Greys, Dopplegangers and "Personates"


Homebrew

Grand Lodge

So I've been contemplating how some races move forward to Starfinder campaign. Particularly ones that sort of plague Golarion.

For what ever reason Doppelgangers have never been associated with the Aboleths, and I used to think it odd, but now I feel like it's opened me up to a new concept. Doppelgangers could be a servitor race to the Greys

Here is my canon, sort of quick and dirty

Greys thousands of years ago created doppelgangers after experimenting on humanoids to assist them in finding more victims and keep them hidden. Over time doppelgangers have been cast off or left behind on worlds and to their own devices so much so that they have become their own race. Sexually hermaphroditic, doppelgangers typically produce another doppelganger only when they carry them to term, no matter what ever the race other parent was.

Should the doppelganger impregnate another humanoid, there is an equal chance that the offspring will be a doppelganger, mother's race or a half breed known as a personate.

Personate
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Humanoid (Shapechanger)
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Base Speed: 30
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Ability Score Modifiers: Standard (+2 Strength, +2 Charisma, -2 Constitution)
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Languages: Standard
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Racial Traits:
Change Shape, Greater
+2 Bluff
+2 Disguise

Usually only fully manafesting thier powers just past puberty. a Personates sometimes even skip generations. Once they learn their legacies most head out on the road to find out what their powers can lead them to. Some become bards, some dabble in sorcery, some take up psychic arts. The only thing that slows them down is that they are prone to illness, it would seem that the shapeshifter bloodline doesn't suit their humanoid bodies. After a time many Personates can forget their original forms and change them as often as people change clothes.

And as free as the Personate might seem to others, they are hunted by the Greys as easy target to turn into slave doppelgangers. Dopplegangers have occasionally sought out Personates and there are rumors that they can train Personates to become full Dopplegangers, but these are more than likely just stories to tell in taverns. More likely they would just want someone else to take the blame for a crime they commit while they escape.


The corebook Threats entry on The Unseen mentions the shapeshifting reptoids (as well as the greys), but oddly not dopplegangers (or faceless stalkers and totenmaskes) by name.

If you're interested in more lore about mimics, their aboleth creators, and a little about dopplegangers, there is SKR's (3PP) Darkness Without Form.

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As for PC races, I am admittedly partial to skindancers (there's a pic with their entry in Wayfinder #7), but I haven't quite finished updating them (and some other shapechanging-related stuff) yet from Pathfinder to Starfinder.

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