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The Oath of the Compact of Cottonopolis

Usually invoked during times of emergency, the Oath of the Compact of Cottonopolis is one to share resources, provide sanctuary to those who need it, and to cooperate in defending magic from those who would destroy it.

For those who obey the oath, it will grant extra Willpower, Quintessence or Glamour at key points in the story, as well as adding five dice to everyone when defending the city's magic for the purposes of invoking the Dragon's Ire. This includes mages, who can't normally gain this benefit. (Successes on the Dragon's Ire roll add extra dice to every combat manoeuvre or attack for the remainder of the scene in which it was invoked.)

In addition, mages will see chimerical reality and won't succumb to the Mists.

Breaking the oath, however, such as by refusing sanctuary to an ally or refusing to defend magic, would result in the loss of a permanent dot of Willpower.

The requirement to defend others or freeholds is not an oath to the death, but the oath still applies even if following it would put the oathbound person at risk of harm.

The oath will last as long as the city is in a state of emergency, or until the end of the story (whichever comes first).

The oath is:

We come together, sons of Man
and sons of Tuatha De Danaan.
We shall strive for justice and for right,
to protect magic from banal might.
We shall uphold the ways of truth.
To the ways of old, bind us for sooth.
We shall be fair, we shall stand tall.
We shall fight together or not at all.

The Oath of Clasped Hands

Blood for blood, bone for bone,
life for life, until only we stride the earth.
My life is in your hands, my blood is in your veins.
Hold me well and I will lend you my strength,
break your bond and may we both perish.
Friendship, I swear to you,
an oath of clasped hands and shared hearts.

This oath is never made lightly; these words are only for those who feel a bond for a friend as strong as any they might feel for a lover. To make this oath, the oathmakers" hands are clasped around a double-edged blade while the words are spoken. As the blood of the oathmakers is mixed, their friendship is reaffirmed and strengthened. Makers of this oath gain a Willpower point when it completed, but lose two if it is ever broken.

The Oath of Fealty

I swear fealty unto you, lady/lord.
Your command is my desire,
and your request my desire.
May my service always please,
and may my sight grow dark if it does not.
As the tides to the moon, my will to yours, my liege.

This is the wording of the formal Oalh of Fealty, commonly used at investitures, knightings and Sainings. Speaking the words of this oath requires the investment of one Willpower point, and a formal obeisance that lasts a full quarter-hour must be made. Once the oath is taken, the difficulties of all resistance rolls against any form of mental domination are reduced by two. Breaking this oath causes the loss of three Willpower points. In cases of extreme betrayal of this oath, the offender can be struck blind for a year and a day.

The Oath of Escheat

I take you as my vassal.
You are of my house, even as the very stones.
I pledge to hold you, to guard you, and to keep you.
I pledge to honor your service as it deserves,
and to reward loyalty in kind.
As the moon to the seas below, my will to yours.
I pledge the Escheat to you.

With these words, a ruler formally signifies that she accepts another fae as a vassal. The oath is commonly spoken in conjunction with the Oath of Fealty, but not always. When these words are spoken, the speaker loses one Glamour point, and a chimerical gold coin, stamped with her visage, appears in her hand. The oath is not actually binding until the oathmaker offers, and the proposed vassal accepts, this token. Failure to abide by the terms of this oath indicates a fall from the ways of true fae honor, and thus causes the acquisition of a Banality point. Anyone currently bound by (and holding to) the terms of this oath, even if it is to but one vassal, gains an extra Willpower point per week.

The Oath of the Accepted Burden

Lay down your burden, that I might take it up.
The road is long, and I swear I shall bear it for you, until all roads end.
I shall (the actual task is named here), eke may the road cease to lay beneath my feet.

Superficially similar to a geas, this oath is a promise to perform a certain deed. The nature of the deed itself is irrelevant; it could be anything from a kiss to retrieving the still-beating heart of an enemy. This oath is always made to another, and is made to verify that a task that he desires will be performed. When these words are spoken, a Willpower point is gained by both the oathmaker and the one to whom the promise is made. If the oath is not kept, each loses two Willpower points.

The Oath of Guardianship

As the sun guards the Earth by day, as the stars by night, so shall I serve thee.
This my duty I shall not abandon (object of oath) till (duration of oath),
else may the stars close their eyes and sleep.

This is a fearful oath, and those who do not uphold to it are cursed to never spend two nights in the same bed until a century has passed. The Oath of Guardianship binds the oathmaker to keep a single object, place or individual from any and all harm, to the point of ultimate self-sacrifice. There is no cost to make the Oath of Guardianship, save that extracted by its keeping.

The Oath of Truehearts

I give a gift of myself to thee.
Take it freely; freely is it offered,
and forever thou hast me in thy keeping.
I swear love unto you and pledge you my troth.
May those who watch over love watch over this oath and those who keep it,
and may we never find fault in their eyes.

The purpose of this oath needs no explanation. It is spoken in unison by the two (or more) lovers it hinds, and it takes a point of Glamour from each to craft a chimerical songbird visible only to the lovers. The instant this oath is broken, the bird ceases to sing, perching silently on the shoulder of the oathbreaker and now visible to all as a sign of betrayal. In addition, both betrayer and betrayed gain a Banality point as a result of this cowardly action. On the other hand, being true to the oath grants one additional point of Glamour from any Rapture the lovers participate in.

The Oath of the Long Road

I swear that I shall (nature of quest undertaken) or lose my honor,
that I shall (nature of quest) or lay down my sword, 7
that I shall (nature of quest) or Dream no more.
You and the sky my witnesses, so mote it be.

The Oath of the Long Road is the most potent of the oaths known to the common fae. It is the voluntary acceptance of a quest to be performed, and its swearing is usually sanctified with the blood of both the oathmaker and her witness(es). It is always spoken in front of one, or preferably three witnesses. The oathmaker receives an extra Willpower and Glamour point, but there are dire consequences for failure. Simple failure to complete the quest causes the loss of three Willpower and three Glamour points. Abandoning the quest altogether strips the oathbreaker of all temporary Glamour and Willpower, strips a point of permanent Willpower, and adds two Banality points.

The Oath of Crossed Blades

Where two stand, there will be one.
I swear enmity unto thee until the setting of the last sun.
May my heart cease to beat and my hand lose its strength should ever I show favor to thee,
and the bones of the earth are my witness.

Only trolls and sidhe generally speak this oath; members of the other kith consider it counterproductive to announce one's enmity. Still, there is a certain style to swearing eternal hatred, and the oath serves as a bold step in the intricate dances of court. A fae swearing this oath instantly trades a point of Willpower for one of Glamour, and also has the difficulty of any roll involving his enemy reduced by one. Should, however, the oath be broken, a point of Willpower is lost permanently, and a pair of matching scars, akin to those that would be left by a rapier's point, appear on the face of the oathbreaker.

COLLECTED OATHS

Oath of Adoption - (Kithbook: Trolls pg. 40)
As the sea to the river, as the tree to the seed,
as the mountain to the stone, so do I now recognize you to me.
From this day forward, you are of my blood,
of my family and of my hold.
I swear to offer you my wisdom, my love and my regard,
for you will carry my name and my memory when I am no more.
Should I abandon you, I abandon myself.
It fills my heart to call you (son/daughter).
(RESPONSE)
As the river to the sea, as the seed to the tree,
as the stone to the mountain, so do I know recognize myself in you.
From this day forward,
I am of your blood, your family and your hold.
I swear to offer you my respect, my devotion and my love,
for you offer me a home where I have none.
Should I abandon you, I consign myself to lonliness.
It fills my heart to call you (mother/father).

Oath of Loyal Affirmation (War in Concordia pg. 35) - those who take this Oath gain the 4pt Flaw: Oathtaken found on pg. 119 in WiC.

As the sun guards the day,
as the moon and the stars watch by night,
as the earth upholds the natural order,
so do I guard, watch and support my rightful lord or lady.
Let weakness of eye and ear and limbs claim me
if I fail to remain true to the chosen protector of the Dreaming,
and let the Dreaming itself forswear me
if I renege in my promise to serve those in authority over me.
My hand to your service, my heart to your cause,
my very soul to your will in all things!
This I so swear.

Oath of Noblesse Oblige - Requires 1 temporary point of Glamour to make a chimerical gold coin. It must accepted to be valid. Failing this Oath gains the Oathbreaker a Perm Banality. Abiding by it gains the Oathkeeper to gain an extra Willpower/week.

I take you as my vassal. You are of my house, even as the very stones.
I pledge to hold you, to guard you, and to keep you.
I pledge to honor your service as it deserves, and to reward loyalty in kind.
As the moon to the seas below, my will to yours. I pledge the Escheat to you.

Satyr Oath of the Truehearts(Kithbook: Satyrs pg. 25) - If the Oath is taken solo then a ring appears on the Satyr's finger visible to only themselves and the object of the Oath. If the Oath is kept then the Satyr gains an additonal point of Glamour from an Rapture she particpates in. If they break the Oath the ring tarnishes and is visible to all fae and the ring finger turns green, the Satyr also gains a point of Perm Banality. If the oath is sworn together than it functions just like the normal Oath of the Truehearts (see above).

Let the moon and the stars be my witness as I pledge you my love.
I shall hold you in my heart with the passion of a thousand suns.
Roam though I may, I shall always return to you and let no other remove your memory from me.
You are my true love and so shall you stay, no matter where my destiny takes me.

The Oath of the Undoing - (The Autumn People pg.) The most foul and dark oath known to the Fae (at least today), calling for the extermination of another Fae soul. Oath takers beware.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
No slight shall go unnoticed, no wound unavenged.
I shall hunt my undying enemy, [name of enemy],
to the four corners of the Earth,
and I shall not rest until either I or my enemy is fully undone.
I shall do everything in my power to reduce my enemy to nothing,
and to less than nothing, with a keen iron blade.

HOUSE OATHS - (*note: when the oath used to join a house is sworn a fae is inducted into a noble house. They gain both the Boon and Flaw of the House. If they ever forswear their House allegiancy they lose the Boon but keep the Flaw and gain a Perm pt of Banality. These can all be found in The Book of Houses, Book of Houses II, and Book of Lost Houses)

(also if you are looking for oaths for House Scathach dont waste your time, there aren't any. There is one called the Oath of the Honor-Bound Allies but the actual oath is never printed anywhere.)

HOUSE AESIN

The Oath of Virtues - When the wilder swears this oath, others consider her to be an adult Aesin with all house privileges. The Aesin gains two dots to allocate among the abilities she has for her occupation. If the oath is broken, she loses all points in theabilities where the two dots were placed. To symbolise belonging to House Aesin, the wilder receives a shield bearing the blazon of the house.

My eternal soul now lies with House Aesin.
I swear by the forests and mountains of my home
that I will uphold the traditions
and customs of House Aesin.
Knowing I reach safety,
I seek shelter beneath the wings of the owl.
If my oath is broken, may the Dreaming strip me
of all privileges and never let me forget
who I was and what I have become.

AILIL OATHS

Oath of Membership - Each new noble swears this oath upon attaining full membership into the house. Usually taken under a moonless sky lit only by starlight, the Oath of Membership binds its taker into House Ailil's commitment to the eventual reinstatement of the Twin Courts. Both the house Boon and Flaw become evident upon the completion of the oath. Breaking this oath inflicts the swearer with a profound sense of inadequacy unless the oath breaker chooses to accept the Oath of the Forsworn.

By the scales of the silver dragon,
by the light of the fourfold stars,
by the blanket of darkest night,
I deliver my body, heart and will into the keeping of House Ailil.
May it's aims guide my vision,
it's hopes my aspirations,
and it's purpose inspire my actions.
Let all my ambition crumble
in the dust should I betray the words I have spoken this night.
Dragon beside me, stars above me,
night behind me, witness my oath.

Oath of Adoption - Sidhe born to another house or commoners with no house affiliation swear this oath upon their adoption into House Ailil. Like the Oath of Membership, the administering of this oath usually takes place under a star-filled sky. To begin the oath-taking process, the swearer sheds a few drops of his blood (usually taken from the wrist or palm) into a goblet containing a contribution of blood from at least three nobles of the house, who also act as witnesses to the oath. After pouring the blood onto the ground, the swearer speaks the words of the oath. The swearer gains a permanent point of Glamour upon the completion of the oath. If the oath is broken, the Glamour is forfeit.

As my blood now flows with yours,
as my heart beats in time to yours,
as my eyes lift with yours to the same stars,
so now am I one with you.
I swear loyalty to House Ailil with blood, heart and body.
May my heartblood flow unchecked should I betray my chosen house.
Yours I am, spurning all former ties of house and hearth until my blood no longer courses,
my heart no longer beats and the stars no longer make their passage through the heavens.

Oath of Loyal Opposition - Members of House Ailil who follow the Seelie Code take this oath to affirm their loyalty to the house. Unlike other oaths, that take place at the new moon, the Oath of Loyal Opposition generally occurs during one of the full moons of either spring or summer. Although some Seelie members of House Ailil do not feel the need to take this oath, those who involve themselves in the politics of Concordia or who exercise any sort of authority within the House do so as a matter of course.

Although my heart embraces the Summer Court,
though my will adheres to the
Seelie Code and though my feet walk a different path,
my spirit and loyalty lie with the silver dragon of House Ailil.
Let not my differences come
between my house and me.
By the summer stars,
by the Beltaine fires and
by the moon of the plenty,
I swear that my actions shall not harm my house,
my words shall not betray my kinship with the silver dragon,
nor shall my will cause detriment to Ailil's banner.

Oath of the Forsworn - Those who break an oath and seek to acknowledge their shameful deed and, thus, salvage something of their name and personal pride take this oath and participate in public declaration of submission to the will of their peers. The swearer stands blindfolded in a circle of witnesses and speaks the words of the oath three times. After the first recitation the witnesses have the opportunity to abjure the speaker. If they remain silent, the speaker continues with the second and finally third pronouncement. If the oath has been heard three times without objection, the senior witness removes the blindfolf from the speaker and pronounces her "Forsworn". The taking of this oath negates any penalties to broken oaths, but carries its own penalty; from that time onward, all who interact with the forsworn individual do so knowing that they run the risk of dealing with a liar and an oath breaker. (In game term, the difficulty of all actions that involve persuasion or the giving of promises is increased by 2 due to the character's damaged reputation.) Many of the Forsworn, however, wear their status as a badge of honor, taking pride in their admission of guilt.

Through broken word, faltering will and shameful deed,
I have brought upon myself this doom.
Let every member of House Ailil know by my presence that
I accept the onus of oath breaker.
May all who hear my words or test my
will or witness myt deeds from this night
forward remember that they treat
the one who had joined the ranks of the Forsworn.
By the grace of the silver
dragon and through no merit of my own,
I remain within the fold of House Ailil.

BALOR OATHS

The Oath of Majority - Upon surviving the period of Fosterage and the Fior, each new member of House Balor takes this solemn oath before all the members of her freehold or clique. Usually sworn by the light of the full moon, symbol of Balor's Eye, this oath confers all the benefits and responsibilities of house membership upon the oath taker. The oath taker speaks the words of the oath while holding an iron dagger to her throat. At the completion of the oath, the house Boon takes effect; the oath taker demonstrates this by cutting her self at the base of her throat with the dagger held while taking the oath. Should the Dreaming reject the oath for any reason (signified by the loss of Glamour from the wound caused by the iron dagger), the administrator of the oath has the right to use the dagger to slay the oath taker on the spot.

By the serpent which twines around the golden tower,
by the crimson beam that streams from Balor's Eye,
by the blood that runs like fire through
my veins, I pledge my heart,
mind and body to the will of House Balor.
To the threshold of death and beyond,
my spirit belonds to my house.
My eyes see through the eys of my ancestors:
my heart beats with the anger of vengeance denied:
my tongue cries out for justice and restitution in the name of Balor and all his children.
Let the challenge that makes my body as different from all others serve as
a constant reminder of my birth and my destiny,
and let no one deter me from my service to my house.
May I suffer the agony of a thousand flames if I betray my house or any of its members.
This I swear, by the tower and beam and blood.
May the Dreaming hear my oath and exact its penalties should I forswear it.

Oath of Loyal Service - This oath binds a commoner to thouse Balor without conferring the Boon of actual house membership upon the oath taker. Used the ensure loyality of troops going to battle, it increases the difficulty of resister Willpower rolls against members of House Balor by 2.

My faith belongs to you,
my will serves you, my body obeys you.
By word and blood and deed, I swear my utmost loyalty to you.
Under the stars, beneath the moon, below the heavens,
I speak these words to you. Command
me and I will do your bidding;
rely on me and I will not fail you;
trust in me and I will serve you until death.
May my blood turn to dust within my veins,
may my eyes lose their sight forever
and may my heart burst within
my body should I fail in my pledge to you.
My life to you, my heart to you,
my spirit to you, first, last and always.

Oath of Adoption and Ritual Maiming - This oath is taken by commoners or members of other houses wishing to join House Balor. At the completion of the oath, and after ritual disfigurement the oath taker gains a permanent point of Glamour.

I call upon the light of Balor's Eye,
the tongue of the black serpent,
and the doorway of blood to hear my petition
and grant me the right to call myself a child of Balor.
By the shedding of my blood,
I link my fate to my adopted house;
by the shredding of my cloak,
renounce all former allegiances;
by the sacrafice of my body,
I take upon myself the challenge of my new kin.
Swift my feet to answer any summons,
ready my words to speak in defense of my new house,
willing my heart to die if necessary to uhold the honor and might of Balor.
Let all present bear witness to my oath,
by flesh and blood and bone,
and may the Dreaming forsake me forever
should I fail my pledge to thee.

Oath of the Enchanted Servant - Humans Enchanted by members of House Balor as long-term servants or slaves take this oath upon receiving the token that confers upon them the benefits of Enchantment. Usually an elaborate ceremony surrounds the oath in order to impress upon the oath taker the lowliness of her position and the severity of the punishment should she fail to keep her word. The oath taker speaks the words kneeling in the center of a circle of house members - her soon-to-be masters. The administrator of the oath ritually marks the oath taker with either a brand or a body piercing as a physical reminder of her servitude to House Balor. Humans bound to the house by this oath lose all ability to resist command by members of the house. Although the oath does not contain within it an indication of term of service, usually the only release from the oath comes with the death of the oath taker - usually at the hands of the individual who administered the oath.

By the token of my service,
by the beating of my heart,
by the promise of my lips,
I pledge myself to you for so long as you have need of me.
My dreams are yours, my soul belongs to you,
my body exists for you alone.
Though born to mortal flesh,
I embrace the visions you put before me,
knowing that you inhabit a world I can see only
through your grace and by your pleasure.
May the Dreaming look with favor on my oath,
may the hidden world grant my access,
may the stars and sky bear witness to my words.
Let my troth be honored,
let my words hold me fast and may my life be forfeit
should I fail to keep the oath I take this night.

HOUSE DAIREANN

Oath of the War Band - The most feared of the House Daireann warriors are those who have sworn an oath to form a war band. Those entwined within such an oath circle fight for one another's lives and honor, no matter what may come to pass. They are single minded and unbending in their protection of loyalty to one another. Daireann bards sing many long laments about how certain of these bands have been slain, one by one, until the last remaining warriors takes his own life rather than stand alone on the battlefield. The would-be band clasps wrists and stands in an unbroken circle to recite the oath, stated as follows:

Brothers and Sisters,
by the edge of the sword and the bond of blood
do I swear the strength of my arms
and the courage of my heart
to defend you and our cause from the might of our foes.
Never shall you stand alone on the battlefield
as long as breath remains in my body.
Should I break my oath,
may a rain of cold iron daggers
pierce my breast and send my soul
forever into darkness.

Then, each fae makes a cut on her palm and in turn grasps the palm of all other members of the war band. The oath is then in effect. Thenceforth in battle, when fighting as part of a unit, each member has 1 extra point of Willpower to be used only in the combat. Additionally, under the same conditions, all members gain 1 extra Bruised health level. Both the Willpower point and the extra health level fade at the end of combat, which can lead to dire consequences to the Daireann who fights on beyond his normal health levels.

DOUGAL OATHS

Dougal's Oath - Taking the oath grants the oathswearer a Perm pt of both Glamour and Willpower.

My heart is Dougal's heart,
My arm will take up his hammer.
My body will take his burden.
My heart will take on his will.
I will work until the end of my day's doing his work.

EILUNED OATHS

The Oath of Silence - when sworn the oathswearer can only speak of the forbidden topic by spending a perm pt of Willpower gaining a perm pt of Banality.

I do pledge this day, with heart and mind and soul,
that I will never betray this confidence.
Until the stones have crumbled unto dust,
and the sea fallen a hundred thousand thousand times from the thundering heavens,
this long I will remain silent.
When the last star flares and fades in the night sky,
leaving naught but blackness and this world is a dream once more,
this long I will keep my word.

The Oath of Truth - Anyone attempting to lie about the subject of this oath after swearing it gains a perm pt of Banility as well being completely drained of Glamour until the following sunrise or sunset, whichever comes first.

Although it may bring tears or sorrow,
burning rage or silent hatred,
let the veil be lifted now.
Let all see clearly and know in their hearts
that this I do speak without deceit or duplicity,
but plainly and honestly as the best I know how.
This do I pledge: I shall speak the truth.

The Oath of Fealty - Anyone attempting to betray House Eiluned after swearing this oath gains a perm pt of Banality, and henceforth, pays double for anything requiring him to spend a pt of Glamour.

Today I pledge my loyalty to the Black and Silver,
through my lord (insert name of liege).
I will grant my betters the respect they have earned
and work to guide those younger than I to the path of understanding and wisdom.
Each day I shall strive to learn more of the world and my own heart,
to better enrich both Eiluned and myself.
Above all, I pledge to House Eiluned myself as vassal,
and I hope I may serve with honor and distinction.

FIONA OATHS

The Oath of Betrothal
Lady/Lord, to you I give all the affections and warmth of my heart
that these may ease you across miles and years to come.
I will be your friend, your companion and your mate as you desire.
In desolate hours shall I keep you company and on the field of battle bear your token with pride and honor.
Never shall you be lonely; never shall your tears go untouched by my hand.
Ere my bond be broken, no longer shall my loins find pleasure;
no longer shall my heart find gladness in carnal pleasure.
May the teeth of Fiona's silver lion tear me asunder if I betray your trust!

GYWDION OATHS

The Oath of the Falcon
Lords and Ladies of the Falcon,
I do swear fealty unto thee and to the noble House of Gywdion,
from this day until the sun burns no longer
I shall never fail to defend my charges,
nor the honor of my brothers and sisters.
I shall bring the House of Gwydion honor by my deeds.
In the name of Lord Gwydion the Grey and the Lady Keredwyn, I swear it.

LEANHAUN OATHS

The Oath of Joining - The Oath of Joining is taken by sidhe from houses other than Leanhaun. It involves annointing the petioner with redolent oil and cloaking her in emerald green fastened with a gold harp-shaped pin. The ranking noble gives the petitioner a black rose and asks her to repeat the oath. There have been occasional variations in the wording, the oath most petitioners take is as follows:

Of my own will and with full knowledge of what I ask,
I petition House Leanhaun to accept me.
By the power of the Dreaming,
I forswear what I was and embrace my new brothers and sisters.
I have washed away my plain old life and with this dawn begin
a new existence as kin of House Leanhaun.
I swear by the early flowers of spring,
the greening of the land in summer,
the ripening of the harvest in fall and the slumber of the earth in winter
that I accept the rule of the house,
keeping faith with my new family and our friends and allies.
My heart and hand are Leanhaun's to command.
May I be true to the words I speak now.
I make this pledge freely; my mind is sound and my heart clear of any reservations.
Let me henceforth by known as Leanhaun.
And if I be not true to my word given today before the assembly of my house and witnessed by the Dreaming,
may my eyes grow dim and blind,
my ears cease to hear, my fingers feel no sensation.
May I never experience taste or smell again.
Let my mind hold no words with which I may speak;
may my hand forget how to write.
May all who know my forget my name and may I cease to remember my true self.
May my Dan lie unfilfilled.
This is the penalty I ask be imposed by the
power of the Dreaming should I break my oath to Leanhaun.

The Oath of Adoption - Some Leanhaun feel that this oath ought to be retired in favor of having commoners take the Oath of Joining just as sidhe do. They feel that calling it the Oath of Adoption makes it demeaning rather than empowering. The distinction isn't readily apparent to everyone, but rests upon wording. While sidhe are allowed to "join" us, as if they are intelligent adults capable of making their own decisions, commoners are "adopted" as though they are children in need of benevolent parents to watch over them. The actual oath is taken under the night sky and states:

Under the canopy of the night sky,
with stars and moon as witness,
I beseech House Leanhaun to accept my as an adopted member of the family.
I swear that I shall accept all burdens and accolades equally,
and that I will bring no shame or dishonor to Leanhaun's name.
I will learn what I must know to fill
the roles within House Leanhaun that I am given and will seek
to make my new brothers and sisters proud of my accomplishments.
May I bring glory to the
house and may I be acknowledged as one with the family.
Should I betray House Leanhaun,
may the stars cease to guide me,
and the darkest roads within the Dreaming swallow me up,
that my shame be hidden forever.

The Oath of Majority - This oath is taken by all members of House Leanhaun just after their Saining or whenever a new dishe has joined the house. It is the measure by which we determine who is a full member of House Leanhaun, with the right to speak of house matters, petition for aid and hold a fief in our name. It forever binds the oath taker to absolute secrecy regarding all house matters and calls for his agreement to harbor and protect all members, rescue those in need and assist in endeavirs if interest to Leanhaun.

By the elements and the essence of Dreams,
I declare before witnesses that
I am ready to take up my duties within House Leanhaun.
I will remain true
to my house, keeping its secrets,
assisting all fellow members and guarding its treasures.
Where one of my own has need, I will provide.
When Leanhaun seeks sanctuary, I shall give sheleter.
If danger exists, I will lend aid.
Should one be taken, I will provide rescue and if one forgets,
I shall be there to enfold my own blood in memories.
If I fail in any of my duties, or should I betray my house,
let my name be stricken from the histories and erased from the minds of Dreamers.
Let my story by unfinished,
my purpose unfilfilled and my essence scattered by the winds.
Let no Kithain recall there ever existed such as I.

The Oath of Mutual Support - The following oath is taken between non-members of House Leanhaun and members to agree to provide aid when needed.

By the silver path,
I swear the thee that my house and thine shall bind
together in mutual support.
Let thy troubles be mine and let my woes seek rederess through you.
Should anyone come against thee and thine,
I pledge that I and mine shall by there to deffend and succor thee.
In like manner, let thee agree to such aid as well in help to me.
From this time until thee and I both agree that our pledge should expire,
let us be as one in our undertakings.
For my part I so swear to thee.

Oath of Service - This oath is used to provide a specific service to House Leanhaun, rather than joining of allying with us.

I swear by the Dreaming that I will give good serive to House Leanhaun,
using the best of my abilities and skills to complete my assigned duties.
Should I uncover secrets or knowledge damaging to the house I give my oath
never to reveal that knowledge or use it in any way against House Leanhaun.
Should I break this oath, may I never be able to swear another, may all
Kithain hence know me for a liar and may my mouth utter nothing but
gibberish when the name of Leanhaun is invoked.

The Pledge of Binding - Enchanted mortals, whether lovers, tutors, servants or guests must all take this oath if they wish to stay any length of time among the fae of House Leanhaun:

Whatever is entrusted to my care I will guard,
whatever tasks are assigned, I will complete.
My self and my talents are given to House Leanhaun,
my loyalty and love as well.
Nothing of those things I witness or learn shall
I speak to any outside the house,
nor shall I make it known through any other means.
If my tongue speaks falsely, let my perfidy be made evident
upon my face that all may know my lies and broken promises.
May I be cast out from the house,
and the hearts and minds of all Leanhaun, and let me
remember none of what has transpired in the time that I served the house.

LIAM OATHS

The Oath of Duty
May the light of the Sun burn my skin,
May the light of the Moon bring me fear,
May the food of the Earth bring me hunger,
May the waters of Life parch my throat
Should I forego the compass of my journey,
Should I neglect the care of the Dreaming,
Should I be blind to the needs of my charges,
Should I ignore the purity of my duty.

The Oath of Union
I come naked before you, unbound by the ties of blood or honor,
Unbound by doubts or hesitation, I stand unadorned before you.
I humbly ask that House Liam clothe me, in the manner of the house;
In the manner that is fitting. I pray that you grant me this boon
I swear I will accept the burdens of House Liam, as they are no burdens;
It is no hardship to protect. I swear that I will take them up with joy.
As a life without meaning: For my life is united with the house.

HOUSE VARICH

Oath of Adoption - Changelings wishing to ally themselves with House Varich swear this oath in the presence of members of the Varich freehold willing to adopt them. The swearer recited the pledge twice - once at noon, when the sun reaches its zenith, and once at night, under the light of the moon. Because both sun and moon must witness this oath, no one may administer the Oath of Adoption on overcast days or during nights when there is no moon.

One pattern I started,
now I end it to begin anew in the name of Varich,
founder of the house I take as my own.
May any words be heard as truth
and lived as truth and my actions
follow the only truth within my words
forever in the name of my new house.
May I never let a challenge go unanswered.
May I never give a vow of true love to another.
In the name of our father,
the moon, and our mother, the sun,
may I give honor to House Varich,
adopted house, and serve it with my mind, my heart and my faith.
If I foreswear my oath,
may the sun and moon look upon me with disfavor,
may all hands of my adopted house rise against me
and may the pattern of my beating heart
fall to stillness forever.

Oath of Challenge - All house members know this oath, for its speaking is required whenever a house member accepts a formal challenge. The speaking of the oath signifies acceptance and commits the swearer to engage in whatever form of combat or competition proposed to her. Varich fae who omit the oath suffer a penalty of -1 to their dice pool for deciding the outcome of the challenge.

Let no challenge go unanswered,
for the courage of our house must be tested.
The strength of our house must be measured.
The honor of our house must never be in doubt.
We shall preveal over any that might challenge us.
Our will is strong, our courage mighty, honor unequaled.
So shall it be shown in tests against us.

Oath of Vengeance - Though this oath has few words, its consequences belie its brevity. House members who take this Oath of Vengeance link themselves irrevocably to the necessity of carrying out their revenge. If a house member does not show some tangible progress towards fulfilling the oath, she may not gain Glamour from any source, including the use of dross. Trods will not allow her passage in either direction (so it is not wise to swear this oath while in the near dreaming). The strictures of this oath end when the house member achieves her vengeance or dies in the attempt.

May the sun darken,
may the moon turn black
and may the call of the dreaming
go unanswered if our vengeance be denied to us.