Gingwatzim can take three different forms: free form, animate creature, and inanimate object.

Shapechanging

Free form is the gingwatzim's rest state, resembling a red-orange glowing sphere of swirling gas some up to 10 feet in diameter. In animate creature and inanimate object form, a gingwatzim exactly resembles that which it mimics, though a truesight or similar effect reveals the charade. A gingwatzim can shift between forms at will. In free form, the gingwatzim attempts to envelop its prey and drain its Strength. Apparently, their creator once bound gingwatzim into doorways as guardians to obtain just this effect on those who willingly walked into the colorful haze filling a portal. In animate creature form, a gingwatzim can only take on the appearance of creatures it's actually encountered in the past. Some gingwatzim that wear humanoid forms have actually learned to cast spells! In inanimate object form, gingwatzim serve as magical items, such as weapons (this was probably another attribute for which the gingwatzim was created, though gingwatzim apparently later learned to use this power to mimic an animate creature as described above). The exact power of the gingwatzim weapons varies from creature to creature; however, usually only gingwatzim bound into service can be found in this configuration.