Doppelgangers are shapeshifting, mind-reading monstrosities who infiltrate humanoid societies. Sometimes they replace people to assume their position and wealth, and sometimes to engage in longer-term plots.[1]
Appearance[]
In their true form, doppelgangers have milky white eyes,[2] featureless gray skin, and wispy white hair,[3] with a humanoid figure.[4]
Abilities[]
All of the following is taken from the Monster Manual, 5th Edition,[4] and may not be exactly canon for Critical Role.
- Condition Immunities: Cannot be charmed.
- Shapechanger: Polymorphs into the form of a Small- or Medium-sized humanoid it has seen, otherwise keeping its own equipment and statistics. Reverts to its true form upon death.
- Read Thoughts: As an action, magically reads the surface thoughts of a creature within 60 ft., as long as there are no sufficiently thick/dense barriers in between. Can continue reading that creature's thoughts as if concentrating on a spell. While reading that creature's thoughts, has advantage on Insight, Persuasion, Deception, and Intimidation checks against the target. (Doppelgangers are proficient at Insight and experts at Deception.)
- Ambusher: In the first round of combat, has advantage on attack rolls against creatures it surprised.
- Surprise Attack: Extra damage against creatures it surprised.
History[]
Vanessa Cyndrial, Kashaw Vesh, and Zahra Hydris killed a doppelganger and brought back its severed head as part of a contract for the Slayer's Take.[5] Kashaw and Zahra were each paid 2,250 gold for their part in the hunt.[6] The creature had been posing as many different people across Vasselheim, changing itself at will.[7]
As of 812 PD, the drow of Ruhn-Shak were so plagued by shapeshifting, mind-altering aberrations as to feed a deep paranoia that was tearing apart their society. Some drow commoners, in despair, offered themselves over to the aberrations and were transformed into doppelgangers.[2]
At around the same time, a doppelganger with delusions of grandeur replaced a member of the Catyurit family and, as part of a strange plot, began poisoning some of the chellerum gourds they sold in Emon.[8]
The Darrington Brigade, operating out of Deastok, foiled a doppelganger's plot against an ore baron.[9]
Fan art of Jenna Iresor, by linzer art.[art 2]
As of early 836 PD, the Archmage of Industry on the Cerberus Assembly, Baroness Jenna Iresor, appears to be human but is actually a doppelganger. She magically tampered with people's memories to help create a false identity, and enjoys the lavish lifestyle she has attained in her new position.[10]
In the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount sourcebook, the low-level adventure hook Kryn Spy involves a doppelganger working for the Kryn Dynasty and perpetrating arsons in the Felderwin Tillage, a major source of food for the Dwendalian Empire.[11]
Bells Hells encountered two fey doppelgangers in the Fey Realm as part of the team-building exercise in "Trust" devised by Morrigan the Fatestitcher and Fresh Cut Grass. According to the hag, the two shapeshifters had been watching them and would infiltrate their group while they tried to complete their task.[12] However, by the end of the trial it was revealed that the doppelgangers had been on the sides the whole time, without actually getting involved, since the adventurers were supposed to trust each other despite the warnings about the potential imposters.[13]
Notable doppelgangers[]
- Baroness Jenna Iresor, Archmage of Industry on the Cerberus Assembly
- "Foryuna Catyurit", a doppelganger engaging in a poisoning plot in Emon
References[]
- ↑ See "Return to Vasselheim" (1x43) at 17:30.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 24.
- ↑ See "Return to Vasselheim" (1x43) at 16:47.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 See D&D: Monster Manual (2014), 5th ed., p. 82.
- ↑ See "Return to Vasselheim" (1x43) from 12:12 through 18:10.
- ↑ See "Return to Vasselheim" (1x43) at 22:43.
- ↑ See "Return to Vasselheim" (1x43) at 23:20.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 94.
- ↑ See "The Chapter Closes" (1x115) at 3:51:13.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 42.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 86.
- ↑ See "To Hurt Is to Heal" (3x79) at 3:56:29.
- ↑ See "A Test of Trust" (3x80) at 2:17:41.
Art:
- ↑ Depiction of a doppelganger, by Vance Kovacs from D&D: Monster Manual, page 82. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
- ↑ Fan art of Jenna Iresor, by linzer art (source). Used with permission.