Changelings are humanoid creatures with discolored, slimy skin, hollow eyes, and a round mouth with many teeth. They can appear human, but their true nature is revealed in reflection. They feed on humans, specifically on synovial fluid.
Origins[]
The Changeling is a creature with origins in the mythology, legend and folklore of Europe. In particular, accounts of its existence arose in the mythology, legend and folklore of England, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Norway, Scotland and Wales.
First and foremost, it should be noted that a Changeling is not a specific race, descended from one bloodline. Changeling is a general term for one child that has been replaced, as 'equal exchange' for the abduction of another.
Most commonly, it is a Fairy, Elf or Troll that abducts a human child, and leaves one of their young (or even one of their retiring elders) in place of the child they've taken. From there, the human child grows up in servitude, or as another part of this supernatural society.
"Elizabeth is such a lovely little girl!"
In crueler cases, the human parents may not even receive a 'replacement child' at all; instead, the replacement might what is called a 'stock' (ie an object, like a piece of wood or a rock magically enchanted to look like the child). After a while, the magic might even wear off, so that the object goes back to normal. This, in the meantime, gives the appearance of the 'child' slowly deteriorating into poor health, and eventually dying (doubtless a traumatic experience for the parents or caretakers).
In either case, both the abducted child and its supernatural replacement are termed 'Changeling'.
Characteristics[]
They have been talked about throughout history as being the replacements for human children who are stolen away by monsters. The children are usually taken underground, and fed on by the mother changeling. The changeling that replaces the child looks the same as the original child, but is evil, and otherwise acts differently. They feed off the mother of the child they have taken the form of. They are very protective of their food source and will let nothing separate them from it and will kill anyone who gets in their way. The mothers get fed on gradually and will last a few months before death, at which point the changelings move on to the next neighbourhood.
The changeling mother is killed by fire.
Although they act somewhat like children, some mothers are able to notice that it is not their child. This is due to the mechanical way that changelings act, repeated spouting generic "childish" phrases, at times with little to no emotion behind them. Likewise, changelings have the habit of staring at people "like [they]'re lunch."
Appearance[]
Changelings true form is discolored, slimy skin, hollow eyes and round mouth with many teeth. A changelings true form can be seen only in reflection in a mirror or other reflective surface.
Powers & Abilities[]
A changeling child feeding off the synovial fluid from the human mother.
- Superhuman Strength - They have superior strength to humans, however they are quite weak compared to most monsters. Young changeling are not strong enough to break through a door, while hunter was able to fight a full grown one on more-or-less equal terms.
- Sharp Teeth - They have sharp teeth that allow them to feed on humans, and a lamprey-like mouth, which leave a mark on the back of the neck.
- Shapeshifting - Changelings can appear human, and are capable of shifting between forms in order to feed
- Superhuman Agility - Are able to climb walls to snatch children.
- Superhuman Durability - Can only be killed by fire, and can still be apparently stunned by blunt force, such as when a Mother Changeling was when hunter struck her in the face with a brick.
- Teleportation - One changeling demonstrated the ability to get out of a car that had sunk into a lake and appear back at "her mother's" house within minutes, soaking wet and unharmed. A Mother Changeling demonstrated that ability too, by suddenly vanishing when hunter fired a blowtorch at her.
Weaknesses[]
A changeling's true form is revealed in a mirror.
- Fire - Setting a changeling on fire will kill it.
- Family - Killing a mother changeling will cause its children to die instantly.
- Mirrors - A changeling's true form is revealed in a mirror.
- Magic - Fairies are susceptible to the powers of magic.
Lore[]
Changelings in lore.
In European folklore and folk belief, a changeling is the offspring of a fairy, troll, elf, or other legendary creature that has been secretly left in the place of a human child. The apparent changeling could also be a stock, a glamorized piece of wood that would soon appear to grow sick and die.
In the past, European countries used to believe that a child who exhibited symptoms of autism had in fact been replaced with a changeling. As a result, some parents left these "fake" children to die in the woods.
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