I have found that the Way of the changeling is deception. This means that when you are compelled to choose between truth and lie, you must quickly choose lie.

He was a regular young changeling with a dream. He wanted to become a kung-fu master, but... When he came to the nearest monastery and asked monks there to take him as a disciple they chased him out. He didn't surrender to despair and traveled to another monastery, then to the third, fourth. He tried to join wandering monks' apprentices, but he refused him, too. "You don't fit." It was a constant response.
And then he remembered his parent’s words: "If there are several roads to your dream, choose the one that goes through the deception." They didn't want him as an apprentice? He'll come as a Master! No sooner said than done. It was a big surprise how easy it was. Just say: "I am the monk errant," looking accordingly and you can be sure they'll welcome you. After that you just have to watch. Or you can go and join them in their training - nobody says nothing against. Of course it didn't work well at each time. Sometimes he had been compromised, but always managed to identify the threat and escape in time. Time passed and once he found himself not just masquerading as kung-fu master, but truly being him.

It’s only through deception that a changeling moves to perfection.
Spoiler
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CN Changeling Wilderness Changeling Disruptive Attack Martial Rogue 18/Swashbuckler 2
Spoiler: Stats
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Abilities Initial Levels Total
STR 12 12
DEX 14 14
CON 14 14
INT 14 14
WIS 15 5 20
CHA 10 10

Spoiler: Build
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Level Class BAB Fort Reflex Will Skills Feats Class Features
1st Wilderness Changeling Martial Rogue-1 0 0 2 0 48: {+4} Bluff: 4; {+4} Hide: 4; {+4} Jump: 4; {+2 CC} Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1; {+4} Knowledge (local): 4; {+4} Knowledge (nature): 4; {+4 CC} Knowledge (psionics): 2; {+4} Knowledge (religion): 4; {+4 CC} Knowledge (the planes): 2; {+4} Move Silently: 4; {+4} Sense Motive: 4; {+4} Tumble: 4; {+2} Use Magic Device: 2; Darkstalker (1), Improved Unarmed Strike (B) Bonus feat, social intuition
2nd Swashbuckler-1 1 2 2 0 6: Bluff: 4; {+4} Diplomacy: 4; Hide: 4; Jump: 4; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1; Knowledge (local): 4; Knowledge (nature): 4; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 4; Knowledge (the planes): 2; Move Silently: 4; {+1} Sense Motive: 5; {+1} Tumble: 5; Use Magic Device: 2; Weapon Finesse (S) Weapon Finesse
3rd Swashbuckler-2 2 3 2 0 6: {+2} Bluff: 6; {+1} Diplomacy: 5; Hide: 4; Jump: 4; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1; {+2 CC} Knowledge (local): 5; Knowledge (nature): 4; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 4; Knowledge (the planes): 2; Move Silently: 4; {+1} Sense Motive: 6; Tumble: 5; Use Magic Device: 2; Knowledge Devotion (Arcana) (3) Grace +1
4th Wilderness Martial Rogue-2 3 3 3 0 10: {+1} Bluff: 7; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 5; {+1} Jump: 5; {+1 CC} Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1.5; Knowledge (local): 5; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 5; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 4; {+2 CC} Knowledge (the planes): 3; Move Silently: 4; {+1} Sense Motive: 7; Tumble: 5; {+2} Use Magic Device: 4; Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike) (B) Bonus feat, evasion
5th Wilderness Changeling Martial Rogue-3 4 4 3 1 12: {+1} Bluff: 8; Diplomacy: 5; {+3} Hide: 8; Jump: 5; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1.5; Knowledge (local): 5; Knowledge (nature): 5; Knowledge (psionics): 2; {+4} Knowledge (religion): 8; Knowledge (the planes): 3; Move Silently: 4; {+1} Sense Motive: 8; Tumble: 5; {+1} Use Magic Device: 5; {+2} Social Recovery; Minor lore +1
6th Wilderness Disruptive Attack Martial Rogue-4 5 4 4 1 10: {+1} Bluff: 9; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 9; Jump: 5; {+1} Knowledge (arcane): 1; {+2 CC} Knowledge (dungeoneering): 2.5; {+1} Knowledge (local): 6; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 6; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 8; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 5; {+1} Sense Motive: 9; Tumble: 5; {+1} Use Magic Device: 6; Social Recovery; Cunning Evasion (6), Versatile Unarmed Strike (B) Bonus feat, disruptive attack
7th Wilderness Martial Rogue-5 5 4 4 1 10: {+1} Bluff: 10; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 10; Jump: 5; {+3} Knowledge (arcane): 4; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 2.5; {+1} Knowledge (local): 7; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 7; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 8; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 6; {+1} Sense Motive: 10; Tumble: 5; {+1} Use Magic Device: 7; Social Recovery;
8th Wilderness Martial Rogue-6 6 5 5 2 10: {+1} Bluff: 11; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 11; Jump: 5; {+1} Knowledge (arcane): 5; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 2.5; {+1} Knowledge (local): 8; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 8; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 8; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 7; {+1} Sense Motive: 11; Tumble: 5; {+1} Use Magic Device: 8; {+2} Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Martial Study (Cloak of Deception) (B) Bonus feat, minor lore +2
9th Wilderness Martial Rogue-7 7 5 5 2 10: {+1} Bluff: 12; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 12; Jump: 5; {+2} Knowledge (arcane): 7; {+1 CC} Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; {+1} Knowledge (local): 9; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 9; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 8; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 8; {+1} Sense Motive: 12; Tumble: 5; {+1} Use Magic Device: 9; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Superior Unarmed Strike (9)
10th Wilderness Changeling Martial Rogue-8 8 5 6 2 12: {+1} Bluff: 13; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 13; Jump: 5; {+1} Knowledge (arcane): 8; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; Knowledge (local): 9; Knowledge (nature): 9; Knowledge (psionics): 2; {+5} Knowledge (religion): 13; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 9; {+1} Sense Motive: 13; {+1} Tumble: 6; {+1} Use Magic Device: 10; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Stunning Fist (B) Bonus feat, mutable anatomy
11th Wilderness Martial Rogue-9 8 6 6 3 10: {+1} Bluff: 14; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 14; Jump: 5; {+1} Knowledge (arcane): 9; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; {+1} Knowledge (local): 10; {+2} Knowledge (nature): 11; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 13; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 10; {+1} Sense Motive: 14; {+1} Tumble: 7; {+1} Use Magic Device: 11; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Minor lore +3
12th Wilderness Martial Rogue-10 9 6 7 3 10: {+1} Bluff: 15; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 15; Jump: 5; {+1} Knowledge (arcane): 10; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; {+2} Knowledge (local): 12; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 12; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 13; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 11; {+1} Sense Motive: 15; {+1} Tumble: 8; {+1} Use Magic Device: 12; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Daring Outlaw (12), Martial Stance (Assassin's Stance) (B) Bonus feat, dodge bonus +2, grace +2, sneak attack +6d6, special ability (camouflage)
13th Wilderness Martial Rogue-11 10 6 7 3 10: {+1} Bluff: 16; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 16; Jump: 5; {+2} Knowledge (arcane): 12; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; {+1} Knowledge (local): 13; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 13; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 13; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 12; {+1} Sense Motive: 16; {+1} Tumble: 9; {+1} Use Magic Device: 13; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Sneak attack +7d6
14th Wilderness Martial Rogue-12 11 7 8 4 10: {+1} Bluff: 17; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 17; Jump: 5; {+2} Knowledge (arcane): 14; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; {+1} Knowledge (local): 14; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 14; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 13; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 13; {+1} Sense Motive: 17; {+1} Tumble: 10; {+1} Use Magic Device: 14; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Ring the Golden Bell (B) Bonus feat, minor lore +4
15th Wilderness Martial Rogue-13 11 7 8 4 10: {+1} Bluff: 18; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 18; Jump: 5; {+1} Knowledge (arcane): 15; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; {+1} Knowledge (local): 15; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 15; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 13; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 14; {+1} Sense Motive: 18; {+2} Tumble: 12; {+1} Use Magic Device: 15; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Unbalancing Strike (15) Dodge bonus +3, sneak attack +8d6, special ability (hide in plain sight)
16th Wilderness Martial Rogue-14 12 7 9 4 10: {+1} Bluff: 19; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 19; Jump: 5; {+1} Knowledge (arcane): 16; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; {+1} Knowledge (local): 16; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 16; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 13; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 15; {+1} Sense Motive: 19; {+2} Tumble: 14; {+1} Use Magic Device: 16; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Weakening Touch (B) Bonus feat
17th Wilderness Martial Rogue-15 13 8 9 5 10: {+1} Bluff: 20; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 20; Jump: 5; {+1} Knowledge (arcane): 17; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; {+1} Knowledge (local): 17; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 17; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 13; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 16; {+1} Sense Motive: 20; {+2} Tumble: 16; {+1} Use Magic Device: 17; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Minor lore +5, sneak attack +9d6
18th Wilderness Martial Rogue-16 14 8 10 5 10: {+1} Bluff: 21; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 21; Jump: 5; {+1} Knowledge (arcane): 18; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; {+1} Knowledge (local): 18; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 18; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 13; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 17; {+1} Sense Motive: 21; {+2} Tumble: 18; {+1} Use Magic Device: 18; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Fists of Iron (18), Freezing The Lifeblood (B), Falling Star Strike (R), Meditation of War Mastery (M), Weapon Focus (Dagger) (M) Bonus feat, special ability (bonus feat)
19th Wilderness Martial Rogue-17 14 8 10 5 10: {+1} Bluff: 22; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 22; Jump: 5; {+1} Knowledge (arcane): 19; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; {+1} Knowledge (local): 19; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 19; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 13; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 18; {+1} Sense Motive: 22; {+2} Tumble: 20; {+1} Use Magic Device: 19; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Sneak attack +10d6
20th Wilderness Martial Rogue-18 15 9 11 6 10: {+1} Bluff: 23; Diplomacy: 5; {+1} Hide: 23; Jump: 5; {+1} Knowledge (arcane): 20; Knowledge (dungeoneering): 3; {+1} Knowledge (local): 20; {+1} Knowledge (nature): 20; Knowledge (psionics): 2; Knowledge (religion): 13; Knowledge (the planes): 3; {+1} Move Silently: 19; {+1} Sense Motive: 23; {+2} Tumble: 22; {+1} Use Magic Device: 20; Collector of Stories, Social Recovery; Fiery Fist (B) Bonus feat, dodge bonus +4, grace +3, minor lore +6
B - martial rogue bonus feats, S - swashbuckler bonus feat, R - bonus feat from rogue's special ability, M - martial arts.


A changeling’s word is harder than metal. Once I have lied about something, not even gods can change it.
Spoiler: Main idea evolution
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I want to build my Kung Fu master without using monk's prestige classes. Next I decided to abandon prestige classes at all and use a minimum of base classes.
To better use Stunning Fist I need as many feats as possible. Fighter is a first thought, but... the single Evasion option for fighter is in Dragon Magazine. Well, I took martial rogue. I spent three feats and two Swashbuckler levels to obtain a 12d6 sneak attack. Rogue without sneak attack isn't something right. I actually got seven fighter's feats for free. Cool!


Even if it seems certain that you will be revealed, bluff.
Spoiler: Build explanations
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Spoiler: ACF selection
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Martial rogue selection is clear.
Changeling Rogue gave me in-class Knowledge (religion). Not on all levels, but still not bad.
Plus mutable anatomy and +6 on all Knowledge checks. All three sound very good or perfect!
Wilderness Rogue gave me in-class Knowledge (nature) and Hide in Plain Sight as a Special Ability option!
And of course Disruptive Attack. It looks pretty useful against somebody with sneak attack immunity.

Spoiler: ECL 6
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Master is at the very beginning. He can strikes with bare hands and feet, can stealth well (thanks Darkstalker and Cunning Evasion feats) and bluff, has a broad range of expert knowledge and evasion ability.

Spoiler: ECL 7
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It's exactly the same as 6th ECL. Hilariously dead level!

Spoiler: ECL 12, first sweet spot
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There's a big difference between this and previous levels! Daring Outlaw gives back all sneak attack I trade off plus swashbuckler's dodge and grace! Greate!
And I got a Stunning Fist! Three uses, but it's up to three rounds of free sneak attacking!

Spoiler: ECL 18, second sweet spot
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I have Hide in Plain Sight that synergizes well with Cunning Evasion. I have Unbalancing Strike - unlimited flat-footed humanoids. I have Ring the Golden Bell 5 ranged unarmed strikes. I have Freezing The Lifeblood and Falling Star Strike very interesting substitutions for stunning attacks. As well as Weakening Touch and Fists of Iron not so good options, but they are prerequisites for Meditation of War Mastery, one of few ways to improve Stunning Fist's DC.

Spoiler: ECL 20
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Nothing changes dramatically. I get two more stunning attempts (one from levels, one from Fiery Fist - out of this totally not useful), +1 BAB and all base saves, one more sneak attack dice, +1 dodge bonus, grace and minor lore, and some skills.



Lying from the outset is the only way to attain believing in the end.
Spoiler: Magic items I want
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Stats, especially Wisdom and Dexterity, improvement items. Magic weapon or fang wands. Of course Monk's belt and Ki straps (I think everybody except VoPers in this round want this items).


Knowing the Lie is to know the True.
Spoiler: Books
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Type Name Book Page
Race Changeling Races of Eberron 41
Class Rogue PHB 49
Class Swashbuckler Complete Warrior 11
Class variant Martial Rogue Unearthed Arcana 58
Substitution levels Changeling Rogue Races of Eberron 122
Class variant Wilderness Rogue Unearthed Arcana 56
ACF Disruptive Attack PHB2 57
Feat Darkstalker Lords of Madness 179
Feat Improved Unarmed Strike PHB 96
Feat Weapon Finesse PHB 102
Feat Knowledge Devotion Complete Champion 60
Feat Weapon Focus PHB 102
Feat Cunning Evasion PHB2 78
Feat Versatile Unarmed Strike PHB2 85
Feat Martial Study Tome of Battle 31
Feat Superior Unarmed Strike Tome of Battle 33
Feat Martial Stance Tome of Battle 31
Feat Daring Outlaw Complete Scoundrel 76
Feat Stunning Fist PHB 101
Feat Ring the Golden Bell Dragon Compendium 105
Feat Unbalancing Strike Oriental Adventures 66
Feat Weakening Touch Complete Warrior 106
Feat Fists of Iron Complete Warrior 99
Feat Freezing The Lifeblood Complete Warrior 99
Feat Falling Star Strike Oriental Adventures 62
Feat Fiery Fist PHB2 79
Martial Art Style Meditation of War Mastery Oriental Adventures 81
Skill Trick Social Recovery Complete Scoundrel 89
Skill Trick Collector of Stories Complete Scoundrel 85
Maneuver Cloak of Deception Tome of Battle 76
Stance Assassin's Stance Tome of Battle 75