Editing Changeling (section)

===Eberron Changeling===
[[File:A1334d220039632d69d30cd45f7830b8.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Eberronian Changelings make for lethally gifted [[assassin]]s, making for a different sort of threat to the [[party]].]]

The changeling race that people actually remember was a race introduced in the [[3.5e|3.5 edition]] campaign setting of [[Eberron]]; this version of the changeling was portrayed as being a race of humanoids with a hint of [[doppelganger]] in their ancestry, which gives them limited shapeshifting abilities. In their debuting edition this takes the form of their signature supernatural racial feature, Minor Change Shape. In major cities they are often prostitutes, able to be ''anything'' you want (at least so long as it's between 4'3 and 6'9 and humanoid). They have a reasonably sized population and make 2-4% of the population of major cities.

They were reprinted in ''Monster Manual III'' with a nod that they exist in other settings, though unlike [[Warforged]] though they don't get any new options there. In the fan-written [[Ravenloft]] sourcebook for the domain of [[Paridon]], changelings were said to be the [[Dread Doppelganger]] equivalent of [[Caliban (Ravenloft)|calibans]].

Since they're a core race in ''Eberron'''s campaign setting they got a lot of support within Eberron supplements and even books outside them actually remembered they existed. They have two unique [[Prestige Class]]es (and a bunch of feats) in ''Races of Eberron'': Cabinet Trickster and Recaster. Cabinet Trickster makes them equal to a true doppleganger in shapeshifting and mindreading ability, but otherwise not impressive. Recaster, however is one of the few casting prestige classes that loses caster levels and is still worth it thanks to some spontaneous and free metamagic, a limited number of times per day, and the ability to pick two spells from ''any'' casting list in the game (e.g. Haste as a level 1 spell from Trapsmith). They also got three racial substitution levels consisting of some minor stuff for [[Psionics|Egoist]] and more interesting stuff for Rogue and Wizard. Changling Rogue replaces trapfinding with 10 skill points a level and some extra social abilities, making it an awesome first level dip. More unusual is the ability for Wizards that specialize in transmutation ''and'' illusion (you still get the same number of slots but lose an extra school, and transmutation has plenty of options) while attracting a familiar as morphic as they are. Outside of the two classes from ''Races of Eberron'', there's an extra pair of prestige classes that aren't exclusive to them, but they are uniquely suited for: Warshaper and Chameleon (detailed on the prestige class page).

Changelings tend to fall into three groups regarding how they use their abilities. Passers adopt a single, "true" identity and often avoid changing form. The creepiest of Passers is those who select their true form as their identity, which alienates people because it looks creepy as hell and advertises that they are of a naturally deceptive race, and tends to pop up primarily within (the small) communities of Changelings. The variant most PCs are of (since playing passer makes the race pointless), the Becomer, restricts shapeshifting to "on duty" uses. Becomers change lives regularly, often changing personality along with it. The oddest still are Seekers or "reality seekers" eschew deception and seeks to find perfection in form. Despite the very religious nature of the philosophy and the way faith works in Eberron making divine magic powered by belief alone, there is no support for Seeker as a mechanical religion.

Changelings can not possess Dragonmarks, though they can mimic the appearance of a mark. This can be evaded with the Racial Emulation feat, which allows one to qualify as an imitated race. Normally not too great a choice since it locks you into mimicking one race or losing feats, it becomes truly absurd with the Chameleon prestige class (mentioned above) and using its daily bonus feat to obtain a Dragonmark feat. As absurd fluffwise as it seems, this is actually something the Cataclysm Mage Prestige Class gets as an explicit ability, and per that ability dragons will try to kill you if they find out.

====3.5E====
::Ability Score Modifier: None
::Type: Changelings are Humanoids with the Shapechanger subtype
::Medium: As Medium creatures, changelings have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
::Changeling base land speed is 30 feet.
::+2 racial bonus on saving throws against sleep and charm effects
::+2 racial bonus on Bluff, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks 
Natural Linguist: Changelings add Speak Language to their list of class skills for any class
they adopt.
::Minor Change Shape (Su): Changelings have the supernatural ability to alter their appearance as though using a disguise self spell that affects their bodies but not their possessions. This ability is not an illusory effect but a minor physical alteration of a changeling’s facial features, skin color and texture, and size, within the limits described for the spell. A changeling can use this ability at will, and the alteration lasts until he changes shape again. A changeling reverts to his natural form when killed. A true seeing spell reveals his natural form. When using this ability to create a disguise, a changeling receives a +10 circumstance bonus on 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]]

====4E====
In 4e, Dragon Magazine and the use of a Changeling picture for the [[Doppelganger]] implies that they exist in the [[Nentir Vale]] setting, but they debuted in the [[Eberron]] Player's Guide and are mostly associated with that setting.

::Ability scores: +2 Charisma, +2 Dexterity or +2 Intelligence
::Size: Medium
::Speed: 6 squares.
::Vision: Normal

::Languages: Common
::Skill Bonuses: +2 Bluff, +2 Insight.
::Change Shape: You have the changeling disguise power.
:::Change Shape - Racial Power. At-Will, Polymorph, Minor Action, Personal. Effect: You alter your physical form to take on the appearance of any Medium humanoid. You retain your statistics in your new form, and your clothing, armor, and possessions do not change. The new form lasts until you change form again. Any creature that attempts to see through your ruse makes an Insight check opposed by your Bluff check, and you gain a +5 bonus to your check.
::Changeling Trick: You have the changeling trick power.
:::Changeling Trick - Racial Power. Encounter, Minor Action, Melee 1. Target: One creature. Effect: You make a Bluff check opposed by the target’s passive Insight. If your check succeeds, you gain combat advantage against the target until the end of your next turn.
::Mental Defense: You have a +1 racial bonus to Will.
::Shapechanger: You have the shapechanger subtype; you can alter your appearance. As such, you are subject to effects and conditions that affect shapechangers.

====5E====
There are three versions of the Changeling statline: The original Unearthed Arcana, Eberron version (from ''Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron''), and the latest version from ''Eberron: Rising from the Last War''. While each version keeps the basics of shapechanging, the later versions added upon the basic tricks.

One odd thing about the 5e version is that, in contrast to the original changeling being said to be half-[[doppelganger]]s or something a bit more distant, 5e changelings are actually the ''original'' species. Doppelgangers on Eberron, according to 5e lore, are the result of [[Daelkyr]] tinkering with changelings, augmenting their shapeshifting and imbuing them with innate [[psionics]], but also programming them to wreak social havoc and destabilize communities even when they don't really want to.

::Ability Scores: +2 Charisma, +1 to '''any''' stat (+3 Cha is allowed)
::Size: Medium
::Speed: 30 ft
::Shapechanger: As a standard action, you can change your appearance and voice.
::Changeling Instincts: Gain proficiency in two of the following skills: Deception, Insight, Intimidation, and Persuasion
::Languages: Common + 2 others.


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