Doppelgangers

- A lore contest entry by EagleWind13

"Doppelgangers are rare and elusive creatures. But, they are curious creatures as well, and the long to be human more than anything else. Their world is a dull one, devoid of color and lacking of emotion. The only way to experience these things is for them to take on the form of another humanoid. Humans are their preferred target because of their creativity and variety. Doppelgangers have the rare ability to mimic other creatures nearly perfectly."

Habitat
Doppelgangers can be found deep in forests or living in thick swamps, trying to avoid prying gazes and unwanted attention. As they age, they will start to move closer towards human settlements, drawn to the activity that they long to have. They often will not linger near a human settlement much past the time needed to find a target for their mimicry and then will blend into a crowd.

Biology
Doppelgangers are humanoid creatures, bipedal in nature, with patchy colored skin. Their skin sometimes looks almost scaly, but is generally smooth to the touch and can vary in color and shade. Most commonly, they have more of a greenish or brown skin naturally and have minor control over how they appear to help them blend into their surroundings. Their eyes are almost always a bright green or blue and have slits not unlike a feline. They have a crest on their skull, making the shape distinctly in-human, with frills along their cheeks and neck. Their species is completely agender, and much of their biology is unknown.

Sociology
Doppelgangers are generally solitary creatures, only living with another while raising their young. They mature quickly, and then move on to their solitary live. However, they are drawn to the social aspects of human life and try to integrate themselves into other societies when they can. They do not enjoy a solitary lifestyle, but when they are not disguised live apart more for their own safety than anything else.

Trivia
While not usually seen in their natural form; each doppelganger is entirely unique. Their patterns and colorations are as varied as a human’s fingerprint.