Post by Capricorn on Sept 30, 2013 21:25:40 GMT -5
((Hmm, I had what I think is a good idea. It was fun to write about, so it ended up... Well, long. I hope people enjoy reading about this idea.
These would probably just be a race found in the North by the Empire, Varden, or Elves. Some would probably go back to Alagaesia with one or more of these groups, but it all depends on what happens.))
These would probably just be a race found in the North by the Empire, Varden, or Elves. Some would probably go back to Alagaesia with one or more of these groups, but it all depends on what happens.))
Brief Description:
The Changelings are a type of cervine humanoid, similar to what people call "centaur" in the real world (except Changelings are deer, not horses). They are an uncommon race, with all individuals existing on a remote, three-mile wide island. There are few individuals existing, compared to most other races. This is partially because of a very low population of males- around eighty-five percent of the Changeling population is female, leading some to believe that there are only female Changelings. Most notably, they are known to change in order to live better in their environment- this can include the development of camouflage, the lengthening or thickening of their coat, the changing of their pelt's texture, and more.
Society:
Name: Changelings
Other names: None
Languages spoken:
Changelings speak the Ancient Language. Some also communicate basic commands through the position of their tail, such as "come" or "stay there".
Homeland:
The Changelings reside on a secluded island around two miles west of the Norse Homeland, which they call Ristvak abr Wyrda. It's terrain is similar to that of the Norse Homeland- it, too, is covered in ice. There is little greenery, and few plants grow. There are three cities on the island. The two cities each house around three hundred Changelings, and the capital city houses around four hundred.
The most notable city is one which is home to many Changeling magicians, and the place where young magicians are trained, named Dras abr Vanyali. A city dedicated to fishing is occasionally raided by local humans, and so there is a mild military presence. This fishing city is named Dras abr Osthato Vinr.The capital is home to the Queen, but isn't much more grand than the other cities. The capital city is named Dras abr Draumar. The cities aren't very advanced, without a natural water or food supply. Local magicians use magic to bring water to the citizens, and the island's government distributes food. The homes are made of enchanted ice, having been created by magicians long ago.
Government:
The Changelings are governed by a Queen, although she has little power over any city but the capital. Two Countesses rule over the other cities. They all have power, but it is highly recommended that they do not exercise it. Because of this, most Changelings are free to do as they please, as long as they do not kill, harm, steal, etc.
Upon the death of a Countess, the Queen chooses the next Countess to take her place. Upon the death of the Queen, the two Countesses come together and decide upon the next Queen. Sometimes one of the Countesses themselves even become to new Queen.
Economy:
There isn't much of an economy amongst the Changelings, because the government provides food and water. However, some Changelings may search for goods and trade them for other goods that other Changelings have.
Architecture:
Changeling architecture is very distinctive. It is done by a magician or several magicians, who oftentimes have gems which have been filled for months. They then slowly cut either rock or ice (depending on the area), causing extremely straight walls. The roofs are almost always slanted to prevent snow from caving in the home. Enchantments are placed on the home to prevent erosion and to keep it standing. More enchantments are placed upon homes made from ice- an enchantment to make the ice a chalky white color, an enchantment to prevent the ice from melting, and another enchantment to let no cold into the inside of the home.
History:
Long Story Short:
A really long time ago, a bunch of elves came to an island on a ship. This one elf got really close to this magical deer, and merged herself with one. Then she made a spell so that her body would change depending on the environment. After that, she turned a bunch of other elves into deer-elves, named them Changelings, and declared herself Queen. She ruled for a while, died, and everything was boring.
Long Story in Nine Paragraphs:
Long ago, during Du Fyrn Skulblaka (the war between elves and dragons), a ship carrying elves set sail to escape the fighting. Those that survived the journey arrived far north, on the island that would one day become the home of the future race. The elves founded a small town along the shore of the island, and remained there for many years. The elves hunted the white deer native to the area.
It was one morning that an Elven enchantress by the name of Irili was approached by a doe, one of these white deer. She developed a close bond with the doe over many years, and this eventually became known to other elves of the fishing settlement. It was one day that Irili decided to "merge" herself with the doe, so that even after it died, it would live on within the enchantress. She wove together a complex spell, which took her many months to create. The enchantress filled gems with energy whenever possible, so that she would survive the spell. When the spell was finally perfected, Irili preformed it.
It worked. Irili was no longer a pure elf- rather, she had the lower of a deer and the body of an elf starting at the waist, attached to the deer body. She soon realized that she could not survive long in that weather because of the extreme cold, as she had wandered too far inland. In order to make her way back to the fishing city, the enchantress sang and enchanted her body. It would adapt to whatever conditions she faced, allowing her to easily survive in other places. Satisfied, Irili made her way back to the fishing settlement.
The enchantress announced the magic she preformed, and offered to make the elves a creature like she was. She convinced most of the island's elves, since cloven hooves would allow easier travel through the rocky island and the spell allowing their bodies to adapt would let elves settle the rest of the island. Over the course of a few months, all who had accepted Irili's offer became members of the elf-deer species. Those who did not accept her offer left, disdaining those who had became elf-deer. Legend has it the ship sunk only a mile from shore
Irili was proud of her achievements with magic, and the creatures that the elves had become. She declared herself queen of the race which she named "Changelings", both after their new forms and ability to adapt. She lead many of her group inward, but left some of her devotees in the fishing settlement in order to collect food. The enchantress found a small mountain at the center of their island, and began using her magic to slowly form a city out of stone, slowly enough so that the Changeling Queen would not die.
The city was finally formed after many years, but Irili noticed unintended side-effects from her spells. The magic she used to combine herself and the doe were focused around her, a female. Although those males that she had cast her spell on remained male, there were far fewer males than females when young Changelings were born. The enchantress attempted to fix this, but she could not, as it was tied too closely with the rest of the spell. Another side-effect also showed. Changelings with the ability to use magic were very common, also because Irili had used herself as a model for the spell, and those who had cast a spell had eyes which were the color of the Changeling's magic, and glowed. The Queen let this be, as she quite liked it.
Irili soon discovered something else- she and her Changelings were very long lived, although they were not immortal. They also aged slowly, with Changelings reaching adulthood at the age of one hundred. The Queen was content with this, and passed away centuries later herself. Many things happened after Irili passed. A new queen was chosen, a respected magician who was born a Changeling.
Another city was founded on the other side of the mountain under the reign of the new queen. This city was devoted to magic and the teaching of it. The new queen visited it often, even helping to train the young Changelings who visited there. She also chose two of her most loyal followers to serve as Countesses, two females who reign over the two cities. The Queen resigned herself to having power, but she did not exercise it. She advised her countesses to do the same, and they obliged.
Slowly, elves devolved into myth for the Changelings. Many began to believe that they never existed, that they were merely tales told over and over to explain the existence of the Changelings. Dragons were rarely ever seen, and they were always far from the island- they could easily be considered legends, just tricks of the eye. Urgals became stories that mothers told to make their young behave. Never did the Changelings know of Shur'tugal, and they only knew of humans from the ones which occasionally raided their shores.
Life has been monotonous for Changelings over the years.
The Changelings are a type of cervine humanoid, similar to what people call "centaur" in the real world (except Changelings are deer, not horses). They are an uncommon race, with all individuals existing on a remote, three-mile wide island. There are few individuals existing, compared to most other races. This is partially because of a very low population of males- around eighty-five percent of the Changeling population is female, leading some to believe that there are only female Changelings. Most notably, they are known to change in order to live better in their environment- this can include the development of camouflage, the lengthening or thickening of their coat, the changing of their pelt's texture, and more.
Society:
Name: Changelings
Other names: None
Languages spoken:
Changelings speak the Ancient Language. Some also communicate basic commands through the position of their tail, such as "come" or "stay there".
Homeland:
The Changelings reside on a secluded island around two miles west of the Norse Homeland, which they call Ristvak abr Wyrda. It's terrain is similar to that of the Norse Homeland- it, too, is covered in ice. There is little greenery, and few plants grow. There are three cities on the island. The two cities each house around three hundred Changelings, and the capital city houses around four hundred.
The most notable city is one which is home to many Changeling magicians, and the place where young magicians are trained, named Dras abr Vanyali. A city dedicated to fishing is occasionally raided by local humans, and so there is a mild military presence. This fishing city is named Dras abr Osthato Vinr.The capital is home to the Queen, but isn't much more grand than the other cities. The capital city is named Dras abr Draumar. The cities aren't very advanced, without a natural water or food supply. Local magicians use magic to bring water to the citizens, and the island's government distributes food. The homes are made of enchanted ice, having been created by magicians long ago.
Government:
The Changelings are governed by a Queen, although she has little power over any city but the capital. Two Countesses rule over the other cities. They all have power, but it is highly recommended that they do not exercise it. Because of this, most Changelings are free to do as they please, as long as they do not kill, harm, steal, etc.
Upon the death of a Countess, the Queen chooses the next Countess to take her place. Upon the death of the Queen, the two Countesses come together and decide upon the next Queen. Sometimes one of the Countesses themselves even become to new Queen.
Economy:
There isn't much of an economy amongst the Changelings, because the government provides food and water. However, some Changelings may search for goods and trade them for other goods that other Changelings have.
Architecture:
Changeling architecture is very distinctive. It is done by a magician or several magicians, who oftentimes have gems which have been filled for months. They then slowly cut either rock or ice (depending on the area), causing extremely straight walls. The roofs are almost always slanted to prevent snow from caving in the home. Enchantments are placed on the home to prevent erosion and to keep it standing. More enchantments are placed upon homes made from ice- an enchantment to make the ice a chalky white color, an enchantment to prevent the ice from melting, and another enchantment to let no cold into the inside of the home.
History:
Long Story Short:
A really long time ago, a bunch of elves came to an island on a ship. This one elf got really close to this magical deer, and merged herself with one. Then she made a spell so that her body would change depending on the environment. After that, she turned a bunch of other elves into deer-elves, named them Changelings, and declared herself Queen. She ruled for a while, died, and everything was boring.
Long Story in Nine Paragraphs:
Long ago, during Du Fyrn Skulblaka (the war between elves and dragons), a ship carrying elves set sail to escape the fighting. Those that survived the journey arrived far north, on the island that would one day become the home of the future race. The elves founded a small town along the shore of the island, and remained there for many years. The elves hunted the white deer native to the area.
It was one morning that an Elven enchantress by the name of Irili was approached by a doe, one of these white deer. She developed a close bond with the doe over many years, and this eventually became known to other elves of the fishing settlement. It was one day that Irili decided to "merge" herself with the doe, so that even after it died, it would live on within the enchantress. She wove together a complex spell, which took her many months to create. The enchantress filled gems with energy whenever possible, so that she would survive the spell. When the spell was finally perfected, Irili preformed it.
It worked. Irili was no longer a pure elf- rather, she had the lower of a deer and the body of an elf starting at the waist, attached to the deer body. She soon realized that she could not survive long in that weather because of the extreme cold, as she had wandered too far inland. In order to make her way back to the fishing city, the enchantress sang and enchanted her body. It would adapt to whatever conditions she faced, allowing her to easily survive in other places. Satisfied, Irili made her way back to the fishing settlement.
The enchantress announced the magic she preformed, and offered to make the elves a creature like she was. She convinced most of the island's elves, since cloven hooves would allow easier travel through the rocky island and the spell allowing their bodies to adapt would let elves settle the rest of the island. Over the course of a few months, all who had accepted Irili's offer became members of the elf-deer species. Those who did not accept her offer left, disdaining those who had became elf-deer. Legend has it the ship sunk only a mile from shore
Irili was proud of her achievements with magic, and the creatures that the elves had become. She declared herself queen of the race which she named "Changelings", both after their new forms and ability to adapt. She lead many of her group inward, but left some of her devotees in the fishing settlement in order to collect food. The enchantress found a small mountain at the center of their island, and began using her magic to slowly form a city out of stone, slowly enough so that the Changeling Queen would not die.
The city was finally formed after many years, but Irili noticed unintended side-effects from her spells. The magic she used to combine herself and the doe were focused around her, a female. Although those males that she had cast her spell on remained male, there were far fewer males than females when young Changelings were born. The enchantress attempted to fix this, but she could not, as it was tied too closely with the rest of the spell. Another side-effect also showed. Changelings with the ability to use magic were very common, also because Irili had used herself as a model for the spell, and those who had cast a spell had eyes which were the color of the Changeling's magic, and glowed. The Queen let this be, as she quite liked it.
Irili soon discovered something else- she and her Changelings were very long lived, although they were not immortal. They also aged slowly, with Changelings reaching adulthood at the age of one hundred. The Queen was content with this, and passed away centuries later herself. Many things happened after Irili passed. A new queen was chosen, a respected magician who was born a Changeling.
Another city was founded on the other side of the mountain under the reign of the new queen. This city was devoted to magic and the teaching of it. The new queen visited it often, even helping to train the young Changelings who visited there. She also chose two of her most loyal followers to serve as Countesses, two females who reign over the two cities. The Queen resigned herself to having power, but she did not exercise it. She advised her countesses to do the same, and they obliged.
Slowly, elves devolved into myth for the Changelings. Many began to believe that they never existed, that they were merely tales told over and over to explain the existence of the Changelings. Dragons were rarely ever seen, and they were always far from the island- they could easily be considered legends, just tricks of the eye. Urgals became stories that mothers told to make their young behave. Never did the Changelings know of Shur'tugal, and they only knew of humans from the ones which occasionally raided their shores.
Life has been monotonous for Changelings over the years.
Physical Description:
Intelligent?:
Yes, just as intelligent as any elf, human, or dragon.
Lifespan:
•Children become adults at the age of one hundred
•Changelings do not show physical signs of aging, although older Changelings will experience a loss of speed and stamina
•Most Changelings die at around the age of one thousand
Height:
Females tend to range from 6-8 feet tall, and makes tend to range from 7-8 feet tall.
Diet:
Because of the lack of plants, Changelings appear to be carnivores. They oftentimes feed upon fish and any wildlife which happen to wash up on their island. However, they are be able to eat plants, fruits, and vegetables if the location allows.
Description:
The Changelings are a mix of a deer and elf. The lower half of their body is that of a deer, with large cloven hooves. They have a deer like tail, which they are able to move. Changelings have strong legs, and have a great amount of speed and stamina. With the help of their cloven hooves, they are able to traverse their island quickly, faster than almost any horse. The upper half of their body begins around where the neck would be, and the elf torso starts at around where the waist would be. This part of the body is one of the Changeling's "weak spots", so they often cover it up with armor or hides (The place where the animal and humanoid parts mix is practically the same as shown in most art pieces with centaurs, if my description was unclear). Changelings run in a manner very similiar to a large deer, and can run faster than most horses.
A Changeling magician's eyes change after they first cast their spell. Their eyes gain a glow, and their iris changes to match the color of the magician's magic.
The elf part of a Changeling's body has few cervine traits. Their faces hold the beauty of elves. Hair comes in many colors and many lengths. Changelings also have hands, which move with the same speed and grace as any elf. Most male Changelings also sport a pair of antlers atop their head. The size of these can range from one foot to two feet. Their ears are pointed like those of elves, and can move, although they cannot move them completely upwards or at odd angles.
Changelings typically wear clothes which cover their upper body. However, while traveling, it is not uncommon for them to wear a skin which goes around the rest of their body.
Changeling Ability:
A Changeling's body changes depending on the environment. One living in a snowy area may have pale fur and skin to fit in with the environment, while a Changeling in Du Weldenvarden would likely have brown fur, and may even have plants growing on them. However, there are several differences between the Changelings. Not all Changelings adapt to environments in the same way. While living in an icy area, for example, one Changeling may have soft fur resembling snow, while another may have fur which resembles ice crystals instead. They also have markings. These markings never change color, although they may change texture. It is also very common for Changelings to have tinted fur. In a way similar to markings markings, fur tints never change. Like with the more humanoid races, facial features do not usually change. Scars always remain on a Changeling, no matter how their body adapts.
Intelligent?:
Yes, just as intelligent as any elf, human, or dragon.
Lifespan:
•Children become adults at the age of one hundred
•Changelings do not show physical signs of aging, although older Changelings will experience a loss of speed and stamina
•Most Changelings die at around the age of one thousand
Height:
Females tend to range from 6-8 feet tall, and makes tend to range from 7-8 feet tall.
Diet:
Because of the lack of plants, Changelings appear to be carnivores. They oftentimes feed upon fish and any wildlife which happen to wash up on their island. However, they are be able to eat plants, fruits, and vegetables if the location allows.
Description:
The Changelings are a mix of a deer and elf. The lower half of their body is that of a deer, with large cloven hooves. They have a deer like tail, which they are able to move. Changelings have strong legs, and have a great amount of speed and stamina. With the help of their cloven hooves, they are able to traverse their island quickly, faster than almost any horse. The upper half of their body begins around where the neck would be, and the elf torso starts at around where the waist would be. This part of the body is one of the Changeling's "weak spots", so they often cover it up with armor or hides (The place where the animal and humanoid parts mix is practically the same as shown in most art pieces with centaurs, if my description was unclear). Changelings run in a manner very similiar to a large deer, and can run faster than most horses.
A Changeling magician's eyes change after they first cast their spell. Their eyes gain a glow, and their iris changes to match the color of the magician's magic.
The elf part of a Changeling's body has few cervine traits. Their faces hold the beauty of elves. Hair comes in many colors and many lengths. Changelings also have hands, which move with the same speed and grace as any elf. Most male Changelings also sport a pair of antlers atop their head. The size of these can range from one foot to two feet. Their ears are pointed like those of elves, and can move, although they cannot move them completely upwards or at odd angles.
Changelings typically wear clothes which cover their upper body. However, while traveling, it is not uncommon for them to wear a skin which goes around the rest of their body.
Changeling Ability:
A Changeling's body changes depending on the environment. One living in a snowy area may have pale fur and skin to fit in with the environment, while a Changeling in Du Weldenvarden would likely have brown fur, and may even have plants growing on them. However, there are several differences between the Changelings. Not all Changelings adapt to environments in the same way. While living in an icy area, for example, one Changeling may have soft fur resembling snow, while another may have fur which resembles ice crystals instead. They also have markings. These markings never change color, although they may change texture. It is also very common for Changelings to have tinted fur. In a way similar to markings markings, fur tints never change. Like with the more humanoid races, facial features do not usually change. Scars always remain on a Changeling, no matter how their body adapts.
Magic Users:
Magic Users?: Yes.
Rarity of Magic Users: Common. Some Changelings claim that around one in four Changelings are Spellcasters, but others say the number is closer to one in ten or one in fifteen.
Innate Magical Ability:
Changelings naturally adapt to their environment. Their fur may lengthen or shorten or their fur and skin colors may change to provide camouflage, for example. A Changeling cannot undergo a complete change of this sort within the course of an hour. Over the course of a week or so, their bodies will gradually adjust to a new environment. Changelings have no control over this. A Changeling could sing like the elves do in order to change their bodies, but this would stop the changing of their bodies. Because of this, a Changeling voluntarily altering their own body through magic is considered a grave insult to the entire Changeling race.
The island on which Changelings live has the same climate in most areas. The effects of their ability at their most extreme (the changing of fur and skin colors) is undocumented, because the race had remained in the same place for so long. However, most every Changeling will see their skin and fur colors change if they go to a vastly different area.
Magic and Changeling Culture:
Changelings rely on magic for their shelter and water. Magic users are greatly respected, but most also have responsibilities to make sure that the race survives, despite the limited resources.
Magic Users?: Yes.
Rarity of Magic Users: Common. Some Changelings claim that around one in four Changelings are Spellcasters, but others say the number is closer to one in ten or one in fifteen.
Innate Magical Ability:
Changelings naturally adapt to their environment. Their fur may lengthen or shorten or their fur and skin colors may change to provide camouflage, for example. A Changeling cannot undergo a complete change of this sort within the course of an hour. Over the course of a week or so, their bodies will gradually adjust to a new environment. Changelings have no control over this. A Changeling could sing like the elves do in order to change their bodies, but this would stop the changing of their bodies. Because of this, a Changeling voluntarily altering their own body through magic is considered a grave insult to the entire Changeling race.
The island on which Changelings live has the same climate in most areas. The effects of their ability at their most extreme (the changing of fur and skin colors) is undocumented, because the race had remained in the same place for so long. However, most every Changeling will see their skin and fur colors change if they go to a vastly different area.
Magic and Changeling Culture:
Changelings rely on magic for their shelter and water. Magic users are greatly respected, but most also have responsibilities to make sure that the race survives, despite the limited resources.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Strengths:
•Able to adapt to nearly any environment
•Skilled in magic
•Swift, with stamina equivalent to that of an elf
Weaknesses:
•Not technologically advanced
•Ignorant of the world outside their island
Other:
•Many Changelings use bows and arrows made out of stone, with a strong strand of sea plant used for the bow's string.
•The mountain near their capital city is rich with gemstones and other minerals.
Strengths:
•Able to adapt to nearly any environment
•Skilled in magic
•Swift, with stamina equivalent to that of an elf
Weaknesses:
•Not technologically advanced
•Ignorant of the world outside their island
Other:
•Many Changelings use bows and arrows made out of stone, with a strong strand of sea plant used for the bow's string.
•The mountain near their capital city is rich with gemstones and other minerals.
