(16 VE) Pledge Swearing

[Lynn Mills]

As each person walks up to her, Lynn offers a brilliant smile and the following words.

"We of the Freehold have been given a precious gift, a place of safety among the dangers and cruel loss we've all suffered. Do you promise to guard this sanctuary with thought and deed; to turn away dangers from both mundane souls and the Gentry? Keep this vow and you shall find yourself blessed, break it and you will find your gifts turned against you"

"If you wish to make this vow, please declare the talent or skill that you have to offer for the coming year."

Spring Freehold Commendation

Type: Vow
Task: Fealty, Greater (-3) Do not bring danger by revealing your fae nature and/or the existence of the freehold or by giving any assistance to the Gentry or their agents.
Task: Alliance, Medial (-2) Provide assistance to fellow freeholders with the stated skill or service.
Boon: Vassalage (+3) Fortitude +1 bonus to all rolls made to resist Clarity degeneration.
Boon: Lesser Adroitness (+1)
Sanction: Curse, Greater (-2)
Duration: Year and a Day, Greater (+3)

[unlimited sink]

Helen listens to the queen pronounce the terms of this solemn vow, head bowed in reverence. She then looks up at Lynn, obsidian eyes seeming somehow warm with her sincerity:

"I hereby promise to defend this most precious space of freedom, where we are at liberty to pursue our own desires as we will, with everything that I can and in every way that I can. What I offer, I offer completely: my dedication to performing the duties of Searce, of bringing those who would know the grace of Spring, the pursuit of desire, along the Verdant Path. I offer my hope and my understanding. I offer my words, their tones and weights, colors and rhythms, as well as my love for the words of others. This and more I freely give, my Queen."

As she speaks, she feels the Wyrd binding her fast to the Freehold, and to the Queen who represents it. Warm breezes tussle her hair as her mantle flairs. It is not an unpleasant experience, but the gravity of her promise is not lost on Helen. Finished, the aged Author bows her head in respect.

[Coco]

Coco paced in front of Lynn, face somber, and stood with her hands clasped atop her cane as she swore her pledges to both the Freehold, and to the Court of Spring.

"For a year and a day, I swear that I shall bring no danger to the Freehold, whether that might be by revelation or aid to our Gentle Enemies and their agents. I shall use my blade to defend any that need it, and to slay any that require it. Should I break this vow, may I be cast adrift upon the earth, cursed, and known as traitor."

Skill: Adroitness: +1 Weaponry. -1 WP for Freehold Pledge.

Then Coco knelt, laying her cane before her, and took off her Antler Ring so that it lay in an upturned palm.

"Upon this symbol of our Court, for a year and a day, I do swear to defend and aide all those who have stumbled upon the path of their Desires, as the Verdant Advocate should. May my words sway the hearts of those that would do our misguided brothers and sisters ill, and may my tongue become snarled should I abandon them in their time of need."

Verdant Advocate Pledge: -1WP. Adroitness: +1 Persuasion.

Details

Type: Corporal, Courtly Emblem
Task: Fealty (-3)
Boon: Adroitness ( +1)
Sanction: Poisoning of Boon (-1)
Duration: Year and a Day (+3)

[Pixie Styx]

Daisy waits off to the side until Coco takes her leave. Daisy curtsies, drawing her skirt out so the train would flair delightfully behind her. "I swear to you, my Queen. For a year and a day, that no dangers will I bring knowingly to the Freehold. I swear that I will never knowingly betray the other Lost souls of this Freehold to the Others, nor to their agents, in whichever guise they keep. I swear to use all of my skill as an Artist to aid any of this Freehold who call upon my talents. And if I break my word, let all know me as forsaken and forsworn."

Seasonal Pledge -1WP. Skill: Crafts

Daisy then takes a moment to recenter herself, to take upon more responsibilities within her Court. Daisy swirls her skirt around her once more, so she might bend the knee in style. Then taking a note from The new Verdant Advocate she takes the antler ring she'd picked up to now swear upon.

"Upon this token, a reminder of the Sovereigns of old, upon this symbol of our Court I do swear, for a year and a day, to stand in defense against the encroachments of the Others by remember Spring's festivals, and rituals, and planning, and executing them with expertise and finesse, as any Spring Archivist should. May my efforts allow our community to be brought together swiftly, and should I fail in my duties, may my easy way with others be cut to the quick."

Verdant Archivist Pledge: -1WP. Skill +1 Socialize.

Details

Type: Corporal, Courtly Emblem
Task: Fealty (-3)
Boon: Adroitness ( +1)
Sanction: Poisoning of Boon (-1)
Duration: Year and a Day (+3)

[unlimited sink]

Sorry, didn't note this above, so doing so now. Verdant Searce Pledge: -1WP, Skill: +1 Empathy

[unlimited sink]

Also need to note WP and skill for Freehold Pledge. -1WP, +1 Expression. OK I'm done now, I swear.

[Dusan]

Juno approached her Queen and carefully bowed before her, her tail resting tightly against her legs as a show of deference to a ranking individual. She knew that the Pledge was a matter that would require her utmost concentration. After all she had been through as part of her maturation process, her current Desire was to make a positive return to the fold.

"I give my solemn and truthful word to serve and defend this Freehold against those who would turn against their own Kind and other threats within and without our precious community. I will not provide aid or comfort to those who first brought us into bondage or their agents who would take us back. What I offer in return is my gift for artistic expression. Should I fail in my end of the bargain then may my name be spat upon and cursed, and I am turned away from a welcoming hearth and banished to an inhospitable world outside our walls. This I swear for one year and one day."

1 WP spent to seal the pledge. The favored skill is Crafts (+1)

Pausing for a moment to reflect on the responsibilities she had to the Freehold, Juno could feel a tug as the pact was sealed.

"Your Majesty, if it pleases you I wish to take up the responsibility of Sylvan Emissary. By doing so, I wish to share those things that I learned through my process of discovering myself and what it means to truly embrace the ideals of our Court. To help others to realize the nature of their own Desires, and encourage them to understand themselves and that which the Season herself wishes to impart. In this office I will serve Freehold and Court for one year and one day save by any fell actions I bring disgrace upon the Freehold, our Court, the Title, and myself."

1 WP spent to seal the oath of Sylvan Emissary; +1 to Socialize.

Lifting her chin with a quiet pride, Juno knew she had made the right choice. In her heart there could only be one true Joyeaux, and that was Al-Adin, the Monkey Prince Of Thieves who had called her Vizier and kept her hopes alive during a very dark time. Wherever her simian partner had traveled, she hoped that word would reach Al-Adin's ears one day and bring a smile to his face.

[Terri Nutkins]

Approaching Lynn, Terri's own smile matched that of the newly-appointed Sovereign, offering the Nightsinger a respectful curtsy.

"Congratulations!" the Beast beamed, itching to give her a hug but only because she was that type of person even if she didn't know Lynn that well. "For a year and a day, I, Terri Nutkins, Courtier of the Leaden Mirror and Bishop of the Noble Order know as the Bishopric of Blackbirds, do so swear to protect the Freehold and keep its secrets from those who would do it harm. In so swearing myself, I offer my fellow community my services as a designer, to clothe them when needed and to merge the peculiar into fine raiment when desired."

Once completed, Terri will offer another curtsy before backing away several steps from Lynn and returning to the party, pleased to once again be an official member of the Freehold once more.

Crafts