Biography - Hoshi Rinka ホシリンカ (Patreon)

Hoshi Rinka is a Kitsune Cleric from Minkai, Tian Xa. He is currently undertaking a pilgrimage to the west in order to awaken all nine of his tails, with five remaining. When Hoshi possesses all nine of his tails, he will become kyūbi no kitsune (九尾の狐), and it is believed that his body will transmute to gold. 

From the moment he was born in the Forest of Spirits, Hoshi was beloved by all who laid eyes upon him. The jealousy of men and adoration of women has done little to change Hoshi’s heart - which appears to have been touched directly by the paw of Daikitsu, Lady of Foxes and Goddess mother of the Kitsune.

At least that’s what Hoshi would have you believe. He is most often found as an immovable fixture at The Foxes’ Den, a Minkai watering hole, where he serves up more tall tales and fables than the bar serves Minkai Saké. The locals still enjoy hearing the fabulist fox embroider the edges of his own myth with honeyed words, but they know better than to place any wagers on his bar-room confidence games. Many a traveler to Minkai has inadvertently purchased the patrons of The Foxes’ Den an evening’s worth of ale after being outfoxed by Hoshi.

Although Hoshi’s natural form is that of a humanoid fox, he appears in mixed company disguised as a handsome young man. This disguise proved foolproof until a traveler named Alessandro saw through Hoshi’s disguise by recognizing Hoshi’s shadow remained that of a fox. Alessandro and hoshi became fast friends as they were both men of the cloth: Alessandro of Desna and Hoshi of Daikitsu.

Alessandro travelled to Tian Xa as an emissary of Desna ad had seen much of the Inner Sea during his journeys. Excited at the prospect of sending another godly man on his own journey, Alessandro shared tales of ancient Kitsune who travelled to the Inner Sea region in search of enlightenment. Hoshi, thrilled at this news, furiously jotted down notes and haphazardly marked his map and - GONE! All that remains of him in Minkai these days is his tab at The Foxes’ Den. 

Hoshi travels with a Giant Raven named Yum Cha with whom he can converse. Some whisper that Yum Cha may actually be a Tengu trapped in animal form by Hoshi for some unspoken wrongdoing. He is armed with fabulously crafted armor won from fixed bar wagers. His shimmering Kikko armor, Sengoku, laughs at the tips of blades. His shield, Waybreaker, has caught more arrows than most archers shoot in their lifetime. His red flail, Vulpix, is a vulpine shade of red - perhaps touched by Daikitsu herself, perhaps painted, or perhaps soaked in the blood of those who have crossed Hoshi’s path without honor.

Travelling west has been easy thus far for the Fox Cleric, but he’ll need help and more importantly - companionship. It’s so much easier to get into a bit of mischief with friends. 

Until Hoshi meets new friends, he will pass the time by imagining what power he will unlock with his ninth tail. His mantra, oft repeated:  

継続は力なり - Keizoku wa chikara nari - To continue is power