Changelings

If you look carefully throughout the pages of Mundane history, you will find Changelings appearing in every civilisation. When a Mundane willingly lays down with a spirit from the Shadows, any resulting child is known as a ‘Changeling’. The non-Mundane parent will have been of demonic origin from Hell or of a neutral elemental origin, ie. a spirit of water, or a spirit of earth.

Historically, Changelings born in the British Isles were the result of a dalliance that occurred around the fertility rite of Beltane, when villagers headed to the woods to couple with strangers. Changelings born elsewhere often have a similar story, in that they were born nine months after a local fertility ritual.

Regardless of their supernatural parentage, the child will be left with a mundane parent to raise

Some live with their birth parent until they come of age, more tolerated than embraced. While Changelings are not born from rape, some have a hard start to life due to their Mundane parent feeling uncomfortable with the physical result of the dalliance.

Other Changeling children are abandoned by their Mundane birth parent, however, the demon or elemental parent will then drop them off to other villages and infertile couples until they have a home. It is often a shock then when somewhere around puberty the non-Mundane parent appears to the Changeling and informs them of their heritage and they gain the ability to perform rituals.

In comparison, other Changelings are brought up in lives of luxury and comfort, as some families send out their young people at Beltane with the hope of receiving a ‘special child’ who will provide for them. These Changelings have their own challenges however, as they deal with being different from the rest of their family and balance their family’s demands with their desire to live their own lives. Changelings from this background usually leave their home village or town anywhere from a generation to three generations afterwards.

Changelings are functionally immortal unless physically harmed to the point that an ordinary Mundane would die. They do not fall ill and can heal almost as fast as Werewolves. They appear to age slowly- typically a Changeling will age at the same rate as a Mundane until somewhere in their 20s-40s, although a few will age faster than others and stay at the ‘wise-mentor’ age indefinitely. It is up to the Changelings' temperament as to when they usually stop ageing. As a trade-off to immortality, they are unable to have children themselves- but that has not stopped many from having their own adopted families or mentees.

The witch hunts during the Middle Ages were a difficult time for Changelings and many lost their lives or were driven into hiding and the population has not yet recovered. However, due to some of the decadent excesses of the late Georgian and Regency period, a number of young Changelings have recently emerged out of London.

Although a more solitary faction than the others, a loose Cabal for British Changelings has come together in the past two hundred years, whose headquarters are a London townhouse in Mayfair. Here, Changelings swap stories of their recent exploits or use the numerous cellar rooms to work together on complex rituals.

Rituals

Changelings have magic flowing through them, inherited from their non-Mundane parents. To access this magic, however, they need to perform rituals. While each Changeling will have their own personal style of ritual spellcasting, many tend to be highly theatrical. To perform more than a basic spell, ie. creating a light, or healing a small wound, they need to summon an elemental or demon in order to channel the magic to perform the spell. Some Changelings, if they have a good relationship with their parent, will be able to do so with their help, although this usually comes at a price.

Others, choosing not to summon their non-Mundane parent, will bind lesser demons or elementals to either borrow or drain their energy, although this is a more fraught process, as an escaped demon or elemental will wreak havoc on the lives of those that summoned them. Typically, to avoid doing these difficult spells frequently, Changelings will imbue a magic item with stored magic, to siphon off as necessary.

Inherent Magic

Changelings are able to replicate any other magical effect that has been used on them. Once per two hours, Changelings can use the same magical ability that has been used on them.

In their youthful years, a Changeling might remain quite close to their Mundane family, although ties fade as their relatives grow old and they do not. Some Changelings never feel close to their Mundane heritage and are drawn to explore their demonic or elemental nature and what they can do with it. Given eternity stretching ahead, as a Changeling, they often have to consider what they will do with immortality. Boredom and ennui can be an issue - which is why most Changelings take special interest in Mundane life, although nearly all of them believe they are above the petty dealings of it all. Recently, the London Cabal has named and categorised the various life approaches typically adopted by Changelings.

Followers of the Augustine Philosophy have decided they will make their mark on history and steer those who are in charge towards a better future. Augustines enjoy getting involved in the local politics, revolutions and conflicts, although they tend to stay behind the scenes. They are driven by a desire to encourage change, and prosperity and tend to take on mentor roles. The idea of Mundane life as a chess game and, with the distance and wisdom, the position of chessmaster, is appealing.

Followers of the Lucian Philosophy - well, it’s not that they’re evil per se, but they value chaos and the darker side of Mundane nature. Lucians may have closer ties with their supernatural birth parent if they are of Demonic nature, as they also enjoy meddling in Mundane affairs. Elemental parents are a force of nature and have little interest in Mundane life - although they can be a potent power source for an ambitious Lucian. They are also often involved in behind historically significant moments, although for different reasons than an Augustine Changeling.

A follower of the Evangeline Philosophy is out for themself - their life is for enjoyment and they take pleasure in having the best that one can get in life. In order to fund their lavish lifestyle, they often hire out skills and services to the other factions - and even, perhaps, to the occasional Mundane.

Changelings are not tied to one philosophy, and their parentage has no impact on which philosophy they follow - some of the most fervent Augustine Changelings have a greater demon as a parent. Indeed, some Changelings begin following one philosophy for a century and then decide to shift to another - they’ll do almost anything to stave off the ennui of immortality.

Due to their long years and limited familial ties, many Changelings are mercenary and will provide spells, magical items and rituals to other factions for a price, particularly those from the Evangeline path.

Those from the Augustine path will provide aid to Hunters as a way of righting wrongs, while Lucian path Changelings are often thrilled to interfere in the skirmishes of Hunters, Werewolves or Vampires.

Few take sides in a conflict, but the fact that their magical artefacts are often used by one faction against another has meant increasingly, the other three factions will also target Changelings.

A Changelings manner of dress will depend on his or her age and temperament. Some Changelings will decide they like the style of a particular era and will continue to wear clothes from that time until they grow bored of it. Others decide that they must be dressed according to the latest fashion. Regardless of how a Changeling dresses, they will carry a focus that holds their stored magic about their person. This could be a large staff, a fabulous brooch, a daring pendant, etc. Additionally, all Changelings are born with a physical attribute such as red glowing eyes, a tail, horns, different coloured skin, an inheritance from their non-Mundane parent. Some Changelings are proud to wear their heritage, while others conceal it.

In the prologue, we would ask that all players who are Changelings wear a blue sash somewhere about their person. All Changelings will also wear a badge with their faction’s symbol.

What’s happened with the Changelings since the Accords?

The Changelings of Great Britain have had lean years since the Accords were signed. Ironically, despite being the most collectively-minded of the factions when it came to the Accords, trying to achieve security and safety for all, the outcome has barely benefitted them. Indeed, many have looked askance at the loopholes being exploited by the other factions - although, there have been a few Lucian Changelings who saw an opportunity to do a roaring business in providing advice to different factions.

Some Changelings - particularly those of the Augustine philosophy - disgusted by the shambles of the Shadows, and some frankly just bored with the stability of Victoria’s reign - have decided to seek their fortunes abroad, as the age of imperialism has opened up new lands where they can influence the course of history.

This emigration, combined with the excess of the Georgian period giving way to the more buttoned-up Victorian era and thus fewer Changeling births, has meant the population has dwindled. Those who have remained… well, many have developed esoteric interests and have retreated into the basements of the few Changeling safehouses in London, Edinburgh and Dublin.

What have they been up to? Well.. it’s all been very secretive but rumours are they’ve been delving deeper and deeper into demonology and elementalism- making more elaborate deals with their birth parents and other spirits they encounter along the way. In less experienced hands, this could be very dangerous but with experienced Changelings leading the rituals, it’s currently produced cutting-edge magic. And some say it could hold the key for increasing the Changeling population again.

Lastly, Evangeline Changelings have also recently received intriguing propositions from a certain faction… Some are looking at distaste with the fervour of the Gabrielites but these Hunters have deep pockets and have been asking for assistance in Hunts - and a Changeling does enjoy a challenge.

Themes we expect this faction to deal with:

• How close to the dark are you willing to tread?

• What is the best way to influence history and how do you deal with success/failure if you do manage to alter its course?

• The parable of Icarus flying too close to the sun