Editor’s note: This is part of a series exploring cool, weird, or just plain interesting Dungeons and Dragons monsters from both Wizards of the Coast and third-party publishers such as Kobold Press.
Name: Foxin
Source: Creature Codex, Published 2018 by Kobold Press, MSRP $49.99
What it does: The Foxin’s fey-induced aura radiates a feeling of peaceful serenity which removes any feelings of pain or fear from those so afflicted. In doing so, the creature can function as a kind of magical Hospice, granting comfort to those near the end by allowing them to pass on without any realization of what’s happening.
LITTLE-KNOWN FACT: You can evolve a Foxin into a Ninetales with an Ice Stone #fakedndtips
Why it’s cool: The same powers that make Foxin fantastic end-of-life caregivers also make them prey’s worst nightmare. Seeing as their abilities suppress feelings of fear or perceptions of danger, anyone bringing a willing Foxin along with them on a hunt could theoretically make short work of their quarry.
When to use it: Obviously you could have a Foxin ally with an army or bandit party. The creature would keep their enemies docile until there’s no chance of escape, but the Foxin’s “Illusory Calm” effect has a range of only 30 feet, so it would be a little impractical to take out a large fighting force with anything else than a full skulk of these CR 1/2 monsters. (Yes, “skulk” is one of the names for a group of foxes — I looked it up. I don’t imagine there’s a reason you can’t use it for Foxin, too. Maybe a skulkin?)
But speaking of “skulk,” there’s an idea for using the Foxin creatively: as a thief’s partner. It only seems natural considering that foxes are so closely associated with stealth. The creature’s calming influence functions like a charm spell, so there’s no reason the Artful Dodger and his ilk couldn’t partner up with their Foxin bro and stride right into people’s houses at night to rob them blind. If they wake up or try to raise an alarm they’ll just get the whammy put on them.
As a story hook, a city could be subject to a rash of robberies wherein there was no forced entry or violence, but the homes were cleaned out and the victims reported being left with a feeling of calm after the ordeal. Your adventuring party can be tasked with finding the perpetrators and overcoming the Foxin’s special abilities as they try to put an end to the thriving ring.
