Changelings

In earlier documentation regarding changelings and SURGE, some content bordered on xenophobia and pathological predation.

Today, we have more extensive data compiled by more objective researchers working for better-funded agencies, be they private, corporate, or national. With that in mind, let’s discuss changelings, SURGE, and micro-expressions, starting with a brief history of SURGE. To start off, a definition of an important term: metagenesis.

Metagenesis

Alteration in pre-existing genetic expression as normally found in asexual or sexual methods of reproduction in the same or divergent species.
Expression of genomic traits found in all living beings by means of non-tangible stimuli, often requiring the exposure to significant forces found in non-Euclidean (e.g., astral) space.

Navigation

Changelings From Metagenics

What Grows Back, What Doesn't

Changelings, SURGE, and Social Injustice

Creating a Changeling

Collectives

Andean and Alpine Changelings

Changelings From Metagenics

These expressions are commonly referred to as metagenics. Individuals, critters, and flora, regardless of paranormal that possess these expressions - regadrless of paranormal or mundane status—are commonly known as changelings. These are a further classification for what we call metavariants.

Since 2061 and the passage of Halley’s Comet, the idea of Sudden Unexplained Recessive (or Rapid) Genetic Expression, or SURGE, has been with us. In truth, it had happened occasionally before that year, but corporate media was still unwilling to discuss the phenomenon, as it was one more thing they could not explain.

The first documented mass occurrences of SURGE took place in 2061, as Halley’s Comet heightened aetheric manifestations, which in turn affected everything from biological matter and beings to mineral deposits - and in a few cases caused tectonic displacements. The effects of the comet were felt for three to four years afterward, although biological lifeform expressions decline within one to two years. The Indian subcontinent hosted some of the more famous SURGE incidents, and events spread east from there. The arrival of shedim spirts made documenting events difficult, but the discovery and use of the Kechibi code helped with data mining.

Additional SURGE expressions took place around the globe in locations with significant mana surges. These included: the Ganges River, with significant expressions near Varanasi and the Bangla Delta, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta preserve in the Australian Outback, the White and Blue Nile Confluence at Khartoum, Sudan, Havasu Falls of the Pueblo Corporate Council, and the Nazca Geoglyphs some four hundred kilometers south of Lima, Peru. The actual number of these SURGE-centric locations is by no means complete.

The term “SURGE” has in some instances replaced more vulgar terms such as “Goblinization,” increasing scientific understanding of the phenomenon while also reducing some of the attached social stigma. Many scholars accept that regional and local influences on the manasphere affect these expressions.

What Grows Back, What Doesn't

Some metagenic qualities involve parts that stick out in odd or possibly awkward ways, which increases their chances of being somehow cut off. That can leave the gamemaster needing to decide what grows back and what does not.

The basic guideline is that anything keratinous in nature (such as spikes, bones, or hair) can be broken or even snapped off and will recover in time. Any such parts that are lost contain genetic material that can be used as a Material Link (p. 144, SR6).

The additional costs for recovery from these kinds of incidents is part of the overall changes to Lifestyle costs (p. 178).

Changelings, SURGE, and Social Injustice

Humans adeptly respond to change by developing new prejudices. After the initial global SURGE, many prejudices, often related to those held against people of various metatypes, grew. Changelings and SURGEd individuals often encounter social stigma and a lack of acceptance.

At very least, the reactions to and questions about their more visible qualities can be wearying. The Prejudiced Negative Quality (p. 78, SR6) can be applied to changelings as a whole or to certain metagenic qualities. For example, someone might be Prejudiced against all people with Functional Tails, or anyone with spikes or quills. The Prejudice quality must apply to visible characteristics; while people may be prejudiced against traits they do not immediately see, that is not covered by the character quality.

Creating a Changeling

Collectives

Some metagenic qualities are more common in certain parts of the world. These clusters are sometimes called Collectives. Many of them have distinctive animistic traits and might be viewed as early expressions of not-yet-fully-identified metavariant expressions. A few reflect cultural and mythological significance.

Changelings are grouped below into regions and types of Collectives they might appear in. The metatype column indicates the predominant metatypes that express each Collective, but these are not absolute restrictions.

Andean and Alpine Changelings

Often found in the European Alps and the South American Andes, monoliths appear to have been shaped and crafted out of stone, and can be up to half a meter taller than their base metatype.

Raptors have stumped the world by combining features of condors and harpy eagles. Their wings replace their arms, similar to bats or feathered serpents, leaving thumbs at the wrist joint.

Aquarian Changelings

These changelings express throughout the major water bodies of the world, predominantly in areas of reduced pollution. Humboldts SURGE in tropical or deep saltwater bodies.

Merfolk changelings have appeared in the North American Great Lakes and in the Lake Baikal region of Russia/Yakut.

Egyptian Changelings

These changelings appear along the entirety of the Nile River Basin, including the Blue and White Nile.

Indus Changelings

These normally take place in the southern Indian subcontinent but have been witnessed in several of the neighboring nations and as far away as the South China Sea. These collectives have names taken from Hindu divinities.

Random Selection

Not all changelings fall neatly into one of the recognized collectives. While even rare among changelings, many expressions appear to be entirely random. In such instances, roll a D6 to determine whether the quality is positive (odd) or negative (even), then roll a second D6 to determine which category the metagenic trait expresses from.

Positive Metagenic Categories: Animal Pelage, Beneficial Secretions and Spittle, Complex Traits, Dermal Alterations, Metagenic Senses, and Metagenic Morphisms

Negative Metagenic Categories: Aural Helix Dysmorphia (AHD), Biological Dysmorphia, Metagenic Anomalies, Metagenic Defects, Metagenic throwbacks, Neuropathic Adjusted States (NAS).

During character creation, a player may choose qualities from the categories listed below, up to a maximum value of 30 points.

This takes place in Step Four: Spend Customization Karma in Character Creation.

Changelings

Navigation

Changelings From Metagenics

What Grows Back, What Doesn't

Changelings, SURGE, and Social Injustice

Creating a Changeling

Collectives

Andean and Alpine Changelings

Aquarian Changelings

Egyptian Changelings

Indus Changelings

Random Selection

Positive Metagenic Qualities

Negative Metagenic Qualities