Changeling

Changelings are subtle shapechangers capable of disguising their appearance. They evolved through the union of doppelgangers and humans, eventually becoming a separate race distinct from either ancestral tree. They do not possess the full shapechanging abilities of a doppelgangers but they can create effective disguises at will. This ability makes them successful spies and criminals, and many changelings live up to that potential. Changelings reach maturity at 15 and live as long as humans.

In general, changelings are prudent and cautious, preferring to take risks only when they feel that their chances of success are good or the payoff is worth it. They appreciate the finer things in life and take great pleasure in the comforts of a wealthy lifestyle when they can obtain it. They avoid direct confrontations, preferring stealthy strikes and hasty retreats whenever possible. In conversation, they are soft-spoken but have a gift for drawing out more information than the other party intends to reveal.

Basic Information

Anatomy

changelings strongly resemble their doppelganger lineage, with only a passing nod to their human heritage. All changelings fall within the boundaries of medium size, usually standing between 5 and 6 feet tall. Unlike true doppelgangers, changelings do have gender in their natural form, although they can adopt any shape they like. Changelings have pale grey skin, and their hair is thin and fair. Their limbs are long and slightly out of proportion compared to other humanoids. Their faces have slightly more distinct features than a doppelgangers, including a hint of nose and lips, though their eyes remain blank white and the rest of their facial features don’t look quite as finished as those on a human.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Changeling names are usually monosyllabic and seem to other races more like nicknames than proper names. In fact, changelings collect names and may go by entirely different names in different social circles. They make no distinction between male and female names.

Examples: Bin, Dox, Fie, Hars, Jin, Lam, Nit, Ot, Paik, Ruz, Sim, Toox, Yug

Gender Ideals

Although Changelins have a gender they're born with, due to their very nature their views to gender are very fluid.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Nobody with any sense completely trusts a changeling. Many people, however, have a reason to do business with them. Most members of other races treat changelings with extreme caution. Dwarves have little patience for their deceptive and subtle manner. Halflings, on the other hand, enjoy matching wits with changelings, though there are often rivals in certain shady activities.

RPG Datasheet

Shapechanger subtype: changelings are humanoids with the shapechanger subtype

Medium size

Base land speed: 30 ft

+2 racial bonus to saving throws against sleep and charm effects.

+2 racial bonus to bluff, intimidate and sense motive checks.

Natural linguist: Changelings add speak language to their list of class skills for any class they adopt.

Minor changeshape (Su): Changelings have the ability to alter their appearance as though using a disguise self spell, this does not affect their possessions. This is not an illusory effect but a minor physical alteration of features. The changeling can use this at will and lasts until they choose to change again or are killed in which case they revert to their natural form. A true seeing spell reveals their natural form. When in use this ability gives the changeling a +10 circumstance bonus to disguise checks. Using this ability is a full-round action.

Automatic languages: common. Bonus languages: Auran, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Gnome, Halfling and Terran.

Favored Class: Rogue

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Human