Homebrew Changeling (chthonic lineage) Species Details

Origins

Roughly three centuries ago, the god of madness and the deep spat upon the world, and from that glob of cosmic ichor arose the first changeling. Humanoid in shape but devoid of defining features, this primordial being eventually split upon its death, forming two more. So began the strange lineage of changelings: not through birth, but through division, each new life carrying faint dreamlike echoes of those who came before. Over time, their population has slowly grown to around five hundred individuals across Europa, their numbers kept low by the unusual nature of their reproduction.

Lifespan

Changelings are effectively immortal. They do not age, require no food or water, and are immune to magical aging. From the moment of their “birth” (a split from another), they emerge fully formed, physically mature, and capable of independent life. They can be destroyed through violence or misfortune, but left undisturbed, they endure indefinitely. Over time, some grow eccentric, whimsical, or wise, while others remain unchanged for decades, living as though time has no grip upon them.

Child Rearing

Changelings do not have children in the traditional sense. When one dies, their body splits into two new changelings. These offspring inherit only vague memories—like half-remembered dreams—of their previous existence. A changeling may also voluntarily split, creating a “sibling” or clone, though this is a rare and momentous act. Once split, the new individuals are fully self-sufficient, requiring no caretaking. However, changelings often gather to celebrate new splits with music, mischief, and rituals honoring their shared origin, welcoming the newcomers as family.

Family and Society

Changelings consider all others of their kind to be family—each a splinter of the same cosmic lineage. They hold communal festivals and rituals, but otherwise live highly individualistic lives. While close-knit culturally, they are just as likely to befriend humans, elves, or dwarfs as fellow changelings. Their natural forms unsettle most mortals, so changelings usually live in disguise. Many find homes at Venuste’s Bard Colleges, which double as community hubs and places of worship for their god. These colleges are eccentric, vibrant spaces where music, magic, and eldritch whispers intermingle.

Outside of these sanctuaries, changelings often wander, performing, entertaining, or working in any field that suits their current guise. They are adaptable, unpredictable, and delight in reinventing themselves.

Religion and Faith

To changelings, faith is less a matter of worship and more a recognition of kinship. They revere Cthulhu, the god of madness and the deep, not as a distant deity but as a creator and companion — the one from whose essence they were born. Every changeling carries a piece of that primordial ichor in their veins, and with it, a sense of cosmic familiarity. They do not pray for guidance or forgiveness; instead, they celebrate existence itself as proof of their divine origin.

While many outsiders might expect such devotion to manifest as dark ritual or eldritch sacrifice, changeling faith is a far cry from the sinister. It is joyous, communal, and strangely wholesome — rooted in creativity, chaos, and shared experience. Once a month, during the full moon, changelings gather in the courtyards of the Bard Colleges scattered across Europa. There, they shed their forms and melt into glimmering puddles, swirling together in vast, shifting displays of color and motion. Music drifts through the night as they dance and flow as one, celebrating life, change, and the mad beauty of creation itself.

These gatherings, known simply as “The Communion,” always end in revelry — food for their mortal guests, performances for all who attend, and laughter echoing deep into the night. Some changelings give thanks to Loqui, the lesser trickster spirit often tied to mirth and mischief, believing him a kindred ally to their creator. Yet Cthulhu remains their eternal patron, a god not feared but loved — for without his chaotic whim, the changelings would never have existed at all.

Naming Conventions

Changelings use only a single name, with no surnames. Legally, their last name is “Changeling,” but socially, it’s irrelevant. Names are often melodic, whimsical, or eldritch-sounding, reflecting their chaotic and artistic culture. Examples include Venuste, Lyricel, Avolis, Thessian, Melodyan, and Caelith. Their names are chosen freely and can change if the individual wishes—identity is fluid, after all.

Changeling (chthonic lineage) Traits

Racial Traits

Ability Scores

Your Charisma increase by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Skill Versatility

You gain proficiency in any two skills of your choice.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Primordial, and two additional languages of your choice.

Shapechanger

As an action, you can transform your appearance to resemble any creature you’ve seen. The creature must be roughly your size (Small–Medium). If the form is smaller, your body adapts proportionally. This change is cosmetic only; you gain no abilities of the chosen form. You can remain in this form indefinitely until you choose to revert, fall unconscious, or die.

Puddle Sleep

To long rest, you must revert to your natural puddle form. During this state, you cannot maintain disguises, concentrate on spells, or perceive your surroundings.

Unsettling Visage

While in your natural form, you have disadvantage on persuasion checks, your unsettling form putting people off guard and making them less trusting of you. When shapchanged you do no incur this penalty.

Ageless Form

You do not age, cannot be aged magically, and do not require food or water.

Split Memory

When making History, Insight, or other knowledge-related checks that your past selves might reasonably know, you may roll with advantage (DM’s discretion).

(I would suggest talking with the DM and have a few scenarios where you could gain this advantage when doing character creation)