History Main / ChangelingTale

The earliest fairy tale versions are OlderThanPrint. Contrast MosesInTheBulrushes, where the parents do the switching. See also DoorstepBaby. Compare [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Persephone]], YearOutsideHourInside, and its inverse YearInsideHourOutside.

* In ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'', changelings are the daughters of Hags, who copulate with (usually unwilling or bewitched) human men. As in classic versions of the legend, the changeling will be [[DoorstopBaby left on a doorstop]] or swapped for a regular child. In the latter case, Hags being irredeemably evil, it's probably best not to speculate [[ImAHumanitarian what happens]] to the original baby. Changelings are AlwaysFemale(until 2nd Edition, but even in 2e male Changelings are relatively rare), and generally grow up to be rather attractive, although there is always some physical abnormality that identifies them for what they are, most commonly heterochromia. They are not inherently evil like their mothers, nor are they all destined to become witches when they grow up, although if they do so they will likely have a natural aptitude for it. At some point in their young adulthood, changelings will experience a psychic call from their biological mothers. If they choose to heed this, they may decide to undergo a ritual in which they pledge themselves to the cause of evil and are transformed into Hags themselves. However, they are free to ignore or reject this summons and choose their own path in life, making them an appropriate race for player characters.

The earliest fairy tale versions are OlderThanPrint. Contrast MosesInTheBulrushes, where the parents do the switching. See also {{Foundling}}. Compare [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Persephone]], YearOutsideHourInside, and its inverse YearInsideHourOutside.