The Maikong
A custom FFXIV fox shifter race
Basic Info
This race is inspired by the Maikong, or crab-eating fox of South America, as well as the South Americans whom the word "Maikong" comes from, the Macushi.Of necessity, this race is not meant to be a one-to-one analog for either the real-life fox or the real-life people. I have included some of the sources I was able to draw from below, if you wish to know more about either.
Limited Bibliography
Traits
Note: the singular form of Maikong is "Maikang."Appearance: The Maikong have two forms, one human-like in appearance, one fox-like. A Maikang will consider both of their forms to be their "true self", and can shift between them effortlessly, although most will refrain from doing so in the presence of outsiders. Clothes are retained when shifting from human form to fox and back to human. It is not known what happens to the clothes while they are in fox form.
Human form: Humanoid in appearance, with ears and tail that can be described as fox-like or dog-like in appearance. Digitigrade feet in most cases.
Fox form: Fox forms can vary in color in size from individual to individual; each person only has one "fox-form" (growing from pup to adult as their human form does) that they shift to, and their coloration often mimics the hair and fur colors they might have in human form. The larger the human, in most cases, the larger the fox form.Height: A large range exists, but heights of 4' 10" to 6' 1" in human form are the most commonColoration: Primarily natural-looking colors (black, red, gray, brown); certain colors appear to dominate certain regions (see Culture for geographical range), but by no means are colors limited per region. For example, snowy regions will dominantly be paler colors, jungles will be darker colors, deserts will have more browns and blonds.Lifespan: 70 - 90 yearsLanguage: Most are bilingual in their Maikong language, as well as whatever language most dominates the region, although fluency in the latter can vary significantly. Their native language and communication style tends to be quite similar between human and fox forms, which can include barking, chirping, and howling. Most will struggle to speak other human languages while in fox form.Clothing: Fashion tends to reflect whatever style is common in the region.
Naming Conventions
The most common form of Maikong name include, as a basis: a noun, an adjective, and a verb; or an adverb, a verb ,and a noun. While the orders of these can vary, most often the noun will function as the first or primary name (although not always). Often, a shaman will be present at the naming ceremony of the child, and often the child's name will be a reference to the child's natal prophecy (see Culture).For the sake of generating a name, you may find it easier to start with the English translation and finding the corresponding words in the Macushi Dictionary and removing any letters represented by a ?. You may arrange the Macushi words in any order to find the arrangement of name you like best.For the sake of the in-game naming limits, either hypenate two of the names, or put their full name in the search info.Several examples are:
"The Dark Star Shines" - Kaiwano Suuyu Weiyuma
"The Swiftly Flying Eagle" - Kuwano Awainamu Kanepe
"The Blue Butterfly Burns" - Arami Peppe Rora
Culture
Location & Distribution
The Maikong are endemic to Tural, and live in small, scattered tribes over both Yok Tural and Xak Tural; usually far away from other humanoids; as a result, they often live in the remotest, most hostile of environs, which can be quite varied, from cold, snowy mountaintops; to arid deserts; to deep jungles.
Persecution From the Outside
Due to a history of suspicion centering around their shape-shifting abilities, Maikong have often been attacked, either by other races wholesale or by vidraal hunters, who believe that their shapeshifting abilities must connect them to some sort of unnatural allegiance with the tural vidraal. As a result, the Maikong are fairly rare and are very hard to find, even in remote regions. It is unlikely you will see one unless one wishes to be seen.
Lifestyle
The Maikong live a semi-nomadic existence, settling down in a place for up to several years before moving on, either because of the strain on the natural resources of the locale, or due to a perceived threat from outsiders. Much like the Shetona, it is not unusual for them to move into, and build off of, abandoned residences if such are available in the locale.Groups are commonly made up of four to eight families, with groups splintering from each other and going their separate ways should they become too large.They are primarily nocturnal, with day-to-day activities peaking in the middle of the night or towards early morning.
Religion & Beliefs
The Maikong believe they are the descendants of two beings commonly referred to as "The Great Hunter" and "The Fox Goddess."As the story goes, "Moriwaron," or "The Night Hunter," is the mightiest hunter to have existed. His skill was so great, he was able to capture or kill any animal he had a mind to, save for one; the humble, yet wily fox. Driven to frustration by this denial of his superiority, he became obsessed in his quest to slay one, with each and every hunt leading him closer and closer to fulfilling his passion. When he came within an actual hair's breadth of slaying one, the fox deity "Maikan" appeared to him, and offered a trade. In exchange for him ceasing to hunt her children, she would teach him the ways of the fox, of cunning; to give him the secrets that had allowed them to elude him for so long. He agreed; however Maikan, not fully trusting him, tricked him into marriage, and the resulting union led to the birth of the first Maikong.The Maikong to this day will avoid hunting or injuring foxes, as they believe them to be their elder siblings through their shared mother, Maikan.
Natal Prophecies
It is tradition, several days after a new Maikang is born, to undergo a ceremony in which the village shaman or religious leader will seek to bestow a prophecy upon them via a means of divination, which varies from tribe to tribe. The child's name will then often be derived from their natal prophecy. Often, the child will be told their natal prophecy when they pass the rites of adulthood, which also vary from tribe to tribe.
The Esonomi-witti
Common knowledge to the Maikong, but rarely shared with outsiders, are the esonomi-witti, or "safe dens", that lie scattered through various remote regions of Tural. Marked by signs only known to the Maikong (or the occasional trusted Outsider), they often will contain food, clothing, and other emergency supplies. They are kept restocked by local Maikong, and will often be replenished by the last who needed to use them. Occasionally, several Maikong will make a special trek to ensure the esonomi-witti in their local area remain in good condition.
Making a Maikang
Making a Maikang can be done multiple ways. Suggested races for a starting base are Miqo'te, Hyur, or Viera.No Mods: If you do not use mods, the easiest way is acquire the Werewolf set from the Mogstation, as this will give you both ears and feet. As for tails, either you can start with a furry-tailed race such as Miqo'te, or use one of several outfits from the game that come with tails, such as the Warg tops from the dungeon, The Grand Cosmos. Another option for ears is the Tamano Headband, with several methods of acquisition.Mods: There are many, many mods one can use to create a fox-like creature. The only one I'm using at this time is the tail-only form of this Torgal mod, as I prefer the look of the werewolf ears and feet. Feel free to experiement and see what you like best!If you are making a Maikang and want a FC for them, a FC has been established on NA, Dynamis, Rafflesia! Just ask me for an invite.
Free Company & Community Info
A Free Company for Maikong has been established on Rafflesia ("The Maikong", <Fox>), Dynamis, and has access to both a FC house and personal house. Both houses are themed around the concept of esonomi-witti, or "safety dens" (see Culture), with each being themed after a region of Tural. Anyone is welcome to RP in these, whether or not you are part of the free company!There is a discord now available! The Etheiryan Menagerie
Mist W29 P34
Yard: Kozama'uka
Upper Floor: Urqopacha
Main Floor: Shaaloani
Lower Floor: Yyusalini/Heritage Found
Mist W29 P37
Yard: Southern Yak Tel/Ja'Tika Heartland
Upper Floor: Kozama'uka
Main Floor: Northern Yak Tel/Ut'ohmu Horizon
Lower Floor: Southern Yak Tel/Ja'Tika Heartland
Gallery
