Oaths
Oaths are codes of conduct that individuals or members of a group or faction swear to uphold. Fictional oaths may bind characters to certain behaviors or actions, and breaking oaths may be important events in a narrative or fictional history. Fictional factions may have oaths that members must take to join and fictional gods or religions may have vows required of their follows.
| Synonyms: vows, holy vows, oaths of vengeance, oaths of office, oaths of allegiance |
| Example Mythonyms: the Paladin’s Oath, Vows of the Khallar |
Designing Fictional Oaths
Overview
Oaths are often constructed in three parts: an invocation, a statement of duty, and a consequence. Designers creating fictional oaths may wish to construct using this format. In addition, oaths may be accompanied by an act of sacrifice underlying commitment to the oath. Often this entails the letting of blood and in fictional settings cutting a hand using a knife or other sharp object is common.
| Invocation | Duty | Consequence |
| I swear | to serve and protect | or may I be struck down |
| I vow | vengeance | or shame fall upon me and my descendants |
Oath Breaking
Oath breaking can be an important event that may may carry immense historical or narrative significance. The consequences to breaking an oath may vary depending on the world and tone, but may include things like removal from the faction, exile, imprisonment, loss of wealth and title, loss of abilities, technologies, or magics, or even death. In fictional worlds that include magic or real gods, the consequences of breaking an oath may be immediate and impactful.
