Classification: Ethereal Entities

Temporal Range: 17th - 19th Century

Geographic Range: Europe - primarily Celtic regions

Diet: Human milk

Predominantly found in Celtic folklore but also present in other parts of Europe, the Changeling is an imposter hiding in a baby’s crib. While in some cultures, elves are to blame, many presume these to be fairy tricks. Fairies would swap a human baby for a fae one and take the human child back to the fairy realm. The imposter would stay in our world and be raised by unsuspecting humans. Meanwhile, the human child in the fairy realm could either be a meal for the devil or used to strengthen the fairy stock and be raised as one of their own.

In Wales, it is easier to identify a Changeling as it grows uglier and more aggressive. A common method in Scotland and Ireland for forcing a Changeling to reveal itself was to make it laugh, so we recommend including a joke book in your supply pack or having some witty one-liners prepared.