The Kings Hands

Within the Southern Lands there is a great emphasis centered around the afterlife. The origins of this practice dates back to the Empire of Undran, which sought to rival the Iktan Magocracy. In order for someone to fully reach the afterlife, an effigy had to be made of them. The depiction of them is closely related to how they appear once they reach the afterlife, and the material used a sign of the stability that they would have once passed. The poor would use clay, or wood which caused the person to have a physical body when they arrive, though the face and physical features may be off, causing confusion within the afterlife. Wealthy individuals would be remembered through chiseled stone, their features and status apparent. Those that could not afford, or were unable to receive one come to the next world without a body, unable to speak or be seen, wandering across the misty void.
Many evil rulers have come and gone, however. Despite their statues being placed in the Gardens of the Fallen along the great heroes, there is a greater chance of these being targeted. 'To alter the statue, is to change the body within the afterlife', is a common belief although it is unknowable if this is true. Sometimes those that have suffered under an unjust king, a beastly knight, or an oath-breaker will sneak into the Gardens of the Fallen in order to sever the hands of the statues. At times the Guardians of the Gardens will turn a blind eye to this matter, or will attempt to stop the unwelcome intruders. To take away the hands of the statue is to do so within the afterlife, marking the individual as unworthy of their rewards and causing them to be forever helpless, keeping them from the wonders to be found. It is a cruel means to an end, reserved only for the most heinous of people.
Gothar of the Iron Chain is one of the most well known individuals who engaged in this practice, for he took not only the hands, but the bust of his former master which has since fashioned into a mace.

Base Price

200 gp