They walk a plane of existence neither here nor a world of their own, but between the folds of space and time as celestial vagabonds.
filled with a slime-like substance that gives them their namesake shapeshifting abilities. For more details see end of page.
☆ A - Lean fairly lithe, long legs B - Muscled defined structure, shorter neck than Lean C - Chunky Short neck with rounder, softer features than most forms D - Berserker Massive, bigger than most forms with well defined structure E - Dwarf Shorter limbs and stockier build than most forms F - Serpentine Taller and longer than most forms |
All limbs have a hand with 4 fingers and 1 thumb. Highly dexterous with a deft ability to manipulate objects. Pads made of a film of non-sticky gel are common; these function using electroreception in order to feel. Doppelgangers tend to be very tactile in their ventures. They often walk tippy-toed to better "feel" the world as their sensitive nature allows them to.
Coats, hair styles and textures all have great variety, basic examples can be found below. . |
Heads are attached to the front and rear of a Doppelganger. Can speak, eat, smell, taste, and emote easily from either head. In rare cases there have been more than one main head or secondary, but those forms are highly unstable and are never above Adult tier.
Type O - no jaws, head can be mask-like in appearance
Type A - one set of jaws that open vertical Type B - one set of jaws that open horizontal Type Y - three sets of jaws Type X - four sets of jaws Type Z - five or more sets of jaws * any jaws opening more than 5 ways are also considered very rare No mammalian-like noses! Otherwise shapes and teeth vary greatly. Nostrils serve as electroreceptor sensors akin to the jelly-filled snout organs found in Sharks. They are very sensitive, so much so they can feel, smell, and taste emotions. |
TIERS
5 categories, determined by the number of eyes present on either head or body. As they evolve from consuming, their new eyes open. Other physical changes may be gradual or occur suddenly between dimensional jumps. Losing an eye to a fight will not reduce a tier.
hatchling = 0 - 1 eyes
nymph = 2 - 4 eyes
juvenile = 5 - 8 eyes
adult = 9 - 12
God = 13+
so named for their ability to mimic any visible shape, from fauna to flora to inanimate objects, This allows them to interact with and study other species without disturbing them.
Shifting abilities can accent emotions. This is an unconscious quirk- most will adopt "droopy" looks for sadness, "sharpened" for anger, ETC. However entertaining this may be, under extreme stress Doppelgangers will lose control and shift violently, creating a maelstrom of flesh and causing great damage to their surroundings.
Their only flaw is the inability to change their markings. Remnants of markings will remain, preferably in hues to match that of the form they've taken. Note the remaining geometric siding, stripes, pale face and abdomen in the two imitations below.
Shifting abilities can accent emotions. This is an unconscious quirk- most will adopt "droopy" looks for sadness, "sharpened" for anger, ETC. However entertaining this may be, under extreme stress Doppelgangers will lose control and shift violently, creating a maelstrom of flesh and causing great damage to their surroundings.
Their only flaw is the inability to change their markings. Remnants of markings will remain, preferably in hues to match that of the form they've taken. Note the remaining geometric siding, stripes, pale face and abdomen in the two imitations below.
L A T E R A L L I N E S
are sometimes visibly raised ridges or a thin depression of skin spanning between the fore and rear limbs, often continuing onto the tail. These lines convey the true form of a Doppelganger beneath; a eel-like alienoid. Using many points of control over the flesh-sack it pilots the Doppelganger can stretch, be crushed or cut without harm so long as most of it remains inside. Once fully removed it must [SECTION REDACTED].
[URGENT NOTE: DO NOT REMOVE UNLESS WILLING VESSEL IS PRESENT. DO NOT MAKE VISUAL CONTACT ONCE REMOVED.]
[URGENT NOTE: DO NOT REMOVE UNLESS WILLING VESSEL IS PRESENT. DO NOT MAKE VISUAL CONTACT ONCE REMOVED.]