Preventative Changeling Options - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Preventative Changeling Options

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
roonwit
Dec 17, 2009 7:08:57
I’m running an Eberron game, currently mid-heroic tier. We started with the Ashen Crown adventure, and have now moved into my own creation following up on that.

My questing regards setting issues with changelings. I had the group recently get set up through the actions of a changeling replacing a group member for one encounter, thereby framing them all and getting them tossed into prison, which has now led to the PC’s deciding they need to have standing precautions to try to prevent that from happening again.

This is a setting that puts an emphasis on intrigue and espionage, and one in which changelings, while not particularly common, are also not especially rare. I would assume that intelligence agencies and individuals or organizations with resources would have tools or procedures to try to counteract the seeming ease with which a trained changeling could infiltrate, but I was wondering if anybody had any good ideas for what those might realistically be?

For context, three of the characters are members of dragonmarked houses, and the group as a whole is now somewhat affiliated with the King’s Citadel in Breland.
#2
RedRider
Dec 17, 2009 12:41:29 For a start, go with the usual. Codewords, passwords, "Things only you and I would know" questions.
This won't stop a determined expert, but it will keep you from being duped by some amateur who likes to look of your bejewelled weaponry.

Second, the dragonmarks will help somewhat as they're very hard to forge, even for Changleings. I'm not sure how this works in 4E but anyone trying to disguise themselves self had to face a tricky forgery check. Again, this doesn't protect you against the Frank Abagnales of the setting, but will mean your enemies will have less agents capable of fooling you.
Of course, this doesn't help much unless your dragonmarks are regularly exposed. If a player's opted for the discreet chest/leg placement then you're out of luck unless they regularly wear saran wrap armour.
That said, a small identifiable tatoo hidden under clothing can make for a useful (if awkward) identifier. Just make sure your tatooist isn't compromised and you don't go showing off your tats while drunk.
#3
SpacyRicochet
Dec 17, 2009 14:17:57 Get them a Shapechanger's Sorrow blade. Don't remember the specifics of the thing, but it enabled you to revert a changeling's appearance to his base form if cut with it.

[edit] Corrected the item's name after Gilo's post below. [/edit]
#4
Gilo
Dec 17, 2009 14:35:49 House Medani (which has a good working relationship with the Breland monarchy) can be very helpful in such cases.

Generally anyone with a high Insight skill (better then the changing Bluff skills) could be a good resource.

In term of tools -there a few items in 4E that reverts a changeling to its natural form: Lunia’s Bracelet(AV2), Shapechanger's Sorrow(AV).
#5
Sarlax
Dec 17, 2009 20:39:07
For a start, go with the usual. Codewords, passwords, "Things only you and I would know" questions.

This is easily the best thing one can do about changelings. "It's Lord Caldon, let me pass!" just leads to, "Of course m'lord. And the password is?"

After passwords, skill demonstrations are important. It should actually be very difficult to duplicate PCs because their skills are so powerful and rare. If there's doubt about whether the three people are real or changelings, have them fire off their Scorching Bursts and Healing Words. After all, anyone can put on a red and blue costume, but only Spider-Man actually spins webs.
#6
Gilo
Dec 17, 2009 21:15:11 Monty Python had a good three Questions system ;)

#7
Madfox11
Dec 21, 2009 6:46:30 Wouldn't simply cutting of a small piece of hair work as well? Sure, you cannot cut the hair of every person that enters a place because soon everybody is going to be bald. Still, it would work for the occassional check when fishy things are going on.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 roonwit Dec 17, 2009 7:08:57	I’m running an Eberron game, currently mid-heroic tier. We started with the Ashen Crown adventure, and have now moved into my own creation following up on that. My questing regards setting issues with changelings. I had the group recently get set up through the actions of a changeling replacing a group member for one encounter, thereby framing them all and getting them tossed into prison, which has now led to the PC’s deciding they need to have standing precautions to try to prevent that from happening again. This is a setting that puts an emphasis on intrigue and espionage, and one in which changelings, while not particularly common, are also not especially rare. I would assume that intelligence agencies and individuals or organizations with resources would have tools or procedures to try to counteract the seeming ease with which a trained changeling could infiltrate, but I was wondering if anybody had any good ideas for what those might realistically be? For context, three of the characters are members of dragonmarked houses, and the group as a whole is now somewhat affiliated with the King’s Citadel in Breland.
#2 RedRider Dec 17, 2009 12:41:29	For a start, go with the usual. Codewords, passwords, "Things only you and I would know" questions. This won't stop a determined expert, but it will keep you from being duped by some amateur who likes to look of your bejewelled weaponry. Second, the dragonmarks will help somewhat as they're very hard to forge, even for Changleings. I'm not sure how this works in 4E but anyone trying to disguise themselves self had to face a tricky forgery check. Again, this doesn't protect you against the Frank Abagnales of the setting, but will mean your enemies will have less agents capable of fooling you. Of course, this doesn't help much unless your dragonmarks are regularly exposed. If a player's opted for the discreet chest/leg placement then you're out of luck unless they regularly wear saran wrap armour. That said, a small identifiable tatoo hidden under clothing can make for a useful (if awkward) identifier. Just make sure your tatooist isn't compromised and you don't go showing off your tats while drunk.
#3 SpacyRicochet Dec 17, 2009 14:17:57	Get them a Shapechanger's Sorrow blade. Don't remember the specifics of the thing, but it enabled you to revert a changeling's appearance to his base form if cut with it. [edit] Corrected the item's name after Gilo's post below. [/edit]
#4 Gilo Dec 17, 2009 14:35:49	House Medani (which has a good working relationship with the Breland monarchy) can be very helpful in such cases. Generally anyone with a high Insight skill (better then the changing Bluff skills) could be a good resource. In term of tools -there a few items in 4E that reverts a changeling to its natural form: Lunia’s Bracelet(AV2), Shapechanger's Sorrow(AV).
#5 Sarlax Dec 17, 2009 20:39:07	For a start, go with the usual. Codewords, passwords, "Things only you and I would know" questions. This is easily the best thing one can do about changelings. "It's Lord Caldon, let me pass!" just leads to, "Of course m'lord. And the password is?" After passwords, skill demonstrations are important. It should actually be very difficult to duplicate PCs because their skills are so powerful and rare. If there's doubt about whether the three people are real or changelings, have them fire off their Scorching Bursts and Healing Words. After all, anyone can put on a red and blue costume, but only Spider-Man actually spins webs.
#6 Gilo Dec 17, 2009 21:15:11	Monty Python had a good three Questions system ;)
#7 Madfox11 Dec 21, 2009 6:46:30	Wouldn't simply cutting of a small piece of hair work as well? Sure, you cannot cut the hair of every person that enters a place because soon everybody is going to be bald. Still, it would work for the occassional check when fishy things are going on.