Race:Kikwi

Kikwi is a playable race on Hyrule Castle. As one of the fourteen common races, any player can choose to make a Kikwi character.

Canonically, Kikwi have only appeared in Skyward Sword.

Character Creation Brief

Long forgotten by all, this ancient species of strange, ground-dwelling creatures has recently emerged from the Lost Woods. While some dwell there, others migrated in with Hylians and Gorons into Nabooru and Darunia. Appearing as small white-and-tan fuzzy creatures with short limbs, adult Kikwi usually stand only as tall as a Hylian children. Large buds grow from their backs, concealing plants that grow on the surface of their bodies. These plants, which can be opened at will, enable natural camouflage, or to carry objects in a manner similar to a backpack.

Though Kikwi are small of stature, the are quick in mind and are usually adept at magic. Gifted in Illusions, Kikwi are exceedingly proficient in concealing themselves to both magical and non-magical means of detection. It is in this way that they have stayed hidden for as long as they have; if they so wished it, many say their race could disappear as easily as they appeared.

A Kikwi begins with a PWC of 1/2/1. This starting PWC can be defied by using the Exception racial perk during character creation.

A Kikwi character can have up to three racial perks of choice. In addition to the general perks available to every race, a Kikwi can also choose from:

• Camouflage: a defensive technique a Kikwi can use to avoid detection
• Compaction Bud: a useful ability which enables the Kikwi to magically shrink and store objects in its bud
• Dowsing: a spell which enables the Kikwi to locate objects or find additional rupees
• Giant Kikwi: an odd mutation which causes the Kikwi's main body to become incredibly large, but slow and short-limbed; this requires two racial perk "slots"
• Heart of the Forest: a trait which makes it easier to acquire Forest-based treasures
• Illusionist: a trait which makes it easier to acquire Illusion-based treasures

Recommended Origin

If you've never made a character before and intend to make a Kikwi, it is highly encouraged that you base your character on one of the following origins. If you've made a character before, these example origins may provide inspiration for your character.

Naturalist

Kikwi are known for their skills at hiding; conversely, this skill is why no one even knew your race existed until recently. As a Kikwi naturalist, you may be one of those still living in the Lost Woods, or simply someone who was all too accustomed to a traditional way of life by the time your race revealed its existence. Either way, you are quite used to manipulating your race’s natural talent for hiding.

A Kikwi of this origin with a PWC of 1/2/1. Its racial perks include Camouflage, Dowsing, and Illusionist.

Kikwi Giant

Some Kikwi occasionally grow to incredible heights. Where most your race is considered short by most comparisons, few beings can stand shoulder to shoulder with you. It’s a lot harder for you to hide, but why would you need to? You’re the size of a boulder.

A Kikwi of this origin with a PWC of 1/2/1. Its racial perks include Compaction Bud and Giant Kikwi.

Adventurer

Some Kikwi are more interested in learning about this exciting new world to which they’ve been exposed, rather than sitting at home and hiding. Kikwi Adventurers eschew the habits of their ancestors for a more dangerous life, practicing skills that are useful in dungeons rather than forests. You are one of these strange few, who aim to overcome their short stature and lack of physical strength in order to satisfy their overwhelming curiosity.

A Kikwi of this origin with a PWC of 1/2/1. Its racial perks include Compaction Bud, Dowsing, and Heart of the Forest.

Physiology

While not vital information, the following includes further detail on the race's appearance and biology.

Despite looking the part of mammals, plants, and birds, Kikwi at their core are an avian race, with some anatomical similarities to Rito. Kikwi themselves are fully capable of natural reproduction, and most mated pairs produce exactly one egg each year in the spring, which hatches some time in fall. This cycle repeats like clockwork, allowing Kikwi parents to predict when their chick will hatch with extreme accuracy. For Kikwi this is extremely important, as the chick will imprint on whoever is present as its parents; Kikwi hatchlings are highly private affairs as a result. Kikwi eggs will not hatch unless fertilized by the male parent, allowing them to choose when to have children.

A Kikwi chick is very small, even next to its diminutive parents. Kikwi children are born mostly without plumage, and will frequently molt until they reach adulthood and the process stabilizes at about once per year. They are also hatched without plants growing on their head or back; these structures are actually symbionts, which the chick will acquire later sometime in their childhood. The chick’s plant is usually supplied by their parents as a cutting from one of their own. Kikwi reach adulthood around sixteen years of age.

An adult Kikwi is usually about three to four feet in height, with a black beak, stubby limbs, a rotund and pear shaped body, and a black ‘facemask’ structure encompassing their hardened beak and shell-like protection around their delicate eyes. Kikwi plumage is very fine, given that they are flightless and hail from a temperate environment. Most non-Kikwi cannot discern the difference between Kikwi feathers and mammalian fur. Although rare, some Kikwi continue to grow after reaching adulthood, usually to a height around ten feet. These Giant Kikwi arise for largely unknown reasons, though are only possible in an environment of abundant nutrients.

Culture & History

While not vital information, the following includes further detail on the race's origins, development, and society.

It is believed the first Kikwi were born in the Lost Woods. Since the secretive race typically did not keep records, and until recently had its entire existence hidden, no one can say for certain. They typically credit a deity simply named Kikwi for giving the first of their race their symbionts, and claim to have named themselves for this goddess. Hylian scholars, in particular, instead credit Farore for this act due to similarities between their own myths and other Kikwi mythology. It is widely accepted by Hylians and Kikwi both that Farore and Kikwi are one and the same, which has aided both races in accepting each other.

The Kikwi have only recently emerged into modern society, and are rapidly assimilating into Hyrule proper. Although they previously lived very simple and isolated lives, their economy and government have largely merged with those of Hyrule. Even some Kikwi still living in the Lost Woods count themselves as part of this larger nation. The primary reason for this moves seems to be the recent cold winter and resulting melt, which formed the swampy Woodfall and drove many Kikwi from their former homes in the Lost Woods. Second, it may be related to the rise of Ganon, who threatens both Kikwi and most people who consider themselves Hyrulean.

There still exist traditional Kiwki who live their lives wandering, scavenging, and hiding among not only the Lost Woods, but the Kokiri Forest as well. Perhaps just as many now instead live as a minority among Hylians--particularly in Darunia and Mido, but also in both Castle Town and Nabooru. This migratory latter half has readily accepted the Hylian way of living, and often dwell in Hylian-style homes scaled to their own size. A few Kikwi dwellings in the Lost Woods typically do not exceed one (Kikwi-sized) story in height for purposes of camouflage, but are otherwise very similar. Needless to say, this new way of Kikwi life is surprisingly adaptive for the race, and is considered by some to be a willing participation in a massive social experiment.