Ancient Pact
The Ancient Pact is the term used for a pledge that binds a mortal’s and changeling’s fates tightly together.
Overview
A powerful, emotionally charged commitment, this pledge is seen as akin to a marriage or becoming blood-brothers; additionally, not only does it bind the two involved parties, the changeling’s Court is obligated to honor the pledge. As such, the Ancient Pact is incredibly rare, with the Court rarely giving consent if the mortal has not performed some sort of service for its sake.
One variation of the pact is the Household Rite, wherein a motley, rather than an individual, takes the mortal in. This form does not involve the Court, traditionally only being considered the concern of the motley.
The Vow
— Take this token, as a sign of our pact. Let our dreams mingle — I in your sleeping dreams, you in my waking. Friends, then, and beyond friends. Let this token be our pledge in this Ancient Pact. Will you be bound?
— You and me, against the world. Thicker than blood. No matter what, and damn the one who breaks the friendship.
Characteristics
Type: Corporal, Court Token
Tasks: Endeavor, Medial (–2, the mortal swears to aid the changeling in any way the mortal needs, provided doing so doesn’t endanger him), Forbiddance, Medial (–2, the mortal swears to never speak of changelings to those who are not changelings or other ensorcelled); Dreaming (–2), Ensorcellment (–2)
Boons: Blessing, Medial (+2, mortal is granted either a three- or four-dot Merit, or a +2 to a Merit he already has), Ensorcellment (+2, mortal); Blessing, Medial (+2, the changeling shares in the mortal’s blessing), Glamour (+2, changeling gains one point of Glamour per day)
Sanction: Curse, Greater (–3, both)
Duration: Lifelong (+3)
Invocation: 1 Willpower (both) + 1 Willpower dot (mortal or changeling)
References
- CTL: Changeling: The Lost Rulebook, p. 187-188