Homebrew Doppelganger Species Details

Physical Description

In their natural state, doppelgangers have the build of an elf, tall and slim but deceptively strong. They are also grey-skinned and hairless, with no obvious sexual characteristics and few obvious facial features beyond two large, protuberant, octopoid eyes.

History

The origins of the doppelganger race are unclear, a problem exacerbated by the lack of inclination for doppelgangers to bother keeping records themselves. Nonetheless, the age of many legends surrounding them indicate they are at least as old as humanoid civilization.

Although not usually evil, many are quite selfish and think of others as playthings to be manipulated and deceived. Doppelgangers are particularly fond of invading humanoid societies in order to indulge in their desires — some enjoy the complex dance of politics while others are incorrigible casanovas and svengalis who seek constant change in the race and gender of both themselves and their romantic companions.

While uncommon, doppelgangers who use their gifts for cruel and sadistic purposes that are most notorious, and these shapeshifters are the primary cause of the race's sinister reputation. Certainly, a creature capable of changing its shape has a handy way to avoid capture for its crimes, and some particularly malicious doppelgangers enjoy disrupting relationships by posing as unfaithful lovers or luring others to their dooms in ambushes and robberies.

Society

Doppelgangers do not really possess a civilization of their own, instead infiltrating and manipulating the societies of others. For some, this is a matter of seeking ease and "the good life," while others feel an overwhelming need to fit in and belong.

A small number of "open" doppelgangers have found success in legitimate professions, usually performance arts like acting, or, occasionally, prostitution. One notorious inn and brothel, run by a changeling known only as "Velvet," purports to supply any customer with an "ideal mate..." so long as no questions are asked regarding its natural state.

Those familiar with doppelgangers have claimed that many of them actually have trouble developing personalities of their own, finding it easier to imitate the identities of others or to create "false" personas out of whole cloth. Some doppelgangers have supposedly become "lost in character," going the rest of their lives in one shape and one personality until they remain trapped in it forever and don't even remember who they used to be. Other horror stories talk about creatures slowly realizing they are doppelgangers, with slow, personal dread.

Fear at these outcomes, which some evidence suggests may not be entirely legendary, is what drives them to constantly shift and change throughout their lives.

Doppelganger Traits

A deceitful race of shapeshifting hedonists, with quick reflexes and strange outlooks.

Ability score increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Shapechanger

As an action, you can transform your appearance or revert to your natural form. You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you’ve never seen, and you revert to your natural form if you die. You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, the sound of your voice, coloration, hair length, sex, and any other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this trait to become quadrupedal, for instance. Your clothing and other equipment don’t change in appearance, size, or shape to match your new form, requiring you to keep a few extra outfits on hand to make the most compelling disguise possible. Even to the most astute observers, your ruse is usually indiscernible. If you rouse suspicion, or if a wary creature suspects something is amiss, you have advantage on any Dexterity (Stealth) check you make to avoid detection.

Read Thoughts

You can cast the detect thoughts spell once with this trait, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.

Manipulator (Insight)

You are proficient in the Insight skill.

Slippery Mind

You are immune to the charmed condition.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern colour in darkness, only shades of gray.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and two other language of your choice.