Player Character Valid: After May 2030.  Prior to that point, GM permission is required.

Biology

Yoitsuni are biological metamorphs, able to shapeshift between their natural form and various other forms.  Their natural form is that of a small creature, shaped somewhat like an Earth ferret but far denser (and correspondingly having a higher mass), and with a longer tail, either catlike or foxlike – the shape of the tail is indicative of what population the Yoitsuni traces its lineage to (catlike indicates Northern Yoitsuni, foxlike indicates Southern Yoitsuni).  The second form is non-static, and can be changed at the desire of the Yoitsuni, provided it has a sample of the creature it wishes to shift into.  All Yoitsuni can shapeshift into any biological creature that it shares the same base compound and solvent with (Carbon and Water), this is an ability they learn to control shortly after learning to walk.  Yoitsuni can shapeshift into forms that are built off of different chirality amino acids from their own (which are left handed, like Humans), but this is only done with an empty digestive system.  This can also allow them to survive in a non-standard atmosphere.

With proper training and the right environment to shapeshift in, a skilled Yoitsuni can change into creatures that use base compounds and solvents other then Carbon and Water, such as Proximans (which utilize Phosphorous as a base compound and Ammonia as a solvent).  This is a difficult task, and requires years of practice and training before a Yoitsuni can perform it without harming herself.  This ability raises some questions with non-Yoitsuni about the origins of the Yoitsuni’s ability to shapeshift.  Since the ability to shift one’s biochemistry makes little sense for a predator-avoidance method, it can be surmised that this ability has some other source.

Yoitsuni are an innately magical species, with all Yoitsuni capable of at least basic theurgy.  Yoitsuni speak a language in their natural form which sounds similar to the vocalizations made by small Earth felines.

Of note are the ear-like structures on top of a Yoitsuni’s head in its natural form, and an optional feature in non-natural forms.  These are not actually ears, in the auditory-hearing sense, but are instead actually integral to a Yoitsuni’s innate theurgy variant.  They are more like storage devices for the normally incorporeal spirits that Yoitsuni summon for their theurgy, and as such the ‘ears’ must be present for a Yoitsuni to summon their servants.

The natural yoitsuni circadian rhythm is patterned around their homeworld’s 30-hour day – sleep for 10 hours, active for 20 hours.

 

Reproduction

Originally, Yoitsuni shapeshifting was a technique for predator avoidance on their homeworld, and Yoitsuni were a species that propagated strictly through facultative parthenogenesis, with little in the way of genetic variation from Yoitsuni to Yoitsuni.  It is theorized that there were originally male Yoitsuni, but some cataclysm wiped out most of their number, and the rest died out over the millennia.  In the centuries since the Yoitsuni achieved spaceflight, however, they have shifted more and more towards hybridogenetic reproduction – in which the offspring inherits some traits of the non-Yoitsuni parent but are unable to pass it along to their own offspring – however Yoitsuni are restricted with mating with fellow carbon/water-based creatures.  A Yoitsuni can still engage in parthenogenetic reproduction (which always creates a Yoitsuni), and a coupling with a non-Yoitsuni will always produce a Yoitsuni as well.  When a Yoitsuni mates with a non-Yoitsuni (regardless of the form the act takes place in), the resulting offspring will inherit a 3rd shapeshifting form which is mostly the same species as the non-Yoitsuni parent, but some lingering Yoitsuni traits will remain (specifically: ears, tail, and retractable claws).

 

Culture

After their introduction to interstellar travel, Yoitsuni have developed a reputation as cultural infiltrators.  Yoitsuni can be found on almost any inhabited planet within their conceivable reach – whether or not their presence is known by the inhabitants of that world.  This only applies to worlds with species that the Yoitsuni can disguise themselves as.  Yoitsuni have extensive records of visits to worlds which had no knowledge of their presence there.  Sometimes a Yoitsuni is exposed and has to flee the planet, but leaves behind evidence of their visitation in the form of legends about shapeshifting feline or fox creatures.  Examples theorized to be evidence of Yoitsuni visitation include the kitsune, barghest, and nagual legends found on Earth, and the tuhk’le’nat’ra (lit. ‘she who moves on all fours’) myth on Proxima Centauri.

Consequently, the Yoitsuni are regarded as one of the species most knowledgeable about the culture of other civilizations, and are commonly found working as cultural experts, sociologists, tour guides, and as ‘cultural consultants’ for less-traveled or new-on-the-scene species.

‘The Way of the Three’ is the primary Yoitsuni belief system.  Centering around a three-deity pantheon, it espouses the three virtues of Deception, Observation, and Understanding.

Deception: Stealth is most effective when you hide in plain sight.  Cloak your presence with normality, and you shall be invisible in the eyes of the rest.  Deception is necessary to gain the knowledge required for Understanding.

Observation: Observation counters Deception, and Deception is everywhere.  Observe your surroundings, so that you may be free from Deception.  Observation is a boon to Understanding.

Understanding: To Deceive or Observe, one must first Understand.  Understanding allows for effective Deception and for efficient Observation.

 

History

The Yoitsuni have been capable of interstellar travel for roughly 2000 Earth-years, having first departed from their homeworld after commandeering a ship that had originally been crewed by thrill-seekers who had arrived their to hunt dangerous local animals.  Prior to that, they had explored their native star system, but since the other planets in their home system had no real possibility for inhabitation they were largely left alone.

 

Military Forces

Since making their way into space, the yoitsuni have preferred to avoid direct military conflict.  They instead choose to use their shapeshifting abilities to infiltrate enemy forces and wreak havoc from within via sabotage.  Their innate theurgical abilities aid them in these matters by giving them formidable assets along the lines of easily-concealable destructive power in the form of their ability to form pacts with fearsome creatures not unlike the Spirit Beasts found on Earth.

Technology-wise, they exist in a state just beyond Earth’s technology level, with roughly the same technology – just in more efficient forms.  Most of their technology is adapted for use in their natural form, so they tend to use whatever is on hand when shapeshifted.  A notable exception to this is a smart material that the yoitsuni developed utilizing metal spirits.  This material can reshape itself according to the user’s will, similar in nature to the abilities exhibited by humans contracted to metal spirits.

Yoitsuni spacecraft utilize Flux Space for FTL travel, having never developed a FTL travel method of their own.  While they do have their own spacecraft, they more often use other species ships for transportation.

 

Imports

Raw materials, cultural knowledge

 

Exports

Special operations mercenaries, smart metals, intelligence operatives