Oaths

> "Our Oaths are stronger than consciousness, stronger than thought.” - William, Legendborn (Paperback Edition)
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> “Intention is the engine behind every Oath, and I forge mine into an unshakable, ironclad resolve to watch Brians Matthews die. This feeling, once you've held it in your heart and fee it in your veins, never goes away. It takes up residence in your heart, forever.” - Selwyn Kane, Legendborn (Paperback Edition)
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   **Oaths** are living bonds sealed by speech. Their words pull aether from the air so that the vow becomes a part of a person.

Various Oath ceremonies are taken by everybody in the Order. The ceremony is conducted by a Merlin, who performs the Oathbond. Oaths are a foundational part of the Order's structure. Bree describes the feelings of taking an Oath as like a cool tide that streams down her back like a waterfall until she's covered in it.

## Code of Secrecy:

The first Oath taken by anybody in the Order is the Code of Secrecy.

Merlins are trained to prevent Onceborn deaths (being extremely rare), and securing the Code. If Onceborns ever knew the truth, there'd be mass fear, chaos-two things Shadowborn thrive on. The Code threatened. Merlins are authorized to do whatever it takes to keep the war hidden.

After a Vassal swears to the Code of Secrecy and pledges to the Order, someone from their assigned Line explains the origin of the Order and its mission. If they want their kid to Page and have a chance of becoming a Squire, that child is sworn to the Code as well.

## Oath of Fealty:

If the Oath finds you worthy, you will officially become a member of the Chapter and be granted Sight, which is the ability to see aether. The Oath will know if and when you intend to break it and works like mesmer. The penalty for breaking the Oath of Fealty is total mesmer and excommunication from the Order.

Legendborn parents explain the Order and Lines to their children when we're young. Vassals know enough to be dangerous, but with new Pages (wanting to be a squire), the sponsors are usually the ones who fill in all the juicy details.

> “I, {name}, offer my service to the Order in the name of our king. I swear to be the shield of the {Chapter} the eyes and ears of its territory. I swear to aid in its battles and arm its warriors. I swear to guard its secrets and secure all that I see and hear henceforth.” - Page
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> ”The penalty of breaking this vow is total mesmer and excommunication to the darkness of unknowing, never to return to the light. Do you bind yourself still? - Sponsor
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> “I do” - Page
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> ”I, {name}, {Square/Scion Line} accept your Oath on behalf of our ancients Order and welcome you to service. We grant you Sight so that you may see the world illuminated for as long as your heart is true.” - Sponsor
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## Oath of Service:

Merlins and Squires are oathed to serve the Order. Merlins take the Oath to the High Council of Regents and Squires take it to their Scion. Merlins are Oathed early, before their blood can gain a foothold. Their Oaths keeps them in control of their souls as long as they are in service. That is also why the worst punishment for any Merlin would be being cast out of the Order's service. It's also known as the First Oath.

## Kingsmage Oath:

Only the most powerful Merlin child in a generation is Selected to take the Kingsmage Oath. They are bound in a formal ceremony before the chapter to a child Scion of Arthur. For the rest of that Merlin’s life, they are the Scion's sworn protector until death.

When the Scion feels their life being in danger so will the Kingsmage, make their fear as their own. Their bonds works both ways, having the Scion feel the Merlins bloodlust.

### Examples of the effects:

* Once when William tried to heal Nick he felt Nick’s spirt, he was full of anger through his bond with Sel. He didn't know where it was directed or to whom, but he felt the emotion. The bloodlust made it difficult for William to heal that which only wants to destroy. They could affect each other when they are not awake.
* When Sel wanted to kill Bree in the second trial, he let his desire flow through his bond with Nick in a brutal rush. It hits Nicholas and bounces back, reinforcing Sel’s focus as it becomes his. That feeling, once you've held it in your heart and fee it in your veins, never goes away. It takes up residence in your heart, forever, even if he loves her.
* When Nick, Martin, and Issac were on the run, Nick commented that they make each other worse.
* When Martin died, “Isaac’s guttural scream splits the air.” Isaac goes to Matin’s side in a blink. Bree describes Isaac expression, “this agony, I know. I remember. It is rage, expanding so fast and so hot that it fuels itself beneath your skin Grief so deep you are only an open wound, only pain. Pain so fresh that the world itself feels like it should be burning.”

> “… for as long as my heart remains true.”
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## Warrior's Oath:

When a Scion Awakes, and there chooses a Squire, are bonded and will share the Scion bloodline's power. "It's one of the Order's most sacred vows, forever typing together Scion and Squire. Awakened pairs face death, be it on the battlefield or the Abatement." Since Squires are magically bonded to their Scion, they also suffer **Abatement.** The longer the Scions are Awake, the more it drains them. After they age out, most don't make it past thirty-five."

Once bonded, the Squires feels a need to fight that stems directly from their knight. The bond makes them know if the other is in danger and to be able to feel the other's emotions. The Squire's job is to protect their Scion forever, even after the eligibility period is over.

They share an intimate connection through their bond. Sometimes it's romantic, but often times it's not. The **agony** is what Legendborn call the pain and grief from feeling an Oath bond break in battle. For the Scion or Squire left behind it hurts like nothing one can imagine.

## Oath of Valor:

The oath of valor is taken as a precaution, to keep the Crown Scion (Arthur’s Awaken Scion) safe. As a Squire or Scion their knights spirits should want to keep their king safe, and the Merlins already have their oath of service. The oath of valor is taken by the liege (and maybe other members of the Order).

> "I swear to never knowingly allow my Awakend sovereign to come to injurious harm."
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## Reference

1. ↑ LegendbornPg.81
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 LegendbornPg.133-134
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Legendborn Paperback Edition