Race Name: Doppelganger/Shallar

Ability Scores: +1 to any three ability scores

Size: medium
Speed: 30ft
Languages: common, one other of your choice

Age:
Alignment: neutral
Size: as humans in their natural form

Traits:
 Darkvision
 Confusing Creatures: you cannot be magically put to sleep or charmed
 Read Mind: using Charisma as the spellcasting ability, you can cast Detect Thoughts once per short or long rest
 Steal Identity: you can use an action to assume the guise of any creature you’ve seen before, provided they are
of the Medium size category. You do not know their languages, mannerisms or memories.

History:
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 were
physically weak, when in fact they were quite strong and agile.

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.

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.

Though their abilities allowed them to physically impersonate other creatures, a normal doppelganger could not
duplicate the languages, memories, mannerisms, or personality of their victims. Because of this they sometimes kept
the original alive and close by for weeks when their plans were more long-term. While captured a victim's mind
would be read daily by a doppelganger in order to learn how to best behave and speak without being detect.

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.

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.