Vulpes

The Vulpes tribe of Ochae'nafod are bonded to species of fox in both Thiskel and Kalesten. The red fox is largest and most populous species, found throughout the northern hemisphere. Some smaller species of fox inhabit limited regions of South Thiskel, north and central Kalesten, and northwest Thiskel.

Red Fox Tribes

Found in both Thiskel and Kalesten are tribes of the red fox. 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.

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.

Chama Tribe

There are a few fox species found in South Thiskel, but only one is barely large enough for the Ochae'nafod to shift into; the silver-backed fox found in the semi-arid regions along the west and north of South Thiskel.

This tribe shares the dark skin color of local humans and some facial features, but they still tend to have narrow oval faces. Their hair is often silver or platinum blonde.

Lianqai Mountain Fox Tribe

Found in the Lianqai mountains of northwest Thiskel, this small tribe has scattered clans primarily in the mountains and a little further north into the tundra.

They resemble the humans of the region in facial structure, aside from some subtle vulpine traits, and are marked by their golden eyes and sandy-colored hair.

Swift Fox

This species of fox is native to the semi-arid grasslands of west North Kalesten and central Kalesten. The clans bonded to this species live mainly in regions unpopulated by humans, though they may be friendly with the nomadic human tribes of the region.

They tend to be tan or coppery skinned like the local humans, but with platinum blonde hair like the silvery coat of their bonded species.

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). The red fox tribes often have a few more inches on those bonded to the smaller fox species. 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. Their hair color is determined by the dominant color of the coat of their fox form, and it is often unique among each specific species' tribe.

Culture

The Vulpes tribes share 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 red fox bonded Vulpes 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.