Changelings Species in Elema | World Anvil

Changelings

Changelings are renowned as the species with a thousand faces, and they are considered everyone and no one. They can take the form of most medium-sized or smaller living beings and objects. This sentient species is unique among sentient beings. They are thought to be the developed version of a slime or ooze.

Now, most people in society believe they are extinct or extremely rare. That is because, throughout history, each kingdom that changed lanes as the reigning power was eventually destroyed by rival kingdoms. As a result of this, most Changelings now lawfully live in secret and small communities in any of the world's kingdoms. They had become so accustomed to this lifestyle that their bodies had evolved a natural defense mechanism to protect them. So you might know a Changeling, but you won't realize it because they lived their lives as a member of this community as the species that live there.

So, depending on whether you believe changelings are still lively, you never know who you're speaking with.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Changelings' basic form is a gelatinous, shapeless body that takes either spear or oval shapes. They can bend their gelatinous body into any form they want and stretch it all day. Their basic shapeshift form will have the same anatomy as that species, with the only difference being how the changeling sees themselves.

  Origin Form is what is their gelatinous body is known as
Base Form is what their default species that their body naturally shakes us into

Biological Traits

    Changelings

    Type Sentient (Slime)
    Ability Score Modifier Wis+2 Charm+2 Con-2
    Size medium
    Speed 30 FT
    Language Common and the languages of their race or city they live. Changelings with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages).

    • Pick A Race your Changling will naturally be in.
    • Claws: Changelings' fingernails are hard and sharp, granting them two claw attacks (1d4 points of damage each).
    • ShapeShift 2+ your Con modifier a day, you can shapeshift into any shape with similar mass as you but not exceed it or you can go only down in one size category. Going back to your base shape does not count. They only change their physical body.
    • Minor Shape-Shifting: you can change look different. You can seem 1 foot shorter or taller, thin, fat, or in between. You cannot change your creature type. Otherwise, the extent of the apparent change is up to you. You could add or obscure a minor feature or look like an entirely different person or gender. You can do it as many times you like but only have 3 activities at a time
    • You get one racial trait from your base race
    • Voice: Their voice is the same pitch no matter the shape, the Changeling can learn to speak with other voices but it must be a learned skill
    • Smell: Their Smell is the same smell no matter the shape.
    • Light Gift: +5 Damage Resistance from Magical Light and +5 weakness from magical Darkness

Genetics and Reproduction

When two changelings decide to have a baby. It's significantly different from regular organics. Each partner will separate a portion of themselves and combine it with each other. This may work with two or more changelings. This also takes a toll on them, leaving them feeling weak for months. It is possible to become ill at this time, with serious problems in rare cases.

Now, it takes a month for the gelatinous pieces to come together. So, when most changelings decide to have a baby, they will pretend to be pregnant since the species' inception, or at least make it appear plausible. Then, one month before their due date, they will give birth to their child.

When a new Changeling body begins to form and merge with itself. The emerging new life will glow brighten the color of its body when it is done. Then ultimately takes on the form of the first live creature it sees. To become his new base form, which will protect it from the outside world. For this reason, they normally keep their baby in a room with no live beings or critters, and most parents will keep their basic forms active whenever they visit their child and check on it. So that way, their child will take on the appearance of the parents. It will resemble a brand newborn baby of the species it observes.

Growth Rate & Stages

Their basic form will grow at the species from which it has gotten its form, but after they reach adulthood, the changeling must focus on the age at which they wish to be. From newborn to teenager, it appears to have an independent system to maintain the appropriate pace for that species. Now, that just refers to its physical capabilities. Changelings mature more faster than other species, thus they'll be like teenagers although being in a child's body. Their comprehension and reasoning skills will develop faster than those of their peers. They still have a act and play like children and enjoy themselves.

Ecology and Habitats

They can live anyplace and everywhere; they are the most versatile creatures around.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They will consume and eat similarly to the society in which they reside. Though they can eat practically anything in their original form, they simply offer various nutrients and materials to their bodies.

Behaviour

Now they will adopt the personalities and characteristics of the culture and kingdom in which they grew up. Just like any other youngster or creature living in a society. However, they have a natural tendency to be cautious and secretive. This cannot be told if it is taught or natural, but all changelings will be great at concealing secrets, especially their own.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The Changelings no longer have any true social of their own. They live their lives alongside and as other races. Some major cities have a group of Changelings who band together for security. Within these little groups, elders make the most crucial decisions. These elders do share their expertise with the younger changelings.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Changelings' perceptions of the world vary slightly. The fact that whatever their base form is, their sensory system functions in their original form. Through some strange magical connection, their base form senses are replicated in their birthplace. Despite the fact that they lack the necessary physical abilities, both exterior and internal. So some changelings will have low light vision, while others will have darker vision, and others will not. This all be determined just by whatever species they took as their base

Civilization and Culture

History

Over 2000 years ago the Small Kingdom of Bakar was a well-established kingdom with many thriving cities. The cities were a place of commerce and invention. The Race that Governed this kingdom was the Changelings. Many traveling changelings used their skills to help other nations. The Changelings became rich with funds from working with other nations. The kingdom was neutral in most wars and normal to have different agents be hired to work to receive resonance for both sides.
  As the wealth began to pour into the economy of Bakar, other kingdoms began to take notice of the wealth the Kingdom was making off war and how easily the Changeling people infiltrated into their ranks to receive their knowledge. The surrounding Kingdoms began to worry about the information that the Changling people had gathered at the time of war and how it might be used against them. The surrounding kingdoms became fearful and greedy for the riches of the Kingdom of Bakar.
  The surrounding kingdoms had a secret meeting and decided to attack the kingdom of Bakar all at once. Of course, the people of Bakar knew about the upcoming attack but the leaders decided not to stop it but they knew that if fear was in the heart of their neighbors they would keep attacking till they were no changelings left. The leaders of the Kingdom instead began evacuating city after city and going into hiding. They used magic to Blow up their own cities and towns making it look like the all-out attack from the surrounding kingdoms wiped out all of the changelings.
  A Spell was created by an overzealous Magic circle to sense when a changeling was near. It was used to wipe out many larger groups of Changelings while they began to hide. The Spell went unused for so long that it is now lost to history. Changelings now live in small cells all over the world and are hoping not to be discovered by the other races.
Natural Magic
Changelings have a natural resistance to Light Magic and a weakness to Dark Magic. 75% use Light Magic
Lifespan
500 years
Average Height
Origin form 1 foot to 2 foot Base Formthe height of the imitation race
Average Weight
Origin Form will retain the weight of the Base Form. Base FormThe weight of the imitation race
Average Physique
They are a gelatinous mass.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Their Original Form can be any color, however it must be a light or neon form of that color, which cannot be changed. Their base form inherits all of the color of that species, but they've developed to be capable of changing it.


Cover image: by Marc Zipper (Valcin)

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