Debate summary: The Wards of Fae convinced a crowd that the Blessed Blade of the Glory-Seeker, Sangria, as wielded by God-Emperor Allest, should be kept out of mortal hands and in the Fae Sepulchre at a recent debate. Although the audience, composed of nobles, knights and commoners alike, found the Wards of Fae’s arguments convincing, chief advocate for the Fae Wards’ cause, the Duke Tyrvald Sorenvik, said he suspected most of the audience was sympathetic to the Wards. On the opposing side, Grand Celerial Duke Abelhard Petrou led a rebuttal to the Wards of Fae’s argumentation in stating that Unionists who have the strength to possess the sword should do so on the next warfront, to raise morale. The debate ended with a challenge: That the Grand Celerial Duke Petrou should select the strongest Unionist warrior to fight Fae Warden Wilvamair Arnyn for ownership of the Blessed Blade of the Glory-Seeker, Sangria. Grand Celerial Duke Petrou, joined by Ser Galinthios Diakos of the Villiers-Eclaire Order, argued the sword should be placed in the hands of the Unionist faithful, to be used on the warfront to bolster morale and rally the Regalian armed forces. However, Warden Arnyn opened by stating the Blessed Blade of the Glory-Seeker, Sangria, was wielded by God-Emperor Allest, and not mortals; therefore, mortals would not know to use it in a similar fashion as the God-Emperor, and the blade would fall to misuse and corruption. The Duke Sorenvik further advocated that nobody knows for certain if the Blessed Blade of the Glory-Seeker, Sangria, is in fact the actual blade, or a demonically influenced replica used to deceive Unionists into infighting. Duke Sorenvik further accused Grand Celerial Duke Petrou of hypocrisy, stating the Parthas Ward Kopec, who formerly wielded the blade, was deemed by Petrou to be worthy; yet Warden Arnyn was not, despite retrieving it. Duke Sorenvik further suggested there is an implicit agreement between the Emperor and the Wards of Fae, that the latter may detain artifacts, which he said is derivative of the former contraband laws. Grand Celerial Duke Petrou refuted Warden Arnyn’s statement of corruption, and said that “mortals run the government, man cannons and lead armies, all with the assumption they are competent, loyal and capable.” He denied any accusation of hypocrisy, although he admitted he personally resented Warden Arnyn; and acquiesced that the Wards of Fae do have jurisdiction over artifacts. Grand Celerial Duke Abelhard Petrou is an Evintarian Unionist who rules over Athos and other Etosian lands in the archipelago. Fae Warden Wilvamair Arnyn is a Breizh Unionist, with leanings toward the teachings of Delyth and Eurigfair. Duke Tyrvald Sorenvik, formerly known as Tirioc Mionther, is husband to Lord Commander Viggo Sorenvik, and defines himself as “not a Unionist, not an Old Gods Worshiper and does not believe in the Everwatcher.” Moderator Grand Duke Howland von Schwarzkrau is a Wirtem dogmatic Unionist and a Sergeant in the Viridian Order. ### Moderator’s editorial: Reflections on the argumentation and the path forward I set out with the intent to host this debate given my lack of understanding on the behavior of the parties who sought the Blessed Blade of the Glory-Seeker, Sangria. I wished to understand the personal perspectives of those invested in safeguarding, or using, this artifact, and this debate had a chance of both establishing transparency of intent behind the issue, as well as garnering interest in the affairs of knights by the nobility who all-too-frequently brush an ancient and respected institution under the rug. While the parties of the debate focused on rightful ownership of an artifact that may or may not be Sangria, they did not define what proper use of the artifact entailed. Grand Celerial Duke did define one as worthy of the artifact as a Unionist strong enough to take the blade, citing God-Emperor Allest’s call for strength among Unionists; but this quickly undermined his own point, seeing as the Wards of Fae succeeded in taking it from the Parthas Ward Kopec. Meanwhile, Warden Arnyn said he thought the person who should wield Sangria should be "worthy" and should wield it when “calamity comes to our shores.” Subsequently, everyone left the debate without a clear idea of what defined worthiness and what defined suitable use of the Blessed Blade of the Glory-Seeker, Sangria. The crux of argumentation that evening was latently suggested by the Duke Sorenvik–decidedly not a Unionist. He stated that it is possible, although not proven, that the Blessed Blade of the Glory-Seeker, Sangria, was in fact an imposter blade. He also suggested the blade could have been demonically corrupted to drive a wedge between Unionists. Replica or real, this debate, and weeks of conflict between a coalition of Unionists and the Wards of Fae, demonstrably prove that Unionists have been divided in pursuit of the Blessed Blade of the Glory-Seeker, Sangria. Another question that remained unanswered throughout the debate, that was answered in-part following the debate, is that of Sangria’s prioritization as an artifact to be seized among countless others lost in the Holy City that present more of a threat. Following the debate, Duke Sorenvik rated Sangria as a lower-level artifact, in that it is not as powerful as other artifacts such as the Accursed Blade of the Raven-Lord, Coraveau. The Duke Sorenvik said the Wards of Fae sought to capture Sangria as it was an easier target, and the Wards of Fae lacked the planning and coordination to retrieve the Accursed Blade of the Raven-Lord, Coraveau, “Yet,” the Duke said. I contend that the "yet" must come sooner, than later. There is room for further conversations to be had about the appropriate use of the Blessed Blade of the Glory-Seeker, Sangria, in the future, while it remains stowed in the Fae Sepulchre's vaults. But those conversations pale in relevance to actual harm being done to Unionists and citizens by the Accursed Blade of the Raven-Lord, Coraveau, which is being used by one known as "Haqet" to terrorize good, innocent Regalian citizens. With these thoughts in-mind, I propose all knights in the city gather, set aside the matter of Sangria, and develop an actionable plan to contend with Coraveau–to put a blade that has caused conflict and strife in the Capitol where it can no longer harm the people of Regalia.
