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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Umbran" data-source="post: 5099737" data-attributes="member: 177">Here's a tip - actually have the villains roll their disguise and bluff checks (or equivalent, depending on the critter and edition).  There is a tendency for the DM to just assume that the powers work, due to high bonuses.  But eventually they do screw up, and that will lead to inconsistencies or odd details that don't quite add up.Another tip - when the PCs do interact with the disguised villain, make sure that the villain's concerns are accurately represented.  For example - Rakshasa in 3e are particularly vulnerable to Good and Piercing damage, right?  Well, then if the Rakshasa is shapeshifted into the form of the Duke, when the characters are in audience with the fake, the "duke" will insist that nobody brings bows or crossbows into his presence, while the real duke won't.So, as an extension - if the Rakshasa are shapeshifting to disguise themselves as NPCs, make sure the party also meets the real NPCs, so they have points of comparison.If the shapeshifted villain isn't disguising as someone else, but is only disguising their true nature, there's another thing you can use - unexplained knowledge.  Have the PCs meet the villain in two different shapes, people who are unconnected, but somehow both know things that only one of them should know - "How did this barmaid know I liked pea soup?  I've never eaten here before!"</blockquote>