Looking for a template or maybe odd race for a gnarly evil wizard type, around CR 15, is presumed to be human by his hobgoblin neighbors who have not met him.
Any suggestions?
Does it have to be male? A hag might work if a female BBEG is an option. The Half-Fiend and Devilbound templates are also an option if the wizard is of the summoning variety, since both can be attained through dealings with their respective planes. It's kind if vague in whether either template has a visible effect on the one who has the template. The skinchanger race comes to mind as well, but they're somewhat unsuited for spellcasting. Or they could just be a vampire, which is a little cliche but still possible.
Hmm, had the idea of a devilbound mage looking for the method of lichdom to cheat death. A hag might be interesting, will have to read more on them. This is a bit of setting for a sand box I am starting, this character may or may not end up being important, but I like to make major entities in the area interesting and shake up the player's expectations a bit.
A doppleganger would be a option as well, although a bit over the top. I can think of a ton of creatures that can shapeshift into humans, like dragons, a number of different types of demons, and a number of creatures that can possess humans, but there's to many of those to count. I suppose a huecuva could work, if you wanted a "Cleric" instead of a mage. An aberrant or another sort of creature capable of mind control using a human as a puppet may also work.