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• Invictus Blood Oaths Sworn in the Suspire Online Vampire the Requiem Chronicle (Good for examples!)

The Oaths

The Invictus is a firmly hierarchical society based on the feudal relationship of lord and vassal. As such, Oaths are what give definition and structure to these relationships. Any kindred can tell you that the Invictus enforce their oaths with firm determination. To break one's word of honor in the Invictus is political suicide, and more often than not, it can lead to a swift execution as well.

In addition to the four main types of oath, that is The Oath of Service, Oath of Fealty, Oath of Defense, and the Oath of the Villein, the Invictus have recourse to a subset of supernatural oaths, the Blood Oaths, which use the mystic powers of the blood to enforce the oath, even some going so far as to aid the sworn kindred in fulfilling his duty.

Regardless of whether the oath is reinforced by a blood oath, the oaths are always written in the swearing kindred's vitae.

Oath of Service

An Oath of Service is the least demanding of the Invictus Oaths. The vassal, or a coterie of vassals, swears to dedicate some of it's nightly energies to pursuing the Lord's agenda. They might be called upon to do various small tasks, but are not expected to entirely forego their personal agendas to look after the Lord's business. Although this oath does imply a definite hierarchy and places the Lord above the vassal(s), it is not generally used when there is an overly wide gap in the relative power and status of the two parties swearing the oath. It is much more likely that an Elder would have a coterie of well respected Ancillae swear this oath.

Breaking an Oath of Service is at the barest minimum considered rude, and in poor judgment, but it is not the most solemn of oaths, and it is unlikely to be punished by anything more than a severe tarnishing of a reputation, and a loss of esteem within the covenant. Being killed over a broken Oath of Service is a rare occurence.

Oath of Defense

The Oath of Defense, unlike the Oath of Service, is an extremely serious oath. To break the Oath of Defense is always grounds for destruction. In Invictus cities, in particular, the foolish kindred or coterie who breaks this oath is liable to find himself bloodhunted for his dishonorable action.

That said, under normal circumstances, the Oath of Defense does not normally actually require the sworn kindred to do anything. The oath only requires that the vassal or coterie which has sworn it return to their elder's side and defend him if he is in danger, and that if they learn of any machination against him they immediately inform the Lord and move to defend him. Naturally this precludes the vassal from working against the elder himself. Because of the nature of this oath a kindred can never swear the Oath of Defense to more than one kindred at a time, and it is often sworn in secret, without the elaborate ceremony ascribed to the other major Oaths.

An Oath of Defense remains in standing until the Lord chooses to let it lapse, or forms a viniculum to any member of the vassal coterie. In addition, any superior to the Lord may take the oath from him, and the vassals would then be sworn to protect their Lord's superior, rather than their Lord directly.

Oath of Fealty

This is by far the most taxing of all Invictus oaths, and it takes precedence over all other Oaths. The vassal in the Oath of Fealty is presumed to be bound by both the Oath of Service and the Oath of Defense to it's lord, and may not then swear any lesser oaths to any other kindred.

The Oath of Fealty demands that the vassal actively and constantly work in his Lord's best interest. They must do anything their Lord asks of them to the best of their ability, and seek to improve upon their Lord's holdings and power.

Such a demanding oath is not lightly sworn, tradition dictates that the coterie or kindred wishing to swear to an elder must come before him and humbly request to become vassals. It is not completely unheard of that a Lord would approach those he sought to make his vassal, but this is only likely in the direst of circumstances.

The Oath of Fealty, for all its severity, is the only oath that readily expires. After a set period, usually a decade, the oath lapses, and must be resworn if both parties wish. The terms may be renegotiated (as the vassal has likely grown more shrewd and more powerful after a decade of such service), and the Lord may dismiss the coterie or vassal entirely.

The Oath of the Villein

The Oath of the Villein is the only oath not written in vitae, for the simple reason that it isn't sworn by kindred. Invictus Retainers will swear this oath which demands loyalty to the covenant as a whole, and in particular to their domitor, until the death of the retainer (and possible subsequent embrace).

This Oath, being for a retainer, is considered relatively minor, and it is not likely that the luminaries of the covenant will turn out to witness it's swearing. The oath is always backed by the viniculum, and it's not hard to imagine the fate of a treacherous retainer in the Invictus.

The Blood Oaths

The Invictus holds these oaths sacred, indeed, but it's elders certainly aren't so trusting as to think no kindred will ever break his word. Especially, then, when they force Non-Invictus kindred to swear to various actions (or against actions). Therefore, it is important for the Invictus to have a powerful enforcement mechanism, and for this they turn to the blood oaths.

Oaths of Avoidance

The Oaths of Avoidance are the only blood oaths likely to be used outside the Invictus, and are the most straightforward of the blood oaths. The swearing kindred writes in his own vitae that he will perform some nightly activity (or that he will not perform some activity) and an Invictus Notary seals the oath will supernatural power of varying degrees, depending on the severity of the oath.

Any of these oaths may be "cancelled" if the Lord to whom they are sworn wipes out the oath with one vitae of his own.

Mutual Oaths

Mutual Oaths is somewhat of a misnomer for this category of Blood Oath, as it implies some sort of parity between the swearing kindred and the elder to whom he swears. Rather, they are called Mutual Oaths because each party has something required of him. In general, the Elder invests some part of his power in the vassal in exchange for some service.

Oaths of Performance

And Oath of Performance is a pledge to complete some task. The Oaths grant a power to aid the sworn kindred in fulfilling his word, but amidst serious drawbacks. As such, the oaths are never taken lightly, though, when they are taken, the sworn kindred are often seen to exert feats of ability far beyond what anyone could imagine them to have been capable of.