Changeling

Faceless Travelers

Legend has it that long ago, the Eldritch Beings from the Far Realm visited the world of Rolara and brought with them a strange gift - the ability to shapeshift. They used this gift to swap Human infants with their own kind, known as Changelings, to fulfill some unknown purpose. These alien anomalies possess a unique ability to change their form into any other they have seen, making them masters of disguise and deception.
Changelings are a rare and enigmatic species, often feared and ostracized by other humanoids. Their true form, with pale white skin and black eyes, reveals their otherworldly nature and sets them apart from other beings. It is said that they grow up as members of other species, only discovering their ability to shapeshift around their 13th year. Many keep this ability secret for fear of retribution or stigma, while some use it for good or crime.
The origin of Changelings remains a mystery, and their purpose on Rolara unknown. Some believe they are agents of the Eldritch Beings, carrying out their will in secret. Others speculate that they possess some hidden power or knowledge, sought after by those who would seek to control them. Whatever the truth may be, Changelings remain an elusive and fascinating species, their abilities and origins shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Changelings have a complex relationship with names, often viewing the name they were raised with as their "real" name. This name carries with it a sense of identity and history, connecting them to the life they lived before discovering their ability to shapeshift. It represents a stable point in their otherwise mutable lives and provides a sense of grounding amidst the chaos of their existence. As such, many changelings prefer to use the name they were raised with, even after adopting new identities.
However, changelings are also adept at taking on new names, using them as a tool to further their goals and manipulate those around them. They see names as a form of power, a way to control how others perceive them and influence their behavior. In this sense, names are not just a label, but a weapon in the changeling's arsenal. They can adopt new names with ease, shedding their old identities like a snake shedding its skin. This adaptability is a hallmark of the changeling's nature and makes them formidable opponents in any social encounter.
Despite their fluid relationship with names, changelings are often fiercely protective of their true identity, guarding it with all the cunning and guile at their disposal. To reveal one's true name to another is to give them a measure of control over them, something that changelings are loath to do. As such, they are masters of deception, using their shapeshifting abilities and social skills to keep others guessing and always one step behind. The complex relationship that changelings have with names highlights their unique nature and adds a layer of intrigue to their already mysterious existence.

Major Organizations

Moonborn City is a place of mystery and intrigue, a hidden colony where changelings can live freely and openly without fear of persecution or judgement. Located in the Mesmer Valley on the northernmost continent of Iagane, the city is protected by a powerful enchantment that conceals its precise location from outsiders. Only those who reveal their true form to the guardians of the city are granted entry, ensuring that Moonborn City remains a secret haven for changelings alone.
Despite its isolated location, Moonborn City is a bustling metropolis, home to a diverse array of factions and organizations. The city is divided into different districts, each with its unique culture and history. The Silk District is known for its artisans, who produce exquisite clothing and accessories that reflect the changeling's love of transformation and disguise. The Shadow District is home to the city's underground, where spies, smugglers, and assassins ply their trade in the shadows.
At the heart of Moonborn City is the Council of Shapes, a governing body made up of changelings from all walks of life. The Council is responsible for maintaining the city's security and ensuring that its inhabitants are protected from the dangers of the outside world. They are also charged with enforcing the laws of the city, which are based on the principles of mutual respect and acceptance.
Despite its relative safety, Moonborn City is not without its challenges. Some factions seek to exploit the city's resources or use its inhabitants for their own purposes, while others seek to impose their own beliefs and values on the changelings of the city. However, the inhabitants of Moonborn City are a resilient and resourceful people, and they have learned to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity. For changelings seeking a safe haven, there is no better place than Moonborn City.

Gender Ideals

Changelings, in their true form, lack any visible sexual dimorphism, leading to a unique set of gender ideals within their society. Gender among changelings is less about physical characteristics and more about the fluidity of identity and self-expression. Changelings are able to shift their physical form at will, allowing them to express themselves in whatever way they choose, regardless of their biological sex.
In Moonborn City, the concept of gender is more about personal identity than anything else. Many changelings reject traditional gender roles and instead choose to define themselves in their own terms. Some identify as androgynous or genderfluid, while others reject gender altogether, choosing to live their lives as a blank slate, free from the constraints of societal expectations.
For changelings who wish to take on a more gendered form, there are many options available. The city's artisans are skilled at crafting clothing and accessories that can accentuate or de-emphasize certain features, allowing changelings to present themselves in whatever way they choose. The Silk District is particularly renowned for its gender-bending fashions, which often blur the lines between male and female.
Despite their fluid approach to gender, changelings are not immune to the prejudices and biases of the outside world. Many of them choose to adopt more traditional gender roles when dealing with outsiders, in order to avoid drawing unwanted attention or scrutiny. However, within the walls of Moonborn City, changelings are free to be themselves, without fear of judgement or persecution. For changelings, gender is just one aspect of their complex and ever-shifting identity, one that they are free to explore and express in whatever way they choose.

Common Taboos

Changelings in Rolara have a set of common taboos that are widely regarded as unacceptable within their society. One of the most important of these is the taboo against assuming the "true" form of another changeling. In Moonborn City, where changelings can live freely and openly without fear of persecution, this taboo is strictly enforced. Taking the form of another changeling is seen as a violation of personal identity and a threat to the fluidity of changeling culture. Other taboos include using shapeshifting abilities to commit crimes or deceive others, as well as revealing the location of Moonborn City to outsiders. For changelings, these taboos serve as a way of maintaining the delicate balance of their society and ensuring that they remain free to express themselves in whatever way they choose.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

In many parts of Rolara, changelings are viewed with suspicion and fear by other humanoid species. Their alien appearance and shapeshifting abilities mark them as outsiders, creatures to be avoided or even destroyed. However, changelings have learned to use their abilities to their advantage, assuming the guise of other species in order to blend in and avoid detection. This has allowed them to move freely throughout the world, gathering information and forging alliances with other races in secret. Despite the dangers they face, changelings remain a resilient and resourceful people, adapting to the ever-changing world around them in order to survive.

Scientific Name

Humanoid

Origin/Ancestry

Unknown