Hey folks, I hope you enjoyed this video. Have you ever used Doppelgangers in your campaigns? I'm running an audience survey at the moment to find out more about what you all like. It will only take 3 minutes of your time and it will really help out the channel so I would love it if you could fill it in: forms.gle/CDfqjjcXQnX5ha3FA Much love Anto
I actually had an idea on a doppelganger in a different campaign. But that one is actually a part of the character's backstory. They took the identity of a Local Hero who sacrifices life to save a bunch of people from a catastrophe however the doppelganger saw the opportunity to take his identity but hesitated because of all the genuine good and had second thoughts. The folk hero was fatally injured so the doppelganger actually brought the dying hero into its lair, putting him in stasis. After assuming his identity and actually learning more he's slowly became more and more like the hero that everyone believed the guy would be. So much so that the doppelganger subconsciously repressed a lot of the mannerisms and memories. Became the hero that everyone saw him as so that there can still be good in the world. And I'm hoping when the thing is revealed the party accurate realizes that the doppelganger isn't evil but rather was trying to preserve him from death Annalise allow his Good Deeds to remain as such but if he does die, I'm hoping it will be because he did it as an act of genuine good and reveal who he really is and parishes but informing the party regarding to the real location
I love deploying Doppelgängers, I had my character introduced along with a Doppelgänger of herself once and the party had to find out which one was the real one, what a start!
I loved it. I cant remember how long it had been between you asking me about it and it coming into effect but i know it was a while because id forgot myself i was a doppleganger and then when i died and started melting i was like 'oh snap, im not me!'. And then everyones elses reactions were 'what the hell is going on' then you had to fill in thw blanks for everyone 😂
I've made a changeling NPC (villain) that is a Disciple of Malar. He's not so open with his religion - and with his shapechanging abilities - he's infiltrated civilization. He's going to follow the group for awhile and try to tag along for awhile. until his opportune time for the moment of betrayal!
Our DM pulled something like that. Apparently people had been going missing, and when they returned they were behaving strangely, revealing themselves to be mimics (not doppelgangers, mimics), and the captain of the Inquisitors of the city ended up asking us for help... leading us into a mind flayer's lair hidden in the city's sewer system. Upon exploration, we discovered a room that held several people in stasis pods... including the captain we were traveling with. Turns out the mind flayer had replaced several people in key occupations within the city, some higher up like nobles, others closer to the bottom like bakers who support the food industry. So now our task is to discreetly return the survivors back to their original position without alerting anyone of the conspiracy, especially after the little tidbit of info implying the king is under direct thrall of the mind flayer (who escaped and is still alive, though minus his facial tentacles...)
I used a Doppleganger on a high level party. I replaced the local barmaid in their favorite tavern. I pulled out a bad guy they maimed and left for dead when they were 3rd level. He was 7th years later. He waited until they became name level and stupid rich! I (He) simply waited until they were planting a celebration for one of them become 18th level. They went nuts when their entire TREASURE horde was stolen!! They turned on each other and voted to disband. Only when they surrendered control of their PC's to NPC status did they find. Krampus the golden Wizard hired a group of adventures (their new party) to acquire spell components to achieve lich dom. ( The group made fun of their DM because I was shamelessly recycling NPC names. I laughed and sid of wow. I did not noctice that?) Only after they completed the mission and Krampus became lich and the new party (old players) read his devious resume to become a lich did they realize one of their party mate did not turn on them! It was Harikatha the LAWFUL GOOD Barmaid who they TRUSTED with out question who was replaced set them up. ( They made bank by selling off some of their priceless magic items.) Using the mind blank spell with suggestion spells she ( Harikatha ) was returned UNHARMED. One of the old party final actions was to buy the INN for her! Hence as soon as the Barmaid doppelganger stole the items and replaced the treasure with an illusion. Harikatha was returned. They left a holy symbol of MASK as a red herring! It took them 3 gaming sessions until one of them went to get something out oft he treasure horde did they discover the illusion. I gave them a chance to figure it out when she ( Harikatha) unexplainedly posted a end of winter wine list when in fact it was late fall. None of the players noticed it. They too busy accusing each other of theft!! None of them asked why would she make such a fundamental error.
So, you gave the doppelganger all th PC abilities, and spells? Did that include objects and clothing? Im running LMoP and was thinking of switching Harbin Wester for a doppelganger...
Would have probably also set off "alarm bells" for the PC's player if they inexplicably *didn't* have all of the items they had before they were absent for that session....especially if they happened to be a more experienced player. By having the Doppelganger have everything the PC had, it helped keep even the player controlling the replaced character in the dark until the actual reveal.
I think he's probably my favourite too. For a long time Tennent was my favourite, but I think that overall the storyline for Smith's Doctor was so good. I didn't like Capaldi at first, but his last season really surprised me and his final moments were beautiful. I've still not watched enough of Jodie Whitaker to know where she sits in my ranking, but I've enjoyed what I've seen.
Hello, I like this video, but I'm not and English speaker, so I wonder how did you manage the fact that the doppelganger was impersonating a spellcaster. How did he cast spells? And how did you manage the different sheet values between the monster and the wizard? Thank you.
@@zkratch They probably could have used something like the Speak With Dead spell on either of the dead Doppelgangers (corpses that Speak with Dead is used on cannot *knowingly* give incorrect information, they answer as truthfully as they possibly can) to discover where he was being held. Or, following the fortune-teller's reading and statement to "Beware the Elf" leading them to think of Shade (and that Shade was most likely the one behind the Doppelganger debacle in the first place), it could have even been simple deduction that their captured friend was most likely being held captive at Shade's manor.
@@trappedinamerica7740 In my setting a Doppelganger creates a mental link with their victim, so the bad guys were using detect thoughts on the imprisoned wizard to mine the link between he and the ganger.
"There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture!" I film in manual focus and from timeto time I will set the focus and sit a few inches forward or back of that point and end up as blurry face for the video. I don't notice until the video is done and in my editing software unfortunately. I am hoping to pick up a fancy new camera in the very near future that has auto focus that isn't a pile of carrion crawler droppings though, so that will solve the issue :D
... i actually think i will now replace a character... and not even tell the player they are now playing the doppelganger of themselves... until the reveal. LOL
@@MaleusMaleficarum Honestly, I would suggest that you at least run the idea by the player themselves first (albeit in private). Keep in mind that it's still *their* character at the end of the day, so they should have the right to veto such a scenario if they don't like it, unless it happens naturally in the game. Not consulting the player beforehand could very easily end up just pissing them off by what they could easily view as a "breach of trust". If your players feel like they can't trust *you* as the DM, then that could have very bad consequences for the campaign as a whole.
Hey folks, I hope you enjoyed this video. Have you ever used Doppelgangers in your campaigns?
I'm running an audience survey at the moment to find out more about what you all like. It will only take 3 minutes of your time and it will really help out the channel so I would love it if you could fill it in: forms.gle/CDfqjjcXQnX5ha3FA
Much love
Anto
I'm considering using one to replace a king and making my players rescue the real guy
@@n0where189 I hope they do and not like the fake too much.
I actually had an idea on a doppelganger in a different campaign. But that one is actually a part of the character's backstory. They took the identity of a Local Hero who sacrifices life to save a bunch of people from a catastrophe however the doppelganger saw the opportunity to take his identity but hesitated because of all the genuine good and had second thoughts. The folk hero was fatally injured so the doppelganger actually brought the dying hero into its lair, putting him in stasis.
After assuming his identity and actually learning more he's slowly became more and more like the hero that everyone believed the guy would be. So much so that the doppelganger subconsciously repressed a lot of the mannerisms and memories. Became the hero that everyone saw him as so that there can still be good in the world. And I'm hoping when the thing is revealed the party accurate realizes that the doppelganger isn't evil but rather was trying to preserve him from death Annalise allow his Good Deeds to remain as such but if he does die, I'm hoping it will be because he did it as an act of genuine good and reveal who he really is and parishes but informing the party regarding to the real location
Icarus: I wouldn't force it on my players for my own enjoyment
DMs in d&d horror stories: that's why noone will remember your name
I never make it into an RPG horror story I will be happy with that lol
I love deploying Doppelgängers, I had my character introduced along with a Doppelgänger of herself once and the party had to find out which one was the real one, what a start!
Yes! I love that!
I had a character which was a Doppelganger that was... interesting when the others found out...
@@frederic-leonpohl9812 that's cool! I've always wanted to do something like that as well
One of the better ways to use shapeshifters ;)
I just like to say... I was that Loodachris Doppleganger 😁
I'm sure people would love to hear how you felt about the series of events?
I loved it. I cant remember how long it had been between you asking me about it and it coming into effect but i know it was a while because id forgot myself i was a doppleganger and then when i died and started melting i was like 'oh snap, im not me!'. And then everyones elses reactions were 'what the hell is going on' then you had to fill in thw blanks for everyone 😂
I've made a changeling NPC (villain) that is a Disciple of Malar. He's not so open with his religion - and with his shapechanging abilities - he's infiltrated civilization. He's going to follow the group for awhile and try to tag along for awhile. until his opportune time for the moment of betrayal!
Ooo that's spicy!
The level and trust and respect this needs at the table is huge. Goes to show how close knit your group is
Our DM pulled something like that. Apparently people had been going missing, and when they returned they were behaving strangely, revealing themselves to be mimics (not doppelgangers, mimics), and the captain of the Inquisitors of the city ended up asking us for help... leading us into a mind flayer's lair hidden in the city's sewer system. Upon exploration, we discovered a room that held several people in stasis pods... including the captain we were traveling with.
Turns out the mind flayer had replaced several people in key occupations within the city, some higher up like nobles, others closer to the bottom like bakers who support the food industry. So now our task is to discreetly return the survivors back to their original position without alerting anyone of the conspiracy, especially after the little tidbit of info implying the king is under direct thrall of the mind flayer (who escaped and is still alive, though minus his facial tentacles...)
running a plot similar to this with my current group. oh and Kudos for the Dr Who reference :)
Great story!!! Love the plot twist!
This is sick! You have a wicked mind.
Great video Anto! I tried doing something similar myself with a player but he ended up giving it off... Smh but it was still worthwile lol
I think the reveal is the biggest thing for me. I don't mind if the reveal takes months or only a single session, the paranoia it creates lasts :p
@@IcarusGames Yes! Now they have to doubt everything! Including each other
Brilliant!
I'm running CoS right now for a group and might use a doppelganger for the first fight.
I used a Doppleganger on a high level party. I replaced the local barmaid in their favorite tavern. I pulled out a bad guy they maimed and left for dead when they were 3rd level. He was 7th years later. He waited until they became name level and stupid rich! I (He) simply waited until they were planting a celebration for one of them become 18th level. They went nuts when their entire TREASURE horde was stolen!! They turned on each other and voted to disband. Only when they surrendered control of their PC's to NPC status did they find. Krampus the golden Wizard hired a group of adventures (their new party) to acquire spell components to achieve lich dom. ( The group made fun of their DM because I was shamelessly recycling NPC names. I laughed and sid of wow. I did not noctice that?) Only after they completed the mission and Krampus became lich and the new party (old players) read his devious resume to become a lich did they realize one of their party mate did not turn on them! It was Harikatha the LAWFUL GOOD Barmaid who they TRUSTED with out question who was replaced set them up. ( They made bank by selling off some of their priceless magic items.) Using the mind blank spell with suggestion spells she ( Harikatha ) was returned UNHARMED. One of the old party final actions was to buy the INN for her! Hence as soon as the Barmaid doppelganger stole the items and replaced the treasure with an illusion. Harikatha was returned. They left a holy symbol of MASK as a red herring! It took them 3 gaming sessions until one of them went to get something out oft he treasure horde did they discover the illusion. I gave them a chance to figure it out when she ( Harikatha) unexplainedly posted a end of winter wine list when in fact it was late fall. None of the players noticed it. They too busy accusing each other of theft!! None of them asked why would she make such a fundamental error.
What was that photo around 4:40? I can’t catch the frame in time!
Looks like a man a holding a crystal ball screaming
So, you gave the doppelganger all th PC abilities, and spells? Did that include objects and clothing? Im running LMoP and was thinking of switching Harbin Wester for a doppelganger...
Yeah I gave them everything the PC had.
Would have probably also set off "alarm bells" for the PC's player if they inexplicably *didn't* have all of the items they had before they were absent for that session....especially if they happened to be a more experienced player. By having the Doppelganger have everything the PC had, it helped keep even the player controlling the replaced character in the dark until the actual reveal.
Rebel Flesh was a great episode.
Iknowright?! The way their faces look was so unsettling. Gave me super creeps.
@@IcarusGames And it probably helps that, on top of the unsettling images and serious story, Matt Smith's doctor was my favorite.
I think he's probably my favourite too. For a long time Tennent was my favourite, but I think that overall the storyline for Smith's Doctor was so good. I didn't like Capaldi at first, but his last season really surprised me and his final moments were beautiful. I've still not watched enough of Jodie Whitaker to know where she sits in my ranking, but I've enjoyed what I've seen.
@@IcarusGames I feel like Whitaker is the halfway point between Smith and Capaldi; a mixture of serious and eccentric.
5:38 I thought the video already ended.
Hello, I like this video, but I'm not and English speaker, so I wonder how did you manage the fact that the doppelganger was impersonating a spellcaster. How did he cast spells? And how did you manage the different sheet values between the monster and the wizard? Thank you.
In my world, doppelgangers go through a magical process that makes them into a perfect copy, so they have all the players' spells and abilities.
@@IcarusGames thank you
How did the character eventually make it back? werent they imprisoned and their captor now died?
After the group discovered the wizard was a doppelganger, they mounted a rescue to recover the real wizard the following session!
@@IcarusGames How could they know where he is? Also, I read doppelgangers can keep the link only up to 60feet. Did you change that or lump him around?
@@zkratch They probably could have used something like the Speak With Dead spell on either of the dead Doppelgangers (corpses that Speak with Dead is used on cannot *knowingly* give incorrect information, they answer as truthfully as they possibly can) to discover where he was being held. Or, following the fortune-teller's reading and statement to "Beware the Elf" leading them to think of Shade (and that Shade was most likely the one behind the Doppelganger debacle in the first place), it could have even been simple deduction that their captured friend was most likely being held captive at Shade's manor.
The other players - T-Pain, Soulja Boy and Usher - must have been very surprised.
Non were more surprised than Lil' Kim and her doppelganger, Average Kim.
@@IcarusGames What about Lady Gaga? Did she keep her poker face during the reveal?
It’s a great idea but I wanted more details.
What details are you interested in?
Icarus Games if the doppelgänger didn’t know they were a doppelgänger how did they manage to spy on the party?
@@trappedinamerica7740 In my setting a Doppelganger creates a mental link with their victim, so the bad guys were using detect thoughts on the imprisoned wizard to mine the link between he and the ganger.
Video is quite blurry for me, even on 1080p?
"There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture!" I film in manual focus and from timeto time I will set the focus and sit a few inches forward or back of that point and end up as blurry face for the video. I don't notice until the video is done and in my editing software unfortunately. I am hoping to pick up a fancy new camera in the very near future that has auto focus that isn't a pile of carrion crawler droppings though, so that will solve the issue :D
It wasn’t funny it wasn’t cool it wasn’t okay ( betrayed player) x
How do you know that none of you are doppelgangers in Ashk?
I'm just saying that Eldon is pretty shifty!
Icarus Games I trust nobody
... i actually think i will now replace a character... and not even tell the player they are now playing the doppelganger of themselves... until the reveal. LOL
@@MaleusMaleficarum Honestly, I would suggest that you at least run the idea by the player themselves first (albeit in private). Keep in mind that it's still *their* character at the end of the day, so they should have the right to veto such a scenario if they don't like it, unless it happens naturally in the game. Not consulting the player beforehand could very easily end up just pissing them off by what they could easily view as a "breach of trust". If your players feel like they can't trust *you* as the DM, then that could have very bad consequences for the campaign as a whole.
It was a really good theme but I whould really want it to not be live
Only the premiere has the live chat, the video is available to watch any time now :D