A doppelganger, from the 3.5 Monster Manual
Doppelganger
Avg. Height	5'7" – 6'0"
Avg. Weight	120 – 160 lbs.
Homeland(s)	various
Language(s)	Common
3rd edition rules
Creature Type	Monstrous Humanoid (Shapechanger)
Advancement	By character class
Size	Medium
Ability Modifiers	+2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, +4 Wisdom, +2 Charisma
Favored Class	Rogue
Source	Monster Manual v. 3.5, pg. 67-68
4th edition rules
Creature Type	Natural humanoid (shapechanger)
Size	Medium
Ability Modifiers	+2 Intelligence, +2 Charisma
Skill Modifiers	+2 Bluff, +2 Insight
Source	Monster Manual (4th edition), pg. 276

In their natural form, doppelgangers are pale, slender creatures. However, doppelgangers are able to change their shapes, and can become any creature of a similar size or shape. Doppelgangers are rare creatures in the world of Eberron, gathering few possessions and even fewer friends. Over the centuries, they have spawned off a new, similar race: the changeling.^[1][2]

Contents 1 History 2 Religion 3 Homelands 4 Notable Names 5 Appearance & Personality 6 Abilities 7 References

HistoryEdit

Doppelgangers are native to Eberron, though they are a rare race to encounter. Some theories say that doppelgangers were actually natives of Sarlona who fled to Khorvaire from a life of slavery in Ohr Kaluun. Over the centuries, the mixture of doppelganger and human blood produce a new race: the changeling. Changelings breed true as a new race, though doppelgangers may infiltrate changeling communities.^[1][3]

There are rumors of a doppelganger society known as the Cabinet of Faces. This society worships the Traveler, and is comprised of spies, assassins, and other agents that have infiltrated every level of society, from thieves guilds to national governments. The doppelgangers of the Cabinet of Faces use changeling agents, called Cabinet Tricksters, to aid in their infiltration. Their motives are mysterious; supposedly the heads of the organization speak to the Traveler directly using divine channeling.^[1][4][5]

Doppelgangers have flocked to the metropolis of Sharn, to lose themselves amongst the masses of the city. There, they have created an organization known simply as the Tyrants. The Tyrants are comprised exclusively of doppelgangers and changelings who have infiltrated the various levels of Sharn; they even have a representative on Sharn's city council. The Tyrants have eight doppelgangers within their organization, including their leader, Ek, known as "Tyrant One." The Tyrants run out of the Dragoneyes district of Sharn.^[6]

ReligionEdit

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.^[1][7] 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.^[5] They also believe it was the Traveler that bade them to go forth and interbreed with humans to create the race of changelings.^[4]

HomelandsEdit

While most doppelgangers travel frequently and do not put down roots, some doppelgangers want stability. A group of doppelgangers and changelings have formed a society within the wilds of Droaam known as Lost. This city is comprised entirely of 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.^[3][8]

Notable NamesEdit

• A doppelganger known only as "Chance" runs the casino Chance in the Dragoneyes ward of Sharn. It is secretly a priest of the Traveler.^[6]
• Ek, also known as "Tyrant One", is the doppelganger leader of the Tyrants of Sharn. It has seven other doppelgangers that work for him within the criminal organization.^[6]
• "Velvet" is a female doppelganger that runs a brothel within Sharn's Dragoneyes district. It uses its telepathic ability to detect a customer's ideal mate, and coordinates with its changeling and doppelganger staff to see to the client's needs. Velvet charges a large amount for its services.^[6]
• Zaz is a doppelganger that runs 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.^[6]

Appearance & PersonalityEdit

In their natural form, doppelgangers are gaunt, gray-skinned humanoids, with elongated limbs and a bulbous head. Doppelgangers have a blank face, with its only feature its large, octopoid eyes. Their skin is pale, and their bodies are hairless. Doppelgangers are genderless, though they can adopt the genitalia of other species.

Doppelgangers can adopt the appearance of any humanoid between 4 and 8 feet tall. A doppelganger is extremely convincing in this new form, and can remain in their new form as long as they choose. Doppelgangers revert to their true forms upon death, and certain magics can detect a doppelganger's true form.^[2]

AbilitiesEdit

In addition to their shapechanging abilities, doppelgangers possess telepathic abilities. They can communicate through thought, and can read the minds of other races. They use this ability to complete their disguises.^[2]

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Eberron Campaign Setting. Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, and James Wyatt (2004). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Monster Manual. Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, and Monte Cook (July 2003). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "Eye on Eberron: Lost: The Shapeshifting Village" (August 2011) by Keith Baker. Dungeon Magazine issue 193. 
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Races of Eberron. Jesse Decker, Matthew Sernett, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, and Keith Baker (2005). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3658-4.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Player's Guide to Eberron. James Wyatt, Keith Baker, Luke Johnson, Steven Brown (2006). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3912-5.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4} Sharn: City of Towers. Keith Baker and James Wyatt (2004). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3434-4.
7. ↑ Faiths of Eberron. Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
8. ↑ Eberron Campaign Guide. James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.