Hail to the Guardians of Light!

Greetings, worthy advisaries of the East. Long have the Maldaathi and
the Paladins been at opposite ends of the battlefield, each trying to
best the other. Indeed, the struggle will continue until one of us
stands victorious, the other utterly defeated.

I stand before you today to issue an honourable challenge to a grand
tournament of arms, that we may test our best warriors against each
other. It is my hope that this shall offer us a rare opportunity to find
out which one of us is likely to be the victor when the dust has settled
after the final battle.

I am aware that some of you will protest that combat skill is not the
only way to conduct a conflict. Indeed some would quite rightfully point
out that it is a clash of ideologies: that of the Seven Truths versus
the Holy Codex of the Church. To that all I can say is that we could sit
and argue philosophy from now until eternity, neither one of us
convincing the other that we are right.

So while I agree the point is valid, I strongly suspect a tourney of
philosophers would more likely send the rest of Sapience to sleep than
make any kind of coherant point. Whereas a tournament of combat is much
more simply decided - the one who is still standing wins, the one who is
dead loses. The one who accepts the challenge commended, the one who
weasels his way out of it treated with contempt and ridicule.

So what say you? Are there any among you who posess the strength of will
and combat prowess to respond to the challenge? Have the Paladins
retained their ideals now they are called "The Guardians of Light"? Do
you still have what it takes to stand up to us, or did your honour and
chivalry die with the switch from a Guild of Knights to a multi-skilled
House?

I await your response with baited breath.

High Lord Belzander Vallah
High Lord Malificence of the Maldaathi

Penned by my hand on the 21st of Daedalan, in the year 398 AF.