changeling
Changelings are humans who were taken to Arcadia and warped under the captivity of the True Fae.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Changelings have a Mask which is presented to non-fae and a Mien which better represent their actual physical condition.
The Mask appears as their old human form plus mundane versions of the age, supernatural scars, and magical tattoos the changeling has gotten.
The Mien is typically warm-blooded, bipedal, 4-limbed, and humanoid with a calcium-based skeleton. However, certain kiths may have additional modifications: wings, claws, extra limbs, extra eyes, etc. There are very few limits to the magical mutations, but the more there are, the harder it is for a changeling to escape Arcadia.
The Mask appears as their old human form plus mundane versions of the age, supernatural scars, and magical tattoos the changeling has gotten.
The Mien is typically warm-blooded, bipedal, 4-limbed, and humanoid with a calcium-based skeleton. However, certain kiths may have additional modifications: wings, claws, extra limbs, extra eyes, etc. There are very few limits to the magical mutations, but the more there are, the harder it is for a changeling to escape Arcadia.
Biological Traits
Changelings have an innate connection to the Wyrd: the magic of contracts, storytelling, emotion, and fae. They can hold Glamour in their bodies, make magically-binding deals, use magic on purpose or on accident, physically walk in dreams, open portals to The Hedge, eat goblin fruit, have a Mask, and see through the Mask.
Genetics and Reproduction
Genetically, changelings are still human. Their changeling traits are not passed down to offspring, they have human children, and they can reproduce with humans.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Changelings have the dietary needs of humans, but additionally will suffer if they run out of Glamour, the energy derived from dreams and emotion that they use to do their magic.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Changelings typically have senses comparable to humans (barring specific kiths), but have gained the ability to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel through the Mask, a filter that hides fae magic from mortal eyes.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Changelings typically take one name for use in human life (either the name they used before they were taken to Arcadia or a new name) and another for use in Freehold life, to keep their lives somewhat separate. The names they use in the Freehold tend to be more fantastical.
Major Organizations
Changelings typically organize themselves into Freeholds to protect themselves from the True Fae and find community. Freeholds usually span the breadth of a county, and have 20 to 100 members. All Freeholds are split into at least two Courts, as passing and sharing power is believed to confuse the True Fae and their minions.
Common Taboos
Selling another changeling back into captivity is the highest crime a changeling can commit, followed closely by any other form of aiding the True Fae.
Killing or trapping another changeling is a very serious matter, and other punishments and solutions are usually considered first for even the most unruly changelings.
Tampering with or doubting another changeling's memory or perception is a social faux pas, but not usually a punishable offense.
Killing or trapping another changeling is a very serious matter, and other punishments and solutions are usually considered first for even the most unruly changelings.
Tampering with or doubting another changeling's memory or perception is a social faux pas, but not usually a punishable offense.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The True Fae are openly hated and feared, although some individual changelings may harbor more complicated feelings toward specific Gentry.
Goblins are often viewed as strange and inscrutable. Many changelings have been screwed over by goblins and now try to screw them over in turn, but Autumn courtiers tend to maintain better relationships with them in return for bargains and knowledge.
Other supernatural creatures remain largely unknown to changelings as a whole, but most would be viewed with suspicion by default.
Goblins are often viewed as strange and inscrutable. Many changelings have been screwed over by goblins and now try to screw them over in turn, but Autumn courtiers tend to maintain better relationships with them in return for bargains and knowledge.
Other supernatural creatures remain largely unknown to changelings as a whole, but most would be viewed with suspicion by default.
