Shapeshifting
The original lepitsunes were shapeshifters, granted fluidity in their forms of stardust and had complete freedom over shape. Their initial preferred form was one with large broad simple wings and small thin legs, for they had no use for walking, and a graceful narrow head to cut through the air and a long tail for balance.
Over time, myths and legends sprang forth as they do and sightings increased in number of these strange starlit creatures. People began depicting and describing them more and more based on what was familiar to them- a combination of a moth and a fox. Based on that collective consciousness, the stardust responded by beginning to conform more closely to that idea in taking the shape of the modern lepitsunes, and eventually took the moth-winged foxlike form they have today.
As generations went by they relied on shapeshifting less and less and so in most modern lepitsunes, the power lies dormant. However, the ability is still there, and can be achieved by only powerful lepis and unlocked with a strong enough wish for them to turn into another form. It can't be an offhanded or casual request, but must be wished for with powerful emotion and conviction behind it, such as a lonely person pouring their heart out in their longing for a friend, or someone in difficult times wishing for someone to be there for them.
Technically, they can be wished into anything, but most commonly are humans by those who simply wish for a friend Shifting depends on the amount of power and stardust a lepitsune has, and they require a lot or they wouldn't be able to hold the shifted form. Lepitsunes not strong or experienced enough can only manifest a faint ghostly form that can barely hold itself together.
The lepitsune will at first be unfamiliar and clumsy with whatever new form it may take, and lose its form easily, reverting back without warning to its regular lepitsune form, and have difficulty concealing its large fluffy ears and its tail. Eventually with enough practice they improve and can spend increasingly long periods in that form.
Over time, myths and legends sprang forth as they do and sightings increased in number of these strange starlit creatures. People began depicting and describing them more and more based on what was familiar to them- a combination of a moth and a fox. Based on that collective consciousness, the stardust responded by beginning to conform more closely to that idea in taking the shape of the modern lepitsunes, and eventually took the moth-winged foxlike form they have today.
As generations went by they relied on shapeshifting less and less and so in most modern lepitsunes, the power lies dormant. However, the ability is still there, and can be achieved by only powerful lepis and unlocked with a strong enough wish for them to turn into another form. It can't be an offhanded or casual request, but must be wished for with powerful emotion and conviction behind it, such as a lonely person pouring their heart out in their longing for a friend, or someone in difficult times wishing for someone to be there for them.
Technically, they can be wished into anything, but most commonly are humans by those who simply wish for a friend Shifting depends on the amount of power and stardust a lepitsune has, and they require a lot or they wouldn't be able to hold the shifted form. Lepitsunes not strong or experienced enough can only manifest a faint ghostly form that can barely hold itself together.
The lepitsune will at first be unfamiliar and clumsy with whatever new form it may take, and lose its form easily, reverting back without warning to its regular lepitsune form, and have difficulty concealing its large fluffy ears and its tail. Eventually with enough practice they improve and can spend increasingly long periods in that form.