[RPG] Is this modified version of the changeling’s “Shapechanger” trait fair

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For context:

In a new campaign, the DM accepted my request to play a changeling, but wants to limit its "Shapechanger" trait (E:RftLW, p. 18). His idea was to allow only one change a day, during a long rest.

The reason he gave is that he didn't want this ability to be "abused", as he played a changeling in the past and did abuse it by changing his character's appearance "as often as he could". Also, since my character has the Charlatan background, he has planned to have her run into former marks randomly, and I think he doesn't want it to be too easy to escape.

We are going to talk about it in a few days, and I'd like to propose another way to restrict "Shapechanger".

My revised version of the Shapechanger trait:

You can change your appearance and your voice. You determine the
specifics of the changes, including your coloration, hair length, and
sex. You can also adjust your height and weight, but not so much that
your size changes. You can make yourself appear as a member of another
race, though none of your game statistics change.

Changing your appearance in this way takes 15 minutes. Your skin
and organs take a half-melted consistency and start bubbling and
reshaping themselves. Your bones change their shape and size. During
that time, you are paralyzed, blind, and deaf.

Because of involuntary spasms and various flesh noises, the DC for any
perception check that could reveal your position is the same as if you
were casting a spell with somatic and verbal components.

Questions:

  • Would these changes prevent the abuse of the "Shapechanger" trait?
  • Is the description clear enough? Not too long?
  • Does it feel like it could be integrated smoothly into a campaign?
  • Is it too restrictive?

A related previous question on the same subject: What bonus would be balanced against a restriction on a changeling's Shapechanger trait?

Best Answer

I would simply accept that I am not playing a changeling with this DM.

“Fair” or not doesn’t come into it; it’s not worth the argument. But being able to change their appearance at will is literally the sole reason to play a changeling. That is what they do, what they are there for. Getting to do so only once per day is a ludicrously tight restriction in the face of the official “whenever they want,” and leaves the race with nothing notable or worthwhile about them.

So I would not play that race and would instead choose something else.

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