elders eventually learn how to hide how many tails they have, or hide it entirely and appear 100% like any other human, elf, or beastfolk.
Sub-Races
Among Kitsune are six subraces, each with their own magical strengths, personality trademarks, and color schemes.