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. Scientifically, they are classified as Lycanthropus vulpes kumiho, as part of the greater Foxpeople species.

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 1,501BCA 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. Many would convert to Twin Dragon, and adopted similar practices to Celestial Elves of the Velande.

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. 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.

Culture
On the discovery of the Kumihos, ancient Elven 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 tehir 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 usually loathe their old names as "Kumihos" due to the large assimilation of the population, and usually accept being called "Ruscolie", though, this is usually the more aristocratic Kumihos. They also loathe being called "Kitsunes", as in Gu-Maek, it means "lesser being" in Almadorian, thus, invokes a negative reaction.

Traditional Kumiho culture is seemingly matriarchal, with women being heads of households, queens and stateswomen, as well as hunter-gatherers and farmers. As the Almadorians conquered them, aspects and roles had been filled in by men. Even though presently men do have more roles, the more conservative Kumhios appears to be more matriarchal.

Kumihos used to dress in more triablistic looking uniforms, usually exposing parts of their bodies, as they usually felt more comfortable that way, due to their fox form. But nowadays, they seem to be far more conservative, much like their Elven counterparts, usually donning a nanbok, or a dafu depending on where a Kumiho lives. They would see the lack of clothes as barbaric unless they are transforming into their fox form. They usually prefer to wear cotton as it is grown a lot around their land, but will wear silk or velvet depending on their social standings.