Famous for their ability to change their appearance at will, these fey shapechangers are masters of subterfuge. The changeling race was first published in Eberron: Rising from the Last War (ERLW), and an updated version was more recently published in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (MPMM). This is a separate version and does not overwrite the original, it just presents a different way of playing a changeling using more current design conventions.
A Masked People
Changelings can be found in any area where humans can be found living, although you may not always know that they are there. Despite their natural form being extremely pale, with white hair, and colorless eyes their natural ability to change their appearance so drastically and thoroughly allows them to seamlessly blend into any community. Some changelings live in their natural forms for the most part amongst other races, whilst others may prefer to conceal their true identity for fear of persecution, and some changelings prefer to live with their own kind in nomadic groups.
The ever-shifting nature of a changeling makes their personality and identity more complicated than that of other races. Some change in the spur of the moment, their appearance reflecting their mood with no history to it, or some spontaneously created appearances being used for a specific purpose before being discarded. Such shallow appearances are called masks, in stark contrast to appearances that a changeling creates an entire personality, history, and persona around. Sometimes these identities serve as a focal point for a changeling’s mood or a particular skill, such as changing into a merchant to focus on their Persuasion skill. Multiple changelings can even share the same identity, with others none the wiser that their associate is actually three different individuals adopting the same appearance. This unique ability to shift their appearance on a whim leads some communities to distrust changelings and grow suspicious of them out of fear or misunderstanding.
In plain sight: Playing a Changeling
Playing a changeling gives you the following traits:
Ability Scores – Cha +2 and +1 in another stat of your choice
Size – Medium
Creature Type – Humanoid
Speed – 30 ft.
Age – Changelings live around a century or less, like humans, but mature a little faster.
Shapechanger – You can use an action to change your voice and physical appearance, this feature only affects your body and doesn’t change the appearance of any equipment or clothing you’re carrying. You can change your race, skin color, sex, and hair length. Any changes to your height and weight can’t be so drastic that it changes your size category. Your new form must have the same arrangement of limbs and you don’t gain any of the mechanical benefits of a race you are imitating. You can’t duplicate the appearance of a specific creature if you haven’t seen them. This transformation lasts until you die or use an action to revert to your natural form.
Changeling Instincts – You have proficiency in two of: Deception, Insight, Intimidation, or Persuasion.
Languages – You can speak, read, and write Common and two languages of your choice.
All around you: Playing an MPMM Changeling
Playing a changeling from MPMM gives you the following traits:
Ability Scores – You can increase one ability score by 2 and a different score by 1, alternatively you can increase three different ability scores by 1.
Size – small or medium
Creature Type – Fey
Speed – 30 ft.
Age – The typical life span of a player character in the D&D multiverse is about a century, assuming the character doesn’t meet a violent end on an adventure.
Shapechanger – You can use an action to change your voice and physical appearance, this feature only affects your body and doesn’t change the appearance of any equipment or clothing you’re carrying. You can change your race, skin color, sex, and hair length. You are able to change between medium and small size as part of this change. Your new form must have the same arrangement of limbs and you don’t gain any of the mechanical benefits of a race you are imitating. You can’t duplicate the appearance of a specific creature if you haven’t seen them. This transformation lasts until you die or use an action to revert to your natural form.
Changeling Instincts – You have proficiency in two of: Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Performance, or Persuasion.
Languages – You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed walking a mile in another person’s shoes, hopefully you returned them afterward. Have you played a changeling? Are you planning to? If you want to learn more about other race options, check out our DnD 5E races section, or if you want to understand the world’s greatest roleplaying game better, then check out our how to play section. Good luck out there adventurers and until next time, remember to carry your change of clothes!
What are Changelings in DnD 5E?
What classes are best for Changelings in DnD 5E?
How do Changelings fit into the world of DnD 5E?
Changelings are a unique and versatile race in the world of DnD 5E. They can fit into a variety of settings and roles, from spies and infiltrators to performers and charlatans. Their shape-shifting abilities also make them well-suited for adventures that require disguise and deception.
