The Hate Stick

This artefact was recovered from ashes next to the River Torrens

The Hate Stick is a part of the blackened remains from a particularly enthusiastic effigy burning on the banks of the River Torrens. The fire itself was extinguished by urine, further symbolising the continued ill-feeling towards the mocked.

The Hate Stick is said to have once been part of the True Cross, perverted and twisted to serve the forces of darkness. Its finish has been carefully preserved after the burning and it sports a red handle, since it is said that to directly touch the surface of the Hate Stick without preparation will scour your soul from your mortal frame and send it screaming into Hell. The small cotton gourd which is attached comes from the ancient city of Ayutthaya, deep within the Siamese Empire, and contains the foul remnants of other burnings. This bag cannot be opened except to deposit new tokens of hatred, accumulated in burning ceremonies attended by the bearer of the Hate Stick, and is said to open directly onto a screaming void from which no man has returned alive. The Hate Stick is a powerful totem of The Religion of Hate and its emmanations greatly disturb humans who cleave to the side of "goodness".

There is one other artefact of similar structure remaining from this event. Both were used as a support for the crude effigy, fashioned from blue plastic sheeting and a polyester soccer shirt.