Echoes

*There is little to no recorded histories on Echoes. The beings are thought to be created of Ulfbargr, once thought to be born as any other being is, but in study there is no formal record of this being the case, so it would be unwise to consider that absolute truth. The prevalence of their stories makes it an almost complete certainty they exist, though biologically speaking very little is known. There are no communities recorded. Echoes have been noted as singular entities, witnessed in isolation or uncovered as part of wider communities, but their shapeshifting abilities make it hard to confirm the extent of their presence.*

*Here is stored a collection of the myths and stories of those beings known as Echoes, reproduced from oral tales and compiled by Brother Theodisius of the Library supported by author’s notes where applicable. The truth of these tales cannot be verified, but this compendium is intended to be used to parse facts by commonality the records are expanded.*

**Jemima Barnham: Elderly Human Woman of the Wolfshead Grasslands**

I saw an Echo once when I was a lass, I know it! No no I didn’t see them change or anything, I’m not dead! It kills you, you know? Seeing them change. Just like that! *AN: Subject snapped their fingers sharply.* But I knew they were one. I saw it in his eyes. All bright and reflective. They flash sometimes you know, I saw it outside Vincent’s wine merchant, I always knew that place was shady, he fleeced my mother every week!. AN: Conversation devolved into complaints and village politics, and was not considered relevant to the study of Echoes

**Severus Hidraz: Dragonkin Merchant Lord of the Phoebian League**

Echoes aren’t real. They’re just stories parents tell their kids about to keep them from talking to strangers.

**Petunia Puddlebottom: Halfling Brewer**

They have this thing with their eyes, they shimmer in bright light. They can’t control the iris’s properly so no matter what form they’re in there’s always this sheen to them, like when you spill lamp oil, you know? I bet it’s gorgeous. I’d love to see it one day.

**Knurl Khamaz: Orc Tribal Leader of the Daksh**

Our tribe was forged by an Echo, my ancestor. They were brought to us by Ulfbargr themselves to show us the stagnation that had become rife in the community and lead a splinter group into the wilds. And we have prospered ever since! We give thanks daily to Ulfbargr and their Echo! *AN: Asked subject about ancestry, querying on potential for understanding if reproduction of Echoes on this plane is possible. Subject gave a hearty laugh and went into detail too graphic to reproduce in these pages, but can be summarised that their belief is that yes they are biologically descended from an Echo, though were reticent to discuss what shapeshifting abilities, if any, have been passed down.*

**Jorek Shatteroak:** **Surface Dwarf Trader**

An Echo changed my life. I mean, of course, she did, that’s what they do. But she, fucking blindsided me. I was on my way to a wedding. My wedding. I wasn’t exactly invested, but it was what was expected, what my family wanted for me. And then this woman just slammed a fucking hammer into the carriage wheel as we were heading into town. Whole thing collapsed, I tumbled out, got mud all over me, one of the horses got free, the driver was pissed let me tell you. I was ready to tear her a new one but then she just grinned at me and told me she’d pay me a hundred gold to trade places for a day. It was so absurd, I was befuddled, I took the money and in a god damn moment, she’d become me. The driver was wrangling a horse so apparently didn’t notice the copy of me stripping at the side of the road and demanding my clothes. *AN: Posed query about the form under the clothes.* Oh…Well it wasn’t a match or anything. But there were…parts, if that’s what you’re asking. Anyway, we switched clothes, they went off to speak to the driver and just sort of…left. It was freedom. A week later I asked around to see what happened and the wedding went ahead, but the families were, well, there was rumours of malcontent. And you know I decided it wasn’t my fucking problem.

**Navarre Wyntaris: Vae-Nolar craftsperson from the Autumn Summit**

Echoes are destructive. They want nothing but chaos and destruction. They shift rivers and cause rockslides. We saw an Echo wandering around the mountains near our village and the next day it was crushed! *AN: Asks for clarity on how they knew the being was an Echo.* Because the proportions were all wrong! Their natural forms. They’re lanky and stretched and just look wrong. Nothing good has ever come from an Echo.

**Argasun Qorchi: Hobgoblin scout**

There is three ways to tell if someone is an Echo. 1, their accent. It’s entirely neutral. They don’t have an accent. It’s weird, it’s fluid. 2, their teeth. No matter what form their in, they’re always a bit pointy. 3, they’re always a little shiny. Something about the shapeshifting thing, makes skin hard to copy so it’s always a bit fresh. Like when you cut yourself and it says pink for a while? That’s it. Correct everytime.

*This compendium is considered a working collection of documents to be expanded over time*