Virtuous Blade of the Hand

Justice, on this day, felt as though it fell too swiftly. It was hasty.
The air fell heavy as the people silently echoed this same sentiment, silenced by the eyes of the Hand as their leader brought the Blade down on our heart.
We dared not shed tears for her, lest we find ourselves subjected to the same gruesome fate.

— Witness account from the execution of Queen Serena Danica Melor Arsaces

A former executioner's blade of the Alabaster Hand, this sword was retired as a sacred relic of the order following its use as the blade that ended the Arsaces Monarchy.

Queen Slayer

At the end of the Fall of Arsaces, this blade was the one used to execute the royal family of Terramarre. Each member of the royal family that the Alabaster Hand was able to track down and capture was brought to the center of their beloved city and publicly executed for all to see.

A Blade's Purpose

The blade was once known simply as the Blade of the Hand, and was used for all executions by the Hand. This executioner's blade was retired after the queen's execution, granted its "Virtuous" title, and displayed over the throne of Aurel as a sacred artifact and as a reminder of what had to be done.
Since its retirement, a new Blade of the Hand was forged, and will take its place as the executioner's blade until it, too, finds its sacred purpose.

The highest virtue of all, to return virtue to our home. For that, it shall be remembered.

Item type

Weapon, Melee

Perspective

The Blade of the Hand was given the title of "Virtuous," following the Queen's execution. High Exarch Antonius Ral decreed that the act of deposing the Arsaces Monarchy was necessary and inevitable. To cleanse the land of all corruption, the corruption at its head was to go first, and this was the most important step.
The people, who loved the Queen, suffered for this loss, though many came to trust the decision of The Alabaster Hand or complied out of fear.