Oath of Fealty

From SuspireWiki

The most absolute of the Invictus oaths, an Oath of Fealty binds the coterie to serve its lord without fail or question. Swearing fealty to an elder leaves no room for a coterie to swear any lesser oaths to another elder. It presumes and supercedes the oaths of Service and Defense, and it incorporates the additional stipulation that the coterie will proactively and independently seek to work in its lord’s best interest in all ways. Coteries swear an Oath of Fealty to a powerful liege might find themselves in the very thick of elder politics, which is generally very educational, but it is also unlikely to leave the coterie with much time to pursue its members’ own agendas.

Only under tremendously dire circumstances would an elder approach the members of a coterie asking them to swear an Oath of Fealty. Invictus tradition stipulates that a coterie must humbly approach an elder whose vassals they wish to be. The elder then asks how the Kindred wish to serve him and informs them of what he’s willing to do for them in exchange. If both sides are satisfied with the terms, the formal ceremonies are scheduled. Should one or both sides not like the terms, tradition indicates that negotiations may take place between the two parties. If that is not sufficient to resolve differences, both parties are free to go their separate ways, and no harm is done — at least theoretically.

A coterie swearing the Oath of Fealty to a lord is likely to be kept quite close to that lord. They operate in whatever capacity he desires them to, from valets to account managers to assassins. The relationship between lord and vassals can become very intense, and many lords resort to the Vinculum with their vassals, so they can be sure that their trust is well placed. A coterie is likely to swear an Oath of Fealty if their liege is uncommonly powerful, or if they’re expecting an unusual degree of assistance from her. Unlike other oaths, the Oath of Fealty is sworn for only a year or a decade at a time. At the end of that period (agreed upon before the oath is sworn), both the liege and the vassal coterie have the option of rethinking the agreement. The elder can dismiss the coterie, ask more of it or promise more compensation. For its part, the coterie can ask for more compensation or stipulate any other changes it wants made before agreeing to another term of duty.

As with the Oath of Defense, breaking an Oath of Fealty is grounds for immediate and severe retribution.

Example Swearing

The ceremony is preceeded by a canting of the Oath maker, Oath acceptor, and Witnesses respective lineages, by a respected Player if one is available, or by a Speaker if not. in cases where neither is available, one will generally be brought in to preside over the ceremony.

{Oath maker's part to oath acceptor}

I, [Oath maker's name] stand here before those assembled to give the bonds of Fealty to [Oath acceptor], making [him/her] my liege. I shall come to my liege at his/her need, and serve his/her interests.

I shall endevour to provide sucess to my liege, and avert failure. I shall grant my liege that which [he/she] desires of me. I shall be their vassal untill such time as he/she releases me [time period here ex: "in one year's time"]. I swear that which superscedes all other oaths given by my tounge and hand.

Oath maker kneels before Oath acceptor, bowing his head as low as he can.

{Oath acceptor's part}

I, [Oath acceptor's name] do acknowledge the grave oath given here. As lord and leige to [Oath maker's name]. I shall be just and not abuse my vassal, nor shall I use [him/her] wantonly. I shall share the rewards of sucess, and provide for my vassal. I shall expect sucess, but also work towards it myself. And I shall grant my vassal the [reign/use] of [list specific thing here. Domain/ghoul/house/ect..]. Of this I do swear and grant, taking [oath maker's name] as my vassal and accepting the noblesse oblige of lord to vassal.

Oath acceptor puts his/her hand on Oath maker's head.

{Invictus witnesses reply}

We the Invictus do hear [Oath maker's name]'s solemn Oath to serve [Oath acceptor's name]'s will for the period agreed. We see that his/her desires are true, and that he/she will not break faith with [Oath acceptor's name], his/her liege.

Rise, [Oath maker's name], and tell us why we should give you our blessings.

Oath maker stands, turning to the Invictus witnesses.

{Oath maker's reply}

It is in the spirit of the First Estate that I swear, it is in the spirit of honor and Order that I swear, it is in the spirit of trust and obedience that I swear. I will serve my liege without fail, in all things will I obey. From this moment until the time of our agreement, I am his/her hand.

There is a customary moment of deliberation on the part of the Invictus, where the witnesses turn away from the potential liege/vassal and discuss if they feel it necessary, then turn back.

{Invictus witnesses reply}

We find [Oath maker's name] to be a just and solemn vassal, and [Oath acceptor's name] to be a fair and honorable liege. Therefore, we give our approval to this union of liege to vassal, until such time as [date of the Oath's ending], or until death breaks [Oath maker's name]'s bonds. Go and serve [Oath acceptor's name] with the blessings of the Invictus.

This is traditionally the end of the ceremony, though variations include the passing around of a chalice of the oath maker's blood mingled with the oath acceptor's, symbolizing the bond to be formed between the two.

Heard and Witnessed.

Atlanta Notes

The Timeframes for Oath of Fealty have been altered, to fit in with Suspire Time The lesser 1 year oath lasts for 2 months real life time, while the longest 10 year oath lasts for 6 months real life time.