Changeling
Beings born from Fae intervention — placed in a mortal cradle to replace a stolen child, or born of secret Fae parentage that neither parent fully understood. Changelings are natural shapeshifters, able to alter their appearance at will. They have no unified culture, no homeland, no ancestral traditions. They are defined entirely by what they choose to become.
Racial Traits
Creature Type: Fae (Humanoid) Shapechanger: As an action, change your appearance — face, hair, eye colour, skin tone, and minor physical features — to appear as any humanoid of your size. Stats, equipment, and clothing are unaffected. You do not need to have seen someone to create a new appearance; you can create a wholly new face. Unsettling Visage: As a reaction when a creature within 30 ft attacks you, briefly reveal your true, inhuman face: the attacker makes a Wisdom saving throw (DC = 8 + prof + Cha modifier) or has disadvantage on the triggering attack. Once per short rest. Fey Ancestry: Advantage on saves vs. charm; immune to magical sleep. Instinctive: Proficiency in two of: Deception, Persuasion, Insight, or Stealth. Languages: Common + two additional languages (accumulated from the lives they’ve lived).
Appearance
In their “true” form, Changelings have a distinctive look that most conceal: pale or ashen skin; large, monochromatic eyes (usually silver, white, or pale grey) with no visible pupil; fine, colourless hair; slightly too-symmetrical features. Most Changelings choose to live in a worn persona, only returning to their true face in private.
Culture
Changelings have no unified culture — they are defined by the cultures they infiltrate and adopt. A Changeling raised in a Siórtharan fishing village and one raised in an Arcavéan city have almost nothing in common besides their ability to shift. Many do not know their true nature until they accidentally shift for the first time, often during high emotion in childhood.
This rootlessness is a wound for some and a freedom for others. Changelings who have made peace with it tend to be the most adaptable people in any room; those who haven’t are still looking for a face that feels like their own.
See also: Species Index | Fae & Fae-touched | Hexblood | Aes Sídhe | Fae’ri