On Changelings · 7:08pm Dec 31st, 2013
Hello there, as you may know, I've been working on Operation Sparrow for some time. I've finally manage to track down a proofreader and it's mostly edited now thanks to Ashturi. Unfortunately, the cover art is still in progress so it will be about a week before you lot see it. Have patience though, it's going to be worth it, I promise. There's going to be a changeling and Cadance is going to... well, you'll just have to read that when it comes out. Today, I wanted to talk about Changelings.
Let's start with the basic's, what we know and can prove from the one episode Changelings in it, The Royal Wedding pt 2. Yes, while there is one changeling in pt one, (Chrysalis, disguised as cadance) it is not until pt 2 that the threat is revealed to be Changelings. First thing we can take from '"Cadance"'s uncharacteristic actions that a changeling is not able to copy the memories and more than likely even the personality. The next is that Changeling's seem to have the ability to weaken the will power of any given target. This is evident with the "Bridesmaids" that Chrysalis had guarding the exit of the cave so Cadance and Twilight couldn't escape. They obviously were listening to Chrysalis, but it wasn't straight mind control because when presented with a bouquet they seemed to immediately forget what they were there for and dove straight for it.
Second, lets focus on the "drones", Chrysalis refers to them as "minions" in the show, I just want to show this.
Not pictured here: Intelligence
Smart things do not ram head first into magic spell walls. So there are few ways to view this. First is Chrysalis can enact some sort of control over her subordinates and was forcing them to do it, Second one is that the "Hive" (more on that later) is a collective pool (If you've seen that season 7 doctor who episode with the cybermen, think of it like that) that one can draw from and Chrysalis was hogging it all, Third being they are just really fucking dumb. Now given that they formed an attack formation of some degree and had the intelligence to form an ambush, I'll just say we can rule out #3, though it is funny, the other two are far more intriguing anyways. Also, although it may not be in the show, the comics have several changeling "minions" talking and offering tactical advice. So changeling queens being able to enforce loyalty makes the most sense. Within the show it's not quite clear what their job actually is besides "Whatever the Queen wants." But in the comic we see various armors and something resembling a rank and chaste system much.
The Queen Itself has one task according to Chrysalis herself. To find food for her subjects. She is largest and undoubtedly most powerful of all the changelings in the hive. A few dozen of them couldn't manage the mane six but she mono e mono'd Celestia. She is the ruler of her hive and it is not clear on wether or not her's is only hive or not within canon, but due to the similarity of the Changeling's with hive structure insects, it can be assumed.
On the hive itself, not much is talked about it in the show or the comic outside of it being where the Changelings live, in the comic we can see it's coated in some sort of green goo, much like the pods they put Celestia and much of Ponyville in the comic in. We can see armor of at least three colors and two types and a larger version of changeling.
Now on the most interesting part, in my own opinion at least, the Diet of the changeling. "She takes the form of somepony you love and gains power by feeding of your love for them" - Cadance
"[laughing] Right you are, Princess. And as queen of the changelings, it is up to me to find food for my subjects. Equestria has more love than any place I've ever encountered. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed of!" -Chrysalis.
They consume love to gain power and as a food source (noted in the comics). There is some debate on whether the love is what made chrysalis stronger than Celestia or not. I'm going to venture yes, but they were about on par before hand. The whole goal is a subtle replacement of a pony, most likely preferred dead and/or missing, then feeding off their loved ones. That's some bad ass shit. I think that makes changelings great as "villains", sure they are kidnaping ponies or taking their place and such but they have to o it or THEY die, and they obviously have some level of culture and society on their own, it's muddled fuck storm of shit that makes them perfect for an antagonist or protagonist role.
So now you guys can call me out for ignoring canon and bullshitting when Operation Sparrow comes out. This concludes my intense analysis of changlelings and this long post, feel free to discuss the matter or your own headcanon along with anything I forgot.
You've clearly put a lot of thought and research into figuring out how Changelings probably work. Props to you.
1668036
Everything said has a canon scource
But sadly, there was still too much to have to infer from said sources.
That's an excellent summary of the canon sources on changelings! I think what makes changelings so interesting is that they are not intrinsically evil, and that ambiguity creates a lot of scope for drama, or even to write stories where the changelings are the good guys. However, with so little in the official cannon, it's hard to write a story without having to extrapolate at least some elements of changeling biology, intelligence, and culture. I followed that line of reasoning in my story Alone, where Twilight has to wrestle with the idea of a changeling hive being the victims in an unexpected context.
I can't wait to see what you've come up with!
1668233
Oh aye, I touched on that briefly. Y'know it was brought to my attention I forgot something. the Eqeustria has more love than any place I've ever seen which implies they've invaded or operated other countries.
But yeah, the best villains aren't really trying to commit atrocities at all, and the changeling fit that perfectly. They also fall under the unfortunate hero card too.
It's also worthwhile to note that the Comic and the Cartoon are officially separate canons, which only serves to muddle the whole thing. Personally, they're one canon. But I have to say, I much prefer the headcanon I've built up and flat-out manufactured.