Kumiho

The Kumiho (Aurlûnoren: Ruscolie, Gu-Maek: Lhû-myo) or simply known as the fox people are a race that inhabits the southern parts of the Aurlûnor Velande.

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. Maturity of a Kumiho is a bit older than a human, which is around 20 years of age.

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.

History
The earliest accounts of Kumiho history dates back to the year 24,700BCA, in which records indicate early tool use by the Ganaya Civilization, which is considered one of the earliest tribes of the Kumiho. Actual Kumiho History is hard to find, due to the lack of a proper writing system until the year 7,000BCA, which they adopted the Nû script, using inspirations of the Fai script. It is however, indicated that the Kumiho migrated from the north, as Kumihos share the same evolution and gene type as the Lycanthropus vulpes who live in said region. Migratory patterns of the Kumiho lead to the area now known as "Linyin cave" indicates that the Kumiho's earliest settlements dates to 57,000BCA

The first proper Kumiho Civilization would emerge as the Hampo Confederation in 6,570BCA by the legendary founder, Myeongseon, a ten-tailed Kumiho who was seen as a divine by many of the people of the region due to her supposed mystical powers. It was her who turned the grasslands that were once a marshy region, into a more greener region. This legend is usually replaced that she is actually the ancestor of their modern ruler, Sareariel Lelya-Earcala, who is already seen as a divine, shaped the land for them to live in.

The reigns of the descendants of Myeongseon would end at around 4,000BCA, in which the Kingdom of Almador would swiftly conquer the region. The final ruler, Queen Tanilaseon, would die in combat against King Maxion himself. The rulership under Almador according to records, were brutal, and oppressive. Often, many Kumihos were forced to convert to the Almadorian faith. They were restricted from being incharge of government positions, and were treated as second-class citizens. This treatment would see multiple revolts by the Kumiho in 3,200BCA, 2,970BCA, 1,150BCA and 1,101BCA respectively. All of these revolts, except the one in 1,101BCA lead by Kangjonnmuk, ended in failure.

The Kumiho would see multiple incursions by their enemies on each border. The Kumiho would repel many of these enemies, and would see their territory expand. During the Queendom of Hampo's reign as an independent state, the Nine Great Kumiho Clans would rise. Eventually, they would be conquered and subjugated by the The Second Dominion of Ashura, and then, the Takumakken Empire. The conquest of the region by the Aurlûnor Velande would be welcomed by ironically welcomed with open arms, as it was reported the Krow People were oppressive and brutal, even moreso than their previous elven masters. Many Kumiho would flee to the Velande to seek sanctuary, knowing that their ruler was much different and more tolerant toward the people that were under Almadorian rule than any Almadorian King. When Hampo was taken from the Krow People following the Partition of Takumakken, the Velande would grant Kumihos citizenship, as well as equality among Humans and Elves. They were also given the right to be incharge of their own province, which was reorganized to be called the Hampo Province. They were also given land and formed the Vorosan Province. As a result of the spread of Twin Dragon, many would convert to it. Presently, a vast majority of the province are practicers of the faith, with very few following their old faith.

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 Province, 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 the Hampo Province. As the most developed of the other Kumiho cultures, many would identify themselves as being apart of this ethnicity. Descendents 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. The Hampo are divided into nine great clans, the largest and ruling being the Tashili Clan. Under the Kingdom of Almador, the Hampo clans were given vassalage status, allowing them to rule whatever pockets of land that Kingdom would allow them to rule, and were "civilized".

Much of Hampo culture today is extremely similar to that of their current overlords, the Aurlûnor Velande, though are said to be very xenophobic toward outsiders that are not of Celestial Elven descent. They often mimic their overlords by shapeshifting the sides of their heads to have Lhûren looking ears, and are devout worshippers of the Twin Dragon faith, with very few worshipping their old Hampo Paganist roots. The Hampo would also build in a rather similar way to their overlords as well, building temples and fortresses that look similar to that found in the Heartlands of the country. The Hampo culture also follows similar customs to the Heartlander culture of the Imperial Province and Lhûmar, 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 Velande and 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 the Dragon Army or the Ruscoliemar Metropolitan Police than men.

The number of tails also plays a large part in Kumiho society. Although Imperial law dictates that it's possible for any tailed Kumiho to become apart of the higher positions of government, the caste system is still very much present. 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.