Changeling

Changelings are a mysterious race once thought to be considered a myth. Until the death of a prolific figure, murdered by a changeling, began a crusade against them. The world's fear becoming true. Since then, the ability to shift between images changed from a playful racial feature, to a necessity in the modern world. There is a large collection of information about changelings that is a dying secret within historian circles. Their abilities make it easier for them to take up a life of crime such as spying and grifting. The race as a whole is seen as a bad omen, and even giving birth is known to give bad luck to the rest of a family's generations. After the laws and crusades doing everything but outright ban changelings they went into hiding, though they could never reveal what they truly look like, they take the forms of those that have passed on, or those that are missing if they wish to continue to blend in with society. Very few will ever truly reveal their true form in their lifetime. They ones left vary between regions, so few live in communities with other races and live until old age. Most are orphaned and left either in the wilderness or on the streets to defend themselves if they haven't been given to live in a cell. A third and rumored option is the existence of one or two nomadic changeling tribes. No one truly has seen them but they were created after the forced annihilation of changelings, many banded together and ran, creating their own community within Lunaecia.

Basic Information

Anatomy

In their true form, changelings are pale, with colorless eyes and silver-white hair. It is rare to see a changeling in that form, for a typical changeling changes their shape the way others might change clothes. A casual shape — one created on the spur of the moment, with no depth or history — is called a mask. A mask can be used to express a mood or to serve a specific purpose and then might never be used again. However, many changelings develop identities that have more depth. They build an identity over time, crafting a persona with a history and beliefs. This focused identity helps a changeling pinpoint a particular skill or emotion.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

A changeling might use a different name for each mask and persona and adopt new names as easily as they change faces. The true name of a changeling tends to be simple and monosyllabic; however, there are often accents to a changeling’s name that are expressed through shapeshifting, something single-skins will likely miss. So, two changelings might have the name Jin, but one is Jin-with-vivid-blue-eyes and one is Jin-with-golden-nails.

Gender Ideals

There are no gender ideals for changelings relationship with gender is nonexistent since when they change they may choose to change their gender. They are ultimately genderfluid, unless otherwise spoken.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

As changelings can shift and change to any species in Lunaecia, they can adapt to two other languages as well as Common as their main language.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Personas can be shared by multiple changelings; there might be three healers in a community, but whoever is on duty will adopt the persona of Tek, the kindly old medic. Personas can even be passed down through a family, allowing a younger changeling to take advantage of contacts established by the persona’s previous users.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

It is unknown if you have come in contact with a changeling but there is a possibility one has throughout there life multiple times. They are overall not well liked and if found would very much be in danger depending on the person. A holy city is neutral ground for peace between all but once they step foot outside of it, they are in danger.
However when it comes to elves in Faykeep, changelings are more accepted but must remain in elven form publicly. Many become servants of noble elven families and use them as a way to be in two places as once, abusing their shapeshifting talents for their own benefits. Changelings on the mainland that DO know of how much more freedoms they have in Faykeep either go out to prove their elven lineage or try to be smuggled in. It is an unspoken rule that changelings cannot raise their social status above merchant as it is seen as a mockery to true blooded elves. They are treated better than dwarves in general.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Human

Lifespan

~100 years

Average Height

5-6 ft

Average Weight

~150 lbs