Suspicions Arising Amongst Us

Suspicions Arising Amongst Us is a book uncovered through use of Study-related Inquiries by Anivia Reman.

## History

Looking into concerns of possible infiltration throughout the content, as well as theorised links to the Phaechrar, aberrant creatures found to be able to puppet humanoids with ink-like spools of residue, Anivia returned to one of the niche topics taught briefly amongst the curriculum at the Crimson College pertaining to innate transmutation magics - that of a particularly type of shapeshifters, the doppelganger.

## Reading

### Completed by Anivia Reman

Beyond the magics granted by understanding of the School of Transmutation, attainable through means of arcane skill, divine blessing and primal unity, there are those that possess skills that allow the changing of appearance, and to varying extents, personal scope of abilities, innately. Distinguished by the fluidity of this motion compared to the toll and limits associated with more deliberate efforts, there are numerous types of shapechangers known to inhabit the world of Ahlus. Most famous and maligned amongst these are undoubtedly that of the lycanthropes, often referred to as possessing Venari's Gift, are typically seen as cursed, the extent of the shapechanging abilities usually confined to that of their original humanoid form, and a monstrous hybrid form - with some also able to transform into the beast that makes up the other half of said beast-humanoid hybrid. Other malign creatures too, that of vampires and yuan-ti, also share such abilities, given unto them too by the machinations and so-called blessings of members of the Malign. Fortunately, such monsters are the primary quarry of the faithful of Emes, the Custodian of Starlight, who utilise his revealing moonlight to gleam the true identities of those that would hide in such manner. Though decisively uncommon throughout much of the continent, for many individuals, both shifters and changelings would be those they are most likely to cross paths with, both a creation of Aita during the Second Gift, shaped from sand to flow freely and adapt to the demands of the world. There are places where the former are freely confused with lycanthropes, and while there are similarities, they are quite distinct entities - a discussion beyond the focus of this tome - whereas it has been noted that of the latter that two discrete subspecies seem to exist, ones of lines that have existed solely upon the Material Plane since their shaping, and a smaller group that made their way into the Feywild, falling in with a number of the Fey Courts, but none so more than that of the Archfey Lyomri. Lesser known amongst shapechanging creatures in the public sphere of knowledge however, is perhaps the most capable, that of the doppelganger.

Unlike other shapechangers, it is highly disputed both amongst scholars to the origin of the doppelganger. There are a number of similarities between doppelgangers and changelings, enough that the commonfolk might easily conflate the two freely, using each species as a synonym for the other, but they are quite distinct indeed. It is believed that doppelgangers have the ability to innately read their target's mind, gathering information as to better impersonate them, a skill absent in those of the changeling race. Nonetheless, it would make some sense that a link exists between the pair, given that their method of reproduction appears near identical - a pairing between a doppelganger or changeling and another humanoid either yields one or the other, no half-breeds as oft elsewise has ever been recorded. A difference does occur in the case that a shapeshifter is born however, for changelings manifest their abilities from birth, whereas doppelgangers seemingly do not do so until adolescence. It has therefore been speculated that much as other members of the Malign corrupted those amongst the Principal Races to create goblinoids, orcs, perhaps doppelgangers were of changeling stock previously. Naturally capable and apt at matters of trickery and deception, many amongst that dark pantheon may have had a reason to do so, albeit none more so that Ophidian, It Which Slithers Unseen, who delights in those that linger undetected to ambush and betray. The matter is by no means cut and dry however, for it numerous other theories exist. Blasphemous claims have been made to suggest that changelings were not in reality created by Aita, but instead by the union of humans and doppelgangers. Equally so, an ancient relic recovered from the doppelganger cleric and heretic Pux made reference to a previously unknown entity known as The Excursus that occurs not in any further tomes, and appears to have been a product of Pux's own creation that spread amongst his cabal of followers known as the *Etched Faces* and failed to find further purchase. Further still, records uncovered through trade with svirfneblin merchants make reference to creatures described in a very similar manner to scope of doppelgangers' abilities being encountered in the depths of the Underdark, slipping into colonies unseen in service of a foul master known only as the Corruptor, whereas affiliation of doppelgangers working alongside hags has led some to suggest the creator of the race as the progenitor hag Mistress Willowjoint. Finally, there is a long-standing theory that the first doppelganger was no less than Archmage Zeru Habera, the individual responsible for establishing the Guild of the Silver Lotus who reportedly vanished under mysterious circumstances.

Regardless of their origin, it is undeniable that doppelgangers live amongst us, likely in greater numbers that suspected for by their very nature, they are difficult to detect, and should their intentions be achieved, no sign of their true nature is revealed. Naturally, this occasionally stirs conspiracy and suspicion amongst the populace, before fading once again from the consciousness of the population for another few years or generations. While there are numerous reasons for a sudden change in behaviour in an individual, few explanations have captured the fascination and horror alike of villagers and cityfolk as the idea that their neighbour, employer, or even spouse or child has been replaced by an individual masquerading in their stead. Even when such creatures are considered folktales and the stuff of legends, often with embellishments of the perceived threat far beyond the scope of a doppelganger, it is certainly possible that they are at least in part inspired by actual occurrences. While this is seen as a maliceful act, stealing a coveted life away from its rightful owner, it is certainly possible for such instances to be joyful, filled with love and good intent, as explored during the play *"Soon I'll Return"* by the Scrivener Tald Peakscorn, an exploration of grief in which a melancholic widow finds her beloved partner seemingly returned from the dead before finding that them to instead be a doppelganger seeking to console them. Of it I will say no more, as not to spoil the twists and turns of masterwork from one of the acclaimed alumni of the College of the Silvertongue.

Regardless, those amongst the populace familiar with the existence of doppelgangers typically base their understanding and expectations of the creatures on the former ideals, that of deception, misdirection and malintent. Just as some changelings have involved themselves with all manner of criminal activities, a few doppelgangers throughout history have likewise done the same. Many members of the *Hidden Mark* were doppelgangers before its dismantling in 506AG, serving as spies and actors alongside a number of other shapechanging races and illusionists in vast and elaborate plots to seize power. Operatives from Gawylthlan, the Duchies of Tynd, Tulis, the Empire of Raq and Mol Boramm all claim responsibility for uncovering the necessary details, but the extent of the *Hidden Mark's* growth across the continent would take years to finally remove down to the deepest roots. It is speculated by governmental authorities and drunken tavern patrons alike that the legendary assassin *Shiver* has the ability to take the appearance of any individual they so desire, leading some to speculate whether this assassin, if they do indeed exist, may indeed be a doppelganger with powers either heightened beyond that which seems normal, or more likely by means of the exaggerations within the stories pertaining to them. Nonetheless, an assassin able to quickly swap their appearance between a sentry, their quarry's servant and then a passing merchant is a decisively imposing one, regardless of the mechanism by which such a transformation occurs.