Dormant Fire Seasonal Fealty
From Changeling Venue
Also known as the four-season oath, this is actually four separate oaths with the same wording that take on different meanings each season. It arose from a time in thralls of chaotic leadership instability, and many outside threats. Strong unity was needed to assure the local Lost of the basic trustworthiness of their neighbor and to solidify them against outsiders by minimizing internal threats and strife. The severity of the sanctioned ensured that if some did betray the Freehold they'd be ineffective in their efforts thenceforth and bring down a whirlwind of wrath upon themselves from the other Lost.
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Wording
"I, (insert name), member of the freehold of Dormant Fire, offer myself freely in the service to the seasons. I swear upon the bearer of the Seasonal Crown and my honor that I'll be loyal to this freehold and its caretakers while I benefit from its protection and the generosity of the season. I agree to use my best talents in the defense of the freehold when needed. May I be banished from the warmth of this fellowship and thrice cursed should I be forsworn. Until the turning of the seasons, so be it."
Mechanics
Note: This Oath has not yet been approved for play. A database approval number will be posted when approved.
Type: Corporeal-Nemesis Pledge
Task: Fealty (-3)(both)
Boons(Vassal): Vassalage (+3), Median Blessing (+2) Lesser Blessing (+1) Adroitness (+1)
Sanctions: Greater Curse (-3) Banishment (-3)
Duration: Seasonal (+2)
Total: +9 and -9 nets 0
Seasonal Variants
The reason the Freehold of Dormant Fire has its fealty renewed with each season is so that each season can endow the Freehold members with the virtues that best embody that Season's philosophy.
Winter's Gifts
Vassalage-Freeholds Blessing, Subtlety: Grants vassals a +1 bonus to all draws that involve concealing their fae nature from others. Loss of this blessing often results in a rise of outside interference with many potential enemies feeling drawn to the area.
Median Blessing: Vassal gains the Danger Sense merit
Lesser Blessing: Vassal gains the Common Sense merit
Adroitness: Vassal gains a +1 bonus to Subterfuge draws
Spring's Valentines
Vassalage-Freeholds Blessing, Fertility: This blessing grants a +1 bonus to rolls to harvest Glamour, as the wellsprings of emotion flow freely. Loss of this blessing seems to bring a time of drought to the land as Glamour within the wake of broken pledges
Median Blessing:Vassal gains or is upgraded by 2 in the Striking Looks merit
Lesser Blessing: Vassal gains the Barfly merit
Adroitness: Vassal gains a +1 Persuasion to draws
Summer's Standard Issue
Vassalage-Freeholds Blessing, Fortitude: Vassals with this blessing receive a +1 bonus to resist Clarity degeneration; the pledge of the vassal offers support and strength. Loss of this benefit makes degeneration draws even more difficult.
Median Blessing: Vassal gains or is upgraded by 2 in the Allies(Police) merit it
Lesser Blessing: Vassal gains or is upgraded by 1 in the Allies(Criminals) merit
Adroitness: Vassal gains a +1 Brawl to draws
Autumn's Harvest
Vassalage-Freeholds Blessing, Fertility: This blessing grants a +1 bonus to rolls to harvest Glamour, as the wellsprings of emotion flow freely. Loss of this blessing seems to bring a time of drought to the land as Glamour within the wake of broken pledges
Median Blessing: Vassal gains Eidetic Memory merit
Lesser Blessing: Vassal gains the Common Sense Merit
Adroitness: Vassal gains a +1 to Intimidate draws
Significance
With the changing benefits that the local Lost community receives from their membership in the Dormant Fire Freehold each court makes itself felt in a very definite way. Particularly the cycle of high Glamour harvest both in spring and fall, one gearing up for the militaristic reign of of Summer and the other gathering a reserve for the clandestine time of winter serves to keep the freehold strong and healthy. Each season prepares the members for the next, as is the natural order and power of the seasons. This cycle ensures all members will be suited for how the politics and policies change.
The severity of the sanctions ensure good faith on those who take the oath. Being subject to the monarch's immediate knowledge of the vassal's betrayal and the instant reprisal from the monarch's power as well as being thrice cursed by the Wyrd is enough to give anyone pause.
The public nature of the fealty, and banishment part of the pledge make sure that at least a solid portion of the freehold membership can recognize who are fellow members and have a chance to object should they feel the need about potential members. It also keeps at least inclusion and exclusion from the freehold out of behind-closed-door politics.
The gifts of winter help one avoid hazards instead of confronting them, and help the Lost from being detected by enemies. Interference from outsiders should decrease during this time, or if there is interference then it should be easier to react to.
The valentines of spring are two fold first they promote fun, love, happiness and romantic relationships, also through these things they all help in harvesting Glamour. After a cold dark winter the revelry of spring is refreshing and revitalizing.
The pragmatism of the Summer's standard issue equips each Lost with tools that are invaluable to ensuring a smooth campaign against the Others; with every person having friends in the police department to smooth out trouble that is bound to arise and criminal friends for a source of weapons. Not every person can use a weapon but in the summer at least those untrained in hand to hand combat are at a less of a disadvantage, and people who rely upon brawling become even more potent.
The harvest of the Autumn helps replenish Glamour expended during the summer while at the same time making each member of the freehold a harvester of knowledge that transpires before them. With respect for the coming winter each member is better suited to gather fear, filling reserves so members of the freehold don't have to come out of hiding in winter to gather Glamour.
