Kohaku

Name = Kohaku

Gender = Female

Age = unknown (possibly more than 900 years)

Species = Cryptid (kitsune)

Occupation = head of the Tsukigami clan (former), ideologist of the Great Cause (now)

Appearance = fair skin, short pale hair, fox ears (in true form), glowing amber eyes, short stature, thin build, nine fox tails (in true form), bandaged hands, severe radiation burns on stomach and back (hidden under clothing)

Clothes = an old dark green kimono, a red belt decorated with plant patterns, decorative hairpins, prayer beads on the wrist, zori sandals

Character traits = cunning, cruel, vengeful, charismatic

Likes = Japanese traditional food (especially unagi), Kabuki theater, cryptids, Edgar Allan Poe literature, night, vintage music

Dislikes = humanity, cryptid hunters, cruel or greedy people, dogs, raccoons, modern food (especially fast food)

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BACKSTORY

Kohaku was born deep in the forests of Japan, within the ancient Tsukigami clan, sometime around the 13th century. The Tsukigami were one of many kitsune clans scattered across the country, living near shrines and hidden places of power. Some clans thrived on offerings and worship, others simply avoided human eyes, and a few preyed on people. Those who broke the code and harmed humans without cause were branded ninko — exiles shunned by their kin. Like most clans, the Tsukigami also kept close ties with other spirits and yokai of the land.

Eight centuries later, when Kohaku grew her eighth tail, she inherited the title of clan ruler from her mother. She followed a policy of peace and caution with humanity, though unlike her ancestors, she no longer dared to reveal herself to mortals. The world was changing: technology spread, cities grew, foreigners arrived. Kohaku feared that open contact with people would bring only danger, so she led her clan deeper into the forests.

But in the 1920s, ignoring the warnings of other clans, Kohaku led her people closer to the growing cities. It was a choice she would regret forever.

In 1945, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima obliterated the Tsukigami. All forty-five kitsune perished in the blast — except for Kohaku. She survived, but her body was seared with terrible burns across her stomach, back, and limbs. More devastating than the scars was the realization that humanity had gone too far. In her eyes, people had surrendered completely to greed, hatred, and destruction. That day, Kohaku’s purpose shifted: if humans would not stop themselves, cryptids had to rise up and push them back to the Stone Age — or die trying.

But her radical vision found no allies among the surviving clans. Isolated, Kohaku left Japan in 1947, never to return, and began wandering Southeast Asia in search of kindred spirits. Over time, she gathered followers: man-eating kumiho from Korea, other yokai who had suffered at human hands, and even cryptids drawn by her fury. By the 1960s, she had crossed into Europe and the United States, where — ironically — she became a near-messianic figure among the fairies, ancient rivals of the yokai. With her persuasion, they laid aside old grudges and joined a single banner: the Great Cause.

Kohaku herself carried on a quieter vendetta. She sought out corrupt humans — arms dealers, mobsters, ecological destroyers — luring them into illusions before destroying them in body and mind. In 2009 she made her den in Macau, drifting through casinos and nightclubs, hunting both victims and new allies in her endless war against mankind.

PERSONALITY

Kohaku is a charismatic, cunning, and enigmatic cryptid. She harbors a deep hatred for humanity and most of modern culture, believing that people have lost all respect for the ancient beings who once raised them from wandering primates into civilization. To her, humans are nothing but destroyers — ruining ecosystems, slaughtering each other for hollow reasons, and endlessly trying to dominate everything around them. Because of this, Kohaku dreams of uniting the cryptids of the world to tear down human civilization and drive it back to a primitive state.

Among cryptids, however, Kohaku shows an entirely different side. She is warm, protective, and almost maternal, showing kindness to mythological creatures and maintaining close camaraderie with her allies. She adores animals — though she despises dogs — and treats them with care and reverence.

As a kitsune, Kohaku wields formidable powers. Her mastery of illusion allows her to conceal her fox ears and tails, alter her appearance, or even overwhelm human senses — making spoiled food taste like a delicacy or summoning visions that feel utterly real. She moves with inhuman speed and grace, can conjure blue flames, shift into the form of a simple fox, and is nearly impervious to ordinary weapons. She is also capable of erasing or altering memories, bending minds to her will. Yet the nuclear fire that once scarred her body left a permanent mark: she suffers from unending pain, carrying the curse of radiation within her. Through a kiss, she can even pass that sickness on to others.

But Kohaku is not without vulnerabilities. She fears dogs, cannot handle rice wine, and must carefully protect her hoshi no tama — a small glowing orb that contains her soul. Should it ever be destroyed, her strength would wither until death claimed her.

Despite her hatred for humankind, Kohaku often hides her contempt behind masks of affection, sweetness, or seduction, revealing her true self only when her prey is helpless. Yet even in her loathing, there is contradiction: she harbors a secret admiration for human art, and on rare occasions, will spare a human whose talents or usefulness outweigh their flaws.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORLD

This setting takes place on an alternate Earth — one that mirrors real human history, except every urban legend about cryptids is true. Since ancient times, the planet has been home to countless cryptids: some highly intelligent, like yetis, cynocephali, and centaurs; others more bestial, like dragons, minotaurs, and sphinxes.

In ancient history, cryptids were either feared or revered like gods. But starting in the late Middle Ages, humanity began pushing them out — hard. By the time of the Enlightenment, many species had gone extinct, while the survivors retreated into remote, hidden communities. Over the centuries, most humans forgot they ever existed.

Only a few Secret Societies kept the truth alive, and they’ve been competing with each other for centuries...

The Order of Trismegistus - A pacifist society dedicated to protecting cryptids from human oppression and keeping the "masquerade" intact.

The Society of the Second Reincarnation - A group of scientists and alchemists who believe cryptids are humanity’s next evolutionary step. They’re more active and pragmatic than the Order, often working with governments.

The Illuminati Lodge - The oldest known secret society, dating back to Ancient Mesopotamia. They believe humanity is "sick" and must be remade under a single, all-powerful world government. Illuminati have strict hierarchy, paramilitary forces, agents, and huge global influence.

The Gévaudan Hunting Club - A loose network of cryptid hunters. Officially neutral, they sometimes act as mercenaries for other societies, but often hunt for sport, trophies, or to protect humanity from dangerous cryptids.