Vulpes

The Vulpes tribe of Ochae'nafod are bonded to the red fox found in both Thiskel and Kalesten. The red fox is largest and most populous species, found throughout the northern hemisphere. They prefer forests and woodlands, sometimes venturing into grasslands.

The red fox tribes are the most well-known, in part because they are a widespread tribe bonded to a familiar species, but also because a member of their tribe entered the legends of the Religion of Light. The Vulpes adventurer Chepol became the lover of the goddess Erada when the Third Generation Gods descended to Aserra. He became the father of the demi-god Casril.

Other Foxes

There are other small canids in Aserra that are bonded to Ochae'nafod but are not as well-defined as the Vulpes tribe. Three other true fox species (in the Vulpes genus) are just large enough to be shape-shifted into.

True Fox Tribes

Tribe Name	Species	Region	Size Range	Notes
Chama	(Cape) Fox	NW, N, South Thiskel	Extra small
Ferrilata	(Tibetan) Fox	Lianqai Mountains	Extra small
Velox	Swift Fox	Central, W Kalesten	Extra small

South Kalesten Lycalopex Fox Tribes

The fox genus of Lycalopex corresponds with several species of fox from South America, which are transplanted to South Thiskel.

Tribe Name	Species	Region	Size Range	Notes
Culpaeus	Culpeo of (Andean) Zorro/Fox	N. South Thiskel	Extra small
Griseus	(South American) Gray fox	S. South Kalesten	Extra small
Gymnocercus	Pampas fox	South Kalesten	Extra small

Other Fox-Like Tribes

Tribe Name	Species	Region	Size Range	Notes
Nyctereutes	Raccoon Dog or Tanuki	NW North Thiskel	Small
Urocyon	Gray Fox	Central, W North Kalesten	Extra small
Atelocynus	Short-eared dog or zorro	South Kalesten	Extra small
Cerdocyon	Crab-eating fox	South Kalesten	Extra small
Speothos	Bush Dog	South Kalesten	Extra small

Appearance

The Vulpes tribe are among the smaller of the Ochae'nafod tribes, with males standing at an average of 5' (152cm) and females at 4'7" (140cm). Their build is often lean and lithe, carrying very little fat on their slender frames. Their faces have a subtle vulpine look with oval faces with narrow chins. Vulpes eye colors are commonly gold but also have a slitted pupil. Their eyes are framed with dark lashes and eyebrows, regardless of their hair color.

Skin color among the red fox Vulpes is close to the color of the local humans, ranging through fair to tan to light brown. Their hair color is commonly the red color of the fox's coat, but with the variety in wild foxes, there is likewise variety in the Vulpes tribe, including dilute and melanistic forms. Individuals with these color varieties have a hair color that matches the dominant coat color. Golden eye colors are the most common.

Culture

The Vulpes tribe possess a nature that is balanced between caution and curiosity. As they are bonded to a small species that is sometimes prey and seen as a pest by humans, they can be wary of interacting with humans. But, they are also known to be playful and mischievous, even adventurous. In the War of the Gods they joined with other more aggressive carnivore-bonded tribes, but typically served as scouts and assassins rather than front-line warriors.

Their usual settlements are kept hidden, either by deep vegetation or other geographical features. Typically, they build small structures for individual or couple residences in a circular formation around a common area. Some Vulpes tribes have moved into cities, either as full citizens or living on the fringes in abandoned buildings or other structures.

Romantically, the Vulpes form committed relationships, though they aren't often life-long bonds. Most relationships last for a few decades before a couple simply tire of each other and part ways. Foxes are semi-social and clans are typically made up of extended family with some outsiders married in.