looking for template suggestions

[Brain]

Let me preface this by saying that I'm not a DM and as a player, I purposely steer clear of the monster books or monster sections of books. I'm joining a campaign where we have the option of presenting the DM with a few templates that might or might not become available during the course of the game for our characters. I'm looking for some suggestions that would be appropriate or cool for the character. (looking for flavor and feel, not min/max)

The character is going to be a human rogue/spymaster. Perhaps some sort of shapeshifting template, or maybe one dealing with mind control. Hopefully it wouldn't physically deform the character too much because I'll be relying on the disguise skill rather than magic mostly. The max ECL adjustment allowed would be +3. I'd like to hear any ideas (hopefully with a reference to at least what book it is found in [3.5 preferred, might be able to convert something else])

edit: realized this might be better suited for general discussion. move if that's the case.

 

[Infiniti2000]

There are a few in the BoVD would be very interesting, though they are indeed radical deformations. Specifically, I like reptilian and insectile, both of which would be useful for a rogue/spymaster.

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

wererat (lycanthrope) would be good for a rogue, as would half-elemental (air)

 

[Brain]

wererat (lycanthrope) would be good for a rogue, as would half-elemental (air)

what book(s) are these from?

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

what book(s) are these from?

Lycanthrope is in the Monster Manual (core book III)

Half-Elemental is in the Planar Book

 

[Alzrius]

You can also find the Half-Air Elemental template in this free-for-download adventure.

You might also want to look at the Quasilycanthrope or Entomanothrope templates.

Beyond that, here's a complete list of all the templates you can find for free at Wizards of the Coasts's website:

Acheri (http://wizards.com/dnd/files/mahasarpa.zip)
Aleax (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20030914a)
Ba’traa (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/bs/20040829a)
Bhut (http://wizards.com/dnd/files/mahasarpa.zip)
Blood Ghoul (http://wizards.com/dnd/files/WE_Ghostwalk.zip)
Bloodstained (http://wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/pg20011212b)
Bone Naga (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20040709a&page=4)
Chosen of Deneir (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/fr/deneir)
Disembodied Spirit (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/pg/20030924a)
Drider (http://wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/mm/mm20011118a)
Elemental, Half-, Air (http://wizards.com/dnd/files/OA_Thicker.zip)
Entomanothrope (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040621a)
Frenzy Dog (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/fx20011025a)
Ghost (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20030615b)
Hollow (http://wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/re/re20021021a)
Hooded Pupil (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20041001a&page=3)
Incorporeal Sentinel (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/wn/20030521a)
Jordain-born (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/fr/jordain)
Lycanthrope, Werebat (http://wizards.com/dnd/files/Spider_Queen_enhance.zip)
Magic-Infused Creature (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/al/20041222a)
Mulhorandi Divine Minion (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20050209a)
Multiheaded (http://wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/mm/mm20020621a)
Necromental (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20041015b&page=3)
Plague Carrier (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/pg20011219b)
Quasilycanthrope (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20040721a)
Restless Prey (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fw/20030531a)
Revived Fossil (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20041001a&page=3)
Shadow-Bound (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20030728a)
Skeleton (http://wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/mm/mm20010126a)
Skitterhaunt (http://wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/fw/fw20021123a)
Swordwraith (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040202a)
Valicorn (http://wizards.com/dnd/files/WE_Ghostwalk.zip)
Vampire Lord (http://wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/mm/mm20021018a)
Vhaerath (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20040818a)
Zombie (http://wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/mm/mm20011027a)

 

[Brain]

There are a few in the BoVD would be very interesting, though they are indeed radical deformations. Specifically, I like reptilian and insectile, both of which would be useful for a rogue/spymaster.

I didn't find reptilian and insectile in vile darkness.

 

[IcyCool]

Alzarius, I know you were just pulling templates down from the website, but the Aleax? This isn't a template for a PC, even though I had a player ask for it once.

 

[Magesmiley]

Insectile and Reptile are from Savage Species, not the Book of Vile Darkness. Both will significantly alter your appearance though, so they may not work too well for what you have in mind.

I'd have to say that the various lycanthropes might be one of your better options. The wererat, as was pointed out, in particular might be very handy in spying situations.

Right now, I'm having a tough time coming up with very many that don't significantly alter your appearance. Feral from Savage Species might be concealable, but it lowers Dex and Int if I recall, which may not be desirable for a rogue. There's a half-fey template that might work for you (I want to say that one if from the Monster Manual 2).

 

[Voadam]

Doppelganger is higher ECL but what you are looking for. It is in the MM and the SRD.