Post by Kitsu on Mar 3, 2010 13:31:54 GMT -5
One of the most notable features of the Kitsune, the tails play a vital part not only in the growth of the Kitsune but also in their social heirachy and understanding.
The tails on a Kitsune are places in which to store enormous amounts of magical energy. Inside each tail runs an extremely complicated system of nerves, which weave throughout the muscle and even through the bones, which is used to hold onto all of this magical energy. For this reason, the number of tails is usually directly proportional to the power of the Kitsune, although the scale goes up approximately 4x the previous tail. For example, let us assume that a one-tail has a power of '1' (which is strong enough to light a small fire and generate painful sparks).
One-tail - 1
Two-tail - 4
Three-tail - 16
Four-tail - 64
Five-tail - 256
Six-tail - 1024
Seven-tail - 4096
Eight-tail - 16348
Nine-tail - 65536
So, as we can see, the nine-tailed Kitsune is 65536x as powerful as a one-tailed Kitsune (a fox who has discovered magic). The reason that the increase is so great, is because a Kitsune becomes capable not only of storing more magic in the extra tail but also becomes more capable at retaining the magic safely.
N.B. - Sometimes a Kitsune may seem far more powerful than this guide would suggest. This is because firstly, the scale is only approximate, and secondly because skillful use of magic is entirely separate from magical strength. Ensure when evaluating the magical prowess of a Kitsune, that you judge not the skill of the useage but the total amount of energy available for expenditure.
For Kitsune, the social heirachy is very important. However, it is not dismissive - all Kitsune of all tail numbers will commune with one another, and between close friends the relationship may be anything without judgement. There are a few, general rules which are noted by any and all Kitsune, in terms of social ranking in accordance with the tails, but they do follow the philosophy of 'respect must be earned' and, should they honestly believe that a higher-tailed Kitsune has lost their respect then they will treat them accordingly, and if a lower-tailed Kitsune earns their respect then they will show it.
In the social structure, it is generally considered that the higher the tail number, the more respect you deserve and the more weight should be given to your opinions. This is because the more tails a Kitsune has the longer it has therefore lived, and so the greater their magical power, skill and wisdom. Likewise, lower tails still have much to learn and, while they should not be dismissed, they are still growing: while not disrespected, it is expected that they show respect to their elders rather than vice versa. For foxes who have discovered magic, they are called 'foxes', never Kitsune. This is again a social ranking thing, and many foxes will indignantly fight for the right to be called a Kitsune. However, they never win this right until they become two-tailed. The wisdom behind this is that, for the first hundred years of their life, they must learn what they may never have the chance to learn again: humility. In later years, the Kitsune will be almost unmatchable in magic except for by its own kind, and so they will probably never be underlings again - the Kitsune philosophy is to experience as much as is possible in such a long lifespan, when it can be learned. But this is not explained or spoke of: it is simply understood, by silent consensuous.
N.B. - To call a Kitsune a 'fox' would be hugely offensive. If you were to call a Kitsune a fox, then you would essentially be claiming that they were foolish, without the wisdom they had acumulated through their life, and powerless without the magic they had gained and learned to use. Many Kitsune hunters refer to Kitsune as foxes, by way of insult, but were you to call a Kitsune a 'fox' to its face you would be sure of a sharp reprimand at best, and an attack at worst.
Meanwhile, it is a great honour to meet a nine-tailed Kitsune. Nine-tailed Kitsune are usually regarded as leaders and, unless there is good reason to doubt their suggestions they are obeyed without question. Their wisdom is revered, and some Kitsune verge on worshipping the nine-tailed ones. However, for the most part, they are simply respected as leaders. Kitsune will go out of their way to help a nine-tailed Kitsune and, in return, should a nine-tailed Kitsune see a lesser-tail struggling they will do all they can to aid them. The oldest Kitsune in the world, a white Kitsune, is over 10,000 years old. For most Kitsune it is a pilgrimage to be made, to meet this Kitsune, but it is not one that need be made in a hurry: after all, when there are hundreds of years in which to live, for most Kitsune it would be surprising not to have the time to meet the oldest Kitsune alive. Meetings with nine-tails are not common, but owing to the length of a Kitsune's lifespan they will meet several nine-tails on several occasions in their life.
Kitsune are always more powerful the more tails they have, with no exceptions except for those who have lost their memories for various reasons (See: Demons, 'Trapped' Kitsune - Coming soon). Over time also, however, they acumulate greater skills in magic, and so their magic usage becomes much more technical. For example, while a fox can usually only start fires, a three-tail would be able to move the fire round in specific channels. A favorite trick of many higher-tails is a technique which involves setting an object on fire, but absorbing the energy before it can damage the object. This means that while the object is on fire, it does not burn, and so the object remains unharmed. The technique amazes and astonishes foxes, and many wish to learn it, but Kitsune are careful not to permit them to try until they become Kitsune. Other common tricks include controlling the body's temperature, concentrating heat into smaller areas or spreading it out over larger planes, and converting fire mid-usage into other elements. Of course, this only applies to fire users, although those who use other elements often use the same tricks with the different form of energy. However, Fire is one of the most commonly used forms of energy, hence why it was used in this example, and nearly all Kitsune know at least basic fire manipulation by their ninth tail.
A Kitsune will also be older the more tails it has: henceforth, it will also be considerably wiser. There are three particular leaps in which the difference can be dramatic - Fox to Kitsune, four-tail to five-tail and eight-tail to nine-tail. The transition from fox to Kitsune (one-tail to two-tail) is probably so dramatic because it shows that the fox is no longer a fox and has grown up - hence they are treated as far wiser than they were before, and something inside them understands. The transition from eight-tail to nine-tail is similar. The change to a nine-tailed Kitsune brings new responsibilities, and a realisation that you have in fact reached the most powerful you will be in your life. However, not many are certain why the change between four-tail and five-tail is so dramatic. It may be because it crosses the half-way boarder, or because while four-tails are at great risk from hunters five-tails are not (because they are too powerful for most human hunters to kill). There are other theories, and none of them are concerned, but Kitsune tend to calm down considerably and be a lot wiser and more thoughtful after their fifth tail (though of course, not always).
New tails are not gained gradually, but come in a spurt of magic whereby the Kitsune creates an additional tail. It is a dangerous process - one in five Kitsune are killed by their transitions through the tails. However, it is vital to survive and grow, and so while many Kitsune fear when the time comes to change tail number, none attempt to delay it.
Kitsune grow a new tail approximately once every hundred years. The one exception is between eight-tailed and nine-tailed - by this point, the rate of magic absorbtion is slowing, so the process may happen any time between the age of 900-1000 years old. The number of tails never go beyond nine, because by the time a Kitsune has reached nine tails it will have reached the limit of its magic capacity, and so any additional tail would kill it owing to the hollow that needed to be filled with energy. The reason the process is so delicate is because the Kitsune has to time the procedure perfectly - too soon, and there won't be enough magic to sustain the body as well as fill the tail, so the Kitsune will die from low energy levels. But too late and the magic will overload the Kitsune, and potentially (almost certainly) kill them. There is usually a window of about a week or so in which it is safe to grow a new tail, which is carefully judged. However, despite this, approximately 1 in 5 Kitsune deaths are caused by poor judgement of when this one week is.
For about a month before the new tail is grown, the Kitsune will show signs of extreme energy and irritability, becoming slightly unstable in their useage of magic. Also, for about a year after growing the new tail the Kitsune will usually be somewhat drained and incapable of matching their usual magic capacity until they have filled the extra space left within them. It is common for hunters to target Kitsune who have recently gone up a tail, since though the additional tail adds value, the Kitsune are sometimes even easier to capture than their lower-tailed relations. Because of this a Kitsune will usually lie low until they have restored their power within the first year or so.
Section 5 - Damage on Tails and its Effect
Because of the many nerves in the tails of a Kitsune, it is extremely painful to have a tail damaged. As a result, it is wise to be cautious about even so much as touching the tails - if they are touched, it is to be done with extreme caution and due respect. The pain caused by damage to the tails is part of the reason that Kitsune are so loving of their tails, the other reason being that they are vessels for storing magic, and so were you to harm one you would not only cause extreme pain for the Kitsune, but you would also severely damage their pride.
However, this is not the only reason. Because Kitsune store their magic within their tails, damage caused can very easily reach their magic core. Any damage to their tails can cause long-term (sometimes if the damage is severe then well over 100 years) energy problems whereby the Kitsune has either lost too much energy, or it has no space to store its energy. The resulting escape of energy could also cause severe damage to the person who caused it, in the form of a sharp jolt of energy which could convert to fire, or lightning, or kinetic, or any other form (although the three afforementioned are the most common). Finally, even should you escape harm from the wound, the wrath of the Kitsune would almost certainly catch up with you should you cause any serious harm. Very few Kitsune will forgive damage to their tails without some form of recompensation, and while not all of them are violent they are nearly always demanding.
For a Kitsune to lose a tail is potentially fatal. The sudden loss of a vessel for the energy means that the energy continues to flood out of the stump at such a speed that the life of the Kitsune drains away in a matter of seconds before anything can be done about it. There are few, if any, reports of a Kitsune surviving such an event as losing a tail. The few rumours of a Kitsune surviving claim that the Kitsune lived by trapping its energy in another vessel before the tail was removed. However, this would imply intentional removal of the tail, and so many Kitsune are skeptical of such an event.
It is often questioned by humans why Kitsune do not damage their tails while running through the woods and other places where it may get snagged. The fur on the tail is nearly always very thick, which protects the tails, but most humans suggest that it is a magic enchantment of protection. Kitsune encourage these rumours, so that humans will believe that Kitsune protect their tails with magic and so will not attempt to harm their tails in order to drive them away or cause them pain should they be after revenge for some reason or another.
Section 1 - The Magic Behind the Tails
Section 2 - Tails and the Social Heirachy
Section 3 - Other Factors in Tail Number
Section 4 - Gaining New Tails and the Risks Entailed
Section 5 - Damage on Tails and its Effect
Section 2 - Tails and the Social Heirachy
Section 3 - Other Factors in Tail Number
Section 4 - Gaining New Tails and the Risks Entailed
Section 5 - Damage on Tails and its Effect
Section 1 - The Magic Behind the Tails
The tails on a Kitsune are places in which to store enormous amounts of magical energy. Inside each tail runs an extremely complicated system of nerves, which weave throughout the muscle and even through the bones, which is used to hold onto all of this magical energy. For this reason, the number of tails is usually directly proportional to the power of the Kitsune, although the scale goes up approximately 4x the previous tail. For example, let us assume that a one-tail has a power of '1' (which is strong enough to light a small fire and generate painful sparks).
One-tail - 1
Two-tail - 4
Three-tail - 16
Four-tail - 64
Five-tail - 256
Six-tail - 1024
Seven-tail - 4096
Eight-tail - 16348
Nine-tail - 65536
So, as we can see, the nine-tailed Kitsune is 65536x as powerful as a one-tailed Kitsune (a fox who has discovered magic). The reason that the increase is so great, is because a Kitsune becomes capable not only of storing more magic in the extra tail but also becomes more capable at retaining the magic safely.
N.B. - Sometimes a Kitsune may seem far more powerful than this guide would suggest. This is because firstly, the scale is only approximate, and secondly because skillful use of magic is entirely separate from magical strength. Ensure when evaluating the magical prowess of a Kitsune, that you judge not the skill of the useage but the total amount of energy available for expenditure.
Section 2 - Tails and the Social Heirachy
For Kitsune, the social heirachy is very important. However, it is not dismissive - all Kitsune of all tail numbers will commune with one another, and between close friends the relationship may be anything without judgement. There are a few, general rules which are noted by any and all Kitsune, in terms of social ranking in accordance with the tails, but they do follow the philosophy of 'respect must be earned' and, should they honestly believe that a higher-tailed Kitsune has lost their respect then they will treat them accordingly, and if a lower-tailed Kitsune earns their respect then they will show it.
In the social structure, it is generally considered that the higher the tail number, the more respect you deserve and the more weight should be given to your opinions. This is because the more tails a Kitsune has the longer it has therefore lived, and so the greater their magical power, skill and wisdom. Likewise, lower tails still have much to learn and, while they should not be dismissed, they are still growing: while not disrespected, it is expected that they show respect to their elders rather than vice versa. For foxes who have discovered magic, they are called 'foxes', never Kitsune. This is again a social ranking thing, and many foxes will indignantly fight for the right to be called a Kitsune. However, they never win this right until they become two-tailed. The wisdom behind this is that, for the first hundred years of their life, they must learn what they may never have the chance to learn again: humility. In later years, the Kitsune will be almost unmatchable in magic except for by its own kind, and so they will probably never be underlings again - the Kitsune philosophy is to experience as much as is possible in such a long lifespan, when it can be learned. But this is not explained or spoke of: it is simply understood, by silent consensuous.
N.B. - To call a Kitsune a 'fox' would be hugely offensive. If you were to call a Kitsune a fox, then you would essentially be claiming that they were foolish, without the wisdom they had acumulated through their life, and powerless without the magic they had gained and learned to use. Many Kitsune hunters refer to Kitsune as foxes, by way of insult, but were you to call a Kitsune a 'fox' to its face you would be sure of a sharp reprimand at best, and an attack at worst.
Meanwhile, it is a great honour to meet a nine-tailed Kitsune. Nine-tailed Kitsune are usually regarded as leaders and, unless there is good reason to doubt their suggestions they are obeyed without question. Their wisdom is revered, and some Kitsune verge on worshipping the nine-tailed ones. However, for the most part, they are simply respected as leaders. Kitsune will go out of their way to help a nine-tailed Kitsune and, in return, should a nine-tailed Kitsune see a lesser-tail struggling they will do all they can to aid them. The oldest Kitsune in the world, a white Kitsune, is over 10,000 years old. For most Kitsune it is a pilgrimage to be made, to meet this Kitsune, but it is not one that need be made in a hurry: after all, when there are hundreds of years in which to live, for most Kitsune it would be surprising not to have the time to meet the oldest Kitsune alive. Meetings with nine-tails are not common, but owing to the length of a Kitsune's lifespan they will meet several nine-tails on several occasions in their life.
Section 3 - Other Factors in Tail Number
Kitsune are always more powerful the more tails they have, with no exceptions except for those who have lost their memories for various reasons (See: Demons, 'Trapped' Kitsune - Coming soon). Over time also, however, they acumulate greater skills in magic, and so their magic usage becomes much more technical. For example, while a fox can usually only start fires, a three-tail would be able to move the fire round in specific channels. A favorite trick of many higher-tails is a technique which involves setting an object on fire, but absorbing the energy before it can damage the object. This means that while the object is on fire, it does not burn, and so the object remains unharmed. The technique amazes and astonishes foxes, and many wish to learn it, but Kitsune are careful not to permit them to try until they become Kitsune. Other common tricks include controlling the body's temperature, concentrating heat into smaller areas or spreading it out over larger planes, and converting fire mid-usage into other elements. Of course, this only applies to fire users, although those who use other elements often use the same tricks with the different form of energy. However, Fire is one of the most commonly used forms of energy, hence why it was used in this example, and nearly all Kitsune know at least basic fire manipulation by their ninth tail.
A Kitsune will also be older the more tails it has: henceforth, it will also be considerably wiser. There are three particular leaps in which the difference can be dramatic - Fox to Kitsune, four-tail to five-tail and eight-tail to nine-tail. The transition from fox to Kitsune (one-tail to two-tail) is probably so dramatic because it shows that the fox is no longer a fox and has grown up - hence they are treated as far wiser than they were before, and something inside them understands. The transition from eight-tail to nine-tail is similar. The change to a nine-tailed Kitsune brings new responsibilities, and a realisation that you have in fact reached the most powerful you will be in your life. However, not many are certain why the change between four-tail and five-tail is so dramatic. It may be because it crosses the half-way boarder, or because while four-tails are at great risk from hunters five-tails are not (because they are too powerful for most human hunters to kill). There are other theories, and none of them are concerned, but Kitsune tend to calm down considerably and be a lot wiser and more thoughtful after their fifth tail (though of course, not always).
Section 4 - Gaining New Tails and the Risks Entailed
New tails are not gained gradually, but come in a spurt of magic whereby the Kitsune creates an additional tail. It is a dangerous process - one in five Kitsune are killed by their transitions through the tails. However, it is vital to survive and grow, and so while many Kitsune fear when the time comes to change tail number, none attempt to delay it.
Kitsune grow a new tail approximately once every hundred years. The one exception is between eight-tailed and nine-tailed - by this point, the rate of magic absorbtion is slowing, so the process may happen any time between the age of 900-1000 years old. The number of tails never go beyond nine, because by the time a Kitsune has reached nine tails it will have reached the limit of its magic capacity, and so any additional tail would kill it owing to the hollow that needed to be filled with energy. The reason the process is so delicate is because the Kitsune has to time the procedure perfectly - too soon, and there won't be enough magic to sustain the body as well as fill the tail, so the Kitsune will die from low energy levels. But too late and the magic will overload the Kitsune, and potentially (almost certainly) kill them. There is usually a window of about a week or so in which it is safe to grow a new tail, which is carefully judged. However, despite this, approximately 1 in 5 Kitsune deaths are caused by poor judgement of when this one week is.
For about a month before the new tail is grown, the Kitsune will show signs of extreme energy and irritability, becoming slightly unstable in their useage of magic. Also, for about a year after growing the new tail the Kitsune will usually be somewhat drained and incapable of matching their usual magic capacity until they have filled the extra space left within them. It is common for hunters to target Kitsune who have recently gone up a tail, since though the additional tail adds value, the Kitsune are sometimes even easier to capture than their lower-tailed relations. Because of this a Kitsune will usually lie low until they have restored their power within the first year or so.
Section 5 - Damage on Tails and its Effect
Because of the many nerves in the tails of a Kitsune, it is extremely painful to have a tail damaged. As a result, it is wise to be cautious about even so much as touching the tails - if they are touched, it is to be done with extreme caution and due respect. The pain caused by damage to the tails is part of the reason that Kitsune are so loving of their tails, the other reason being that they are vessels for storing magic, and so were you to harm one you would not only cause extreme pain for the Kitsune, but you would also severely damage their pride.
However, this is not the only reason. Because Kitsune store their magic within their tails, damage caused can very easily reach their magic core. Any damage to their tails can cause long-term (sometimes if the damage is severe then well over 100 years) energy problems whereby the Kitsune has either lost too much energy, or it has no space to store its energy. The resulting escape of energy could also cause severe damage to the person who caused it, in the form of a sharp jolt of energy which could convert to fire, or lightning, or kinetic, or any other form (although the three afforementioned are the most common). Finally, even should you escape harm from the wound, the wrath of the Kitsune would almost certainly catch up with you should you cause any serious harm. Very few Kitsune will forgive damage to their tails without some form of recompensation, and while not all of them are violent they are nearly always demanding.
For a Kitsune to lose a tail is potentially fatal. The sudden loss of a vessel for the energy means that the energy continues to flood out of the stump at such a speed that the life of the Kitsune drains away in a matter of seconds before anything can be done about it. There are few, if any, reports of a Kitsune surviving such an event as losing a tail. The few rumours of a Kitsune surviving claim that the Kitsune lived by trapping its energy in another vessel before the tail was removed. However, this would imply intentional removal of the tail, and so many Kitsune are skeptical of such an event.
It is often questioned by humans why Kitsune do not damage their tails while running through the woods and other places where it may get snagged. The fur on the tail is nearly always very thick, which protects the tails, but most humans suggest that it is a magic enchantment of protection. Kitsune encourage these rumours, so that humans will believe that Kitsune protect their tails with magic and so will not attempt to harm their tails in order to drive them away or cause them pain should they be after revenge for some reason or another.