Kumiho

The Kumiho (Aurlûnoren: Ruscolie, Gu-Maek: Lhû-myo) or simply known as the fox people are a race that inhabits the parts of the Aurlûnor Velande, their homeland of Hampo, and Vorosan Province with a small minority in Ashura.

On the discovery of the Kumihos, Almadorian accounts described them as a "Barbaric people who eat the flesh of men and women they come across despite their beautiful appearances", and usually painted them as psychopathic and evil. This however, seemed to have changed long after the conquest by the Kingdom of Almador, in which Almadorians would usually force them to abandon their old ways, and start embracing the Almadorian Pantheon through force or by labor work. By the time of the revolution of 1,101BCA, reformed Kumiho culture that adapted to the ways of Almadorian traditions were mixed with traditional Kumiho culture, and by the time Twin Dragon spread into the region, changed it even further to become more proper. Kumiho would start to stray away from cannibalism as well, with them viewing their old traditional pagan religion as a "barbaric bygone". Attitudes of the Kumiho had also changed, with them acting akin to their Celestial Elven overlords, even more so when the Aurlûnor Velande took their region over, and made them citizens as well as accept them into the Empire.

Kumihos, scientifically, are classified as Lycanthropus vulpes kumiho, as part of the greater Foxpeople species and are said to be related to the Vulpur of Eldham. However, paleontological evidence suggests that the two had a convergent evolution, as the Vulpur were discovered to have very little in common with the Kumiho. There is some who propose to put the Kumiho into their own category of evolution, even as far as to put them as a class of Homonid, much like Elves.

Kumihos live to be around 150-200, which is slightly longer than a human life span. It is rare to see a Kumiho reach to 200 years, but it can be achieved through good help, and access to good medicine as well as magical inhibitors to health. Maturity of a Kumiho is a bit older than a human, which is around 20 years of age. Mid age Kumiho are around 60 years, while old age is at 125.

Etymology
The origin of the name "Kumiho" is unknown. Some would argue that it was a mistake in translation by the Almadorians who called them "Lhû-myo", which means "Dragon Fox", mostly due to their tails forming into something akin to a dragon. Others would state this was a name that is a direct translation, meaning "fox people", as "Lhû" in Gu-maek means fox, not dragon.

Kumihos usually loathe their old names as "Kumihos" due to the affiliation of Almadorians, and usually accept being called "Ruscolie" which means fox person in Aurlûnoren. Though, this is more of a thing that more conservative and loyal Kumihos use. Commoner Kumihos or middle class do not mind being called "Kumiho". They also loathe being called "kitsunes", as in Gu-Maek, "Ki-sun" means "lesser being", thus, invokes a negative reaction.

Appearance
The Kumiho can shapeshift into a fox (They can also communicate with foxes), which, prior to Almadorian Conquest, was seen as their true natural form. Nowadays, most Kumiho appear in a more humanoid form, which they use to trade with others. They have fox ears, and their females are known for their tails, ranging from one to up to nine. Males only seem to only have up to three tails. Nine-tails are usually the highest caste in the society, acting as rulers or governors. On extremely rare occasions, a Kumiho can have ten tails, which is seen as sacred in their culture, and can usually land themselves quickly in a high end government or military position if they so choose. It's not known how Kumihos are born with a tail, but it's usually rarer when the number goes up, with one to three tails being more common, while four to seven are uncommon, and eight to nine are rare, with them being in most cases, genetic from another eight or nine tail, though this is usually not always the case. Sometimes, they will appear to have Elven ears underneath their hair, but only those who live in the northern areas. In their native home, they do not show them.

Kumihos have red hair, the same as any other fox, some being more saturated than others. Their eyes are commonly green, with some being born with brown and amber eyes. On extremely rare occasions, some are born with white hair and tails, which are usually seen as either outcasts or praised.

Culture
Kumihos have varying amounts of cultures that surround them. Although a large majority of them live in the modern day Hampo, other Kumihos that are located outside of the region are treated as outsiders, and are not very much welcomed.

Hampo
A large majority of the Kumiho population are of the Hampo (literally meaning the Hamgu people) culture, living in Hampo. As the most developed of the other Kumiho cultures, many would identify themselves as being apart of this ethnicity. Descendants of the ancient Kumiho clans of the region, the Hampo culture centers around the historical Queendom of Hampo, which ruled the region prior to it's decline and annexation into foreign powers such as Takumakken, Viridian and Ashura.

Much of Hampo culture today is extremely xenophobic toward outsiders. They often mimic Lhûren and humans and often takes their forms. A majority of Kumiho are devout worshippers of the Twin Dragon faith, with very few worshipping their old Hampo Paganist roots, which they find heretical. The Hampo culture also follows similar customs to the Aurlûnoren and Dawouic cultures, with them dressing in their own particular clothes which they call the Ruscobok or the Hamgu-bok.

Traditional Hampo culture is matriarchal, with many heads of the households being female-lead, and people taking on the mother's surname, rather than the father's. Although the Twin Dragon faith encourages egalitarianism, this is often ignored, and it is often common to find men who share the same last name as their mother, rather than their fathers. Women in the Hampo culture also play a huge role as leaders, political figures and heads of government, and will be often seen helping men with laborious tasks. It is more common to see women join military ranks than men.

The number of tails also plays a large part in Kumiho society. Kumihos who were born with one to three tails, are considered peasants and lower class, those who have three to six are considered middle class, while six to eight are considered nobility. Nine tail Kumihos are often leaders or generals, or higher ranked. This confusing caste system remains a controversial topic in the Hampo Province government, with regulations often trying to rid of this, and attempt to rid of it.

The Queensguard, traditionally a Hampo military unit of the Queen of Hampo, is in service of the Veleran in the Aurlûnor Velande as apart of the Dragon Guard. During the Hampo Territorial Dispute, the Queensguard were classified as a group in exile, and pledged loyalty only to the Veleran, not to Ashura.

Hateulaendeo
The Hateulaendeos are Kumiho namely from Hampo, who had fully integrated into Heartlander Culture in the Aurlûnor Velande. These Kumiho are regarded as friendlier than their counterparts located in Hampo, and are often more open to other races and cultures. Although they share the same stigma xenophobia view of the world through their contemporaries in Lhûmar, the Hateulaendeos are more adventerous and free-spirited, and as a result, more ambitious.

The Latice Family, one of Lhûmar's most influential families, are Hateulaendeo. Oranje von Savras-McSpiegel is said to also be Hateulaendeo. Multiple members of the Imperial Military are Hateulaendeo.

Frontieer Kumiho
The Frontieer Kumiho also known as simply the Colonizers are Kumiho who ventured out to the steppes of Vorosan Province, settling in the region during the years of the Queendom of Hampo. They expanded their territorial influence, and founded a town called Ma Pona, which later became known as Hanustandor.

The Frontieer Kumiho are not as xenophobic as their homeland counterparts, although the two groups had spiraled animosity toward eachother, especially under the Velande, for mainly accepting multiculturalism in their society. Frontieer Kumiho are still matriarchal, with their traits of female dominated societies carrying over into this pastoral lifestyle, but has a more humble view on the world. As a result, mixtures between these Kumiho and other races are seen, such as half elves or half humans. They tend to be more conservative in the countryside, however, preferring to stick to their own.