Kitsune are werefoxes, the youngest of the Changing Breeds of the Classic World of Darkness.
Overview[]
Symbol used by the Kitsune to describe themselves
Unique among the Fera, the Kitsune are found only in the Middle Kingdom, living mostly in China and Japan. Their animal form is a fox, and they serve a role in the Emerald Courts of the Green Mother similar to that of Ragabash in Garou society. Since they have rarely (if ever) ventured outside Asia, the Kitsune were never a target in the War of Rage, and apparently did not exist during the War of Shame.
Kitsune often try to teach lessons through their tricks. Seeing as they were created with the last of the strength of the Emerald Mother, they cannot heal how the other changers can. They also do not cause the Delirium in humans, as they never were part of the Impergium. They are affected by silver just as any other breed with Rage; they are, however, unable to assume any Frenzy but Fox Frenzy.
Formed in the last days of the Fourth Age, the Kitsune trace themselves back to Bai Mianxi, who was brought by Luna before Gaia to receive a duty from her after the witty fox had created havoc on earth with her jests. Bai Mianxi, however, tried to trick her way out of her obligation, citing that Gaia's other children were all adequate enough in their duties and she was not needed. Gaia's wrath at Bai Mianxi's impudence shook her residence, but after soothing words from Luna, she gave the first fox-shifter three promises: In return for her service, the fox-people would become the best at something some day. She would protect the Kitsune through the Sixth Age and release them from their servitude in the Twelfth Age, when the Wheel of Ages would come full circle.
With Luna's blessing, the Kitsune acted as assassins of the corrupt authorities in mortal society, as court wizards and thieves in order to protect the Heavenly Mandate. With no Western counterpart to identify with, most fox-shifters see themselves as part of the Hengeyokai first and members of their Breed second, although many eschew joining the Beast Courts directly.
Breeds[]
The Kitsune have three breeds. When Kitsune are born, one or both of their parents die while or shortly after its birth, making shinju very rare and precious. A kit’s non-Kitsune parent has only a one-in-ten chance of surviving the experience. There is also a one-in-ten chance that the Kitsune parent may die, either instead of, or along with, their mate.
- Roko is the name of the fox-born Kitsune. No Kitsune has been reported from non-Asian countries with a fox population.
- Kojin is the name of the human-born kitsune.
- Shinju is the the name of the kitsune-born.
Paths[]
The Paths of the Kitsune constitute both a profession and something of a sacred calling. They are not determined by the sun, moon, or the Kitsune’s time of birth, but are chosen by each Fox as she gains her first rank. Each Path is aligned to a blending of two of the primary elements as a singular element in and of itself.
- Eji is the path of the Warrior, aligned to Lava, by way of Earth and Fire.
- Doshi is the path of the Sorcerer, aligned to Lightning, by way of Air and Fire.
- Gukutsushi is the path of the Illusionist, aligned to Fog, by way of Water and Air.
- Kataribe is the path of the Storyteller, aligned to Clay, by way of Earth and Water.
Forms[]
Kitsune forms
The Kitsune have five different forms, like the forms of the Garou. All forms other than Hitogata naturally show one tail and all Kitsune gain another while advancing their rank with the maximum of 9 (only Bai Mianxi has ever manifested nine tails). In any of his forms, a Kitsune may manifest any number of additional tails (up to the maximum he possesses) by making a Gnosis roll against the local Gauntlet. Once manifested, he may hide them in the same fashion. These forms are:
- Hitogata - Regular human
- Sambuhenge - Near Human
- Koto - Hybrid between fox and human
- Juko - Wolf-sized fox
- Kyubi - Regular fox
Gifts and Rituals[]
Kitsunes are often versed in sensing the flow of chi, both yin and yang, in the world, taught by any spirits of the Middle Kingdom. They can become invisible through their "Moon Dance" so long as no moonlight is touching them, can use "Ghost Speech" to speak with the inhabitants of the Yang World, can easily blend into a crowd, can create very lifelike illusions, and the most gifted can abandon their own body to possess that of someone else.
Kitsune simply adore magic, which they call Jyu-Ho. Any trick is better with a Gift thrown in; success is sweeter when elders offer lessons as reward, and Rank more prized because of the new power Gaia grants with each tail. In a scant few millennia, the Foxes have coaxed the spirits to grant them a wide array of tricks, picked up hedge magic, reinvented an entire branch of witchcraft, and stolen, toyed with, and abandoned the Bastet's Gift-swiping ability.
One thing that all Kitsune can learn through other Kitsune they know is Ju-Fu (paper magic). By trapping Kami into the paper, they can make or do virtually anything.
Culture[]
The Kitsune system of Renown seems, on the surface, similar to those of most other Changing Breeds. However, the werefoxes see Renown with different eyes than many Fera, ascribing not much importance to them. Higher ranking Kitsune are respected and adored for the power they wield and the sorceries they have learned. Kitsune observe the virtues of Chie (roughly corresponding to Cunning), kagayaki (roughly corresponding to Glory) and Toku (roughly corresponding to Honor)
Laws of Heaven[]
Given to Bai Mianxi by Luna, the Heavenly Mandates are the laws of Kitsune society. It consists of four obligations, four bans and an absolution.
- I command you to destroy that which harms Gaia.
- I command you to aid your brothers, your sisters, and that which serves Gaia.
- I command you to revere Your Mother, Myself, your Aunts, your Uncles, and Our Favored Servants.
- I command you to keep your duty first in your heart, and to listen for my teachings.
- I forbid you to exterminate the humans.
- I forbid you to make war on your brothers and sisters.
- I forbid you to break your word.
- I forbid you to commit suicide for reasons of honor.
- I free you to do anything else necessary to achieve our goals.
Known Kitsune[]
- Fukutenjin
- Kumiko Hadoki
- Midori Saputo
- Shining-Cresent
- Tatsin
- Prince Inari
- The White-Faced One
- Trung Water-Walker
Version Differences[]
First Edition[]
Shapeshifting foxes are mentioned in the Werewolf: The Apocalypse Rulebook (1992).
The Kitsune were first introduced in the Appendix of Caerns: Places of Power (1992), where they are portrayed differently. Here, they are servants of the Wyrm of Balance that fight against both Weaver and Wyld, unaffiliated with any larger shapeshifter community.
The White-Faced One is established in the book, among other things also established are: How eastern shapeshifters escaped the War of Rage because the Garou weren't numerous there, Jyu-hô listed, breeds (kojin, rôko and shinjû), the death of a non-Fox parent during a Kitsune's birth, "The Opening of the Eyes" Ritual, Paths (Dôshi, Eji, Gukutsushi and Kataribe), not being able to regenerate, no vulnerability to silver, rank, Ju-Fu sorcery and the ability to use Rage. Kitsune are said to be able to use the following Garou rites: Rite of Cleansing, Gathering for the Departed, Rite of Talisman Dedication, Rite of Binding, Rite of Ostracism, The Badger's Burrow and Rite of the Shrouded Glen. Two Kitsune are listed under the Sept of Ichijyo Modoribashi section.
Form Statistics
| Strength | Stamina | Dexterity | Appearance | Manipulation | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sambuhenge: - | Sambuhenge: - | Sambuhenge: - | Sambuhenge: -2 | Sambuhenge: -2 | Sambuhenge: 7 |
| Kotô: - | Kotô: +2 | Kotô: +1 | Kotô: 0 | Kotô: -1 | Kotô: 7 |
| Jûko: +1 | Jûko: +3 | Jûko: +3 | Jûko: - | Jûko: -2 | Jûko: 6 |
| Kyûbi: - | Kyûbi: +2 | Kyûbi: +4 | Kyûbi: - | Kyûbi: -1 | Kyûbi: 6 |
The Kitsune are briefly mentioned in Dark Alliance: Vancouver (1992, See Trivia Below).
Second Edition[]
Rage Across Appalachia (1995) lists a Kitsune character. The Shadow Lords Tribebook (1995, in their views on others) and the Stargazers Tribebook (1997, China section) discuss the Kitsune. Project Twilight (1995) mentions the Kitsune in the Japan section. While Changeling's Immortal Eyes: Shadows on the Hill (1996) discusses the Kitsune in Hawaii.
The Rage card game has a Kitsune ally card in the Legacy of the Tribes Set (1996). But they are never established as a character type to create a deck around.
In Kinfolk: Unsung Heroes (1997), the Kitsune Kinfolk are discussed by Yukio Masabi.
Hengeyokai: Shapeshifters of the East (1998) updates the Kitsune. Which changes them to being the youngest Changing Breed, be part of the Beast Courts, involves them in the War of Shame, the Inari's Messengers camp, Laws of Heaven, how the Kitsune turn into a pillar of fire when a vampire tries to embrace them, having long lives, a lexicon, backgrounds, Kitsune-go, list of Jyu-ho, Yojutsu, Ju-Fu, Rites, Renown (Chie: Wisdom, Toku: Homor and Kagayaki: Glory), Ranks (Yakan, Kiko, Koryo, Reiko and Tenko), templates and notable Kitsune. Kitsune do not invoke the Delirium in their Koto form. And while they may frenzy, they always go into a fox frenzy. Breeds, Forms, Paths, the death of a non-Fox parent during a Kitsune's birth, not being able to regenerate and no vulnerability to silver remains the same from First Edition.
Form Statistics
| Strength | Stamina | Dexterity | Appearance | Manipulation | Performance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sambuhenge: +0 | Sambuhenge: +1 | Sambuhenge: +1 | Sambuhenge: +0 | Sambuhenge: -1 | Sambuhenge: +0 | Sambuhenge: 7 |
| Koto: +0 | Koto: +2 | Koto: +2 | Koto: 0 (+0) | Koto: -1 | Koto: +1 | Koto: 6 |
| Juko: +1 | Juko: +3 | Juko: +3 | Juko: +0 | Juko: -2 | Juko: +1 | Juko: 7 |
| Kyubi: +0 | Kyubi: +2 | Kyubi: +4 | Kyubi: +0 | Kyubi: -1 | Kyubi: +2 | Kyubi: 6 |
Kindred of the East Rulebook (1998) and World of Darkness: Tokyo (1998) mention the Kitsune.
The various Breed books discuss the Kitsune in their views on other shapeshifters: Bastet (1997, in The Changing Breeds - First Twilight section), Nuwisha (1997, in the Asia section), Corax (1998), Gurahl (1998), Ratkin (1999) and Nagah (2001). The Mokolé book (1999) seem to think that the Kitsune are either Garou or cousins to the Garou.
Book of the Weaver (1999) a Kitsune discusses the Weaver; Rage Across the Heavens (1999) the Kitsune have managed to work their way into Ruatma's heart; The Silver Record (1999); Guardians of the Caerns (2000), how the Kitsune run Dragon Nests is discussed in the Beast Courts section; and A World of Rage (2000) mentions the Kitsune in the Asia chapter.
Revised Edition[]
Umbra Revised (2001) mentions that even the Kitsune have their own version of Erebus' purgatory; Possessed (2002) discusses that some Kitsune have slipped down the slope into Clarification. Kitsune Drones are the product of prideful sorcerers who think they are more than capable of safely handing the Weaver's energies than they actually are. And Werewolf Storytellers Handbook Revised (2002) discusses the Kitsune in the Beast Courts section.
Mind's Eye Theatre's Hengeyokai: Way of the Beast Courts (2002) has the same information from the Hengeyokai: Shapeshifters of the East book.
Players Guide to the Changing Breeds (2003) discusses the Kitsune in the World of the Fera chapter. It is mostly condensed information from the Hengeyokai: Shapeshifters of the East book from Second Edition.
Form Statistics
| Strength | Stamina | Dexterity | Appearance | Manipulation | Performance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sambuhenge: - | Sambuhenge: +1 | Sambuhenge: +1 | Sambuhenge: - | Sambuhenge: -1 | Sambuhenge: - | Sambuhenge: 7 |
| Koto: +1 | Koto: +2 | Koto: +2 | Koto: 0 (+0) | Koto: -1 | Koto: +1 | Koto: 6 |
| Juko: - | Juko: +3 | Juko: +3 | Juko: - | Juko: -2 | Juko: +1 | Juko: 7 |
| Kyubi: - | Kyubi: +2 | Kyubi: +4 | Kyubi: - | Kyubi: -1 | Kyubi: +2 | Kyubi: 6 |
Hammer & Klaive (2003) discusses the Kitsune's fetish culture and lists some Kitsune Fetishes. While Tribebook: Stargazers (2003) mentions the Kitsune in their views on the Fera.
Hunter's Survival Guide (1999) mentions Pariahdog140 encountering Kitsune in the Asia chapter and Moonstruck (2002) discusses Fox-Shifters.
Apocalypse (2004) discusses the Kitsune and their role in the end. Some even say that Bai Mianxi has been seen in the land again. In the Ragnarok scenario, Bai Mianxi suggests to the Kitsune to steal something from an enemy, living or dead, to aid in the battles at the Turning of the Wheel.
20th Anniversary Edition[]
Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition (2013), the Changing Breeds book (2013) has mostly condensed information from the Hengeyokai: Shapeshifters of the East book from Second Edition. There are some new things, like a Rite, Fetish, Kitsune are affected by silver as Garou do, but may soak damage from silver.
Form Statistics
| Strength | Stamina | Dexterity | Manipulation | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sambuhenge: +0 | Sambuhenge: +1 | Sambuhenge: +1 | Sambuhenge: -1 | Sambuhenge: +0 |
| Koto: +1 | Koto: +2 | Koto: +2 | Koto: -1 | Koto: +1 |
| Juko: - | Juko: +3 | Juko: +3 | Juko: -2 | Juko: +1 |
| Kyubi: - | Kyubi: +2 | Kyubi: +4 | Kyubi: -1 | Kyubi: +2 |
Songs of the Sun and Moon: Tales of the Changing Breeds (2014), features a story with Kitsune; Kinfolk: A Breed Apart (2016) discusses Kitsune Kinfolk; and Rage Across the World (2013) mentions a Kitsune in the Shanghai section. Wyld West Expansion Pack (2014) discusses how there are no native werefoxes despite the local fox populations, and those Kitsune that find their way over find themselves in a strange land with no close relatives and plenty of things to play with. And the non-canonical Shattered Dreams (2016) features the Kitsune.
Mind's Eye Theatre: Werewolf: The Apocalypse (2016) features the Kitsune.
5th Edition[]
This is only speculation, as the Kitsune have so far not shown up in Werewolf: The Apocalypse 5th Edition. At best, they will probably be re-named as Fox-Shifters as the other Changing Breeds have been (Raven-Shifter and Spider-Shifter).
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The Kitsune are first mentioned, but not named, in the Werewolf: The Apocalypse Rulebook (1992). As both the Shadow Lords and Glass Walkers are looking into if the Black Spiral Dancers are behind the legend of transforming foxes in Japan.[1] The Kitsune would be fully introduced in Caerns: Places of Power in 1993.
- The Kitsune and the Neko are discussed as being the enemies of the Bushi in Dark Alliance: Vancouver.[2]
- The Kitsune are named after the Japanese Kitsune. Other versions are called: húli jīng or jiǔwěihú (China), kumiho (Koera) and hồ ly tinh, cáo tinh, cửu vĩ hồ or cáo chín đuôi (Vietnam). Other legends around the world concerning transforming foxes include the Fox Strap from Germany.
- The Kuko "Air Foxes" are Kitsune who have fallen to the Wyrm. They have only been mentioned in the Kitsune Lexicon in the first Hengeyokai book, MET Hengeyokai book and the Changing Breeds book. They have never been fully detailed in any other book.
- There is a star constellation known as the Vulpecula or "Little Fox."
- Extinct foxes include: Vulpes qiuzhudingi, Vulpes riffautae, Vulpes skinneri, Vulpes hassani, Vulpes praeglacialis, Vulpes rooki and Vulpes stenognathus.
- The Gray Fox is not considered a "True Fox," but is related to Foxes. It is known for having semi retractable claws so it can climb up trees. It is also thought to be the oldest living canid species (3.6 million years ago).
- Foxes are prevalent all over the world, except for Antarctica.
- Werewolf: The Forsaken has the Kitsune from the Skinchangers book.
References[]
- ↑ WTA: Werewolf: The Apocalypse Rulebook, p. 51
- ↑ VTM/WTA: Dark Alliance: Vancouver, p. 120
- WTA: Caerns: Places of Power, p. 155-160
- WTA: Hengeyokai: Shapeshifters of the East, p. 155-187
- WTA/cMET: Hengeyokai: Way of the Beast Courts, p. 157-227
- WTA: Players Guide to the Changing Breeds, p. 98-110
- HTR: The Moonstruck, p. 33-34, 98
- HTR: Hunter Survival Guide, p. 45-47
- WTA: Changing Breeds, p. 122-136
| Werewolf: The Apocalypse Fera | |
|---|---|
| Gaian Breeds | Ajaba · Ananasi · Apis · Bastet · Camazotz · Corax · Garou · Grondr · Gurahl · Kitsune · Mokolé · Nagah · Nuwisha · Ratkin · Rokea |
| Wyrmish Breeds | Anurana · Kerasi · Samsa · Yeren |