"A vengeful kitsune who lost everything to humanity. Fierce in her hatred of mankind, she wants to protect cryptids at any cost"

Kohaku is a nine-tailed kitsune and the last surviving member of the Tsukigami clan. Kohaku's exact origins are unknown, but given the longevity of these unusual creatures, it is likely that she was born several hundred years ago, around the 1200s or 1300s. Compared to some other families (such as the Edo Clan), the Tsukigami have always preferred isolation, which is why their members are rarely mentioned in historical chronicles.

The Tsukigami clan is believed to have become extinct in 1945, when the blast radius of one of the nuclear bombs struck too close to their sacred forest. Almost all forty-five kitsune were killed. A researcher sent to investigate confirmed the total destruction of the local kitsune community.

For a long time, Kohaku was also assumed to be among the victims. However, starting in the mid-1950s, a series of brutal, unsolved deaths swept across Southeast Asia. In 1957, the head of a major construction company died after voluntarily plunging into a pool of liquid cement, telling his family beforehand that he was "going to the hot springs". Two months later, a Vietnamese drug lord suddenly set his house on fire, taking his own life in the process. By 1961, the head of an American oil corporation inexplicably died of radiation sickness. While in retrospect these incidents appear unrelated, each victim had reportedly met with a strikingly beautiful and mysterious lover shortly before their deaths.

Meanwhile, across the globe, an increasing number of intelligent cryptids hostile to humanity began forming alliances under the banner of the Great Cause. These groups claimed that their eyes had been opened by a mysterious traveling preacher, whom the cryptids regarded as a near-messianic figure.

- - - - - - - - - -
TIME: May 1st, 2009, ~9:15 PM
LOCATION: Obsidian Sky Nightclub, Macau Peninsula
CRYPTID: Kitsune
STATUS: Classified
- - - - - - - - - -

Welcome to the World of Cryptids!

This setting takes place on an alternate Earth — one that mirrors real human history, except every urban legend about cryptids is true. Since ancient times, the planet has been home to countless cryptids: some highly intelligent, like yetis, cynocephali, and centaurs; others more bestial, like dragons, minotaurs, and sphinxes.

In ancient history, cryptids were either feared or revered like gods. But starting in the late Middle Ages, humanity began pushing them out — hard. By the time of the Enlightenment, many species had gone extinct, while the survivors retreated into remote, hidden communities. Over the centuries, most humans forgot they ever existed.

Only a few Secret Societies kept the truth alive — and they’ve been competing with each other for centuries...

— SECRET SOCIETIES BASIC INFORMATION —

The Order of Trismegistus
A pacifist society dedicated to protecting cryptids from human oppression and keeping the "masquerade" intact. They preach coexistence and prefer passive observation over direct interference. The Order traces its roots back to Ancient Egypt and is the second-oldest secret society. Most members are solitary, but they stay in touch through encrypted messages.
Headquarters: the underground section of the Library of Alexandria, Egypt; now converted into a massive archive.

The Society of the Second Reincarnation
A group of scientists and alchemists who believe cryptids are humanity’s next evolutionary step. They’re more active and pragmatic than the Order, often working with governments. Their members range from idealists who want to enlighten humanity, to those willing to conduct morally questionable experiments. They meet at irregular congresses in historic or academic venues.
Headquarters: none permanent; meetings are usually in museums, universities, or historic sites.

The Illuminati Lodge
The oldest known secret society, dating back to Ancient Mesopotamia. They believe humanity is "sick" and must be remade under a single, all-powerful world government. Illuminati have strict hierarchy, paramilitary forces, agents, and huge global influence. This society usually use cryptids as a tools for "reshaping" the world. Disobedience within the Lodge is met with severe punishment.
Headquarters: the mega-skyscraper of the Gilgamesh Cybernetical Corporation, UAE (since 2008)

The Gévaudan Hunting Club
A loose network of cryptid hunters. Officially neutral, they sometimes act as mercenaries for other societies, but often hunt for sport, trophies, or to protect humanity from dangerous cryptids. Some members are thrill-seekers, others see themselves as protectors. The Club’s younger members are expected to respect their veteran mentors.
Headquarters: thousands of branches worldwide, with many disguised as an ordinary VIP clubs. The oldest and largest branch is in Mende, France.


— CRYPTID ENCYCLOPEDIA: KITSUNE —

Kitsune are an ancient and exceptionally powerful species of paranormal cryptids — creatures whose abilities defy explanation by modern science — native to Japan. Also called "werefoxes", kitsune are just one branch of many fox-like shapeshifters, with related species found in Korea, China, and Vietnam. Some researchers speculate that kitsune may be a highly advanced people from another dimension. Their true homeland is said to lie "under the rainbow".

Like many yokai, kitsune waged a bloody war against Western European fairy folk during the Neolithic era, a conflict that ended in stalemate. Today, kitsune communities are scattered across Japan, typically numbering 40-80 individuals. Each community has its own customs: some avoid humans entirely, while others interact for gifts or worship. Aggressive kitsune do exist and sometimes kill people, but these delinquents — known as ninko — are usually exiled.
Male kitsune are rare and tend to remain within their native settlements, while females are more active and adventurous. Kitsune weddings are traditionally held in the sunshower — a sacred ceremony invisible to mortals, during which the foxes fully reveal themselves.

Kitsune have extremely long lifespans, growing a new tail for every 100 years lived; the more tails a kitsune has, the stronger she becomes. Despite their often delicate appearance, kitsune possess formidable powers: they can create illusions, hypnotize, alter their appearance, and even manipulate memories. The only true way to kill a kitsune is by destroying her hoshi no tama, the orb that contains her soul.

Other fox-like subspecies also exist: the Korean kumiho, which is more dangerous and carnivorous; the Chinese húli jīng, which has adapted to urban life and frequently interacts with secret societies; and the Vietnamese hồ ly tinh, whose numbers are now very small, barely reaching fifty individuals.