Parshendi transformations

[Zelly]

Is the transformation of the Parshendi similar to the process of soulcasting?  Could the Parshendi be a sort of living fabrial?  They both use/trap spren in a gem or gemheart.

[RShara she/her]

I don't think so.  They change forms, but they're still the same person, Physically and Cognitively.  Soulcasters take the object and change it to something else, Physically and Cognitively.

Chasmfiends and a few other creatures seem to change forms as well, so it might just be a natural adaptation to Roshar, or something funky that Adonalsium thought would be cool.