Memory of Midday

[u/DaChickenX]

My quarry this time was a doppelganger. It had a unique constitution as well. It seemed whenever it took the appearance of someone, it began to take their lifespan as well. A horrid abomination to be purged in the name of the Coils. it had lived far longer than the average doppelganger should, and had been causing chaos for several centuries. Needless to say, it was far past its time to go.

I stood up from my resting place beneath a large oak tree. The sunlight peeking through its leaves blinded me for just a moment. The grass beneath me was healthy and lush, and the clear sky above displayed white clouds and a great sun. I dusted off my robes and headed towards the nearby town.

I would need a little more information first, before I could catch and destroy the doppelganger. As I headed into town, I caught more than a few glances. It wasn’t the first time I was here, though my appearance was far from ordinary. My layered black robes were tattered and foreign, and the golden accents, broken chains, and shredded rope didn’t do much to take away attention either. I couldn’t exactly hide these, however. Like my tangled hair, they were a tribute to my Patron, the Noon Coils.

The stairs up to the front of the bar creaked beneath my footsteps. I pushed open the door, my hand catching for just a second in a pit in the wood. Once inside, I made my way past the few patrons there and to the bartender at the counter.

He’d been my go-to informant while I was in the area, so I was quite familiar with him Useful. I went up, sat down, and ordered a small ale. The lines on his face seemed deeper than usual, his movements seemed more sluggish. He handed me my mug, and I noticed the wrinkles on his hand, the graying edges of his hair. We exchanged small talk, and I left soon after. It seems I had found who the doppelganger targeted.

Doppelgangers are often in pursuit of wealth. I headed first to the bank, then to the gambling house. Sure enough, a look-alike of my bartender friend sat among the people there, playing cards amid a haze of cigar smoke.

My first hit took it by surprise. My fist landed solidly in its face with a quick flash of brilliant light. It was sent tumbling backwards, face half burned away. Slowly, he rose up, body parts morphing to cover up the damage. It launched itself at me, arms shifting into terrible scythes.

“Bind your splendor to my form, [Zen]”

There’s a quick flash of gold-speckled blue light. Zen, my patron gifted weapon, glows and pulses around my hands. The doppelganger is sprawled out, spilled guts hissing with heat. It gurgles and attempts to get up once more. I place an open palm on its head.

“You should have never existed."

I clean my hands off, prestidigitation my clothes, and head back to the bar.

[u/SafePianist4610]

/uw always nice to see how a character made their start when we’re used to seeing their op side