Crusader's Protectorate
- "The general watched in horror as what appeared to be a purple bolt of light ripped through his troops like butter."
- - The Flames of War: Nioca's Final Chapter
Crusader's Protectorate is a shortsword normally used by Nioca. With a dark blade, a purple hilt, and a violet nimbus, this blade is an unusual magical artifact. It's designed for priestly use; aside from amplifying a priest's powers, it also turns the priest's proficiency into proficiency with a sword, effectively turning any divine channeler into an expert swordsman. This isn't skill, however; it only seems to apply when that particular blade is wielded, and, according to eyewitness account, it seems that the blade, “guides itself”.
It also has a particularly nasty enchantment on it; any wound to a humanoid caused by it will gain a dark purple aura and suddenly start hemorrhaging life force. While the effect is mercifully brief, it can cause severe distress, weakening, or even death of the person wounded. The same applies to demons and hellspawn, who seem particularly vulnerable to it. It also, upon a fatal wound, will draw some of the life out of the dying enemy into the wielder, healing the wielder's wounds.
Rumors hold that this is the same Crusader's Protectorate that was forged in the Vrolsa Settlement in Aizo. However, there are some discrepancies. While this Protectorate will drain the life force of a foe to the wielder on a fatal blow, the one from Vrolsa reportedly did no such thing. Additionally, the Vrolsa Crusader's Protectorate lended powerful protective shielding to it's wielder, while this Protectorate has no protective aspects.
Furthermore, Crusader's Protectorate has also been (mistakenly) called Excalibur, for it's healing properties.
Since the events of The Flames of War arc, Jewels has since gained possession of the sword.
