Fox Lands - Kitsune Forest

[Vutall]

Kitsune Forest
After the Day of Thunder, the majority of the Ki-Rin Clan rode out of Rokugan in pursuit of the Empire’s enemies, leaving a small group to safeguard their land. Unfortu-nately, they were too few to withstand an invasion from the Lion. The remaining Ki-Rin were pushed southward until the Emperor himself intervened and declared the orphaned group a Minor Clan. They were given the territory encompassing Kitsune Forest and changed their name to the Fox Clan to reflect their new home. Despite this good fortune, the Fox Clan’s troubles were far from over. Emperor Hantei Genji had given them land that he had no authority to give: it had already been claimed by spirits. The Fox Clan had to adapt to the rules of the forest, and through the guidance of the kitsune fox spirits of Senkyō, they achieved harmony. In return for the Fox Clan’s respect and reverence, the spirits of Kitsune Forest give the clan their protection

There are few forests as beautiful as Kitsune. The canopy filters the sunlight into an emerald glow that saturates everything, while the ground is carpeted with mounds of moss, fragmented by trickling streams, and freckled with tiny white flowers. Fluffy spores become visible in beams of light as they drift about trunks covered in step-like mushrooms. The Fox Clan keeps the forest floor clear of deadfall and tends to any sickly trees. As a result, there is only vibrant life. The plants exhibit creativity, twisting their branches to form elegant arched corridors and patterns. Everything within Kitsune Forest feels imbued with a playful intelligence, and though travelers feel watched, they rarely feel threatened. The spirits know to be patient with humans, but they have also learned that mortals make easy marks. Many spirits cannot resist pulling a (mostly) harmless prank, and if their mischief is met with good humor, they are sure to bestow gifts upon their forgiving targets.

Tips and Tricks
Kitsune spirits are known for their love of gems. There are surely treasures stashed throughout the forest.

There is a village of tanuki (raccoon dogs) who throw wonderful parties. Their sake is fantastic, and their pranks and performances are hilarious.

Troublesome kawauso (river otters) are mimicking people’s voices and reveling in the ensuing confusion. Some especially tricky youngsters appear as attractive humans, flirting with travelers then running away in a fit of giggles. No harm will come from ignoring them.

Mikotoba (Forbidden Words)
In every village near the Kitsune Forest, one can hear of the imikotoba. Long ago, the spirits of Kitsune Forest requested that humans refrain from using the following words while traversing their woods and instead employ the corresponding substitutions:

Death—Slumber
Illness—Rest
Tears—Salty Drips
Blood—Pain Sweat
Meat—Mushrooms
Grave—Dirt Pile

And of course, they ask for no discussion of cutting, sawing, hacking, or snapping in the least. Such talk stresses the kodama to salty drips.