By Kevin Salcedo (ciaran@zipnet.com) (15 April 1996)
Throwbacks from times long before the Sundering, the Doppelganger were once true Pooka. As the Dark Ones began to rise in number, a small band of Pooka Grumps took it upon themselves to try and find a unique way of dealing with the insurgence of these foul atrocities. Their Kithain brethren were either, in their eyes, too unaware of the threat of these vile creatures or, simply, "going about it the wrong way." The Redcaps were "fighting fire with fire" by beating the Dark Ones to a pulp whenever they found them (which got rid of, at least for awhile the offenders, but they still came). The Sidhe were too convinced that the power of the Dark Ones was limited to affecting humans, and therefore, they posed no immediate threat. The first of the Doppelganger, known as the Progenitors, were convinced that the only way to keep Darkness from overtaking the Dreaming, was to subvert them from the inside.
So, the Progenitors began to delve into the essence of their tricksterish nature and their innate ability to shift into other forms. They accumulated vast amounts of arcane knowledge about various creatures of a shapeshifting nature -- including showing the Kithain the nature of Cainite Disciplines after stumbling upon the essence of Protean, and the day-to-day struggles of the Lunar-bound Garou -- and made a startling discovery regarding their own nature. Employing the aid of a Verbena ally, the Progenitors allowed themselves to be molded into a new being. Their shifting nature was unlocked, allowing them to shift into any form at will, expending Glamour to assume any desired form. In fact, their master over shape-changing increased to such a degree that changing into their Pooka animal form could be achieved without the expenditure of Glamour. But something went horribly wrong in the process...
As the Kithain Djinn will often tell, "all great gifts have a price," and the price the Progenitors paid was dear; its consequences staining their ilk for all time. Shortly after the "Shouldering," as it is referred to by the Kith, the Progenitors began to notice strange reactions in their Kithain brethren to their presence. Most were suddenly uneasy around the small band of experimentalists, while others shuddered with fear. An amazing and horrifying discovery was made. Those of their ilk began to notice a shroud of darkness enveloping their bodies. Over time, all that the Kithain around them could see was a "shadow" visage -- an empty form of blackness -- where once a Pooka form stood. But that was only half of the truth. The Progenitors looked at others in their group and saw easily behind that dark veil that enwrapped their form which enclosed a hideous monstrosity molding itself from their body. Hideous and frightful to behold, the Progenitors fled from each other, unwilling to face the truth of their "great power."
Over the years, the numbers of Doppelganger roaming the earth have remained few. Born of Pooka stock, most Childlings either cannot endure their fate and end their lives, or are killed by Sidhe and Redcaps for being "impure abominations." This Kith tends to keep a lonely life; friends are rare, and when true friendship is found it is a treasure held beyond any other. They hardly ever band together, as only they can easily see their true forms. The only time when two Doppelganger are assured to come together is during their short Fosterages. Their lives tend to be simple ones, and they are almost always arriving someplace in constant transit. Many attempt to set down roots, but this almost always proves short-lived.
The Seelie Doppelganger are a pitiful lot. Most try to find a means to endure their lives on the planet by hiding their sorrow in joyful activities. It is not uncommon to find a member of this Kith roaming with Pooka, pranking the locals, or partying with Satyrs, drowning their woes in drink. They are, despite their natures, quite beautiful in their Guise (see Frailties). Their Appearance is almost never below 2. Of course that is only a mask. The Unseelie are menacing and cruel, almost exceeding the capacity for violence of their Unseelie Redcap brethren. Driven by hate and remorse, they are a kind usually best avoided.
Wilders are just beginning to acquire an understanding of the loss they are about to experience. By this time, they have lost many of their close friends as the Shroud is visibly emerging. Those who show their True Form to their kind are often shunned and cast out or destroyed outright. Their eyes, strangely, have begun to emit a slight luminescence. Additionally, subtract 2 from the Wilders True Form Appearance.
Grumps are, by this time very alone and sullen. Very few ever make it to this stage in life. Those who do are often wise in the ways of life beyond compare. At this point in the Change, their True Form has become so vile to look at, that they have chosen to seek out a life of solitude. Their companions are gone, their loves departed, their hopes dying. All too often, Doppelganger Grumps will allow themselves to succumb to Banality, losing knowledge of their Kith, and therefore, losing the pain that goes with it. Grumps True Forms always have an Appearance of 0.
Others have simply put aside their purpose to attempt to forget their pain. In doing so, they follow the ways of the Pooka, becoming actors, comedians and pranksters extrodinaire. Often, the gifted find a way to accomplish both.
Arcanos: The Doppelganger have a history deep-rooted in the occult. From the time of their Fosterage, they are informed of the presence of the Dark Ones as well as the Prodigals. For this reason, all Doppelganger are automatically given one point in Occult, even if it brings them over five.
The Shroud: As the Doppelganger begins to use her Faultae more and more and her True Form begins to twist into a hideous creation of nightmare and terror, she utters forth a Banal reaction to protect herself. A veil of darkness begins to cover her Fae self and more and more of her visage begins to fade away as time goes by. By the time he is a Grump, nothing is left to the immediate eye but a shadowy form, a void-like outline of what she once was with the glowing eyes of a Pooka staring out of the darkness. If one concentrates it is possible to see the Doppelganger's Guise. Those who have a high affinity for seeing past disguise (Vampires with Auspex of 3 or more, Garou with Sense the Unnatural, etc.) are able to see past the Shroud and the Guise by rolling Perception + Occult versus the Doppelganger's Willpower. It is rumored that Grumps of this Kith have become so attuned to their Shroud that they can manipulate it to expand and cover an entire room. Such reports are made more to scare the populace into fear of these Kithain.
Guise: The purity the Dopplegaanger once knew as Pooka is lost, but their nature is not entirely forgotten. Doppelganger have what is called a Guise to help them exist in the Fae culture. Just as Changelings have a human and Fae appearance, those of this Kith go a step further and mask their True Form to those around the of the Kithain. As time goes by, however, the Guise begins to be lost as Banality overtakes them and the Shroud enwraps them. The Shroud is a means to cover the parts the Guise can no longer hide. One advantage to this is that Doppelganger can shift between their Human and Animal Guises at no cost. It is now a simple "trick." Their True Form hides beneath the Guise like an onion with three layers. You must peel back the outer two layers, the Shroud, then the Guise, in order to see the flesh-horror of the True Form.
Outcasts: Because of their history, Doppelganger are often regarded with contempt and hatred. Sidhe view them as suspicious and more outlandish Redcaps see them as abominations of the Fae. Garou are often slow to endure them; ( Red Talons, Get of Fenris and Black Spiral Dancers will pretty much kill them on sight ) even the Fianna are not so easy to gain confidence from. Those who actually make friendships and Oaths with Doppelganger are true friends, for they must also endure some of this scorn.
Awakened Amongst Dreamers: Because of the trauma Doppelganger undergo during their Awakening, they must take one permanent derangement and an additional permanent Banality point.
Lost Ones: The Dreaming is so sundered from the Doppelganger that they have to struggle at times to grasp abilities which other Kithain take for granted. Although their Shroud and Guise keep them safe from the constant threat of Banality such as the Sidhe have to endure, they are rather removed from the lot of the Kithain. For this reason, no Doppelganger can gain the Background Gremayre.
Eshu: Nice folks. They know what a life of travel is like. And they'll listen to your tale if you offer them some hospitality.
Nockers: Trinkets, baubles, whatever. Not a single thing they make has any bearing on the big picture. A magic doorbell...ahh...nice (toss).
Pooka: Ahhh... Brother... if you only knew. But ignorance is bliss. Come, won't you let me in for a night?
Redcaps: They defeat themselves in their approach to the Dark Ones. But they do get things done quick, I'll grant them that. Course, its hell having to clean up the mess.
Satyrs: The light in my raincloud, the cream in my tea. These Brethren are to be admired for finding joy in this hellhole we call home.
Sidhe: Goddamn fops. They didn't get it then and they won't get it now... Hand em a mirror and let them sit in a corner for awhile.
Sluagh: Wisps of life. But they know more than they let on. Never trust one. And if he starts starin' watch out for yer Guise!
Trolls: Honorable and Strong. When the End Time comes, you can be sure they'll stand by us.
Garou: Our brethren and compatriots in many ways, especially the Metis. But be wary, they have means to seek your True Form, and ignorance of our cause has ended many an optimistic Doppelganger.
Cainites: So close to the Darkness and so blind to the oblivion that awaits them. Only those touched by madness seem to open to the Dreaming and its salvation.
Magi: The Verbena is our ally. Never, under any circumstances deny one of these cousins compassion. To do so is to spit upon our very essence. Be wary of the Hermetics. They would quickly seek to 'understand' us. Such endevours kill too many of our ilk.
Wraiths: Are they truly part of the Essence of the Dreaming? Our kind is too absorbed with the corporeal threats of the Darkness. But, perhaps it would be wise to err on the side of caution.
Dauntain: We are too close to the edge, my brethren. Seek not the company of these of the Awakened, lest you slip away from the Dreaming forever.