Homebrew Doppelganger Species Details

Description

In their true form, doppelgangers appeared as tall, elven, gray-skinned humanoids, whose thin hairless bodies made them appear, to human eyes, sexless. Their heads were bulbous, with formless faces and bulging eyes that were a pale yellow hue and lacked visible pupils. Though even this form was deceptive, as it gave the impression they were physically weak, when in fact they were quite strong and agile.

Personality

They were lazy but cunning creatures, who killed or disposed of people then assumed their place. While not actually evil, doppelgangers were extremely self-centered and liable to look down on their victims. Because of their laziness and selfishness, they rarely ever had any interest in raising their young.

Biology

The union of a doppelganger and another creature would produce a child that was either a doppelganger or what was known as a half-doppelganger. However, such children would be unaware of their true nature until they reached adolescence, at which point they would try to seek out others of their kind.

History

They were believed to be an artificial race, created by the Creator Race known as the batrachi to serve as spies and assassins.

In the Year of the Banner, 1368 DR, the trading company Seven Suns's headquarters in Baldur's Gate was infiltrated and taken over by doppelgangers, working on behalf of the rival organization Iron Throne. The doppelgangers then proceeded to make poor business decisions that drove the coster toward bankruptcy. This affected the economy of the whole city and attracted the attention of the Grand Dukes.

In the Year of the Unstrung Harp, 1371 DR, a group of doppelgangers infiltrated a wedding ceremony between Piergeiron the Paladinson and Eidola of Neverwinter in Waterdeep, posing as guards and handmaidens. Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun foiled the monsters' sinister plot but failed to stop Eidola's subsequent abduction.

Society

Doppelgangers tended to be solitary creatures, though were also known to operate in small groups as part of longer cons, as doing so further ensured that their infiltration and attacks were successful. Many lived a stolen life. When they encountered a person whose appearance or station they desired for themselves, the doppelganger used their mental powers to learn everything they could about the chosen target. Once they had all the knowledge they needed, they quietly eliminated or captured their target and assumed his or her form, taking their place in life.

Doppelganger families tended not to be close; usually, a male and female met, engaged in casual sex, then left one another, with the female being forced to single-handedly rear any resulting newborns—who left their mother upon reaching maturity. Some, however, formed tightly knit family clusters, while others mated with humanoids, taking malicious delight in using their spouse as a cover for their inhumanity.

Relationships

Doppelgangers were highly feared by most races for their ability to assume the form of any humanoid creature they encountered. Knowledge of their presence tended to make people very paranoid and suspicious of others.

Whenever food or treasure were scarce they would work for other creatures, though they preferred doing business with the magically inclined. Many beings throughout the Realms were known to utilize them as spies, assassins, or in elaborate plots to usurp power.

Doppelganger Traits

As a doppelganger you have the following traits

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age

Doppelgangers mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.

Size

Doppelgangers are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

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 color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Shielded Mind

You are immune to the charmed condition.

Shapechanger

You can use your action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid you have seen, or back into your true form. your statistics, other than your size, are the same in each form. Any equipment you are wearing or carrying isn't transformed. You revert to your true form if you die.

Ambusher

You have advantage on attack rolls against any creature you have surprised.

Surprise Attack

If you surprise a creature and hit it with an attack during the first round of combat, the target takes an extra 3d6 damage from the attack.

Read Thoughts

You can magically read the surface thoughts of one creature within 60 feet of it. The effect can penetrate barriers, but 3 feet of wood or dirt, 2 feet of stone, 2 inches of metal, or a thin sheet of lead blocks it. While the target is in range, you can continue reading its thoughts, as long as your concentration isn't broken (as if concentrating on a spell). While reading the target's mind, your have advantage on Wisdom (Insight) and Charisma (Deception, Intimidation, and Persuasion) checks against the target.

Slam

Your long arms are a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and three other languages of your choice.