Oath of Confidence
The Oath of Confidence is a magical oath undertaken by all members of the Shining Blade, beyond the rank of recruit, such as Exemplars. It was conceived by Master Exemplar Livia after the Krytan civil war to prevent a repeat of Markis's betrayal. She bound the ritual to The Shining Blade, an ancient sword gifted by the Seers to be used to slay the last of the mursaat.[1][2]
Those who undertake the Oath of Confidence are incapable of talking about secrets of the Shining Blade to people who have not taken the oath under the penalty of a magically activated death.[3][4] However, the Oath does not bind an individual to follow the orders of the Shining Blade as long as the individual does not work against Kryta, and it does not include talking about the Oath itself.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ Shining Blade Secrets
- This parchment is dated 1088 A.E. It describes the Oath of Confidence, with its trials and final vow, including all the spoken elements.
- It says, "The oath is the cornerstone of Shining Blade security and is required of all members beyond the rank of recruit. No other shall ever betray us as Markis did."
- It ends with, "The spell, originally conceived of by Master Exemplar Livia, was imbued into the Shining Blade Sword by her and the inner circle."
- Rolled into this parchment is a paper that lists all those who broke their vow and died as a result. It is not a long list.
- ^ The Shining Blade Manual (complete)
- ^ Shining Blade Secrets
- Story journal: It makes me an honorary member of the Blade, and I am now privileged to hear the deeper secrets of the Shining Blade. The oath bound me to silence on those matters with any outsiders—on penalty of a magically activated death, but I got what I wanted.
- ^ "Where's Balthazar"
- <Character name>: You tell me your plans, and I'll tell you mine.
- Shining Blade Exemplar: Honestly, I can't. I took a sacred oath, cross my heart and hope to die. And I would die.
- <Character name>: If I swear not to tell anyone? Cross my heart.
- Shining Blade Exemplar: The oath we take is far more intense and binding—not something you seal with a pinky swear.
- ^ Shining Blade Secrets
- <Character name>: I'll take the oath, if that's required. But, I can't entrust the aspect to you until I know it won't be misused.
- Countess Anise: You told him/her about the oath?
- Exemplar Kerida: Talking about the oath won't kill me. Just telling the secrets. Besides, he/she wouldn't shut up about it. [...]
- Countess Anise: You will be an agent at large. You will have special freedoms, so long as you're not working against Kryta.
