Mimetic Changeling

Mimetic Changelings are elusive, mutable beings capable of assuming not just the appearance, but the very essence of any creature they’ve touched. Unlike other shapeshifters, their transformation is biological as well as magical — they can become winged, scaled, or furred, adapting seamlessly to each new form.
While many live in secret, hiding their nature for safety, not all Mimetic Changelings dwell in the shadows. Some integrate into society as artists, diplomats, or performers, using their gifts openly. Others become scholars or explorers obsessed with cataloging forms — living bestiaries who roam the world collecting identities like trophies. A few even serve as infiltrators or advisors, leveraging their unique perspective as those who have literally walked in others’ shoes.
Their ability to cross the boundaries of race and form makes them both fascinating and feared. Many feel disconnected from static cultures and traditions, instead defining themselves by memory and experience — a shifting mosaic of selves worn like cloaks.
Some become obsessive collectors, driven to touch and "become" as many rare beings as possible. Others are priests of identity, believing the soul is built from every life lived. And a rare few reject transformation entirely, choosing one face and clinging to it — terrified of losing themselves in the endless tide of forms.
Though their powers make them ideal spies or assassins, many Mimetic Changelings yearn for more: to be known not for the masks they wear, but for who they are beneath them.

Ability Score Increase#

One ability score of your choice increases by 2, and another increases by 1.

Age#

Mimetic Changelings mature quickly, reaching adulthood by the age of 10. Their lifespan varies depending on how often and radically they shift, but most live around 70 to 90 years. Some theorize that those who frequently mimic longer-lived races may subtly extend their own lives, though this is unproven and hotly debated among scholars.

Size#

Your size is Medium.

Speed#

Your walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages#

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.

Shapechanger#

You can magically alter your form to mimic other creatures you’ve touched, replicating not just their appearance but also their racial traits.
To store a creature’s form, you must have physically touched it while it was alive (or undead, if applicable) — you cannot copy the form of a corpse.
Once stored, you can transform into that form as an action, and revert to your true form as a bonus action, or automatically if you fall unconscious or die.
When transformed, you gain all racial traits of the chosen creature. This includes features such as alternate movement speeds (like flight or swim), natural weapons, enhanced senses (such as Darkvision or Blindsight), innate spellcasting granted by the race, and other unique racial abilities — such as a Dragonborn’s breath weapon, a Banshee’s wail, or a Giant Spider’s ability to climb walls.
However, you do not gain class features, feats, lair or legendary actions, or spells and abilities that are learned, prepared, or granted by an individual’s personal experience or class. You cannot gain traits that are unique to a specific creature — only those tied to their race.
Limitations and Clarifications:

If you’ve touched a creature of a given race, you can transform into any generic form of that race — your appearance can vary, but it won’t match a specific individual unless you’ve touched them. To replicate an exact person’s appearance, you must have touched that individual directly. Even then, you only copy their physical form — not their memories, personality, or individual powers.
You may only transform into creatures that are Small, Medium, or Large in size.
Any racial abilities that normally recharge on a die roll at the start of the creature’s turn instead recharge for you after a short or long rest.

Creature Types#

As you grow in power, your body becomes capable of mimicking increasingly complex and unnatural lifeforms. At first, you can only replicate the forms of other humanoids, but with time, your shapeshifting expands to include beasts, monstrosities, and even the undead.