Beware of Doppelgangers
One of my good patrons seemed confused when I mentioned that I likely have a doppelganger out there impersonating me. I suppose this good man must not make it outside the town limits, especially after dark, or else he would be more cautious of the creatures that he might encounter. All kinds of beasts prowl the countryside, yet we seem safe enough here in our little hamlet.
In a few words, a doppelganger is a ghostly double of a living person, especially one that haunts its fleshly counterpart.
Turning to the Manual of Monsters, edition the third and a half, printed by the great Wizards of the Coast, we learn about doppelgangers in greater detail:
Doppelgangers are strange beings that are able to take on the shapes of those they encounter. In its natural form, the creature looks more or less humanoid, but slender and frail, with gangly limbs and half-formed features. The flesh is pale and hairless. Its large, bulging eyes are yellow with slitted pupils.
A doppelganger's appearance is deceiving even when it's in its true form. A doppelganger is hardy, with a natural agility not in keeping with its frail appearance.
Because they can take the shape of any humanoid between 4 and 8 feet tall, doppelgangers are natural spies and assassins. They can sneak past sentries, slip into secured places, and fool even lovers or close friends. They are cunning and patient, willing to wait until an opportunity presents itself instead of attacking rashly.
Doppelgangers make excellent use of their natural mimicry to stage ambushes, bait traps, and infiltrate humanoid society. Although not usually evil, they are interested only in themselves and regard all othersas playthings to be manipulated and deceived.
So now you may have a better understanding of why I suggest that a doppelganger may be out there somewhere impersonating me. Beware! Try not to get us confused, one with the other.
Still, I am not trying to be overly suspicious of doppelgangers and others who might not fit in at first glance. As for this rules of the house for this little pub, all are welcome, be they human, elf, dwarf, halfling, gnome, half-elf, half-orc or doppelganer posing as any of those, as long as they pay their tabs, amuse their friends, and refrain from brawling.
In a few words, a doppelganger is a ghostly double of a living person, especially one that haunts its fleshly counterpart.
Turning to the Manual of Monsters, edition the third and a half, printed by the great Wizards of the Coast, we learn about doppelgangers in greater detail:
Doppelgangers are strange beings that are able to take on the shapes of those they encounter. In its natural form, the creature looks more or less humanoid, but slender and frail, with gangly limbs and half-formed features. The flesh is pale and hairless. Its large, bulging eyes are yellow with slitted pupils.
A doppelganger's appearance is deceiving even when it's in its true form. A doppelganger is hardy, with a natural agility not in keeping with its frail appearance.
Because they can take the shape of any humanoid between 4 and 8 feet tall, doppelgangers are natural spies and assassins. They can sneak past sentries, slip into secured places, and fool even lovers or close friends. They are cunning and patient, willing to wait until an opportunity presents itself instead of attacking rashly.
Doppelgangers make excellent use of their natural mimicry to stage ambushes, bait traps, and infiltrate humanoid society. Although not usually evil, they are interested only in themselves and regard all othersas playthings to be manipulated and deceived.
So now you may have a better understanding of why I suggest that a doppelganger may be out there somewhere impersonating me. Beware! Try not to get us confused, one with the other.
Still, I am not trying to be overly suspicious of doppelgangers and others who might not fit in at first glance. As for this rules of the house for this little pub, all are welcome, be they human, elf, dwarf, halfling, gnome, half-elf, half-orc or doppelganer posing as any of those, as long as they pay their tabs, amuse their friends, and refrain from brawling.
posted by Loremaster Alec | Friday, January 27, 2006
1 Comments:
Thanks for the definition. I will beware!
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