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The Changelings are one of many species of aliens that have appeared in the Star Trek shows, but they are one of the most genetically distinct from any of the other species. Changelings are also, probably, the most paranoid of any species ever shown on Star Trek. They are so paranoid of other species trying to destroy them, that they formed the Dominion and then called themselves the Founders. The Founders would later on send other Changelings to other planets on scientific missions, because of a curious nature of what other worlds hold that drove them to do so. Counselor Odo, the head of security on Deep Space Nine, was one of these.
What They Are
The Changelings are the only alien species in the Star Trek group of shows that can change its shape on a molecular level that was a regular on one of the shows (there was one in the Next Generation series, but there were only there for one episode). The normal state of the Changelings is a puddle of a kind of gelatinous goo. A downside of the Changelings (at least with Odo) is that they have to resort to this gelatinous goo everywhere 16 hours or they die.
The Changelings are also the "Founders" of the Dominion, which is the most powerful empire in the Gamma Quadrant. The Changelings were xenophobic (really, really scared of other beings), and that is why they created the Dominion. The beings that actually ran everything for the Changelings were the Vorta and Jem’hadar. The Vorta and Jem’hadar are both genetically engineered beings made to obey the Founders and act as if the Founders were there Gods. The Vorta were designed to be diplomats; they would try to convince alien worlds into joining the Dominion, and if that world was still a little apprehensive about joining the Dominion, the Jem’hadar, who were designed to be warriors who’s only goal in life was to make sure the Dominion stayed intact, would be sent in to "convince" them [in other words: "Join the Dominion, or become ash"].
The Dominion didn’t meet its first loss in a war until it fought the forces of the Alpha Quadrant. That was only because the three most powerful forces in the Quadrant joined up and with huge lists of casualties.
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