Changeling
| SPECIES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Changeling | |||
| Homeworld: | Unnamed Planet in Omarion Nebula | ||
| Quadrant: | Gamma | ||
| Affiliation: | Unknown | ||
| Biology | |||
| Average Male Height: | 157 cm (5 ft. 2 in.)-203 cm (6 ft. 8 in.) | ||
| Average Male Weight: | 72.6 kg (160 lb.)-127 kg (280 lb.) | ||
| Average Female Height: | 157 cm (5 ft. 2 in.)-203 cm (6 ft. 8 in.) | ||
| Average Female Weight: | 72.6 kg (160 lb.)-127 kg (280 lb.) | ||
| Minimum Academy Age: | |||
| Life Expectancy: | Unknown | ||
| Distinctive Features: | |||
| Playability | |||
| PRC Rated: | No | ||
| NPC Rated: | No | ||
 | |||
- Note: Changelings are NOT PC and NPC species.
General
Changeling refers to any race with the ability to change its external physical features. The degree of physical transformation varies between different species. Some, such as the Chameloids and the Allasomorphs of Daled IV, are only able to change between humanoid forms. Others, such as the Founders from the Gamma Quadrant, are capable of mimicking virtually any phase of matter, including fog and fire, down to the molecular level.
They were noted for their capacity to alter their form to levels that were beyond that of similar shape changing species such as the Wraith, Vendorian and Chameloid races. (TLE novel: Night of the Wolves) In their most basic state Changelings resemble a golden translucent liquid. (DS9 episode: "The Search") This gelatinous substance which was held in a morphogenic matrix that activated into different shapes and textures through the use of a special enzyme. This allowed a Changeling to adopt any shape and texture that they desired so long as they studied the shape long enough. They were unable to mimic an object through a simple glance and were required to see enough of the item or person they wished to copy in order to perfectly take its form. But, by doing so, they were able to create a sophisticated facsimile of flesh and matter; allowing them to even take on clothing. (Decipher RPG module: Aliens) Changelings can take on almost any form; liquid, solid, gas and even plasma such as flames. Their abilities are limited mainly by their mass: they comfortably take on humanoid forms, but can also take the forms of things somewhat larger, and a great deal smaller. (DS9 episode: "The Search") The level of mimicry was so accurate that no known scanning technology was able to detect a Changeling once it had adopted a chosen form. (Decipher RPG module: Aliens) When a Changeling takes a form - such as a rock - Federation scanners would read the Changeling as a rock. (DS9 episode: "The Adversary")
However, any piece of the mimicked item that was separated from the main body such as blood samples reverted back to their gelatinous state. (Decipher RPG module: Aliens) Any portion of a Changeling's body that becomes separated from the main body reverts back to its natural state. The fact that a person was bleeding was often accepted as proof that a person was not a Changeling as if they were their blood would've reverted to its natural state. (DS9 episodes The Adversary, The Way of the Warrior, and Homefront). Furthermore, phaser's that were set on heavy stun were able to force a Changeling to revert to its natural form. In addition, a Changeling that was killed also changed back to its true shape. (Decipher RPG module: Aliens) In addition, a special quantum stasis field was capable of preventing a Changeling from altering their form. (DS9 episode: "The Die is Cast")
Whilst they were capable shapeshifters, a Changeling was required revert to its liquid state every sixteen hours to regenerate. (DS9 episode: "The Search") At such a time, they had to spend least a single hour a day to revert back to its gelatinous form whereupon they rested and rejuvenated. They were able to resist this for a limited amount of time but they would eventually forcibly revert against their will and be unable to take a shape until they had rested. Some Changelings were capable of withstanding this reversion longer than others with some being noted as being able to last a week before changing back to their gelatinous state. (Decipher RPG module: Aliens)
Changelings often had an intense desire to merge together and join the Great Link; typically this was at least once a week if not more frequently. (Decipher RPG module: Aliens) In order to accomplish this, they simply reverted to their liquid based form and merged together whereupon a link was established as their forms blended together. (DS9 episode: "The Search, Part II") Only foundlings were usually able to resist this urge which was due to the fact that they had been raised without knowing of the Link and thus retained some degree of individuality. This was often an alien concept to the other members of the Great Link. (Decipher RPG module: Aliens) As such, they often thought of a single member of their race as a drop in a larger ocean and thus saw little sense in individual identity. (DS9 episode: "The Search, Part II")
The morphogenic matrix of a Changeling was not perfect and it was capable of suffering from instabilities that could threaten their lives. A Changeling was able of being infected by disease and could spread this instability to the rest of their race through the Link thus threatening the entire species with such an ailment. (Decipher RPG module: Aliens)
The thoughts and emotions of Changelings could not be read by telepathic races such as the Betazoids. (DS9 episode: "Fascination") They were also able to survive in the vacuum of space, and were highly resistant to disruptor fire. (DS9 episodes: "Chimera", "Apocalypse Rising") The unique nature of the species meant that were were resistant to Borg assimilation. A Changeling was simply able to compress themselves and eject any nanoprobes within herself without any ill effects to them being seen. (DS9 - Mission Gamma novel: Lesser Evil)
It is apparent that Changelings are themselves warp-capable as Laas pursued and overtook a Runabout while at warp speed.
See Also
- Allasomorph
- Chameloid
- Founder
- Gomtuu
- Nacene
- Q
- Silver Blood
- Suliban (genetically-enhanced only)
- Vendorian
- Wraith
This information taken from Memory Alpha
