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{{Monstergirls}} | {{Monstergirls}} | ||
'''Kitsune''' is the Japanese word for "fox," although it's never really used for that in the context of [[/tg/]] content. If someone talks about a kitsune, they're probably referring to the shapeshifter fox spirits of Japanese mythology. They are a player race in the [[Pathfinder Roleplaying Game]]. | [[File:Kitsune.jpg|200px|thumb|right|What comes to mind of most people when they hear the word Kitsune.]]'''Kitsune''' is the Japanese word for "fox," although it's never really used for that in the context of [[/tg/]] content. If someone talks about a kitsune, they're probably referring to the shapeshifter fox spirits of Japanese mythology. They are a player race in the [[Pathfinder Roleplaying Game]]. | ||
==Mythological Basis== | ==Mythological Basis== | ||
In Japanese mythology the kitsune are fox spirits who serve a couple of different roles. They are usually thought of as tricksters, often pulling pranks on <s>arrogant</s> [[samurai]] ''in general'' and Buddhist monks. They are also divine messengers associated with Inari, the Shinto god of rice. The divine servant kitsune are portrayed as white in color, while the tricksters can be any color. | In Japanese mythology the kitsune are fox spirits who serve a couple of different roles. They are usually thought of as tricksters, often pulling pranks on <s>arrogant</s> [[samurai]] ''in general'' and Buddhist monks. They are also divine messengers associated with Inari, the Shinto god of rice. The divine servant kitsune are portrayed as white in color, while the tricksters can be any color. | ||
Kitsune are also said to be great lovers. Female kitsune are said in many stories to take the form of a beautiful woman after falling in love with a human man. These stories are generally positive and romantic in nature, unlike most similar mythological stories, making them the proto-[[waifu]] in a lot of ways, and showcasing just how long Japan has been embracing [[monstergirls]]. | [[File:OriginalKitsune.JPG|200px|thumb|left|Old chinese depiction.]]Kitsune are also said to be great lovers. Female kitsune are said in many stories to take the form of a beautiful woman after falling in love with a human man. These stories are generally positive and romantic in nature, unlike most similar mythological stories, making them the proto-[[waifu]] in a lot of ways, and showcasing just how long Japan has been embracing [[monstergirls]]. | ||
Similar creatures appear in China and Korea as well, although each culture puts its own different spin on them. The Chinese fox-spirit, the ''Huli Jing'', is effectively a kitsune [[succubus]]: possessing only Ying ("female") spiritual energies in their bodies, they seek to correct this by seducing men, as they can suck their Yang ("male") spiritual energies out through intercourse. This is not necessarily lethal, but usually portrayed as a bad thing, whether from direct spiritual malaise or from just being an "evil" act. The Korean fox-spirit, the ''Gumiho'', is also a trickster, but is generally described as much more malevolent than the Kitsune; Gumihos generally like to kill people, and are typically described as literal man-eaters. Eating livers (or hearts, depends on the story, but most say liver) ripped from human victims is generally stated to be the key to a Gumiho increasing her power. | Similar creatures appear in China and Korea as well, although each culture puts its own different spin on them. The Chinese fox-spirit, the ''Huli Jing'', is effectively a kitsune [[succubus]]: possessing only Ying ("female") spiritual energies in their bodies, they seek to correct this by seducing men, as they can suck their Yang ("male") spiritual energies out through intercourse. This is not necessarily lethal, but usually portrayed as a bad thing, whether from direct spiritual malaise or from just being an "evil" act. The Korean fox-spirit, the ''Gumiho'', is also a trickster, but is generally described as much more malevolent than the Kitsune; Gumihos generally like to kill people, and are typically described as literal man-eaters. Eating livers (or hearts, depends on the story, but most say liver) ripped from human victims is generally stated to be the key to a Gumiho increasing her power. | ||
==Monstergirls== | ==Monstergirls== | ||
Revision as of 08:45, 25 September 2017
Kitsune is the Japanese word for "fox," although it's never really used for that in the context of /tg/ content. If someone talks about a kitsune, they're probably referring to the shapeshifter fox spirits of Japanese mythology. They are a player race in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.
Mythological Basis
In Japanese mythology the kitsune are fox spirits who serve a couple of different roles. They are usually thought of as tricksters, often pulling pranks on arrogant samurai in general and Buddhist monks. They are also divine messengers associated with Inari, the Shinto god of rice. The divine servant kitsune are portrayed as white in color, while the tricksters can be any color.
Kitsune are also said to be great lovers. Female kitsune are said in many stories to take the form of a beautiful woman after falling in love with a human man. These stories are generally positive and romantic in nature, unlike most similar mythological stories, making them the proto-waifu in a lot of ways, and showcasing just how long Japan has been embracing monstergirls.
Similar creatures appear in China and Korea as well, although each culture puts its own different spin on them. The Chinese fox-spirit, the Huli Jing, is effectively a kitsune succubus: possessing only Ying ("female") spiritual energies in their bodies, they seek to correct this by seducing men, as they can suck their Yang ("male") spiritual energies out through intercourse. This is not necessarily lethal, but usually portrayed as a bad thing, whether from direct spiritual malaise or from just being an "evil" act. The Korean fox-spirit, the Gumiho, is also a trickster, but is generally described as much more malevolent than the Kitsune; Gumihos generally like to kill people, and are typically described as literal man-eaters. Eating livers (or hearts, depends on the story, but most say liver) ripped from human victims is generally stated to be the key to a Gumiho increasing her power.
Monstergirls
Whilst there are stories of kitsunes doing evil things even in Japan - Tamamo no Mae in particular is the most famous of all the Japanese kitsune, and is known as one of the Three Terrible Yōkai of Japan for crimes that concluded with causing the Genpei War - for the most part, the most popular kitsune stories are those of the kitsune bride. There's a reason calling a woman "foxy" is a huge sexual compliment in Japan. As such, kitsunes are enormously popular in the monstergirl fandom, and alongside catgirls are considered basic entry-level examples.
Monstergirl kitsunes usually take a form similar to the catgirl; a pretty woman with fox's ears and one or more fox's tails. The more tails a kitsune sports, the more powerful a spirit she is (/d/|and the more fluff there is to touch), with nine tails being the maximum. They tend to be intelligent but playful, with a pronounced love of trickery and mischief. Many are also very fond of booze, although that's actually more appropriate behavior for other hengeyokai. If the setting includes magic, they will usually be very skilled at magic. That said, as wild as they can be whilst still free to do as they please, they are usually also depicted as very loving and devoted brides.
Monstergirl kitsunes are often shapeshifters, and because Japan lacks quite the same antipathy towards furries, kitsune who can shapeshift from/into the form of an anthropomorphic vixen are roughly as common as ones who only shift between "human girl" and "human girl with ears & tail".
Kitsune in Pathfinder
Kitsune are a race of fox-like humanoids known for their trickster nature and love of beautiful things. They are also shapeshifters in the setting and hail from Tian Xia, from which all things weeaboo hail. Their racial stats and attributes are detailed in the Dragon Empires Gazetteer source book and later in the Advanced Race Guide.
Pathfinder Stats
- +2 Dexterity
- +2 Charisma
- -2 Strength
- Medium Size
- Base Land Speed 30 Feet
- Low Light Vision
- Agile (+2 on acrobatics tests)
- Kitsune Magic (+1 to the DC of any saving throw versus enchantment spells)
- Change Shape (can change between humanoid and natural form)
- Racial Disguise Bonus (+10 to disguise tests in humanoid form)
- Natural Weapons (1d4 bite attack while in their natural form)
They also have access to the Realistic Likeness feat which allow them to use Change Shape on any individual they've encountered instead of their specific human form, making Kitsune the race to pick if you've ever wanted to be an effective spy in D&D, and the source of all kinds of clever tricks for almost any class with only a little work. The second unique feat they have access to is Magical Tail, which lets them grow an additional tail and nets them a spell-like ability they can use 2/day. The feat can be taken a maximum of 8 times, netting the following spells in order: disguise self, charm person, misdirection, invisibility, suggestion, displacement, confusion, dominate person. There is a Sorcerer altnerate class feature called Nine-Tailed Heir that lets you give up your Bloodline class feature to get the Magic Tail at level 3, 7, 11, 15 and 19. If this were to give you this feat more than 8 times you get one additional use out of one of your Magic Tail SLAs that you don't already have extra use out of. Note that this replaces the ENTIRE Bloodline class feature, not just the feats you get from your bloodline. This means that Nine-Tailed Heir is not really worth it: if you really want to use this alternate class feature ask your DM if you cn used the Nine-Tailed Mystic from the third-party Kitsune Compendium instead, which only has you give up your bonus spells from your bloodline.
Gallery
| The Races of Pathfinder | |
|---|---|
| Player's Handbook: | Dwarf - Elf - Gnome - Half-Elf - Half-Orc - Halfling - Human |
| Advanced Race Guide: |
Aasimar - Catfolk - Changeling - Dhampir - Duergar Drow - Fetchling - Gillman - Goblin - Grippli - Hobgoblin Ifrit - Kitsune - Kobold - Merfolk - Nagaji - Orc - Oread Ratfolk - Samsaran - Strix - Suli - Svirfneblin - Sylph Tengu - Tiefling - Undine - Vanara - Vishkanya - Wayang |
| Bestiaries: | Android - Astomoi - Caligni - Deep One Hybrid - Gathlain Gnoll - Kasatha - Munavri - Naiad - Orang-Pendak Reptoid - Rougarou - Shabti - Trox - Yaddithian |
| Adventure Paths: | Being of Ib - Kuru |
| Inner Sea Races: | Ghoran - Monkey Goblin - Lashunta - Skinwalker Syrinx - Triaxian - Wyrwood - Wyvaran |
| Ultimate Wilderness: | Vine Leshy |
| Blood of the Sea: | Adaro - Cecaelia - Grindylow - Locathah - Sahuagin - Triton |
| Planar Adventures: | Aphorite - Duskwalker - Ganzi |