Foxian
Last updated 2026-05-13
Foxians are a humanoid long-life species with vulpine features, primarily found within the Xianzhou Alliance and originally from Verdantia. Born with keen senses, great dexterity, and a natural sense of eloquence and shrewdness, many Foxians become starskiff pilots or end up maintaining Xianzhou's trade networks. The Xianzhou have a common saying that goes, "Foxians are born to do business."[1]
Description
Foxians are identifiable by their fox-like ears protruding from atop their heads. Most Foxians have fluffy tails of varying thickness while a few like Yuan and Feixiao have none. Yuan considers this a genetic disadvantage though it doesn't affect their daily lives.[2] Nonetheless, Foxian tails are still susceptible to issues; Hanya had to place a seal on Huohuo's tail after she let Tail occupy it to prevent the heliobus from fully consuming her,[3] and Ruan Mei had to modify Tingyun's tail in order to contain the corrosion inflicted on her when Phantylia attacked her.[4]
Foxians are said to be synonymous with the quick and the agile. They have lightning-fast reflexes and keen senses, and juvenile Foxians often have cheeky, playful personalities.[5] Despite lacking the Borisin's constant mutating and transforming bodies, they possess keen adaptability and wit.[6] Foxians can pick up the scent of borisins from extensive distances.[7][8]
Lifespan
Foxians have a lifespan of 250-450 years. The median age of natural death for Foxians is 307 years, making them relatively short-lived compared to the other species that inhabit the Xianzhou. Similar to canids, chocolate is toxic to Foxians and will make them sick should they consume it.[9][10]
During the vast majority of a Foxian's life, a large number of all-powerful stem cells are stored in numerous organs of their body. These all-powerful stem cells will continuously repair the physical body of Foxians, allowing aging and damage to be healed in a short period of time. Until a few years before their end of life, the number of these all-powerful stem cells gradually decreases, but still remains sufficient to maintain their ageless appearance. Between 250 to 450 years, the median age being 307 years, these all-powerful stem cells come to a complete halt and lose their ability to divide freely.[9]
What ensues is a death that comes with multiple organ failure. Natural death comes quickly, with patients often dying within 3 to 4 days after the all-powerful stem cells have lost their ability to divide. The good thing is that most Foxians are prepared for the various age-related diseases that begin to develop in their organs, so it is typically not too late to prepare for the aftermath. Although Foxians typically do not succumb to mara because of their shorter lifespans, they are still susceptible to it through unnatural means, such as the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus' medicinal pellets.[11][9]
Pheromones
Foxian pheromones can be used to create controllable illusions in Butterfly Immersia and is the base of Foxian magic,[12] and Butterfly Immersia is even said to be a cultural relic of Xianzhou Foxians.[13]
Moon Rage
Some Foxians are susceptible to the affliction known as "Moon Rage", a phenomenon more typically seen in the borisin (whom the Foxians share a common ancestry with). Moon Rage is typically very rare in Foxians; the exception to this is the Foxians of the Xianzhou Yaoqing, where it is more common due to them being more genetically similar to the borisin than the average Foxian. The Verdant Knights of the Yaoqing often rescue Foxian slaves from worlds ruled by the borisin, and these rescuees often have more borisin ancestry than most Foxians, occasionally producing individuals exhibiting atavistic mutations. Although the borisin's Foxian war slaves possess strength and speed comparable to the borisin, their mutations also deplete their life and sanity.[14] Their bones and muscles undergo explosive reformation and growth, granting them incredible strength, but they lose their rationality, and fall into uncontrollable fury and insanity.[15][16][17]
Despite their phylogenetic relationship with borisins, when the entire liver of a Foxian is completely removed, there has never been a record of a Foxian turning into a "cancerous mass" as is the case with borisin. Foxian stem cells are not generated in the liver, but gather there for some reason, and their regeneration rate slows down if the liver is removed.[9] The wingweaver Xili implied that the Zhuming Foxians look similar to borisin.[18] A Foxian that took pills from a Disciples of Sanctus Medicus transformed into a werewolf before being apprehended by Xueyi.[19]
Culture
Customs
According to the Foxian "birthfate" custom of having babies "picking" their future, parents will put various objects and toys around an infant cub, and get them to choose their future career path by grabbing an item.[20] If the child reaches for a jade abacus, it is said they will grow up to be a diviner. If they reach for a sword, they will grow up to be a famous warrior, and if they reach for a toy starskiff, they'll become a starskiff pilot. After completing a custom known as the Hairpin Ceremony, Foxians may be considered adults.[21]
People tend to hold a common belief that Foxians are naturals when it comes to business, though some people like Mengming say that business success results from practice rather than inborn talent. Most Foxian traders learn their skills by having their parents or superior leaving the business to them for a period of time as a test. They may ask someone they know to help out from behind the scenes and offer guidance.[22] Foxians have antique folk statuette that are said to bring wealth if placed correctly.[23] This may be similar to the real-life practice of feng shui.
The Foxians of the Xianzhou Yaoqing are known for their adventuring flying families. The most renowned of these families was that of Baiheng's.[24] Foxians from the Sky-Faring Commission have a tendency to refer to guests and clients as "benefactors."[25][21] Even though Foxians are also considered a long-life species, their lives span only around three centuries. Therefore, many of them are more passionate about enjoying the fun in life and chasing the best moments in life with all their heart and soul.[26]
Foxian soldiers have a ceremony where they place their dead in Starskiffs and then let them drift out into the stars, which is known as "the Verdantia Returning."[27] This rite is similar to the soul-soothing ceremony for other Xianzhou inhabitants. Given their limited lifespans, the only ones who place value on such funerary ceremonies are Foxians. Paper kites are often gifted to children, but as a symbol of spreading one's wings and soaring high up into the sky, they are also a comfort to Foxian pilots. Foxians have an old tradition where paper kites are used to comfort the souls of pilots who can no longer fly, which is still carried on to this day.[23]
Music & Entertainment
Foxian drum chanting is the youngest out of all the Xianzhou regional folk arts. Its origins can be traced back to the first Foxian merchants banging on pots and hawking goods out on the street, when Foxians first joined the Xianzhou Alliance. Performers strike drums while singing with the rhythm. It is almost exclusively a singing art, with almost no spoken word.[28] Foxian drum chanting themes closely align with the ethnic characteristics of the Foxians, who praise heroes and romance while singing of passionate battles and ardent emotion. However, compared with the simplicity of Xianzhou Chordophone, Foxian drum chanters usually adopt serenely beautiful and boundlessly evocative lyrics. One of the earliest Foxian drum chanting songs is the Foxian traditional "Epic of the Old Verdant Home." In recent years, two Foxian drum chants have become quite popular: The "Cloud Knights Against the borisin" with its depiction of historical heroes, and the soft, joyful romance of "Foxian Bewitched." Another one is "Lament of the Six Follies".[28]
Foxian epics tell how the Foxian and Borisin races were divinely inspired by a Lord of Longevity from beyond the stars. Drinking from the Redspring, they were granted immortality. Despite their common origin, later historical developments saw the borisin treat the Foxians as slaves or cannon fodder, fueling their desire to conquer the stars.[15]
Pacify Play is a traditional theater performance of the Yaoqing Foxians. The theater's stage is described as vast and circular. The most authentic and traditional "Pacify Play" on Baiheng Street is available at Red Fox Theater. They need a large stage to be able to showcase all elements of the play, as the Red Fox Theater is one of the few that rejects the use of special effects to preserve their millennium-old traditions. This type of traditional opera uses different types of facial makeup to differentiate the characters and their personalities, so it requires some prior knowledge to be able to understand the story. Still, it is said that most people should have no problem experiencing the charm of the play, as it boasts super-realistic stage combat scenes where dozens of actors will find themselves moving around in midair, or acting out gunfights and physical struggles.[29]
Craftsmanship
Verdant Knight armor
The Verdant Knights' porcelain armor forged by Foxians was said to be as light as the wind and strong as steel that could withstand the borisin's claws and biotech weapons. The eagle helmet of the Verdant Knights, modeled after the ferocious bird "Dafeng", had two pairs of auxiliary eyes, ensuring clear vision of their surroundings under any lighting conditions. The armor had bionic gauntlet integrated with the body and combat boots fashioned after talons that allow the wearer to swiftly dash onto the battlefield like the wind, effortlessly traversing through thorns and rugged terrain.[30][6][31][32]
Politics
After the Foxians joined the Xianzhou Alliance, many of them who wished to rebuild their homeland formed the Verdantia Sect, which merged with the Homeward Sect. Till this day, they remain a political force to be reckoned with. From the merging of the two sects, it is observed that their style of faith stands as something akin to a slogan for the Homeward Sect, as well as the Verdantia Sect. All they want is to be back in their homeland, Verdantia.[33]
The confinement of Hoolay, the borisin Warhead accountable for numerous acts of invasions, associated war crimes, and for long-term enslavement of Foxians and utilizing their blood for alchemical purposes, is the foundation of the alliance between the Xianzhou and the Foxians. Any individuals objecting to this sentence would be punished for "Sowing Discord".[34]
A unique outlier and exception to the Foxians of the Xianzhou and Borisin packs is the Whitewolf Pack; it is not led by borisin, but instead by Foxians. Following Hoolay's capture, the resulting political instability caused the Foxian slaves they kept to rebel, with one notable Foxian, the "Whitewolf Khan," slew their borisin master and took control of the planet the pack was on. The borisin were unable to quash the rebellion, though it is implied that the borisin eventually accepted them into their society. These foxians are performative zealots, not wanting to return to their enslaved fates and are enemies of the Xianzhou Alliance. Due to their affiliations with the borisin, the Yaoqing Cloud Knights often perform psychological screening on their own Foxian soldiers to prevent infiltration.[35]
History
Origin
Both the foxians and borisins came from Verdantia, the "Planet of Verdant". The foxians inhabited the riverlands while the borisins were herders who inhabited the grasslands. The foxians saw the borisins as savage while the borisins saw the foxians as deceptive merchants. Despite their animosity, they cooperated with each other during the extreme climates of the "Vulpesummer" and "Lupuswinter". In the summer, they would set down their weapons for the rich harvests, but during the winter there would be unceasing conflict due to hunger.[36]
One Lupuswinter lasted far longer than usual, causing mass starvation. A prophet saw the end of the world and made a wish to Yaoshi for sustenance. This person is known as lady Tushan in foxian legends while the borisins believe it was a man named Duran. Yaoshi split the mountains and the divine nectar of the Redspring poured forth. Those who drank from the Redspring gained vitality and strength from the meat of beasts they ate. Their bodies became increasingly bestial. The Redspring transformed the the Planet of Verdant, which experienced a population explosion and ecological collapse. The canine races prayed to Yaoshi for help but THEY did not respond. As a result, the borisins and foxians left for space. The borisins became spacefaring conquerors who brought the "Lupuswinter" to other planets.[36]
Thousands of years ago, they became livestock, servants, and currency under the tyranny of the borisin, who commanded them to craft tools for use, yet repeatedly dug out their eyes to prevent learning and forbade them from possessing metals to avoid copying any tools. Many of them were eventually rescued by the Xianzhou Alliance, becoming one of the three main races of the alliance, becoming the dominant culture on the Xianzhou Yaoqing. The Foxians allied with the Xianzhou to eradicate the abominations of Abundance. Thousands of years later, they still fight tirelessly for the liberation of their kin.[6]
Known Foxian Characters
Playable Characters
6 Characters match the category selection:
| Character | Rarity | Path | Combat Type |
|---|---|---|---|
Upcoming Characters
No Characters match the category selection.
Known Foxian NPCs
Related NPCs
There are 40 additional Foxian NPCs:
- A-Feng
- A-Xing
- Baiheng
- Boss Du
- Caiyi
- Chiyi
- Com
- Excited Girl
- Fanyong
- Frowning Young Man
- Gao Tang
- Gongyu
- Guangyuan
- Mada
- Maozhen
- Mengming
- Mingyue
- Ms. Yo
- Nanjie
- Qingni
- Qingyue
- Salesby
- Sanjin
- Songyan
- Tantan
- Wenwen
- Wu He
- Xikui
- Xingxue
- Xuxia
- Yanyou
- Yong Hai
- Yong Nian
- Yuan
- Yuanfeng
- Yueyan
- Yueyu
- Yujin
- Yunche
- Yunshen
Upcoming NPCs
There are no upcoming Foxian NPCs.
Other Mentioned Characters
- Caixia
Species Mentions
Character Stories
| Character | Stories |
|---|---|
Readables

Foxian Drum Chanting Lament of the Six Follies
List of Archenemies
Memorial to the Illustrious Officials Xiao and Hong
The Angler Mystery Anniversary Special Edition Review
Consumables
Relics

The Xianzhou Luofu's Celestial Ark
Valorous Bracelet of Grappling Hooks
Valorous Plate of Soaring Flight
HoYoLAB Articles
- Attention! Attention! New issue released!
- Pom-Pom's Intel: Interastral Pet Dietary Guide
- Pom-Pom's Intel: Performance Arts
- Travel Encounters (Special Edition)
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name |
|---|---|
| English | Foxian |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 狐人 |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 狐人 |
| Japanese | 狐族 |
| Korean | 여우족 |
| Spanish | (Raposiano/ |
| French | (Foxien/ |
| Russian | Лисий народ |
| Thai | มนุษย์จิ้งจอก |
| Vietnamese | Người Hồ Ly |
| German | Foxianer |
| Indonesian | Foxian |
| Portuguese | Vulpe |
Change History
- The word "foxian" was changed from title case to lowercase in most in-game texts.
- Foxian was released.
References
- ↑ Data Bank, Characters, Tingyun: Character Story: Part I
- ↑ NPC: Yuan dialogue
- ↑ Data Bank, Characters, Huohuo: Character Story: Part I
- ↑ Trailblaze Mission, A New Venture on the Eighth Dawn: A Misfortune of Survivors
- ↑ Data Bank, Characters, Tingyun: Character Story: Part II
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Relic, The Wind-Soaring Valorous: Valorous Plate of Soaring Flight
- ↑ Trailblaze Continuance, Finest Duel Under the Pristine Blue (I): March to Mastery: A Star Is Born
- ↑ Trailblaze Continuance, Finest Duel Under the Pristine Blue (I): Inquisition to Rectitude
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Readable: Travelogue on Xianzhou
- ↑ Data Bank, Characters, Bailu: Character Story: Part I
- ↑ Trailblaze Mission, Topclouded Towerthrust: Desolate Depths of Despair
- ↑ Readable: Dan Shu's Diary
- ↑ NPC Dialogue: Nanjie and Wu He
- ↑ Relic, The Wind-Soaring Valorous: Valorous Bracelet of Grappling Hooks
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Readable: List of Archenemies
- ↑ Adventure Mission: Sinners Misled, Credence Falsified
- ↑ Honkai: Star Rail (September 9, 2024). Pom-Pom's Intel | Verdant Knights Special. HoYoLAB.
- ↑ Readable: Transcript of Ten-Lords Commission Interrogation With the Wingweaver Xili
- ↑ Data Bank, Characters, Xueyi: Character Story: Part I
- ↑ Data Bank, Characters, Jing Yuan: Character Story: Part III
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Companion Mission, Vita Infinita: For I Have Touched the Sky
- ↑ NPC Dialogue: Mr. Xiyan
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Trailblaze Mission, Karmic Clouds Faded, War Banners Folded: Obsequies Performed, A Long Road Ahead
- ↑ Visitor Dialogue: Jing Yuan
- ↑ Trailblaze Mission, Windswept Wanderlust: Amidst the Mara-Struck
- ↑ Data Bank, Characters, Yukong: Character Story: Part I
- ↑ Trailblaze Mission, Windswept Wanderlust: Wood Sprouts Anew, Fate Tilts Askew
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Readable: Echoes of Antiquity: A Grand Overview of Traditional Xianzhou Folk Culture
- ↑ Readable: Xianzhou Alliance Travel Guide
- ↑ Relic, The Wind-Soaring Valorous: Valorous Mask of Northern Skies
- ↑ Relic, The Wind-Soaring Valorous: Valorous Bracelet of Grappling Hooks
- ↑ Relic, The Wind-Soaring Valorous: Valorous Greaves of Pursuing Hunt
- ↑ Readable: An Overview of the Faith Crises in the Xianzhou Alliance, Part III
- ↑ Readable: Ten-Lords Commission Criminal Directory
- ↑ Readable: Yaoqing Recruit Handbook: Borisin Pack Overview
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 Relic, Duran, Dynasty of Running Wolves: Duran's Mechabeast Bridle