Oath of Majority (Balor)
This Oath of Majority is an Oath sworn by all members of House Balor after their Fior-Righ.
Words
"By the serpent which twines around the golden tower, by the crimson beam that streams from Balor's Eye, by the blood that runs like fire through my veins, I pledge my heart, mind and body to the will of House Balor. To the threshold of death and beyond, my spirit belongs to my house. My eyes see through the eyes of my ancestors: my heart beats with the anger of vengeance denied: my tongue cries out for justice and restitution in the name of Balor and all his children. Let the challenge that makes my body as different from all others serve as a constant reminder of my birth and my destiny, and let no one deter me from my service to my house. May I suffer the agony of a thousand flames if I betray my house or any of its members. This I swear, by the tower and beam and blood. May the Dreaming hear my oath and exact its penalties should I forswear it."
Overview
Upon surviving Fosterage and the Fior-Righ, each new member of House Balor takes this oath before all the members of her freehold or clique. Usually sworn by the light of a full moon, symbol of Balor's Eye, this oath grants all the benefits and responsibilities of house membership upon the oath taker. The oath taker speaks the words of the oath while holding an iron dagger to her throat. After finishing the oath, the House Boon takes effect; the oath taker demonstrates this by cutting herself at the base of her throat with the dagger held while taking the oath.
Effects
Should the Dreaming reject the oath for any reason (signified by the loss of Glamour from the wound caused by the iron dagger), the administrator of the oath has the right to use the dagger to slay the oath taker on the spot.
Other Balor Oaths
- The Oath of Loyal Service binds a commoner to the house without granting membership.
- The Oath of Adoption and Ritual Maiming makes another sidhe or commoner a member of the house
- The Oath of the Enchanted Servant is sworn by enchanted humans.