[RPG][FEI][Adv] The Journal of Swainson Hawkestone, Adventurer.

[Diana P.]

September 1st.

My sword Onslaught and I finally spied a few nasty critters.  About time 
too, as my pockets were getting mighty lean.  I won't say much for the 
rest of meself, as lean seems to be the going rate these days.  You'd 
think them noble folk would appreciate the service we're offering, but 
no, can't see their way clear to offering us beast-hunters some tasty 
victuals once in a while.

Although I did hear tell of bounties set by the occasional lord, but the 
rumours fly so thick and fast out here that you'd be a fool to believe 
half of them.

Went poking around for some odds and ends, and what did I find but a 
severed hand tossed in a bush.  Well, I must say there weren't much left 
of it by the time I found it -- worms had chewed half the flesh clean 
off -- but no sooner was I about to throw it back when a gentleman 
passed by and told me he'd give me one silver for it.  One silver for a 
hand!  I never heard the like.  I was downright gobsmacked at the very idea.

Then this gentleman said that it was a thief's hand, cut off for 
stealing, and that certain dark wizardly types use it to make something 
called a Hand o' Glory.  Somehow they set it burning and it protects 
them from robbers.  Well, I didn't understand half what he said nohow, 
but I certain didn't want the thing.  I said he could have it and he 
just grinned, gave me the coin and said he'd "crossed my palm with 
silver".  Leastwise I think that's what he said.  Fair gave me the 
shivers, he did.

I spent that silver on a room to lay my head and get some shut-eye.  I 
don't know why exactly, but I just felt I had to get rid of that coin, 
and right quick too...