I have Google'd around and there has been no clear answer on this topic as far as I have seen.
When a PC is playing a Kitsune and has the feat Realistic Likeness, what creatures can you assume the form of.
For reference
A kitsune can assume the appearance of a specific single human form of the same sex. The kitsune always takes this specific form when she uses this ability. A kitsune in human form cannot use her bite attack, but gains a +10 racial bonus on Disguise checks made to appear human. Changing shape is a standard action. This ability otherwise functions as alter self, except that the kitsune does not adjust her ability scores.
When you are in human form, you can take the shape of a specific individual.
Prerequisite: Kitsune.
Benefit: You can precisely mimic the physical features of any individual you have encountered. When you use your racial change shape ability, you can attempt to take the form of an individual, granting you a +10 circumstance bonus on Disguise checks made to fool others with your impersonation.
Due to the fact that "human form" is used as a shorthand for "the form of a single specific human form of the same sex", it is unclear whether the phrase "When you are in human form, you can take the shape of a specific individual" should be parsed as:
a) When you use the Kitsune Shape Change ability that changes you into the form of a single human individual, you are no longer restricted to a single human form and may choose any human form.
or alternatively
b) When you use the Kitsune Change Shape ability referred to in the rules text for the Kitsune race as "Human Form", you are no longer restricted to the form of a specific Human individual, and may instead take the form of ANY individual you have encountered i.e it no longer needs to be a specific Human, just an individual, and presumably a humanoid (but see below).
On top of that, the Benefit: line, which should be a detailed explanation of the feat that is tighter with it's rules text than the brief descriptive blurb at the top, makes no mention whatsoever of a restriction to only humans, just "individuals". This would seem to imply that having the Human subtype is not a requirement for being a legal Form to change into, despite the blurb using the term "Human Form" (which could refer to either the rules term that is short hand for the Kitsune Change Shape form, or the common meaning).
There is also some ambiguity as to whether the individual must be a humanoid. It is almost certainly intended that the humanoid only restriction from Alter Self still be in effect despite the "no specific individuals" polymorph rule being overridden and no "humanoid only" requirement being in the feat, but I though that while we are at it, might as well get this cleared up too.
Thus there are essentially three possible interpretations for what forms a Kitsune with Realistic Likeness can assume.
1) Any Human.
2) Any Humanoid.
3) Any Creature.
So...Which one is it?
Bonus question: If the answer is 1), does that include half-elves, Scion of Humanity Aasimars and other creatures with the Human subtype?
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1) Any Human
I've encountered ppl trying to argue non-Human races, and I just don't see how that's a possible reading of the ability.
Half-breeds may be possible, too, but only because of that FAQ. Good luck encountering an NPC Scion of Humanity, but if you find one, it'd appear as Human anyways, so you're good.
1) Any Human
I've encountered ppl trying to argue non-Human races, and I just don't see how that's a possible reading of the ability.
Half-breeds may be possible, too, but only because of that FAQ. Good luck encountering an NPC Scion of Humanity, but if you find one, it'd appear as Human anyways, so you're good.
I ran through how you get to the interpretation that any humanoid is a legal form. Unless what I said above is wrong somehow, 2) would also be a possible reasonable interpretation.
Where abouts specifically do you think that I am wrong.
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2) is a possible interpretation.
I don't think it's a reasonable interpretation.
You're in Human form. I can understand assuming half-Human form, but only because they're still "Human" for all effects related to race. Non-Humans, by their very definition, aren't Human.
I hesitate anymore to claim something to be obvious, though. "Obvious" is obviously subjective.
Any human
Number 1, any human
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No. 1., The Larch any human. Although, if you're spending a feat to get Realistic Likeness, as a GM I'd also remove the "of the same sex" restriction (at least for Disguise purposes).