Obakeh

Obakeh are the mortal children of animal spirits, instilled with an inherent sense of destiny and a proclivity for mischief. Obakeh society (such as it is) exists only in demiplanar monasteries or cloistered communities deep in the bamboo forests of Izumo and Zhongho.

The most common variety of obakeh are kitsune. Kitsune resemble humanoid foxes, although the pattern on each individual's fur is unique. Each is born with a single tail, with the capacity to gain as many as eight additional tails as they grow in wisdom. These nine-tailed masters often become divine beings, leaving the mortal world behind to ascend to the Plane of Spirit.

A close relative of the kitsune is the tanuki. Bearing a greater resemblance to a raccoon than a fox, they are limited to a single fuzzy, striped tail. Tanuki have a reputation for being talented gamblers, using their powers of trickery to shift the odds in their favour.

The third and final variety of obakeh is the nekomata. While their true nature is a mystery, they are said to be reincarnated housecats who have been gifted with mystical powers after living an especially long life. Although they are similar in appearance to tabaxi, nekomata can be distinguished by their dual tails.

Heritage

• Ability Score Increase: When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. You can't raise any of your scores above 20.
• Creature Type: You are a Fey.
• Age: Obakeh are born as fully-formed adults and are thought to be functionally immortal, with some known to have lived for over 1,000 years.
• Languages: Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character.
• Size: Your size is Medium.
• Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 ft.
• Mystical Trickster: You know the Guidance cantrip. Starting at 3rd level, you can also cast bless and bane with this trait. Once you cast bless or bane with this trait, you can’t cast either spell with it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can cast both spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells (choose when you select this race).
• Darkvision: You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.
• Lineage: Three lineages of obakeh exist: kitsune, tanuki and nekomata. Choose one of them for your character.

Variants

Kitsune

• Vulpine Eloquence: You gain proficiency in your choice of either the Deception or Persuasion skill.
• Fox Form: As an Action, you can transform into the shape of a fox. When you do, your clothing and equipment meld into your form, and you gain no benefits from them while transformed. You determine the specifics of your appearance in fox form, including your colouration and size (choosing from Tiny or Small) when you select this lineage. All your other game statistics remain the same. You can’t cast spells that require material or somatic components while in this form, but you can still concentrate on spells and speak as normal. You remain in this form until you use an Action to revert to your true form or you die.

Tanuki

• Grabby Hands: You gain proficiency in the Thievery and Sleight of Hand skills.
• Object Form: As an Action, you can take the shape of a Tiny or Small non-magical item. When you do, your clothing and equipment meld into your form, and you gain no benefits from them while transformed. In this form, your DC is 10, your weight is appropriate to the specified item, you are incapable of moving, attacking, casting spells or non-telepathic speech, and you don’t need to eat, drink or breathe. Additionally, you automatically fail any Strength and Dexterity checks or saves. Your hit points and other unspecified stats remain the same as those of your true form. If you are weaponised in object form, you count as an improvised weapon and you take damage equal to half the amount that you deal (rounded down). You remain in this form until you use an Action to revert to your true form or you die.

Nekomata

• Feline Instincts: You gain proficiency in your choice of either the Stealth or Perception skill.
• Humanoid Form: As an Action, you can take the form of a humanoid. This form must be of a humanoid race you have seen before, be of a similar body type and height as your true form and have roughly analogous physical traits, such as limb configuration (your tails are optional). You are incapable of mimicking the appearance of a specific individual, even if you have seen them before. You remain in this form until you use an Action to revert to your true form or you die.

1d6	Obakeh Names
1	Lovers Heart
2	First Snow
3	Summer Sunrise
4	Windblown Sand
5	Fallen Leaves
6	Fearless Youth

As the spirits who birth obakeh have no need of names, it falls to others or the obakeh themself to create one. Youths are often named after something they feel a significant connection with.

As kitsune age, they may choose to rename themselves after an object or event that granted them the wisdom to gain a new tail.

1d6	Obakeh Birthplaces
1	A fox's wedding
2	An oni hunt
3	A mountaintop pilgrimage
4	Cherry Blossom Festival
5	Festival of the Yokai
6	Kami Harvest

1d6	Obakeh Appearances
1	Pure white fur with orange coloring on the forehead
2	Half a tail lost from a trick gone wrong
3	Multicolored tail(s)
4	Red coloring on white fur in the shape of a torii gate
5	Oversized ears
6	Dark, almost black fur, that hides all other colorings

1d6	Obakeh Motivations
1	Desires to master all forms of combat, adventuring to hone their skills
2	Driven by an insatiable curiosity, seeks to uncover the world's hidden secrets
3	Seeks revenge against a sorcerer who cursed their village
4	Driven by a desire to collect stories and legends from every corner of the world
5	On a personal mission to reunite the scattered tribes of their people
6	A powerful dream compels them to protect the natural world from encroaching dark forces

Lifespan

1,000+

Average Height

6'