[RPG] Are Assassins the only Class/Archetype that have the ability to create fake identities

assassindnd-5e

Are Assassins the only Class/Archetype capable of creating fake identities? I know that the Charlatan Background grants you a False Identity with the proper identification to establish it as real, but as for creating more False Identities it would seem as if the Assassin's Infiltration Expertise ability is the only way to do so, with the cost of 25gp and 7 days of work.

The character I am working on is a Bard with the Charlatan background that uses their Disguise Kit and the Disguise Self spell in order to be assume numerous different identities. These are identities that they would use regularly depending on the occasion. Now, this is usually just a simple "use Deception to convince them you are who you say you are for the moment," but I was wondering if there is a way for my character to establish credibility for these other identities in the same way the False Identity feature is set up?

I don't want to have to put 9 Levels into Rogue just to add credibility to new identities, so I was wondering if their is any way for my character to attempt the same thing the Infiltration Expertise ability allows, however, obviously, not as effectively or efficiently, such as a higher gold cost and more time spent to establish credibility?

Best Answer

Charlatan Background has the feature:

FEATURE: FALSE IDENTITY You have created a second identity that includes documentation, established acquaintances, and disguises that allow you to assume that persona. Additionally, you can forge documents including official papers and personal letters, as long as you have seen an example of the kind of document or the handwriting you are trying to copy.

The big difference between that and the Rogue feature, that I can is this:

[Y]ou can unfailingly create false identities for yourself. Vou must spend seven days and 25 gp to establish the history, profession, and affiliations for an identity. ... Thereafter, if you adopt the new identity as a disguise, other creatures believe you to be that person until given an obvious reason not to.

So, Charlatan gives you one identity you can reliably take on without checks. The Rogue ability allows you to put in time and money to create new identities without checks.

Without those, you'd have to do skill checks for deception, forgery, disguise, etc. each time a situation came up while you're pretending to be someone else.

Say you want to attend a royal ball. You can put on fancy clothing, perhaps making a skill check. Now you have to make a skill check to see if you can behave like royalty. If the guy at the door asks to see your patent of nobility, you better hope you already made one and passed the forgery skill check. You get in, and conversation is going on about who knows the latest gossip about the baron... Do you even know the baron? Better roll to see if...

All of those rolls goes away with these features. But there is nothing stopping you from trying anyway, and with good luck you might pull it off. And if not, it'll be a lot of fun.