How to Spot a Changeling
4 tell-tale signs of a changeling
- Out of Character activities and speech. The most important thing is to keep an eye on your friends and family. If they start behaving suspiciously they may be a changeling imposter. Do not panic! Contact someone you trust who you are sure has not been replaced and corner the suspect without harming them. Then ask them a question that they would know but few others would, the fewer the better. If they can answer the question then they are themselves, if not they are likely a changeling.
- Inability to perform feats they used to. If the librarian can’t find a book in a sorted library, a baker doesn’t know how to bake, or a musician is tone deaf. Unlike #1 this can be used in the case of total strangers, but there is no easy way of using the inverse to prove they are who they say they are. After all, a changeling could be a skilled librarian, baker, singer, ect.
- Entering a state of ecstasy around strong affection from one pony to another, even if neither is associated with the suspect. Sighing at young couples is an example, but be careful, this is a common practice among ponies as well. Particularly among young mares from 16 to 30.
- If you see somepony walk into an area that only easily fits one pony and then a different pony walks out, or if you see somepony walk into somewhere and then when you look inside they are gone without an apparent escape route. Bear in mind that some unicorn mages can teleport and of course pegasi can fly.
If you uncover a changeling in such a way they know you are unto them then you must capture them to prevent them from escaping. At this point please contact the local authorities. If you uncover them in such a way they think their cover is intact then let them be and report the incident to the authorities. If you suspect the authorities of being changelings, regardless of whether you have a report to make, then please follow the ‘Instructions in case of changeling takeover of the authorities’. A copy can be found at your local peacekeepers office.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about this new threat. If everypony learns how to spot an imposter then hopefully, together, we can keep there from being another debacle like Princess Cadenza’s and Shining Armor’s wedding.