Changeling

Species Name (Common): Polymorphs Species Name (What they call themselves): Vaeti

Appearance

Skin

• Covering: None, though they can mimic textures
• Distribution: Smooth, with the ability to alter its surface
• Luminosity: Slightly iridescent when transitioning forms, but otherwise dull to blend in
• Colour: Naturally a grayish to reddish hue, but can change color and pattern at will
• Strength: Pliable and elastic, capable of withstanding minor cuts and abrasions

Head

• Shape: Varies, can shift between humanoid and other forms
• Eyes: Large, reflective, capable of shifting between different species' eye structures for enhanced vision
• Nose: Small and unremarkable, but can flatten or expand based on the form taken
• Mouth: Thin-lipped with flexible jaws, can alter size and structure
• Ear: Small, able to shift shape to enhance hearing or disguise identity
• Hair: Wispy and thin, barely there

Limbs

• Arms: Proportional to body, though length and muscle mass can be altered slightly
• Hands: Five-fingered but with subtle webbing that can be withdrawn
• Legs: Similar to humans, though can subtly adjust length and muscle density
• Feet: Naturally human-like, but can shift to mimic digitigrade or padded feet

Notable Features

• Highly adaptable bodies that allow them to change appearance at will. Since they don't have hair, they are usually bald, so they rely on wigs or caps which is part of their normal dress or camouflage to fit in.
• Cannot perfectly mimic another being for long, as subtle distortions eventually appear
• Enhanced flexibility, allowing them to fit through tight spaces
• Bodies are slightly cooler than humans, making them detectable by heat-sensitive creatures
• Limited regenerative ability, able to seal small wounds quickly

Ecology

• Habitat: Deserts, urban centers, and trade hubs
• Adaptation: Masters of disguise, able to blend seamlessly into diverse environments
• Diet: Omnivorous but prefers easily digestible foods due to a sensitive metabolism
• Senses:
  • Acute vision, able to adjust to different light levels
  • Exceptional hearing, especially tuned to voices and movement
  • Heightened spatial awareness, making them difficult to ambush
• Communication:
  • Highly verbal, skilled in multiple languages
  • Gestures and subtle body language play a crucial role
  • Can subtly adjust their vocal cords to mimic different accents

Size

• Height: Varies, similar to humans
• Weight: Lighter than expected, around 100-160 lbs due to a more efficient musculature
• Physique: Naturally lean and wiry, built for agility rather than brute strength

Life Stages

• Growing Up:
  • Born in a semi-malleable state, requiring guidance to learn how to shape themselves
  • By age 5, they gain full control over their shifting abilities
  • Adolescence is marked by finding a preferred “default” form
• Family/Groups:
  • Live in tight-knit merchant guilds or small nomadic clans
  • Strong emphasis on mentorship, with older Polymorphs guiding the young
• Our Home/Shelter:
  • Primarily in underground hubs or safe houses spread across cities
  • Their settlements are often hidden, only accessible through secretive means
• How Long We Live:
  • Typically around 150 years, though some reach 200
• When We are Born/Hatched:
  • Live birth, with a strong bond between parent and child

Our World

• Our Friends/Neighbors:
  • Highly integrated into other societies, often working as diplomats, traders, or spies
  • Respect the Dalk for their craftsmanship and frequently do business with them
• Our Dangers/Enemies:
  • Feared by those who distrust deception
  • Hunted in some regions due to myths labeling them as thieves and infiltrators
  • Vampires dislike them for their inability to be hypnotized
• Our Environment:
  • Born from hardship, their homeland is a harsh desert with little natural wealth
  • They thrive in cosmopolitan cities, where their adaptability gives them an advantage
• Things We Know/Do:
  • Masters of commerce, disguise, and negotiation
  • Skilled in espionage and counterintelligence
  • Some develop minor illusion-based magic to enhance their natural abilities

Important Things To Know

• Despite their reputation as deceivers, Polymorphs have a strong moral code centered around loyalty and fair trade
• Their ability to shift is tied to their emotions—stress or fatigue can make their disguises falter
• While they can mimic other species well, they cannot replicate abilities or internal biology
• Silver slows their regenerative abilities and causes a burning sensation on contact
• Many Polymorphs work as spies, informants, or diplomats due to their natural charisma
• They have a deep sense of patriotism, despite their scattered nature, and contribute to their homeland no matter where they are