Changeling
Introduction
Among the myriad races of the world, the changelings stand as a testament to the complexity of identity and transformation. Born from the union between doppelgangers and ancient humans, changelings are unique people with the power to alter their appearance at will. Unlike their monstrous ancestors, who can replace others entirely, changelings are skilled in shaping their forms but lack the darker powers of memory-stealing and perfect mimicry. Though their abilities are potent, changelings are often misunderstood, treated as lesser shapeshifters by doppelgangers, and sometimes feared or reviled by other races for their deceptive nature.
While they can blend in with nearly any society, changelings are most often found in urban areas, where their talents for disguise and adaptability are in high demand. Some changelings work as actors or diplomats, using their fluid identities to navigate social and political landscapes, while others find themselves in darker roles, such as spies, grifters, or infiltrators. However, despite their versatility, changelings are never far from the shadow of their doppelganger ancestors, and the rivalry between the two races remains fierce and dangerous.
Physical Appearance
Changelings, despite their nature, have a single unchanging form called the true form.
This form resembles their ancient human parent, with subtle features that hint at their changeling heritage. These features—such as eye color, hair color, skin tone, or birthmarks—anchor them to their true form and remain constant, even when they change their appearance.
It is these subtle traits that give changelings a unique distinction from their doppelganger ancestors, whose forms are far more monstrous and alien.
Though their true form is usually human-like, changelings have the ability to change their appearance to any humanoid form they can imagine. Their transformations are not as instinctual as those of a doppelganger; rather, they are learned and honed through practice. A changeling may alter their facial features, height, build, and even their voice, but their changes are never perfect—they can mimic the form but never fully replicate the essence of a person’s memories, personality, or experiences.
Changelings rarely look unnerving in their altered forms, unlike doppelgangers, whose mimicry often feels uncanny.
A changeling’s change is fluid and natural, though those familiar with them might notice small differences.
The colors of their eyes or hair, the shape of their nose or mouth, or even a specific birthmark might carry over into their altered forms, providing a subtle anchor to their true self.
Society and Culture
The changelings have long been misunderstood and sometimes feared, particularly by other races who view their ability to change form with suspicion. Yet, among their own kind, changelings often view their powers with a sense of pride and control.
Unlike doppelgangers, who are seen as predatory and monstrous, changelings pride themselves on their humanity and their ability to shape their identities at will.
They view themselves as more than mere imitators—they are masters of reinvention.
Changelings do not have a unified society like more established races do. They are often scattered throughout the world, hiding in plain sight among other humanoid communities or blending into the social fabric of the cities they inhabit. Some changelings form tight-knit families or secret societies that help guide them through the world. Others, particularly those with a flair for deception, live as con artists or spies, slipping through the cracks of society's defenses.
Although changelings may be integrated into particular human or mixed settlements, they often face a lack of full acceptance due to their ability to alter their identities. In societies where doppelgangers are known to exist, changelings may be seen as less dangerous, yet still untrustworthy.
However, in more progressive cities where deception is an art, changelings might find respect as actors, diplomats, or masters of disguise.
Changelings are often caught in the crossfire of the long-standing enmity between doppelgangers and themselves.
Many changelings see doppelgangers as a monstrous perversion of their own abilities—creatures that steal memories and identities in a repugnant way.
To changelings, doppelgangers represent the darker side of their potential, and their rivalry is deep-rooted.
Doppelgangers, for their part, consider changelings to be inferior versions of themselves—lesser shapeshifters who lack the depth of mimicry they have mastered.
Changelings in the World
Changelings are rare and often hidden among other races.
They are most commonly found in larger cities, where their abilities to adapt and blend into different social circles can be used to their advantage.
They might be drawn to professions that require discretion, like diplomacy, acting, or even thievery.
Their shape-shifting powers also make them ideal spies, able to infiltrate enemy organizations or political factions with ease.
However, changelings often face prejudice from other races, especially those aware of their true nature.
Some fear changelings as manipulators or deceivers, while others simply distrust them because of their ties to the doppelganger bloodline.
Despite this, changelings who can control their powers and integrate themselves into society can lead fulfilling lives, carving out a niche for themselves as skilled professionals, adventurers, or even leaders in their communities.
Changelings and Doppelgangers: A Rivalry
Changelings and doppelgangers are sworn enemies, and this rivalry has lasted for generations.
While doppelgangers are often seen as monsters—creatures who prey upon others by replacing them entirely—changelings view them with a mixture of fear and contempt.
Doppelgangers rely on their ability to steal memories and assume the identities of others, creating near-perfect replicas of those they replace.
Changelings, on the other hand, are incapable of stealing memories.
They can only mimic a person's appearance and some of their behavior, and even then, their transformations are never quite perfect.
Doppelgangers view changelings as inferior versions of themselves, seeing their ability to mimic only appearance as an incomplete and flawed power.
Worse still, changelings have a natural ability to sense doppelgangers, making them a direct threat to their efforts.
A changeling who discovers a doppelganger in disguise will quickly see through the imperfect mimicry, exposing them to the world.
This makes changelings a dangerous enemy to doppelgangers, who rely on their ability to infiltrate and deceive.
Despite their differences, the two races share a common origin—the union between doppelgangers and ancient humans.
This connection, however, only deepens the animosity between them.
Doppelgangers see changelings as a mockery of their own perfection, while changelings view doppelgangers as monstrous creatures who have perverted their shared gift.
Changelog: Abilities and Traits
Ability Score Increase.
Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.
Age.
Changelings mature similarly to Ancient Humans, reaching adulthood around age 20. They can live to be around 200 years old, though few changelings live past their 100th year due to the dangerous nature of their rivalry with doppelgangers.
Size.
Changelings are similar in size to humans, standing between 5 and 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed.
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Shapechanger.
As an action, you can transform your appearance or revert to your true form. You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you've never seen, and you must adopt a humanoid form. You can’t change your size, and your equipment doesn't change with you. You revert to your true form if you die.
True Form.
Your true form is a unique combination of traits inherited from your ancient human parent. These traits may include subtle marks, birthmarks, or physical features like the shape of your nose, eye color, or skin tone. These features persist no matter how you alter your appearance.
Subtle Shift.
Changelings can alter their appearance with an uncanny fluidity, though certain features of their true form always remain. Choose one physical feature—either your eye color, hair color, skin tone, or the shape of a facial feature—that always remains the same no matter how you change your appearance.
Skill Proficiency.
You gain proficiency in one of the following skills: Deception, Insight, or Persuasion.
Master of Disguise.
If you are proficient in Deception or Stealth, you can retain a number of full identities equal to your modifier in that skill. You can switch between these identities at will, effectively “putting on” a new persona. This doesn’t require any effort or concentration, and you can shift identities as often as you like, as long as the new identity remains within the bounds of your shape-changing abilities.
Chameleon’s Mask.
At 3rd level, you can use your shape-changing ability to mask your features in a way that grants you advantage on Deception checks made to impersonate someone else, as long as you have observed them in person.
Languages.
You can speak, read, and write Common and one additional language of your choice.
"The first changeling was born of a lie. But what the lie created... told the truth."
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