Changeling
Changelings are creatures that are native to both the feywild and the Prime Material Realm. They known for their ability to change their appearance at will. While being a distinct race, they are suspected to be the offspring of the Feyborn who mixed with the various Humanoid races.
Basic Information
Anatomy
In their ‘true’ form, changelings appear as pale, white or grey beings that lack most distinctive features. Their eyes are white, circled by thick black rings. Their hair is pale, usually silvery or blonde. In rare cases it can be other colors, but it always appears faded. Changelings can be a wide variety of sizes, although they are always relatively slender. There are no clear differences between male and female changelings, but changelings attach little value to gender anyway.
Changelings have the unique ability to transform their body to look however they want, provided they keep the same arrangement of limbs they already possess. It is very rare to actually see a changeling in it’s ‘true’ appearance. Even when disguised, changelings can instinctively recognize each other.
Genetics and Reproduction
Changelings can interbreed with most non-durinian races. When a changeling has a child with another race, there is a 1 in 10 chance for the child to be a changeling. Half-changelings do not exist, a child will always be fully one of the two parent species. Two changeling parents will always result in a changeling child.
During pregnancy a changeling’s ability to change form is limited. Any form they take must have a womb to house the child, and the pregnancy will be always visible.
Growth Rate & Stages
The initial appearance of new-born changelings depends on their parentage. They will always be born looking like the species that gave birth to them. If that parent is a changeling, the child will look like the species the changeling appeared as at the time of birth. After three to six days the changeling’s true nature will begin to manifest. It’s skin and hair will become pale and it’s facial features will become less distinctive. In some cases where one parent was unaware of the other parent’s true nature, this has led to accusations of changelings switching children for copies.
Until around the age of four, changeling children are incapable of changing and are stuck in their ‘true’ form. Later, they start by instinctively copying those closest to them, until around the age of 10, at which they start being able to consciously control their transformations.
Children will usually be hidden from outsiders until their 12th year, which is around the time they truly start to become able to control their transformations.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Almost anywhere where compatible beings appear, changelings can be found. Because of their fey nature, changelings have an almost constant need for new experiences, and as such they do not do well in cultures that are rooted in tradition and not open to change.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Amongst each other, changelings usually have simple, single-syllable names. Each persona a changeling takes has a different name, appropriate for the species the changeling turns into.
Major Organizations
No matter where they live or what their ideals, at night all changelings dream of their lost home. No matter how long they have been gone, the feywild still calls to them, and every changeling longs to one day return there. Some powerful individuals, all great mages, have managed to find their way back, but a mass return has so far been out of reach.
To reach this goal, certain changelings are members of an organisation, working towards the single goal of returning the changeling race to its home. Amongst changelings this organisation and it's members are known as seekers, to outsiders, this organisation is not known at all.
The main methods of this organisation are infiltration and manipulation. Changelings have established themselves in most major magical orders and governments. From these positions they look for new developements in planar travel and attempt to steer the course of research into this direction to speed up their return. A few changelings are conducting their own research to further this goal, but because changelings are generally incapable of staying in the same profession for an extended amount of time, very few actually reach the skill level required to make any meaningful contribution. This, in addition to their limited numbers means they mostly have to rely on others to do their research for them.
To reach this goal, certain changelings are members of an organisation, working towards the single goal of returning the changeling race to its home. Amongst changelings this organisation and it's members are known as seekers, to outsiders, this organisation is not known at all.
The main methods of this organisation are infiltration and manipulation. Changelings have established themselves in most major magical orders and governments. From these positions they look for new developements in planar travel and attempt to steer the course of research into this direction to speed up their return. A few changelings are conducting their own research to further this goal, but because changelings are generally incapable of staying in the same profession for an extended amount of time, very few actually reach the skill level required to make any meaningful contribution. This, in addition to their limited numbers means they mostly have to rely on others to do their research for them.
Average Technological Level
Changelings have a surprisingly high level of technological advancement. Inventing new things is a favourite pasttime of many changelings, and thanks to their close relation to gnomes, there are usually a few in any group of changelings, allowing them to borrow their skills.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Change is the one thing that defines all changelings. Not only are they capable of changing their appearance, they are also known for their constant need for new experiences. Changelings generally get uncomfortable when staying in the same location for more than a year or two, and have trouble holding down the same profession for an extended period of time. When a changeling who is a blacksmith loses interest, usually when the profession ceases to provide a challenge, they will choose a different skill to learn and start over. This skill is preferably as far removed from the original profession as possible. This means that while an old changeling can have a very wide variety of different skills, it is very rare to see a changeling that is an actual master in a craft. It is very common for a changeling to pick up adventuring at some point in its life.
Most changelings choose to live in nomadic groups. This allows them to change their personas often without arousing suspicion and satisfies their need for constant change. The groups started out being exclusively made up out of changelings, but over time they tend to accumulate a group of trustworthy beings of other species that share the changelings' desire for travel and freedom.
These nomadic groups are usually small, no more than 50 beings in number, and their makeup changes constantly. Whenever two groups meet, members switch sides and leave with the other group. Changelings also commonly strike out on their own to become adventurers, which keeps their numbers low.
Changeling nomad groups appear in many different forms. They might live on the seas in a ship, in the desert in caravans, on river barges, or in wagons traveling between cities.The few changelings that choose to live in cities generally hide their true nature from others. Even in the more open-minded free cities, many choose not to reveal themselves, fearing others might distrust creatures that can change their face as others might put on clothes. Ironically, when they do get found out, the fact that they hid themselves only creates more distrust towards changelings, forcing others of their kind to hide even more.
City dwelling changelings generally choose one persona and stick with it, only transforming in the presence of those closest to them. As a result, they grow more attached than other changelings to their persona and tend to be unwilling to stray too far from their chosen persona in terms of age, gender, and species.
Most changelings choose to live in nomadic groups. This allows them to change their personas often without arousing suspicion and satisfies their need for constant change. The groups started out being exclusively made up out of changelings, but over time they tend to accumulate a group of trustworthy beings of other species that share the changelings' desire for travel and freedom.
These nomadic groups are usually small, no more than 50 beings in number, and their makeup changes constantly. Whenever two groups meet, members switch sides and leave with the other group. Changelings also commonly strike out on their own to become adventurers, which keeps their numbers low.
Changeling nomad groups appear in many different forms. They might live on the seas in a ship, in the desert in caravans, on river barges, or in wagons traveling between cities.The few changelings that choose to live in cities generally hide their true nature from others. Even in the more open-minded free cities, many choose not to reveal themselves, fearing others might distrust creatures that can change their face as others might put on clothes. Ironically, when they do get found out, the fact that they hid themselves only creates more distrust towards changelings, forcing others of their kind to hide even more.
City dwelling changelings generally choose one persona and stick with it, only transforming in the presence of those closest to them. As a result, they grow more attached than other changelings to their persona and tend to be unwilling to stray too far from their chosen persona in terms of age, gender, and species.
History
After a great calamity, a group of changelings was transported to the prime material realm and got stuck there. In the centuries since, changelings have travelled all over the plane and integrated themselves into most civilizations present there, usually without the general population’s knowledge.
After they were discovered by the native races of the prime material realm, changelings quickly became one of the most hunted and persecuted races in the realm. The natives feared the newcomers' shapeshifting ability and grew very suspicious of any changeling that showed themselves. For a long time, changelings could not safely enter settlements for fear of being discovered and killed. Fortunately, with time changelins mostly faded into memory and eventually legend. This experience has taught changelings that their true nature is better off hidden, and they will only reveal themselves to beings they trust absolutely.
Almost anywhere where compatible beings appear, changelings can be found. Because of their fey nature, changelings have an almost constant need for new experiences, and as such they do not do well in cultures that are rooted in tradition and not open to change.
After they were discovered by the native races of the prime material realm, changelings quickly became one of the most hunted and persecuted races in the realm. The natives feared the newcomers' shapeshifting ability and grew very suspicious of any changeling that showed themselves. For a long time, changelings could not safely enter settlements for fear of being discovered and killed. Fortunately, with time changelins mostly faded into memory and eventually legend. This experience has taught changelings that their true nature is better off hidden, and they will only reveal themselves to beings they trust absolutely.
Almost anywhere where compatible beings appear, changelings can be found. Because of their fey nature, changelings have an almost constant need for new experiences, and as such they do not do well in cultures that are rooted in tradition and not open to change.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Changelings generally get along with any species they come across, thanks to their ability to change their shape and adapt to most cultures. They are especially fond of humans, with their large variety in cultures and their relatively rapid rate of advancement. Changelings also get along very well with gnomes, sharing a sense of humour, desire for innovation, and a history of persecution.
Current Date: 2nd of Latsum, 1572
Lifespan
80-100 years
Average Height
3-6.5 ft (1-2 meters)
Average Weight
45-165 lbs (20-75 kg)
Geographic Distribution
