Changelings are a very unique race in the world of Equus. They are Emotivores, beings that feed by siphoning emotional energy from other creatures. The range of effects caused by such a diet range greatly depending on the Subject and what emotion is taken.
The insectoid race has Eight different subspecies of changeling within. Each of these very different groups gains more or less 'food' from a certain type of Emotion.
First, you have the Bluelings. They gain the most energy from Discovery. Commonly hiding amongst scholars, explorers, librarians, and various other intellectual roles they can be considered the intellectuals of Changeling society. Being cautious, studious, calculating, and descriptive are just some qualities that a Blueling might have.
Then there are the Yellows. These bright 'lings feed strongly off of Positivity. Happiness, if you will. Caring, kind, and very energetic they can be found in any number of roles dealing with foals or cheering others up.
Next in Changeling society are the Greens. Greenlings feed from creativity. Artists, Musicians and even Inventors are some roles a Greenling may be found in. Yearning to create, to build, and to inspire are the ways of a Greenling and in many ways they are some of the most interesting types of Changelings. Creativity, Patience, and even the ability to think outside the box are all qualities found in Greenlings.
In addition, there are the Purples. These lings are the most common, and can be found nearly anywhere. Simple Love and Affection are all they require to maintain a healthy diet. Anypony could be a Purple but not anyling may pose as a Purple. Purple changelings differ the most in personality. Due to their very staggered population, Purple lings are never easy to spot. They can be literally anypony you know.
Next are the Whites. Whitelings feed best from Honesty. Loyalty is another strong part of their emotional diet and as such, Whites can be found mostly in law enforcement, as well as in courts. Many whites take the places of lawyers in Equestria to feed on the oh-so common innocent's Honesty. Whitelings are nearly always truthful, and rarely betray others aside from their guises.
Then there Pinks. Pink changelings take great pleasure in pleasure itself. Lust and Pleasure are their two main meals, and they can be commonly found working in clubs, or in the seedier parts of town. Pinks are known to be very outgoing with their sexuality, and as a result are willing to lay with most ponies simply to fill themselves. Pinklings are very flirtatious, and will reel their subject in with their charm and beauty.
Now we have the Reds. Redlings thrive when there is an abundance of Passion in an area. Red changelings can commonly be found as Apprentices, working under skilled masters. They learn, slowly thriving on the passion of their mentors, and then continue on as teachers for the passionate. They are hard workers, and some of the greatest in their craft whatever it may be.
These Eight types of Changeling make up the largest, most common element of Changeling society. Hybrids between colors are rare, but do happen. For example, a Green and a Blue can have an Offspring that will thrive on both knowledge and creativity. Colors that are Vastly different, such as Pleasure and Honesty are much rarer. Their magical energies are much too different to often produce a child.
Changeling politics is much like the Griffin kingdom's, honestly. Each color brood is lead by a member of the Noble bloodline, those who descended directly from the blood of the First Mother. They guide their colors collectively, leading all together much like a Republic. They are known as the Elder Council Of Seven. They dwell in what is known as the Hive, located deep in the Badlands, and almost bordering the northernmost border of the Forbidden Jungle. Few have ever been that deep into the badlands, and few stay there for good reason. It is a cruel and dangerous place, littered with terrible monsters and wild Buffalo. The settlers of Appleloosa chose to remain outside of the Badlands for good reason, after all.
Our story picks up in the City of Baltimare, situated on the eastern seaboard of equestria. This historic city is home to many events in Equestrian history, like the first contact with New Griffonstone, and the Signing of the Three Cities treaty oh so many centuries ago. It is one of the oldest cities in the world due to it having been a village since the time before the sisters. Nowadays it is one of two major ports to Equestria, and is where nearly all imports from New Griffonstone come in. Meats, Spices, and Materials all flow through the docks, being processed and delivered to their owners. It is truly an industrious city, one with rich history and amazing views.
One living in Baltimare would be honored and proud. Horseshoe Bay was known for it's amazing Seafood according to local Griffins and Minotaurs and was widely considered equal, or even better than Manehattan in terms of sophistication, yet the proud city had it's downfalls however. Due to the cities status as not only a shipping center, but also a Production Center is is ripe with crime. Ponies living here are quite used to leaving the streets a few bits short of when they arrived. The local guard is quite heavily taxed by the heavier amounts of crime and as such are usually stuck picking between which crimes to tackle at a time.
A young unicorn stallion glanced up from his book, his hefty saddlebags swinging by his side slightly. His eyes were of a rare coloration, with a deep-blue centering his pupil before fading outwards to a viridian. His gaze was fixated on the city in the distance as it's buildings towered over all others. The city was known for it's impressive, modern architecture and it showed in this view.
The train buckled, shaking him slightly before he righted his balance. He glanced back down at the unnamed tome with it's blueish hue. He shut it, floating it into his saddlebag as he observed those within his car. He stood, glancing at the nearby passengers before silently creeping between his car and the one beside. He stopped next to a Strawberry mare, his eyes flicking over her face for a moment before speaking.
“How do you like the vacation, Scarlet Shield?” The stallion asked, glancing outside and towards their destination.
“My first time outside of… Home has been eventful, Practiced Prose. It's almost like it was planned somehow.” The smaller Mare replied, smiling at him slightly. Her mane was Vermillion, clashing with her eyes which took a color on very close to what Prose had.
“Well, you have an important job, my friend. It will be tedious and long, but we'll certainly find our way.” He replied, smiling down at her.
“My lord, I do wish to ask why you chose Baltimare? Would Canterlot, or even Los Pegasus be better for this? They're both less… unsavory, and would provide Ample-”
“Canterlot would have been much too close to the Princess, my child.” He cut her off. “And Los Pegasus is much farther from Home. Would you not like to remain near your kin?” He questioned, sharing an amused grin with his smaller companion.
“I see, my lord. Thank you for at least giving me the reason as to why you chose such an… interesting home.” His companion replied, before getting up.
The train lurched one more time, coming to a stop at what appeared to be a refueling station. Prose took a look around the cabin to ensure there was nopony watching before he began opening his bag.
Shield looked over to her lifetime friend, smiling as he pulled out the very same tome he'd had for his entire life. She smiled cruelly, before suddenly snatching it out of his grip. She was unprepared however for the sudden tackle from her friend, sending her sprawling onto the floor. His book was quickly returned to it's rightful place in his grip.
He glared down at his now-captive friend, smiling at her as he pinned her to the floor.
“You won't catch me off-guard anymore, Scarlet. I learned the hard way you know” He laughed, before hopping off her.
“You're worse than your sister, you know.” She laughed, slowly sitting up. “You're much bigger too, so I can never knock you down. It's no fair!” She cried.
The two bickered on, completely missing the train beginning to continue on its long journey to Baltimare. They laughed at each other, made jokes, and reminisced about the homeland before they fell asleep. They knew it would be a long ride, but they knew they could handle it. The only unknown from then on, would be what they'd do as they arrived at Baltimare.