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Artifact 12-10-05, 12:47 PM

“2” (Template) A character who acquires the “2” template is essentially a magical clone of another character. With this template, there are two separate individuals: the original and a clone (who bears the template). The pair exists simultaneously but are completely independent of one another. They are (usually) physically identical, although there are always substantial personality differences (which creates a psychological conflict in the double to eliminate the “imposter”). Creating a “2” templated character This acquired template can be added to any creature type (referred to hereafter as the “character” (or the “double” when the templated character is referenced). She uses all the character’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here. Special Qualities: A character with this template has all the special qualities of the original character, and is also constantly protected by a mind blank spell-like effect. The DM is encouraged to distinguish the two characters further by providing specific traits that have no actual in-game effect. For example: the double’s voice may echo oddly or sound hollow; the double is left-handed, while the original is right-handed, etc.. Challenge Rating: Same as the character +1. . Alignment: Always diametric opposite. Level Adjustment: Same as the character. Design Notes: Although evenly matched most every respect, the CR of the original and the double are not equal. The double’s CR is increased by one over the original’s because she has access to wealth and useful magical items beyond the sort of treasure an NPC of her level would normally use (i.e. the double is equipped as a PC, rather than an NPC. See Table 5-1 Character Wealth by Level on page 135 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide for guidelines on how to equip PCs). This template is conceived as a unique opportunity for a PC to face a “mirror image” of herself (an NPC controlled by the DM). Facing one’s double is an often used theme in science fiction and fantasy stories. Some examples of this popular theme include: • In the original Star Trek television series, the crew confronts evil versions of themselves in the classic episode “Mirror, Mirror”. This “crossover” theme was further explored in several episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. • In the PlayStation video game Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the noble Alucard fights a twisted doppleganger of himself. Additional Notes: By default, a character who acquires the “2" template is defined as a “magical” clone of another character. If the Expanded Psionics Handbook is used however, such a character may instead be defined as a “psionic” clone. The character gains the psionic subtype, and as a special quality, is constantly protected by a personal mind blank psi-like effect (see the Expanded Psionics Handbook for details on the psionic subtype and the personal mind blank power description). A sample character and her "evil" twin: Ekaterina Ekaterina works as an “eye for hire” in and around Marsember. Personality: Kat, as she is often called by friends, has an inquisitive nature and loves puzzles and riddles. Her curiousity often gets her into no end of trouble however, She ignores the saying, “Curiosity killed the cat” and instead lives by the adage, “A cat always lands on her feet”. Despite her moniker, Ekaterina has no particular fondness for cats, although she often appreciates their antics. Physical Description: Kat is a short, tomboyish woman in her early twenties. She has short brown hair and bright green eyes. Her clothes are of common cut but always kept neat and clean. Kat has a “cat-scratch” on her left cheek, a scar inflicted during a fateful fight with a magically summoned, evil "twin" of herself. Quote: “Really? Let me see . . . Kat is a mid-level rogue. She fights two-handed with a pair of +1 nine lives short swords. She refers to each sword indiscriminately as Catspaw. The nine lives* special ability only functions when the short swords are carried as a pair, otherwise they are treated as simple +1 weapons. (*This special ability was originally presented in the Magic of Faerun accessory as Doomwarding. Except for a increased maximum of 9 charges, Nine Lives is identical to the Doomwarding special ability). And now, the "evil" twin: Ekaterina2 Ekaterina2 is a magical twin of Ekaterina. The two are physically identical: Kat2 however, is completely evil. The two fought until Kat2 vanished, apparently defeated. The only item left behind was a mirror version of Catspaw, Kat’s magical short sword. Kat2 was not destroyed as believed however: whisked away by mysterious magic seconds before defeat, she has kept a low profile, patiently waiting for the right time and place for a rematch with her twin. There are a few differences between the two: Kat2 has a “cat-scratch” on her right cheek, not her left. Also unlike her twin, Kat2 has a definite fondness for cats. In fact, her feline companions are the only true friends she has, and the only creatures for which Kat2 has any kindness or compassion. Legends and Lore: No one seems to know exactly how Kat2 came into existence. Rumor persists that high clerics of the god Mask (a church fond of complex plans and intricate plots) had a hand in her creation. For what purpose she was created also remains a mystery. One thing is certain however; Kat2 will eventually have to answer to the enigmatic entity who granted her life. Kat2 is oblivious to the fact that she is essentially a clone; believing she is the original Kat, she will stop at nothing to eliminate her “imposter” and retrieve Catspaw. She recently avoided being killed by an Clan Ardu assassin, who mistook her for the original Kat. She has convinced the senior leaders of Clan Ardu (as well as herself) that she never renounced her vow of loyalty; Kat2 insists that she was somehow replaced by an imposter, and it was this imposter who actually betrayed the family. Kat2 has now “returned” to Clan Ardu and is patiently making plans to eliminate her betrayer. Quote: “Let me see that . . .” Special Notes: Kat2 is constantly protected by a mind blank spell-like effect. The following are role-playing abilities with no actual in-game value: Kat2 casts no reflection nor any shadow; this is a major source of distress for her and she avoids mirrors and reflective surfaces whenever possible. If forced to confront her lack of reflection, she quickly becomes enraged. Such is the extent of her love for cats, that Kat2 can easily befriend any domesticated cat. In return, any cat that accepts her overtures of friendship is unfailingly loyal to her. When Kat2 sleeps, she dreams just like anyone else. The dreams of her sleep however, are not her own. The dreams are actually those of her twin; Kat2 is unable to dream of her own accord. Other than this unique connection, the two do not share any kind of mental bond, nor are they able to read each others thoughts.