Homebrew Doppelganger Species Details

Culture

Scholars have debated for centuries about the origin of the doppelgangers. Shadowy, mysterious, and enigmatic, these shapeshifters learned long ago how to integrate themselves into human society. For this reason, learned men and women believe that doppelgangers were once human. How doppelgangers gained their unique abilities is unknown. Doppelganger families tended not to be close. A doppelganger disguises themselves, and mates with a humanoid. Once their spouse, or themselves, are found to be pregnant, the doppelganger sometimes leaves. Female humanoids being left to single-handedly rear any resulting newborns—who tend to be chased out upon reaching maturity. Most, however, form normal families. Most doppelgangers try to live a normal life within society,  for some, this is a matter of seeking ease and "the good life," while others feel an overwhelming need to fit in and belong. 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. Due to the stereotypes surrounding the race, doppelgangers normally try to hide their true identities for fear of being killed. It is rumored that because of this, they have developed their own society deep in the Underdark where they can live in safety.

Life

The fear that one's child is a doppelganger has led to many superstitions as to how to prove their identity, such as pricking a newborn's finger and checking for green blood, or checking if they have a shadow, although none of these actually work. Doppelganger children tend to have normal childhoods, not knowing what they are unless told. A doppelgangers true form is not revealed until their 16th birthday, depending on whether their family consists of other doppelgangers, this is either an exciting day or met with absolute terror. In some cities, children are kept in a jail cell under constant supervision on their birthday, celebrations being held the day after if nothing goes awry. In other cities, if a child goes missing on or the day after their 16th birthday, it is generally accepted by those that knew them that they were a doppelganger, and were killed or ran off; the child is hardly ever spoken of again. This has led to some children being kidnapped and family members being none the wiser.

Description

In their natural form, doppelgangers tend to be pale humanoids with long, gangly limbs, standing around 5-1/5 feet tall and weighing about 150 pounds. Doppelganger bodies are emaciated and frail-looking, although this appearance belies their hardy constitution and natural agility. In some regions, doppelgangers have been reported to be monkey-like, preferring to walk on all fours, with long tails, or as having bright color-changing skin. Other regions describe them as small goblinoids with large ears and eyes, or as fae-like creatures with delicate plump bodies and a unique mask covering their face. They are always described as genderless.

Doppelgangers are rarely seen in their true form and spend most of their time mimicking other humanoids. A doppelganger can only duplicate the appearance of a humanoid and does not gain any special abilities of a mimicked race, such as an elf's low-light vision. Its ability to duplicate another form is remarkable, and it can copy a humanoid form to the minutest detail. Doppelgangers have an incredible memory when it comes to retaining forms and a doppelganger can remember any shape it has mimicked, even if it was years in the past.

Doppelganger Traits

Your character will have the following racial traits:

Expert Desguise

The Doppelganger can assume the shape of any Small or Medium humanoid as an action. It's statistics, other than size, are the same in each form. You may not gain benefits such as a fly speed, or the ability to breathe underwater in this manner. However, you could use this ability to give yourself a swim speed by giving yourself webbed feet for example. This form persists until the Doppelganger chooses to use this feature again or until death. This change cannot be dispelled but can be seen through with True Sight effects. The Doppelganger may revert to it's natural state at any time without taking an action. The Doppelganger gains advantage on all checks to impersonate a person they are currently imitating.

Master of Deception

Due to the nature of your race, you become incredibly skilled in lying and realizing when you are being lied to. You gain half proficiency in deception and insight.

Darkvision

You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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 color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Mindread

You can use the Detect Thoughts spell twice per long rest. You do not need any spell components, and it does not use a spell slot. 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write common, undercommon, and the language of your non-doppelganger parent.

Ability score increase

You gain +2 CHA  +1 DEX