And just because an item is cursed doesn’t make it useless. A creative mind can find cursed items to be a wondrous thing! For example, there is a beast that looks much like a bag of holding. Anyone unfortunate enough, such as an envious party member, to put their hand inside is likely to lose it, or perhaps their entire life! Those who are sucked in are never seen again. A handy way to dispose of bodies.

At the same time, icons of faith are likewise not always as useful as one might think. I’m reminded of an adventure of mine from long ago. Or, rather, a pause in the adventure.

We’d rolled into a village, planning on staying for a week or two. However, the local temple bothered me. I can’t recall who it was dedicated to offhand, but there was something that drove me mad about it. I spent my days and nights obsessing over what put me on edge about its activities.

And then I witnessed a young boy come with an icon that he had made of mud. Oh! The pride that he felt, in that stupid, foolish way that only children can. He presented it to the priest, who accepted it and gave him token words of encouragement. He sent the youngster off before tossing it away. It was a forgettable moment, one that you, dear reader, have probably witnessed yourself countless times.

And yet, in that one moment, everything became clear to me. This whelp of a child had put his heart and soul into making this one icon, and yet this temple was producing them by the cartload, shipping them off to parts unknown!

I immediately geared up for battle and challenged them all, one by one. As they fought, I felt that which has become frustratingly familiar to me now, the favor of a divine entity bestowed upon me. It only made me fight that much more furiously. But fear not, gentle reader! I did not slaughter the temple to a man! Indeed, none of them died.

No, I wanted them to watch as I ensured these icons that they had made were destroyed. These soulless articles of faith torn asunder. It was only when I was done that I retrieved that dirt token and placed it upon the altar with the utmost reverence. I prayed to the temple’s god, or goddess, whichever. I prayed that they would be pleased with the offering that I bestowed upon them.

And they were.

You see, my dear friend, there was a vast difference between the boy’s efforts and theirs. If you cannot put forth the effort that will cause you to take pride in the work that you perform for your faith, how can your god take pride in it?

Ah, but I get off track.

Another item that is invaluable, that any well-respected adventurer, vagabond or fortune seeker should never leave home without, is a bottle of vinegar. Trust me, if you can only take one thing with you, take the vinegar. I have let so much gear burn to ash, taking care only to save mine. I have not yet come across a situation that could not be resolved or at least helped by my trusty old vinegar bottle. You see