Post by Kitsu on Dec 21, 2009 16:03:13 GMT -5
Grey Kitsune are far less numerous than the more common whites and reds, accounting for a mere 15% of the Kitsune population. They tend to focus their talents on very specialised magic, in very niched areas including healing (the most common choice), transformation aside from human forms, clairvoyant talents (although this is rarely pursued the whole way through the tails) and illusion-work. However, they are not so skilled in magical power, and as a result their strength in magic can be somewhat lacking - they generally cannot hold onto energy for as long, and can have poor stamina if unable to absorb more from their surroundings. They tend to withdraw themselves from all species, but can feel comfortable in the company of Black Kitsune, and enjoy the energy of the White Kitsune. However for them, the Red Kitsune can be slightly too extroverted and challenging, and to get into the trusted circle of a Desert Kitsune is draining, and they will thus usually avoid the company of both, though they have no active dislike for any particular kind.
Grey Kitsune can be relatively small in appearance, generally choosing to melt in with the surroundings rather than burst out. Upon reaching an age at which they may change their fur they choose more muted fur tones, often mixing other colours into the grey such as dull orange, darker shades of grey or occasionally sandy brown colours, depending on where they live. Any markings chosen will usually be blended, faint and somewhat indistinct, although they appreciate the intricate and will often choose very complex designs to dot their pelts and give them a faintly dappled appearance at times. They modestly choose to remain as true to the original fox shape as usual, though their legs can be slightly shorter and their paws slightly wider spread. They do take great pride of their tails, but tend to do so in a less extravagant manner, preferring to leave them in a less-is-more state and making as few changes to them as possible - though it would be a huge offence to sully the tail of any grey despite this. They tend to opt for thinner pelts, although there are exceptions to this if the patterns they have chosen to brush across their furs are impossible to properly recreate without various layers.
Many people who speak to Grey Kitsune find themselves coming away feeling as if they know less than they did before. Grey Kitsune can be incredibly shy and withdrawn, and it is not unknown for one to only ever open fully to close family, or a close friend whom they would consider at the same status of family. They place a high value on family, and it is not uncommon for a hunter, upon killing a Grey Kitsune, to be hunted down only days later by the close family with a vengeance. This would not be notable, except for the fact that in general, Grey Kitsune are extremely peaceable, and to rouse one into fighting is very unusual. Despite their general avoidance of contact with anyone whom they don't know well, if they see a wounded person, Kitsune or any form of living being who is badly hurt, they will be unable to restrain themselves from helping in some way, even if that way is to bring about a mercy killing. They can at times seem a little weak, and a little easy to manipulate if pressed in the right way - they rarely stand up for themselves unless absolutely necessary, preferring instead not to rock the boat and make the best out of a bad situation instead. But if you can befriend one then they make very caring companions, and their compassion can be awe-inspiring.
Grey Kitsune will usually either spend their life focused on their family or on healing magic. They commonly use their human form to blend in with a human crowd and explore the world without notice that way, and also often buy various objects from humans - charms, enchantments and various objects with magic-aiding capabilities. They often use these, and though some other Kitsune kind consider it shameful to employ the use of another object to aid magic, Grey Kitsune see no dishonour in it and will usually ask others to be tolerant of their opinions on the matter. They will invariably have many families, and it is often considered that for a Grey Kitsune to die before having a child who will grow up to be a Kitsune themselves is a tragedy. They are also the only kind of Kitsune in which the father will usually stay with the mother after the birth until the litter is reared fully. Their strengths magicwise nearly always lie within the realms of pure magic or healing magic (as mentioned above), but the specific talents vary greatly between the Kitsune, the only general rule being that often, they leave elemental magic to other Kitsune. They may seem to put themselves on a limb away from other Kitsunekind, but are especially nurturing of the Kitsune community, and will jump to the aid of any Kitsune readily be they friend or enemy.
Grey Kitsune can be relatively small in appearance, generally choosing to melt in with the surroundings rather than burst out. Upon reaching an age at which they may change their fur they choose more muted fur tones, often mixing other colours into the grey such as dull orange, darker shades of grey or occasionally sandy brown colours, depending on where they live. Any markings chosen will usually be blended, faint and somewhat indistinct, although they appreciate the intricate and will often choose very complex designs to dot their pelts and give them a faintly dappled appearance at times. They modestly choose to remain as true to the original fox shape as usual, though their legs can be slightly shorter and their paws slightly wider spread. They do take great pride of their tails, but tend to do so in a less extravagant manner, preferring to leave them in a less-is-more state and making as few changes to them as possible - though it would be a huge offence to sully the tail of any grey despite this. They tend to opt for thinner pelts, although there are exceptions to this if the patterns they have chosen to brush across their furs are impossible to properly recreate without various layers.
Many people who speak to Grey Kitsune find themselves coming away feeling as if they know less than they did before. Grey Kitsune can be incredibly shy and withdrawn, and it is not unknown for one to only ever open fully to close family, or a close friend whom they would consider at the same status of family. They place a high value on family, and it is not uncommon for a hunter, upon killing a Grey Kitsune, to be hunted down only days later by the close family with a vengeance. This would not be notable, except for the fact that in general, Grey Kitsune are extremely peaceable, and to rouse one into fighting is very unusual. Despite their general avoidance of contact with anyone whom they don't know well, if they see a wounded person, Kitsune or any form of living being who is badly hurt, they will be unable to restrain themselves from helping in some way, even if that way is to bring about a mercy killing. They can at times seem a little weak, and a little easy to manipulate if pressed in the right way - they rarely stand up for themselves unless absolutely necessary, preferring instead not to rock the boat and make the best out of a bad situation instead. But if you can befriend one then they make very caring companions, and their compassion can be awe-inspiring.
Grey Kitsune will usually either spend their life focused on their family or on healing magic. They commonly use their human form to blend in with a human crowd and explore the world without notice that way, and also often buy various objects from humans - charms, enchantments and various objects with magic-aiding capabilities. They often use these, and though some other Kitsune kind consider it shameful to employ the use of another object to aid magic, Grey Kitsune see no dishonour in it and will usually ask others to be tolerant of their opinions on the matter. They will invariably have many families, and it is often considered that for a Grey Kitsune to die before having a child who will grow up to be a Kitsune themselves is a tragedy. They are also the only kind of Kitsune in which the father will usually stay with the mother after the birth until the litter is reared fully. Their strengths magicwise nearly always lie within the realms of pure magic or healing magic (as mentioned above), but the specific talents vary greatly between the Kitsune, the only general rule being that often, they leave elemental magic to other Kitsune. They may seem to put themselves on a limb away from other Kitsunekind, but are especially nurturing of the Kitsune community, and will jump to the aid of any Kitsune readily be they friend or enemy.