Changeling
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A changeling is an alien creature which possesses the ability to morph into humanoids. The natural form of the changeling is a "headslug", a rather pathetic creature by itself. Fortunately for them, they were capable of killing a crew member before the start of the shift and has been imitating them since. The main weapons of the changeling are its ability to internally synthesize dangerous chemicals, morph into other creatures that it has absorbed, and disguise itself amongst the crew.
The changeling can be anyone it has absorbed and can switch identities instantaneously; only absorbing requires time and a place away from prying eyes. Unlike the Traitor, the changeling's only objective is to survive until the shuttle arrives and escape on it while disguised as someone else.
Remember that changelings are not obliged to work with each other, and some may go solo/rogue depending on the circumstances of the shift.
Help! I'm hungry and I don't know what to do!
Chemicals
Chemicals are your source of abilities; without them you won't be able to use your powers. They regenerate slowly over time, and the more you absorb the higher your max capacity will be.
DNA Absorption
Your main weapon is deception: transform into other humanoid creatures to confuse the crew. To do this, it takes ANY humanoid, living or dead (even thrown away bodies from cloning), and absorb them using the "Absorb" ability or the "DNA Extraction" sting. You can only maintain a maximum of 5 DNA strands at a time, and you must transform in order to obtain more.
Acquiring DNA via absorption requires the victim's incapacitation, critical condition, or death.
- Absorbing someone takes a lot of time, so prepare a safe spot or do it somewhere with the lowest chance of being spotted
- Absorbing a victim will recover all of your biomass, increase your maximum chemical capacity, and give you bonus evolution points to buy new abilities.
- Absorbing another changeling will, on top of the previously mentioned improvements, increase your maximum biomass capacity, allowing you to stay alive for more time and give you even more chemicals and evolution points.
- Absorbed victims cannot be cloned. On the other hand, they can still be turned into cyborgs
I can only store so much!
Changelings are limited to how much DNA they can absorb at once. If a changeling has 5 DNA strands absorbed and attempts to gain another, they must purge the older DNA by transforming. Eventually, any changeling will have to be a twin of someone else on the station, living or dead. This switching can cause a massive compromise in security, especially if command staff are absorbed and the changeling is able to imitate them. Changelings can also, via their lesser form ability, transform into monkeys.
Regeneration
Also known as "Regenerative Stasis", changelings have the ability to 'kill' themselves, and appear dead. After an uncertain amount of time, the changeling can revive at will, fully healed of all injuries and illnesses. Entering stasis will start a timer that scales with damage taken, and leaving will cost 30 chemicals. Chemicals will still regenerate while a changeling is 'dead'.
Changelings can also choose to revive by defibrillator, making it even harder to tell if they are one or not.
This trait makes changelings nigh unkillable, as they can fully regenerate themselves even from death if they have enough chemicals. Spaced changelings may also be able to make it back on the station given enough time. The best way to permanently deal with a changeling is to cremate them, put them on mining colonies, or in solitary confinement.