Changling

A Changling is a fae spirit that has consumed a mortal spirit and now possesses its body. This can only happen when the mortal is very young (typically in the first year of their life) or their spirit very damaged. The fae spirit will live out the life of the mortal in most respects as a mortal. They do not fear the touch of iron nor can they be trapped in a magic circle or by salt.

As a Changling has consumed the mortal spirit it is using any means necessary a mortal. If in the Shadow Realms it would be as disadvantaged as any other mortal. However, the nature of the fae spirit is still there. This will manifest as changes to the physical body. It could be living hair, metallic eyes, webbed feet, small wings, or fires glowing blue when they are near. In many cases it would be assumed they have some elfblood in them, but some places burn such people as witches.

As the body reaches the end of its life it will become increasingly more fae-like - a reflection of the fae spirit shining through the dying body.

When the mortal body dies the fae spirit returns to the Fae Lands, but not as it was before becoming a changling. The fae spirit, with memories of being a mortal, has been changed permanently. To another mortal the change would be unnoticeable, but among the fae they are now looked upon as outsiders, they have the taint of mortality. They are no longer immortal rejoining the whole when they are destroyed. They can feel their death approaching. When they died they will journey to the Afterlife as a mortal.

• Changlings
• Fae