Polymorphs

The Wandering Kin, this is a group of nomads that can change their appearance and blend in

1. Core Values

The Polymorphs are nomadic traders, spies, and survivors, thriving in deserts and harsh terrains where few others can live. Their shapeshifting abilities make them masters of disguise, deception, and adaptation, allowing them to blend into any society while never truly belonging to one.

• Adaptability is key
• Family over nation
• Highly secretive: identity is fluid, a Polymorph might have dozens of names, faces or personas

2. Government & Leadership

Unlike other kingdoms with rigid structures, the Polymorphs travel in clans, each functioning like a family-run guild of merchants, thieves, diplomats, and mercenaries.

Roles

The closest thing to a leadership they have is sort of "Mafia", a body who's job is to protect them all over the world, it's called "the hub". They have local "hubs" all over the world to help Polymorphs escape, conduct businesses or get information. These hubs are often disguised or part of some other business, and closely guarded amongst Polymorphs. They also tend to have small areas like "China towns" in a lot of kingdoms, where they can live and preserve a little bit of their culture.

While they do have sort of democracy, it's an oligarch.

Process

• Vaevod: the leader of the government, usually a lifetime position. Steps down at 75, elected by the parliament, absolute power.
• Sage: Dignified members of the society, usually indicates the best in their field. They advice the Vaevod, and their comment have a big with the people. They usually represent each guilds like
  • The Lord of the Merchants (Merchants): The rulers of trade, who decide the flow of goods and wealth.
  • The Shadow masters (Espionage): Masters of espionage, controlling the network of spies and responsible for blackmails, information warfare and world events.
  • The Way finders (Navigators): Legendary navigators and master smugglers. Integral to trades and helping shadow masters escape
  • The Mediator (Diplomats): Master of diplomacy
  • The Financiers (Investors): investors and sort. Whenever a company or a kingdom needs money, they are there to facilitate it
  • The Mercenaries: They have access to the best mercenaries
  • The Pigeon (Messengers): If you want to deliver a message without fail, use them. They will deliver the message regardless
  • The Pathfinder (Explorers): Always threading new water, keeps merchants, shadow masters, navigators updated
  • The Salvagers: Experts at scavenging, repurposing and trading rare or lost goods. They find treasure where no one expects
• Parliament: Elects the Vaevod, and may override the Vaevod decision in a 60% vote majority
  • Council: Won through bidding, for every 2 year a position opens up for bidding. Also a lifetime position.
  • Cotidie: Basically a day tickets/pass into the legislative arm. Up to a quarter of the council.

The councils are usually trying to ensure more government control, and are essential to the nationalism of the Polymorphs and national interests. The Sages on the other hand are practical, usually beholden to their guild.

No confidence vote

The council or the sages can do a no confidence vote (usually 60%). While this does not do anything directly, it's detrimental to the Vaevod because he become a lame duck and should probably resign. If he doesn't resign, the side that overrides him will make life difficult for him

• If it's the council, they will countermand every one of his orders
• If it's the sages, as per binds, all the sages must cease working with him, which means they could tank the economy.

Heck, if he becomes unpopular, his own security team might just desert him, or assassins will kill him. Polymorphs are truly pragmatic.

3. Social Hierarchy

Money makes everything, the richer the better. Being highly skilled is also important, especially in situations like spies but in the end, the richer the better.

4. Family & Gender Roles

Polymorphs, given their highly mobile, mercantile, and pragmatic nature, likely have a flexible and decentralized family structure. Their families would emphasize adaptability, wealth accumulation, and networking rather than strict bloodline ties. Here’s how it might look:

Polymorph Family Structure

1. Core Family (Immediate Household)

• Families tend to be small and economically driven rather than strictly hereditary.
• Since Polymorphs are often traveling, the nuclear family is more of a temporary unit rather than a fixed one.
• Children may be raised communally or spend time in different hubs across the world rather than being with both parents all the time.
• Adoption is common, and status is more about contribution to the household than direct blood ties.

2. Extended Family (Business & Political Networks)

• Family ties extend to business and guild alliances, meaning a “family” might include unrelated people who are economically and politically linked.
• It’s common for powerful families to bind themselves through contracts, fostering, and arranged partnerships rather than just marriage.
• Marriage is a business arrangement as much as a personal one, and alliances through marriage often cross national or species lines.
• Multiple marriages and polyamorous structures could exist, especially for those in high positions, where maintaining different partnerships strengthens economic and political ties.

3. Inheritance & Succession

• Wealth and status are not necessarily passed down by birthright but by merit and contribution.
• A parent may name an heir based on who is most capable, whether or not they are biologically related.
• Business assets and political power often transfer to guilds or partners rather than staying in a single bloodline.
• It’s common for a powerful Polymorph to foster promising children from other families, raising them as heirs instead of relying solely on their own offspring.

4. Parenting & Child Rearing

• Due to frequent travel, children might be raised in hubs or by mentors rather than by their parents directly.
• Education is highly valued—Polymorphs are expected to master multiple skills and be useful to their family/guild.
• Once of age, young Polymorphs are often sent on "trial journeys" where they must establish themselves in another land before they are considered fully independent.
• The concept of "blood loyalty" is weaker compared to other societies; if someone fails to contribute, they may be cast out regardless of lineage.

5. Naming Conventions

• Names might not be permanent—Polymorphs often change their names depending on their role, status, or location.
• They may take on multiple names (a legal name, a business name, and a personal name).
• Some Polymorphs may even "inherit" names from respected figures, essentially becoming successors of previous powerful individuals.

Cultural Impact of this Structure

• Fluid identity: Since family is flexible, Polymorphs are known for their ability to integrate into any society.
• Loyalty to success, not blood: A family member who fails or betrays the family's interests is easily disowned.
• Strong mentorship culture: Since inheritance isn’t strictly blood-based, mentorship is the primary way of securing power and influence.
• Highly independent youth: Children are expected to be self-sufficient early on, making them highly competent traders, spies, and negotiators.

This structure fits well with their government and economy, emphasizing pragmatism, mobility, and adaptability. What do you think? Would you like to add any family traditions or customs?

5. Religion & Spiritual Beliefs

Suggestions for the name of their god: Evershift, fluidic

• They are a monotheistic people, who belief that while there are many gods, their god, the Ever-Shifting One is the most powerful.
• To them, each species were created by different gods.
  • Their legends goes like this, the gods gathers to see who is the most powerful and can create the best thing
  • The worst gods created vermin, insects and animals they considered lower
  • And then the better gods created intelligent beings like humans
  • Some gods even partner up to create more powerful species like vampires
  • But ultimately, their god created the Polymorphs. Once the other gods saw the Polymorph, they all agreed, the god of Polymorph is the greatest because the Polymorphs are the height of perfection.

Why This Religious Belief System Works for Polymorphs

1. Subtle Superiority Complex

   • Unlike some fanatical religions, they don't outright dismiss other gods but instead frame their god as "winning" the divine contest.
   • This subtly justifies their global presence and influence—they see themselves as the "best creation" and naturally superior diplomats, traders, and manipulators.

2. Justifies Their Mercantile & Espionage Culture

   • Since their god "won" by creating the most adaptable and intelligent beings, it reinforces their belief in cleverness, flexibility, and outmaneuvering others.
   • If all beings were created by gods of varying skill, it explains why some species are "lesser" or "easier to manipulate."
   • Their faith may encourage them to understand and study other species, making them masters of disguise and social engineering.

3. Supports Their Government’s Balance of Power

   • The Vaevod could be seen as the chosen representative of their god, but not a divine ruler—more of a steward or protector of the "greatest creation."
   • The Sages may be considered divinely gifted individuals, reinforcing their influence in society.
   • This allows both religious and secular power to coexist, which suits their highly practical mindset.

4. Explains Their View on Other Species

   • Humans: A decent creation, but not quite perfected.
   • Vampires & Werewolves: Products of divine collaboration, strong but flawed because they are dependent on supernatural conditions (blood, the moon, etc.).
   • Druids & Other Magicals: Likely viewed as creations of gods obsessed with raw power over intelligence.
   • Dalk (Dark Elves): Might be seen as a failed attempt at making Polymorphs, making them both rivals and lesser cousins.

Possible Additions or Tweaks

• The "Test of Perfection"

  • Since their god won the contest, Polymorphs are expected to live up to this "perfection" by being adaptable, intelligent, and successful.
  • Failure is seen as dishonoring their god—which could explain why underperforming Polymorphs are cast out or disowned so easily.

• Religious Justification for Taxation & Remittances

  • They might see wealth and influence as divine blessings—Polymorphs must support their homeland financially as proof of their superiority.
  • The most blessed Polymorphs (the wealthy and powerful) are expected to give back generously, reinforcing the tax/remittance system.

• Religious Justification for Espionage

  • Since their god outwitted the others to win the contest, it isn't considered "wrong" to deceive or manipulate.
  • This could make lying and trickery a celebrated virtue—as long as it serves a higher goal.

Conclusions

This religious framework perfectly reinforces their identity as clever, adaptable, and globally connected people. It gives them justification for their unique culture, nationalism, and economy, while still allowing them to be flexible and pragmatic.

Their religion initially served as a foundation for their unity, but over time, necessity and practicality led them to embrace a more secular worldview. Even so, the old faith remains an undercurrent in their identity, influencing traditions and cultural pride. The idea that their god was ultimately recognized as the greatest among all deities reinforces their belief in their own superiority, even if many of them don’t practice devoutly anymore.

6. Economy & Trade

Polymorphs control trade routes, acting as merchants, smugglers, and dealmakers.

What They Sell:

• Exotic goods (spices, rare silks, poisons, stolen artifacts)
• Secrets (they sell information, blackmail, and hidden truths)
• False identities (forged documents, disguises, and new names for those who need to disappear)
• Mercenaries and assassins (they rent out highly skilled spies and killers)

What They Refuse to Trade:

• Loyalty – They never offer permanent alliances.
• Their Own Kind – While they betray each other constantly, they never sell a fellow Polymorph into slavery.

Foreign Trade Partners:

• Werewolves – "Fierce, strong, but predictable. Easy to manipulate."
• Nags – "They think we care too much about money. But they pay well for what they need."
• Vampires – "Dangerous clients, but their gold is endless."
• Druids – "They despise us, but they need us for rare herbs and secrets."
• Humans – "The easiest to fool. The best customers."

7. Military & Warfare

Polymorphs avoid direct warfare, instead using espionage, sabotage, and deception to win battles before they even begin.

• False Armies – They create fake battle reports, making enemies believe they are stronger than they really are.
• Assassinations – Instead of fighting a war, they eliminate key leaders to cause chaos.
• Disguises in War – A Polymorph army may infiltrate the enemy ranks, turning their own soldiers against them.
• Guerrilla Warfare – They strike from the shadows, vanishing before the enemy can retaliate.

8. Views on Other Species

Species	Polymorph Viewpoint
Werewolves	"Strong but simple-minded. They can be led with the right bait."
Nags	"Too obsessed with nature. They don't understand profit."
Vampires	"They think they are immortal, but we can outlive them in the shadows."
Druids	"Rigid fools. They refuse to change, and so they will always be left behind."
Humans	"The best marks. They trust too easily, and that makes them valuable."

9. Justice & Punishment

Polymorphs do not believe in fairness—they believe in cleverness. Their justice system is based on a simple principle:

• "If you were smart enough to get away with it, you deserve to win."
• "If you were caught, you were not good enough, and you deserve your fate."

Because of this, there are no official courts—instead, disputes are handled through:

• Bargaining – Most conflicts are settled through deals and negotiations.
• Duels – If words fail, combat is an option—though it may be rigged.
• Public Trials of Deception – If a Polymorph is accused of a major crime, they are given one chance to escape or talk their way out. If they fail, their punishment is exile.

More importantly, they have little regards for the laws of other territories, usually, while they learn everything about them, they mostly focus on the loopholes and how to exploit it. Furthermore, they are always happy to help their citizens evade arrest as long as they can get away with it and depends on the foreign government's power too. For example, they are more careful when it comes to vampires than they are when it comes to humans

10. Conflicts

Internal

Based on all the information above, what is the internal strives the society faces, usually due to

• Social divide
• Racial divide
• Judicial issues
• Political divide

External

See conflicts section

11. Final thoughts

The Polymorphs are the ultimate survivors, thriving in trade, deception, and espionage. They have no fixed identity, loyalty, or homeland, only the ever-changing world they manipulate to their advantage. To outsiders, they seem like untrustworthy tricksters, but among their own, they are family—until it no longer suits them.