Nix

The city of Guavira has a larger changeling population than one might suspect, but almost no outsiders know it exists. Fearful of the suspicion that their presence may cause should it become known, most changelings keep to themselves. They go about their business in their various guises just as ordinary members of society would, and they do their best to avoid drawing attention to their race. Nix was never satisfied with this constant secrecy growing up. They wanted to be who they were, to change shape freely, and they hated being confined to one form. They began experimenting with their abilities at an early age, changing the style of their hair overnight, or the color of their eyes in the middle of a conversation to see what people would or wouldn't notice. They were fascinated by people's reactions, and began becoming bolder in their little transformations.

One day, when Nix was 12 years old, they changed the entire shape of their nose right in front of a storekeeper. Unfortunately the man in question was more perceptive than Nix had given him credit for, and noticed the change. He offered Nix a choice: be exposed as a changeling in front of the entire district, or help him out with a little "project". Nix felt they didn't have a choice, and so they agreed. The project, as it turned out, was to impersonate a guard and stand watch while a burglary took place. Nix carried out the task, and made off with the money they had earned from it with the full intention of never participating in an illegal activity again. Unfortunately their parents soon fell on hard times, and in order to help them Nix went back to the man and asked for more work.

So began their full time employment in the criminal underground. Again they found that their shapeshifting abilities were invaluable to their gangbosses, and they found themselves relied on more and more as they proved themselves more and more able. Gradually their scruples about breaking the law faded, though they made it a point never to draw blood unless necessary.