Ironwood Pact
The Ironwood Pact is a Summer pledge made on the eve of war.
Overview
Made between a Summer Sovereign and her soldiers, this pledge grants bonuses to all combat skills, ensuring that the pledge-bound will be able to fight well in all circumstances. However, forsworn face an equally powerful sanction: being struck by one of Summer’s most powerful contracts.
The Vow
—Those gathered here today do solemnly swear upon my crown of office that we shall march as one into battle. As one our weapons shall cleave our enemies in twain, rend their flesh and shatter their bones. Our fists shall fall upon them like thunder, and the glory of Eternal Summer shall assure that we never falter from pain or weariness. Know though, that the first and last of you to betray this compact shall not only be ostracized from our Court, but be struck down with glorious fire that will course through your blood and char your soul.
—All right, maggots. Everybody’s hands on the sundial. For today, we’re family. We watch each other’s backs. We keep one another alive. We don’t fuck one another over. Tomorrow can be business as usual, but today, we’re kin. With our family at our back, we’ll be shit-kickers. Our punches will land harder, our blades will be sharper, our guns will shoot straighter and our feet will run faster. We won’t feel pain until we’re on death’s door. But if you fuck over one of your family, I will personally see to it that your flesh is burned away from your yellow bones. Understood?
Characteristics
Type: Corporal, Courtly Emblem
Tasks: Alliance, Medial (–2, all to one another)
Boons: Adroitness, Lesser (+1, Weaponry, all); Adroitness, Lesser (+1, Athletics, all); Adroitness, Lesser (+1, Brawl, all); Adroitness, Lesser (+1, Firearms, all); Blessing, Medial (+2, Iron Stamina ••, all)
Sanction: Pishogue, Greater (–3, The Lord’s Dread Gaze, all); Vulnerability, Glamour (–2, all)
Duration: One Day (+1)
Invocation: 1 Willpower
References
- CTL: Swords at Dawn, p. 56