Changeling
I'm telling ya, I know what I saw. Darnin was there, asking me for a loan and then a copy of him walks in and starts hollering at the first one. The first one rushes out the door and I could've sworn I saw some pale-faced devil wearing his clothes before they was gone. NO, I WASN'T DOING DURIN'S DUST WHEN THIS HAPPENED!
Despite what people might hear or assume, Changelings aren't thieves or assassins who take over and ruin other people's lives. While some of them might be like that, not all are. Changelings are people blessed with the innate ability to change their appearance and sex in any way as long as it's humanoid. And that blessing can appear as a curse when they are judged. Changelings, despite their appearance, are some of the most vibrant people in the land. While they can mimic other cultures, they also take these cultures and make their own unique spin, creating a subculture so distinct, people may not even realize where it comes from. For a changeling, it's not about the lives they take on or the personas they create, it's about the wonderful memories and art they make along the way in the tapestry of their life.
Basic Information
Anatomy
In their base form, Changeling appear as grey-faced humanoids with eyes that lack any color. Silver hair is a common hair-color adorned in their baese form but it is rare to ever seen a Changeling who shows their true form. They also have the two-armed, two-legged limb structure of other species across Avestra, though they can use to have more limbs if they wish.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Changelings have the innate ability to shift their appearance into any humanoid shape.
Civilization and Culture
History
Changelings are often thought to have developed alongside humans in what would become the Aerin Valley. No one knows where their shapeshifting ability came from but it let them blend in with humanity for centuries. Ancient tales talk of dashing rogues and elegant bards who could shift their faces at will. Scary bedtime stories about twisted assassins and evil rogues who killed kings and took their place, running kingdoms into the ground. Embellished tales such as these might've been based on truth for a few rare Changelings, but most were simple folk. Many humans grew up without ever knowing that someone they knew was a Changeling. But these shapeshifters were always there, usually as a benevolent force.
However, their similarity to humans is what stopped them from heading to lands that weren't theirs at first. Changeling settlements were intermingled with human ones, existing as a town within a town in a way. However, they could adapt to others such as Half-Elves or Half-Orcs. The longer-lived races were the hardest to imitate so in the end, they pretended to be humans in their land instead, using what they knew and didn't know against them.
It was this talent for shapeshifting that drew the attention of the Elders during their invasion of Avestra. They captured as many Changelings as they could. Through experimentation, they unlocked the true potential of their shapeshifting and used it to create creatures that could infiltrate and commit espionages for their forces. In some cases, they even brainwashed Changelings into joining their cause, tarnishing the relations they had with other groups whether it was with them or another party. Now these shapeshifters live as nomads if their true nature is known, seen as dangerous creatures until their reputation can be restored. And that can only be the case with the death of those that ruined their reputation in the first place.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Changelings see Humans as their favorite group to interact with and live amongst. The two grew up in Avestra together and out of all the different groups, Changelings feel a kinship with them. As such, if there is a human settlement, you will be able to find families of Changelings in the area. And that applies to the half-blood lineages connected to humans.
Lifespan
100 years
Average Height
5'3 - 5'9
Average Weight
119 lb - 179 lb
Geographic Distribution
Related Ethnicities
Comments