Doppelgangers are monstrous humanoids infamous for their innate shapeshifting abilities, which allow them to mimic almost any humanoid creature.[3]
Description[]
In their true form, doppelgangers appear to be tall, gray-skinned humanoids with half-finished features. Their gaunt, hairless bodies appear sexless to human eyes, with elongated limbs, bulbous heads, formless faces and large, octopoid eyes. Though they appear physically weak in this form, doppelgangers are quite strong and agile.[3]
Abilities[]
Doppelgangers can assume the shapes of any humanoid creature between 4 and 8 feet tall. A doppelganger is extremely convincing in this new form and has no limit on how long they can hold their disguise. That said, doppelgangers do revert to their true forms upon death, and certain magics can detect a doppelganger's true form.[3]
In addition to their shapechanging abilities, doppelgangers possess telepathic abilities. They can communicate through thought, and can read the minds of other races. Doppelgangers use this ability to complete their disguises, regularly reading the minds of those they wish to replace to ensure they remain free from scrutiny.[3]
History[]
Doppelgangers are native to Eberron, though they are rare. Some theories suggest that doppelgangers were actually natives of Sarlona who fled to Khorvaire to escape a life of slavery in Ohr Kaluun. It is also thought by some that interbreeding between doppelgangers and humans resulted in the creation of the changeling race. Others say that Dyrrn the Corruptor created doppelgangers by twisting changelings.[4]
Society[]
There are rumors of a doppelganger society known as the Cabinet of Faces, though doppelgangers may also infiltrate changeling communities. The Cabinet of Faces society worships the Traveler, and is composed of spies, assassins, and other agents that have infiltrated every level of society from thieves guilds to national governments. Doppelgangers of the Cabinet of Faces also use changeling agents, called cabinet tricksters, to aid in their infiltration of other societies. Their motives are mysterious; supposedly the heads of the organization speak directly to the Traveler using divine channeling.[5]
Doppelgangers may also be found in the metropolis of Sharn, blending into the masses of the city. It is said Sharn is the home of the doppelganger organization known as the Tyrants. Comprising exclusively doppelgangers and changelings, the Tyrants are thought to have infiltrated the various levels of Sharn, and even have a representative on the city's council. The Tyrants have eight doppelgangers within their organization, including their leader, Ek, known as "Tyrant One".[6] The Tyrants are presumed to be based in the Dragoneyes district of Sharn.[7][8]
Religion[]
Most doppelgangers worship the Traveler, the god of trickery and disguise. They will often seek to emulate the stories of the Traveler, sometimes even impersonating the god to other races.[9]
Doppelganger worshipers of the Traveler believe that the god created the world of Eberron by stealing pieces of the creation of another world, and will often point to disparities in the environment (which they call "the Traveler's Footprint") as evidence of this theory.[10] They also believe it was the Traveler that bade them to go forth and interbreed with humans to create the race of changelings.[11]
Homelands[]
While most doppelgangers travel frequently and do not put down roots, some want stability. A group of doppelgangers and changelings have formed a society within the wilds of Droaam known as Lost. This city is populated entirely by shapeshifters, and the city itself can transform as well; one day, Lost may appear to be a gnoll village, another, it may appear to be a grove of pine trees. The city of Lost has dedicated its services to the Daughters of Sora Kell, and some of its members act as spies for the Daughters.[12]
Notable Doppelgangers[]
- Chance, owner of a casino of the same name in the Dragoneyes ward of Sharn and a priest of the Traveler. [7]
- Ek, also known as "Tyrant One", the leader of the Tyrants of Sharn. Seven other doppelgangers work for him within the criminal organization. [6]
- Velvet, proprietor of the brothel Velvet's within Sharn's Dragoneyes district.[7]
- Zaz, innkeeper of the Cracked Mirror, an inn in Sharn's Callestan district. While the Cracked Mirror is a front for the Tyrants, Zaz is actually a secret member of the Cabinet of Faces. It employs two other doppelgangers, as well as six changelings, at the inn.[13]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
In 3.5 and 5th edition, changelings were a distinct race from doppelgangers, but in 4th edition doppelganger was merely a synonym for changeling.
External Links[]
- Doppelganger article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
References[]
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014). Monster Manual (5th Edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 82. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt (2008). Monster Manual (4th edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 276. ISBN 0-7869-4852-3.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, and Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual (3.5 edition). (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 67–68. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 284. ISBN 0786966890.
- ↑ Jesse Decker, Matthew Sernett, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, & Keith Baker (2005). Races of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 140–141. ISBN 0-7869-3658-4.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Keith Baker & James Wyatt (2004). Sharn: City of Towers. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 155. ISBN 0-7869-3434-4.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Keith Baker & James Wyatt (2004). Sharn: City of Towers. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 97. ISBN 0-7869-3434-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 254–255. ISBN 0786966890.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 70. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ James Wyatt, Keith Baker, Luke Johnson, Steven Brown (2006). Player's Guide to Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 31. ISBN 0-7869-3912-5.
- ↑ Jesse Decker, Matthew Sernett, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, & Keith Baker (2005). Races of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 50. ISBN 0-7869-3658-4.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker & James Wyatt (2004). Sharn: City of Towers. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 62. ISBN 0-7869-3434-4.
Connections[]
| Races |
|---|
| Player's Handbook Races: Aasimar | Dragonborn | Drow | Dwarf | Elf | Goliath | Gnome | Half-Elf | Half-Orc | Halfling | Human | Orc | Tiefling |
| Eberron Races: Bugbear | Changeling | Goblin | Hobgoblin | Kalashtar | Shifter | Warforged |
| Other Races: Armand | Asherati | Bhuka | Doppelganger | Dragon | Gnoll | Kobold | Lizardfolk | Medusa | Sahuagin | Shulassakar | Thri-kreen | Yuan-Ti |
| Outsiders: Angel | Archon | Daelkyr | Demon | Devil | Elemental | Genie | Githyanki | Githzerai | Inevitable | Mephit | Quori | Slaad |